Overclocking The Voltage Of The Intel Core 2 Duo Series

By Billy Zype

You've finally decided to overclock that Core 2 Duo processor you have. Issue is, even with all the proper overclocking software and the right heat prevention gear for your components, your processor still can't output the necessary voltage to get this thing started. Instead of simply throwing away your motherboard and buying a new one, through using a variation on the "pin-mod" overclocking technique, you can easily alter the voltage with just some electrical tape and conductive ink.

All it will take is for you to jump a few pins on your Core 2 Duo CPU and you're done with the voltage overclock. These "pins" use to stick out of the processor, making a pin-mod like this a little bit more complicated, involving a paper clip and direct work on the motherboard. But now that the pins are simply flat on the board, all you need to do is bridge the right pins and you're good to go!

Before we begin, make sure to note what voltage your processor is. The default voltage of the Core 2 Duo CPU's will either be 1.2875v, 1.35v, or 1.325v and as this mod will work on any Core 2 Duo processor from the E6300 to the X6800, you'll want to take a look at the box it came in or online for which voltage yours is.

You'll be able to overclock your CPU to a voltage from 1.4v to 1.6v depending on what it's default voltage is. You don't need to perform a lower voltage modification to get to the higher one, simply establish what voltage you plan on overclocking your Core 2 Duo to and follow the instructions below it.

Begin by placing the chip on an area of static resistant material. The arrow on the CPU should be facing towards the lower right corner from the direction that you are viewing it. All of the modifications will be in the top left side of the chip. Use the electrical tape to cover the pins you won't be connecting, and the conductive ink to connect the proper pins as detailed out below.

Overclock from 1.2875v:

- Overclock to 1.41v: Connect the first set of pins at row two, column's three and four. Then the second set of pins at row's four and five, column four.

- Overclock to 1.46v: Connect the two pins at row two, columns three and four, then connect the pin at row two, column four to the pin at row three, column four. Also, you need to put piece of tape over the pin at row three, column six.

- Overclock to 1.51v: Connect the two pins at row two, column's three and four together, then connect the pin at row two, column four to the pin at row three, column four.

- Overclock to 1.56v: Connect the pins at rows two, three, and four, column four and then the pins at row two, columns three and four. Place a pin sized piece of tape over the pin at row three, column six. Also, you need to put piece of tape over the pin at row three, column six.

- Overclock to 1.6v: Start by connecting the pins at rows two, three, and four, column four. Then you should connect the pins at row two, columns three and four. You will need to cover the pin at row three, column five with electrical tape.

Overclock from 1.35v:

- Overclock to 1.4v: Simply connect the pins together at row three, columns six and seven.

- Overclock to 1.45v: Start by connecting the pins together at rows two and three, column four, then cover the pin at row four, column four with electrical tape.

- Overclock to 1.5v: The first set of pins are row's two and three, column four. The second set of pins are row three, column's six and seven. Place a pin sized piece of tape over the pin at row four, column four.

- Overclock to 1.55v: You will need to connect the two pins together at row's two and three, column four.

- Overclock to 1.6v: Start by connecting the pins at rows two and three, column four, and then connect the pins at row three, columns six and seven together.

Overclocking from 1.325v:

- Overclock to 1.4v: Connect the pins at row two, columns three and four, and then the pins at row three, columns six and seven.

- Overclock to 1.45v: Start by connecting the two pins at row two, column's three and four together, then connect the pin at row two, column four to the pin at row three, column four. Place a pin sized piece of tape over the pin at row four, column four.

View complete diagrams on overclocking a Core 2 Duo plus get the necessary overclocking software before you begin

A380i - A Sharp Mobile Phone From CECT That Puts The iPhone To Shame

By Rae Edwards

The CECT A380i is a much anticipated iPhone clone that not only has very convincingly copied the iPhone, but made major and appreciated improvements upon it.

The A380i looks very much like the iPhone and it performs all of the functions that you love about the iPhone. It has a high resolution 3.0 inch touch screen, a built in digital camera, built in Bluetooth, a built in video camera and player, and MP3 / MP4 players. The clone does not require any software. It can automatically read any sim card.

The A380i has tacked on many improvements to the iPhone. For example, CECT noticed that many customers were carrying around two cell phones and were using two cell phone numbers -- (typically one for personal calls and one for business). So the company decided to put a dual sim on this clone so that you could have two numbers in one phone. You don't need to turn off the phone for this feature to work. The phone also works fine with only one sim if you do not have the need for this feature.

The A390i also improves upon the iPhone by adding a removable battery. You won't need to take the phone to the dealer when the battery goes dead. CECT understood that customers do not want to be dependent on the manufacturer for basic maintenance. CECT has also added additional speakers and surround sound.

You do not need to try and hack this clone if you don't want to use AT&T's expensive service. It has a slide unlock feature that lets you unlock the phone by merely sliding your hand. Once unlocked, you can use this phone with any carrier you chose.

The most innovative feature and the one that receives the most attention is the shake feature. When you want to change any media (songs, wall paper or photos), you just shake the phone to advance the media. You don't need to scroll or look down.

Additionally, the A380 has an expandable memory via micro SD cards. The iPhone does not have this technology.

This clone is already well priced at about $150, sometimes lower. This is a very fair price for the cutting edge technology and features CECT packs into one tiny smartphone.

The best way to evaluate the CECT A380i is through video. Please visit the CECT A380i Product Review Website by clicking here. You'll see video, photos, specifications and the best pricing on this awesome phone.

Portable Point of Sale - A How-To Guide

These days you don't have to be stationary in order to set up any sort of a computer kiosk for point of sale applications or just simply an information post. This easy guide will talk about different ways you can have a portable kiosk that can even take orders over the internet.

The first tool to any good kiosk is a touch screen monitor. If you're looking for a good 15-inch touch screen monitor, you're probably going to be buying in the price range of about $350-$450. Try to find one that was built for the purposes of a kiosk. Features of such touch screen monitors include an adjustable mount that comes included, and a built-in cable organizer. These features will make your kiosk definitely look professional. These monitors will need a power supply to plug in, a display signal source (such as VGA or DVI from your computer), and a USB source (also from your computer). The software for your POS display should be included in your kit.

Another thing that will make your kiosk portable is a 3G router. These routers are designed to work with a data card that you get from a cell phone provider. If your provider (such as Sprint or Verizon) offers an unlimited data plan, they will probably give you a data card or air card in the form of an expresscard, PCMCIA card, or USB dongle. These cards use a signal that comes off of cell phone towers that allow you to access the internet from anywhere. These 3G signals allow you to use an Internet connection that works faster than DSL speeds. Once your POS kiosk is set up, you will have the same abilities to sell products or access information from anywhere as you would if the kiosk were set up in a stationary area.

This router will probably run you in the $300 range. Combining these items with a computer for another $400-$800, you could have a fully functioning portable kiosk for as little as $1000 with full anywhere internet capabilities.

Cameron Postelwait works as a content developer for Sewell Direct, proud retailers of touchscreen monitors, and the Kyocera KR2 router for 3G networks.

Take A Solar Battery Charger With You On Your Next Road Trip

By Assaf Katzir

We have all had the circumstance where we went to use a battery powered device and it was out of charge with no outlets and no way to recharge it. Those were the old days, today with the use of a solar battery charger, will never be away from a power source again. With a solar battery charger all you need is sunlight and you will be able to use your device whenever and wherever you want.

The solar battery charger can be useful for anyone. Almost everyone these days has a cell phone and has had it run out of charge with no way to charge it back up. The solar charger can be used for this specific purpose as well as any other small devices that have rechargeable batteries. The solar powered battery chargers are useful for anyone looking to take a road trip or going on a long camping trip as well. You will no longer have to worry about the nuisance of using long cords to charge these devices ever again.

The best benefit of using a solar powered battery charger is the fact that you will never have to use outlet electricity to charge your devices again. It is absolutely free to use forever and draws all of its power from the sun. Some solar battery chargers can even draw energy from some lamps and light bulbs! Using a solar powered battery charger over a standard battery charger over the years will save you money and will allow you to spend that money on other things which you deserve.

Using a solar battery charger or any solar powered device is also very helpful to the environment. Energy conservation is a top priority across the globe today and solar power is just one source of renewable energy in which we all can do our part to help save the earth.

Keep in mind that solar powered chargers can be used for much more than just mobile cell phones. Recent technology has made major improvements in adapters and connectors that will allow you to plug just about anything with rechargeable batteries to the solar unit. The solar powered battery charger is another great invention to help make life a bit easier.

With it, you will never be tied down to a charger again. You can literally take it anywhere and the price you pay for the solar battery charger will more than pay for itself with the money you save in electricity usage over the years. Liberate yourself from ever using a wall recharge again and buy a solar battery charger today!

Read more about solar battery chargers at http://www.onlinesolarpanels.com

How To Find The Best Computer Repair Service

By Alexa Peters

If you're reading this article, you have had or currently are in the need of computer repair service. With the prevalence of computers and our dependency to them, chances are most of you have had the unfortunate computer repair issues that required a professional computer repair technician's experience to fix.

Whether you are a end-consumer trying to get on the internet or having trouble receiving emails or a small business sorting your way out of an accounting software nightmare or needing to acquire a Microsoft small business server, professional help is only a few clicks away.

The biggest hurdle when sorting through the multitude of computer repair technicians who advertise through their website online or in your local yellow pages is to find a firm staffed with certified computer technicians. In addition, you want to make sure that the firm is staffed with professionals that have a few years of troubleshooting computer and networking issues under their belt. Often, the desire to cut in on experience and get "Joe from next door" to fix your personal computer can backfire and your recourses are limited, unless you're dealing with a certified, trained and established firm.

According to a recent article "the unfortunate situation that is prevalent in the computer repair industry is that the good service firms end up fixing the other firms bad work". It is really important to select a firm specializing in a broad range of small business computer networking services to make sure that you issues are adequately covered. And once the customer understands that she is dealing with a heavily certified, personal and reliable business, most customers will become happy.

Top notch businesses services such as described above are not unique yet it is the personal touch that becomes a critical factor in the customer's loaded list of requirements. Since every computer configuration is unique, customers are looking to someone that is going to dig beyond the surface and ensure long term results. Right there at the same level in that list and no less significant is cost.

Customers are jaded with spending hundreds of dollars and weeks of downtime with big box store computer repair support inexperienced geeks. If the Computer repair technician you are speaking to cannot give you an estimate of the costs, a reasonable hourly rate and more importantly, assurance that your system will be repaired promptly, run away. In addition, if your request embodies several computer or networking services which will last more than three or four hours, ask for a "project" discounted price. After all, everything is negotiable, even computer repair services.

The computer repair service market is primed for companies that put the customer first and techno-gobbledygook second.

Finding a reputable and affordable computer service is not brain surgery. You can go to Google and type: "computer repair services" with your town name and state. Check the website results and look for companies that provide certified (check for: Computer Technology Industry Industry A+, Microsoft Certified Professional or even better Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Trainer)online computer repair services, fair hourly market rates and give them a call. Often, a personal conversation can tell you much about who you will want to deal with.

Cowbell Systems is a computer service provider in the Research Triangle Area of North Carolina. You can contact them at (919) 760-5003 or visit http://www.CowbellSystems.com for reliable computer repair Raleigh, North Carolina. Microsoft Certified - Raleigh Computer Networking - Raleigh Computer Services - Raleigh Computer Repair - Cary NC IT Consultants.

 

Product Funnel Creation - Latest 3 Hidden Methods to Breakthrough with Product Funnel Creation

Creating series of products that will target every single need of your potential clients is good for the business. It promotes loyalty among your customers and it enables you to increase your profit per client. These are the reasons why product funnel creation is such an instant hit online; it provides a win-win situation for both online entrepreneurs and consumers.

1. Establish trust among your potential clients. This is the first step that you need to take in order to succeed in this endeavor. You need people to trust you so they will consider doing business with you. This can easily be done by establishing your expertise online and sharing a slice of your knowledge to your potential clients so they will know that you are really good on what you do. Posting testimonials of your most satisfied clients on your website can also help in earning the trust of your potential clients.

2. Create series of products. Your customers, although they might experience the same situation, have different level of needs. For instance, if you are targeting people who would like to create websites on their own, some of them have basic information on how to do it while others are virtually clueless. Thus, they will need different products that will fit their needs and their skill level.

3. Promote your products. Before you can sell your offerings, you need to know the best ways to connect with your potential clients and build up your products to increase your sales. In this regard, you can utilize the following marketing and product promotional tools that are proven effective and efficient: article marketing, PPC advertising, forum posting, blog marketing, email marketing, link building, and SEO.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Do Not Forget to Check Out Various Components Before Getting a Notebook Computer

When you are about to purchase a cheap notebook computer, the most important component that should be examined is the central processing unit. There are only two processors that you should consider for a notebook computer, and they are the Intel Core 2 Duo and the Intel Core Duo. These two chips are regarded as the most reliable and are the top of the line. Both processors are available in notebook computers that are on the market for less than $1000.

There are several notebook computers that you can easily find within a very affordable price range. These systems are using older technology, since technology changes so quickly. You will probably have to buy another computer within a year or two. When looking for a cheap notebook computer, get one that will last you about four years. That will save you a few hundred dollars in the long run. In other words, don't buy technology that is too old. Do some research before making a purchase, and don't assume that the cheapest one is the best idea.

Another thing that you should be aware of when shopping for a cheap notebook computer is the RAM, memory. You need to make sure that the memory is fast enough to run the operating system that you plan to use. You should also pay attention to software or computer games that you will be using, and make sure there is enough RAM on the computer for those things. You can add extra memory on the computer for a small fee and have it installed for you, to make sure your computer will run fast enough.

Battery life is also a very important thing when you are considering buying a notebook computer. The main purpose of getting a notebook computer is so that you can be mobile. If you have to constantly plug in your computer, what is it use? A fully charged battery on a quality notebook computer can last between 3 to 6 hours. (The central processing unit plays an important role in the battery life. The more programs you are running, the faster the battery will drain.)

When you are looking for a cheap notebook computer, you should also consider the hard drive space. This is a very important factor. If your computer does not have enough space, it will constantly run slow. If you don't use very many media files, a 60 to 80 GB hard drive will be fine for you. If you do plan to use a lot of media files, you should get a bigger hard drive.

There are various websites where you can easily get the information about price, features, and discounts available for notebook computers. Use the internet as a resource, and go get the best computer within your budget.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computers, laptops and software. When shopping for used computers, used laptops and used software, we recommend you shop at only the best online stores for used notebook computer, used notebook laptop, used Cheap notebook computers software.

 

How to Network - 10 Top Tips

When you are seeking a new job or are making contacts as part of your business, networking plays a key part. Networking is the process of interacting with others to exchange information or experiences for mutual benefit. There are so many ways that you network in your personal and professional lives and for many reasons.

You network when you meet new people at a party and perhaps you talk to someone who has a similar interest to you. In a formal situation, you network at professionally run networking events, or by talking to people you know and trust.

If you are seeking a new job, you can find out more about a career, and ask for information from people who already work in that area. You can make contacts with people who may be able to offer opportunities to you, and if you are lucky, be in the right place at the right time!

For those in business, networking is a great opportunity to help you to meet other people who work in a similar business to you, or make contacts who can support you or your business.

So, how do you network?

1. Talk to people you already know - who do they know who can offer you advice or information to help you?

2. Research your profession - use trade journals or websites to find people who can help you.

3. Join a professional organisation - find a professional institution where you can meet potential contacts or organisations, or attend interesting presentations.

4. Join a local networking group. You can meet with like-minded people, promote your skills or your business, and share experiences with other people.

5. Go along to local events such as careers fairs, or other events that are linked closely to your career or business.

6. If you don't think you are confident enough to go to networking events, go along anyway and act "as if". If you believe you are self-assured, you will come across this way. And remember there will be other people who feel like you too!

7. Remember who you meet. If you take someone's business card, make a few notes on the back of their card - such as where you met them and what you talked about.

8. Preparation is key when you attend a networking event. Think about who you want to meet and what you want to say. If you are trying to find a particular type of contact, ask people to help you to meet this person.

9. Maintain your network - follow up any leads soon after the event so you don't miss great opportunities. Also, keep in touch with people - a simple email or telephone call will help you to keep in touch with your contacts, as you never know what opportunity may be around the corner.

10. Also, networking doesn't have to be face to face, there are great ways of connecting with people online, through the many networking groups such as Ecademy or social networking sites, such as Facebook.

But remember that networking isn't just about building a group of transient people, it is important to create a network of people who are supportive and can help you. Good luck!

For regular hints and tips like this, sign up today to the Self Discovery newsletter at www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk.

Copyright Karen Williams 2008. All Rights Reserved Karen Williams is a Life and Career Development Coach and runs her own coaching practice, Self Discovery Coaching. She has over ten years experience of working in Human Resources, training, coaching and management roles and is a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). For more information and to sign up for the free Self Discovery newsletter, go to http://www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk/ and you will receive a free career planning report to help you to be happier at work.

 

Barcodes and Books

Barcodes and Books

How a book is identified depends somewhat on when and how it was published. Many books have no identifying numbers. There are two common barcoding systems used on books. The four most common numbers are the EAN (European Article Number AKA International Article Number), the ISBN (International Standard Book Number and earlier the Standard Book Number), the UPC (Universal Product Code) and the Library of Congress Catalog Number. Of these numbers, only the EAN and UPC can appear as barcodes.

EAN

Newer books should have an EAN. There are two forms in common usage: the EAN (which is 13 digits long) and the EAN + 5 (18 digits). In the latter case, the last 5 digits code the currency and price. The EAN is often on the inside of the front cover of a book.

The first section of any EAN barcode is the EAN. The first three numbers are the country code. If the first three numbers are 978 or 979, this tells us this item is from "Bookland," which is the imaginary country that all Books come from. The next nine numbers are the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and a checksum. The second section of the barcode tells us the price. The first number is the currency, the other four are the price.

ISBN

ISBN identification (International Standard Book Number) was implemented in 1970. [The earlier Standard Book Number was used from 1966 to 1974]

ISBNs have either 10 or 13 digits. This is an example of an ISBN: ISBN 0-812-50394-5

A 10-digit ISBN can be converted to an EAN by adding the "Bookland" prefix 978 and changing the last digit to the new checksum. (No old ISBN translates to a 979 Bookland code. Also, a 979 EAN is the ISBN. And there is no ten digit version. Only the 13-digit EAN/ISBN will appear as a barcode, never the 10-digit code.

On some books, the ISBN will be coded with a two-height barcode, similar to the US Postal code.

Price Point UPC

North American books also use the UPC (Universal Product Code) system. Most often (always for older paperbacks) if there is a barcode, it will be the Price Point UPC. The first section is the UCC (Company Code), the last section is an item number. Unfortunately, the price is smack in the middle! Which means, when the price changes, the UPC changes. In technical terms this system is "really stupid!" As of 1 January 2007 its use was discontinued, but there are many books out there with this type of barcode.

You can recognize a Price Point UPC by that price-in-the-middle feature. Also, the small 5-digit add-on contains part of the ISBN. If you see a Price Point UPC on the back of the book, check to see if it has an EAN as well. (The EAN is often on the inside of the front cover of a paperback book) The EAN is much easier to work with.

About the barcodes themselves

The EAN and UPC use the same barcode font. Each character is expressed in four bars. The bars can have one of four widths and both the dark and light bars count. There are barcodes where the white space doesn't carry information, in this case it they matter. If you assign the numbers 0-3 to each bar width, you'll find out that each character's bars will total 7. This is part of the error checking.

Both EAN and UPC codes contain additional error checking in the form of a check digit. This is the 12th character in a UPC and the 13th in an EAN.

Other Codes

Large retailers find it useful to create their own inventory-tracking systems, using barcodes that relate to numbers in their central computer's data-base but not necessarily to the world outside. They can print up stickers with a barcode font that their computer understands, but no one else can. Some of these barcodes look like EAN or UPC because they use the same font UUC128, some use completely different fonts and coding.

Book that don't have a barcode, how to add one

Look on the back of the title page for the ISBN. ISBN identification (International Standard Book Number) was implemented in 1970. A 10-digit ISBN can be converted to an EAN by adding the "Bookland" prefix 978 and changing the last digit to the new checksum. http://www.isbn.org/converterret.asp does this for you. You can convert the ISBN to an EAN barcode and print it out. If you want to understand more, go to http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/index.asp

Library of Congress Catalog Number

Older books may just have a LCCN. This doesn't translate to a UPC, EAN or ISBN and although the Library of Congress has an online database, it often only contains the number for a book's first edition. The LCCN is never barcoded.

David Schlinkert The Groqit is the world's smallest portable inventory computer with a built-in barcode reader. It is designed to assist people in keeping track of large collections of books, DVDs, etc. And help them avoid buying duplicate items. http://www.groqit.com

Let us Check the Job of a Printer Toner

Computers are fantastic. They have made our lives so much easier than we could ever have imagined As computers are becoming more and more popular, so are computer accessories. Printers are the most common accessory that is used with a computer. In reality, printers give the shape and structure to the soft copies of the computer. Printers are no longer an accessory, but the have become a most essential commodity. The Printer is the most frequently used piece of equipment, both in the office and in the home. Printer toner is the main mechanism that lies inside the printer. Let us learn about the toner in detail.

When you use a computer printer either at home or at the office, you will come to know the role of a toner. What role does the toner play in assisting the printer to function. Most people who use printers have little information about the toner. Their knowledge is limited to knowing how and when to change the toner. Someone can change the toner without actually knowing its system of operation.

Let us learn how the printer toner actually works? The printer toner contains ink that may be either in liquid form or in powder form. This cartridge actually makes the documents that are created inside the computer. These cartridges actually materialize them and bring them to life so that we can hold them in our hands. When we click the print option on the computers the printer gets activated. A signal is sent to the printer to discharge all the required colors of ink that would be necessary for the fonts of the document. This would create the same document that has been created in the computer.

Printer toner is the most indispensable part of a printer. In order for the printer to perform well, it must be have a compatible toner. The toner needs to be replaced depending on the volumes of printing done. It needs to be changed periodically and even more frequently if the printing stuff is voluminous. Replacing a printer toner can be expensive in many cases.

Many people go to the manufacturer of the printer when they need to replace the toner. This is not the only option. The toner bears the specific product number that will assist you in locating the right type of toner. Toner is priced a bit expensively. But you need to use a quality toner. If the printer toner is of a poor quality, then it will show in the printers performance. An inexpensive toner of lesser quality can clog or damage your printer seriously.

It would not be accurate to say that quality toner cannot be found at a reasonable price. There are actually some brands that offer quality toners an affordable price. The cost of using a printer lies basically in the cost of the toner. So it is fair to say that the toner is the hidden cost of any printer. The next time you decide to buy a printer, do not forget to check the toner.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computers, laptops and software. When shopping for used computers, used laptops and used software, we recommend you shop at only the best online stores for used computer printer, used laptop, used printer toner software.

Can Raketu Replace a SIM Card?

By Tim Hillebrand

I recently received a lovely new WMG Windows Mobile 6 Professional device that came unlocked without a SIM card, which limited some of its powerful capability. Without a SIM card, I could not use it to make phone calls, send text messages, or MMS messages. However, when I discovered the wireless communication possibilities of the newly released Raketu for Windows Mobile devices, I was eager to give it a try.

Raketu is a VoIP-based service that has been available for desktops, but is now offered for Windows Mobile devices as well. It is supposed to enable you to use your handset to make calls anywhere in the world free. You can send email, as well as SMS, and MMS messages.

With Raketu, you can also create your own radio show and even watch TV. However, it's not like SlingPlayer that allows you to watch anything you can watch at home, for there will be only a few specified channels available. However, these features are not yet enabled.

The "free phone calls" comes with a qualification. For a limited time, there is a promotional offer that gives you 1200 minutes of free phone calls. So, grab it while it lasts. Normally, the pricing structure varies according to the country called. You can make computer-to-computer calls for free. It appears that a call in the United States costs one cent per minute. It seems to me that the rates are about half what Skype charges. The same is true for SMS. You can make calls to 43 countries around the world. It's a Web-based service. All you need to do is set up an account and then login with your user ID and password. The first time around it's free. But then you will have to fund it in advance to make calls. You can sign up for it at www.raketu.com.

However, if you log in at this URL a screen appears with lots of information. You have to scroll and scroll and scroll way, way down to get to the input panels, which is annoying. There should simply be a link to them instead of having to scroll forever. I almost gave up the first time. Then I discovered that there is a mobile site optimized for small screens at www.raketu.mobi. Use this instead for your handheld.

There is an email input panel a panel for SMS, and one for making phone calls all together on one page. Again, this involves lots of scrolling, and it is easy to bypass the one you want. I think it would be an improvement to have a menu selection for these items so they would appear separately. There is no MMS panel yet, but that feature should be forthcoming soon.

I understand that this application is used on a worldwide basis, but I found it annoying to have to specify your language and country every time you log in. Why could this information not be stored as a cookie or with your password?

Another annoyance is that you cannot connect to your Outlook contacts. You can eventually build up a contact list, but this is a bother. Future editions should address this problem and include it as a service and convenience.

Raketu is also a networking community that allows you to share your profile and search for others in the system who are online or who have similar interests, and then communicate with them. So, if you're looking for a new way to make contacts, you may like Raketu for that purpose.

The bottom line is that it is a wee bit clumsy to use. However, it's certainly worth a try, if you have the patience because it is an intended solution to save you money using a VoIP connection on your WM device while giving your PDA greater communication functionality even without a SIM card and dependency on an expensive phone network.

Soon Reketu expects to be able to issue incoming phone numbers to customers so that you can receive calls just as you can with Skype-in. This will also enable return texting, which will be another plus. As it is now, the only way people can respond to your SMS is to your cell phone, which defeats the whole point of an alternative Internet system and the use of a Pocket PC without a phone connection.

Skype has more or less ruled the VoIP world for handhelds, and now Raketu is here to offer some competition-as soon as it irons out the kinks, which I hope will be soon. The end user should benefit accordingly. It will be interesting to keep an eye on developments.

My fantasy is that one day Wi-Fi and/or Wi-Max signals will be as ubiquitous as AM, FM, and satellite radio signals so that you can be continually connected and use Wi-Fi as your total means of wireless communication as well as for radio and television. This will obviate mobile phone networks and their notorious, rapacious two-year contracts.

In conclusion, I see Ratketu as a work in progress with a great mission in store but with a bit more work to do before it is ready on a commercial basis. I encourage you to try it and to make helpful suggestions, for it is a worthwhile project. However, I'm not ready to burn my SIM card just yet. Perhaps the time will come.

Give Raketu a try.

Timothy Hillebrand, Ph.D. is a retired archaeologist and windows mobile expert who writes for Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine and several other publications. Visit his blog at http://professorpocket.blogspot.com/

Sun - OpenSolaris is Now on the Map

By Lora Bentley

Question: Novell CEO Ron Hovsepian said in a Linux Foundation interview recently that Sun's Solaris and OpenSolaris aren't going anywhere. I would venture to say that you don't agree, but do you want to elaborate?

Phipps: Well, as it stands, the very fact that the question was asked at all says that something has changed and that OpenSolaris is now on the map. The comments that Novell's executive made were very ill informed, as I recall... I remember when I read them that they seemed to be based on data that was five years old. It seems to me that Novell's shareholders ought to be worried that their chief executive isn't keeping up on the competition.

Question: Commenting on my coverage of the Hovsepian interview, Sun's Patrick Finch takes issue with the download numbers that Hovsepian cited for OpenSolaris. What are the numbers?

Phipps: Hovsepian's number is silly. The actual data is far larger than that, and I think that he could have found that out simply by looking at the OpenSolaris Web site. It depends on which number you actually want. Patrick Finch wrote a blog posting in which he includes the numbers.

The thing that people who actually want to use an operating system would download is Solaris Express. There have been vast numbers of downloads of both Solaris 10 and Solaris Express - in the millions of downloads for Solaris 10 and hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, for Solaris Express. I don't have precisely the numbers at hand right now.

The deal is that since Solaris was made open source, there's been a huge resurgence of interest in OpenSolaris. It would be correct to say that OpenSolaris has not gotten to the point where you could expect it to go big just yet because the project itself is just a couple of years old. But even considering that that's the case, it's already got millions of downloads, and is already seeing significant revenues - which unfortunately we don't break out, so I can't get you direct numbers - from selling subscriptions to support Solaris.

I think that what Mr. Hovsepian is doing here is "whistling in the dark," as they say. I think he's worried about the resurgence of a new, fast, innovative OpenSolaris...The fact the question arose shows it's on his mind, and that he had to be so dismissive with so little data suggests he's afraid. I don't have too many problems with my competitors being afraid of what we're doing, and I'm even happier that they are ill informed and don't know what's about to hit them.

Question: Hovsepian also indicates it's not good for a company to try to strike a balance between open source and commercial interests. How do you respond to that?

Phipps: Well, Novell's got a big problem. What they're doing is trying to sell open source software as if it was proprietary software. The comment that Mr. Hovsepian made seems to be projecting Novell's malaise onto Sun, but we don't have that malaise. We ship a completely free piece of software that anyone can download and use without any restrictions. We don't resort to FUD tactics around patents to try and scare people into buying some commercial version. Customers who actually deploy the software then have the opportunity to buy subscriptions so that they get the best out of their deployment...

Let's say that you install Solaris and you like it. You're under no compulsion to come to Sun whatever. We're not like Novell or Red Hat with a commercial version and a free version. We just have the free software - in one edition - that you can adopt, and when you're ready, we have a support and service subscription you can buy. There's no special thing you have to do. You don't have to go get a special version.

Let's look at Red Hat. To go from Fedora to Red Hat Enterprise... you actually have to drop Fedora and adopt Red Hat Enterprise if you want support. That's the model I think has problems, and that's not the model Sun's going for. Sun has one binary, and when you're ready for support, we sell support. If you never need support, you never need call.

Again, it's the same situation you've got on the download numbers. Unfortunately, Mr. Hovsepian doesn't actually seem to have the facts. If he did, I'm pretty sure he would be a lot more worried about us.

Question: Hovsepian also questioned the OpenSolaris "community contract" and called it dangerous...

Phipps: Yes, there was a throwaway comment in the podcast where Mr. Hovsepian was trying to cast FUD on the way the OpenSolaris community administers itself. He was claiming that if you go look at the source code, you're tainted from ever working on Linux. That's complete and utter rubbish. I don't know where he's getting it from, but it's so untrue as to almost be actionable. Patrick Finch makes an interesting point that this isn't the first time Mr. Hovsepian has made an ill-informed and misleading attack on OpenSolaris. Maybe it's that he hasn't got anyone else to attack because Novell is such an unpopular company in the open source movement.

Sun is actually a member of the Linux Foundation, and it is the single largest contributor of code to what you find on the average Linux distribution disk. We're completely committed to usable free software. We're committed to supporting Linux users. We're committed to developing OpenSolaris.

How to Clean Noisy Hums From Video and Sound Effects

The most common audio related request that I receive from producers and video editors is to remove an annoying hum or rumble from a finished piece of video, whether a short film, corporate piece, web commercial, etc. It seems that often budgets do not account for a sound person on location during the shoot to ensure high quality audio recording and videographers generally opt to plug in a few mics and wing it during the shoot. As a result, dialog is often difficult to hear and/or competes with background hums from the environment, i.e., the dreaded air conditioner or other piece of industrial equipment. The same noises often need to be eradicated when recording and mixing sound effects or other sound design elements for video.

While there is a plethora of software plugins such as SoundSoap, Audacity, and Soundforge that provide noise reduction algorithms to help fix the offending noise, these all require a bit of study and time that may be impossible under tight deadlines. I've had requests to clean up audio for projects due for uploading in the next few hours. Sometimes I'm available to help and sometimes not. For those of you who find yourself plagued by the Beast of Hum from an air conditioner, under a tight deadline, and without audio support, here are a few quick and dirty strategies available readily available in audio/video software that won't solve damaged audio completely (nothing will), but may certainly ease your suffering:

EQ or Equalization: Trim down the offensive hum

Single Band EQ plugin: The first step in audio sweetening is to remove unwanted noise. Since a hum or rumble generally resides around 60 Hz, immediately use a Single Band Equalizer, generally named Low Cut (see jpeg below), to cut out all frequencies below 120 Hz. You can usually cut out all frequencies below 100 to 120 Hz without adversely affecting dialogue.

Parametric Equalization plugin: Notch targeted areas

Using a parametric equalizer, in Logic Pro called a Channel EQ (see jpeg below), choose a Notch Filter to notch out the frequency at 60 Hz and its octaves at 120 Hz and 240 Hz (if you've already used the Low Cut at 120 Hz then the notch at 60 Hz will be irrelevant). This will remove some of the offending hum without affecting the frequencies that surround it. A notch filter uses a high Q, which is essentially the width of the equalization. A higher Q means a more narrow EQ target. Therefore for notch filtering you want to set your Q at 100 if doing it manually, and your decibels at -96, which reduces the volume of the undesired frequencies to zero without affecting the frequencies below and above it.

EQ or Equalization plugin: Slightly boost the dialog audio

Parametric equalization can also be used to slightly boost the desired audio, which in this case would be the frequencies of the human voice, which occur mostly between 3,000 and 8,000 Hz. Therefore increase the decibels of the human voice slightly at 5,000 Hz using a low Q, which gives a smooth slope to the affected area. The point here is not to overboost the human voice which will make it sound trebly, but to give it prominence over the background hum.

Reverb: Give the mix a bath

Apply a slight amount of reverb to add warmth and smoothness to the overall audio. A tiny bit of reverb creates a sort of sonic wash over the mix and reduces any "tin can" effect created by cutting out the low end. For a quick fix, simply use whatever default reverb is provided with your editing system, making sure to keep the effect very very low. Many types of reverbs will add warmth so feel free to experiment and trust your ears.

While the above tips are very basic and will not by any means eliminate the problems of poorly recorded audio, they will definitely improve the sound of a poor recording when the dialog and hum/rumbles are vying for the listener's ear, especially valuable under a tight deadline. If you employ the above suggestions and are still furious at the offending hum, give me a shout and I'll give you some more in-depth suggestions.

Adam A. Johnson owns and operates Architect of Sound, a music company that provides custom music scoring and sound design for Film/TV/New Media projects both in the U.S. and abroad with clients in Canada, Ireland, Haiti, Egypt, and Dubai. Credits include the United Nations, Aquafina-Pepsico, the National Endowment for the Arts, US Customs, Exxon, NYC Mayor Bloomberg and more. Additional services include sonic branding, foley, audio sweetening and mixing, and music supervision. Visit http://www.architectofsound.com for more details on Adam Johnson and his work, visit http://www.sfxsource.com to visit his online sound effect library or email http://www.freesoundeffectsandloops.com to download free sound effects and music loops.

 

How To Launch Bulk SMS Mobile Marketing Campaigns

Before launching a bulk SMS marketing/advertising campaign, you must only obtain mobile phone numbers from consumers who give their permission, or "opt-in," to receive SMS messages. Here are two ways users can opt in:

• From your website. Your website provides an opportunity for consumers to opt in; however, before you begin your bulk SMS campaign you must follow carrier guidelines. Make sure your Privacy Policy explains the user is granting permission to receive SMS text messages from you or a third party as well as a way for them to opt out of your bulk SMS marketing campaign.
• Response to advertised short codes. Interested consumers request information and opt in by responding to a short code with a key word. The bulk SMS marketer then replies and asks for permission to send future messages. This process follows the Mobile Marketing Association's double opt-in recommendation defined in their Consumer Best Practices Guidelines.

Short codes are like a phone numbers but only 5 or 6 digits in length and they provide convenience to mobile user to text back and forth. There are shared short codes available at a fraction of what would cost to leasing one from Common Short Code Administration, CSCA, www.usshortcodes.com. Leasing a short code for your bulk SMS campaign will cost $500 per month for a random short code and $1,000 for a vanity short code. Random short codes are picked by CSCA in random but a vanity number can be customized to fit certain mobile marketing requirements and specific number may be requested from CSCA.

The next step in launching your bulk SMS marketing is you need to find an aggregator, the company that has connectivity to all the mobile carriers and who send SMS messages in behalf of you. Or you can use a Mobile Application Service Provider (MASP) to send bulk SMS messages. By the way, short codes must be registered with the mobile network carriers, MASP, or aggregator before any SMS text messages can be sent out.

Always be reasonable when sending bulk SMS messages. The last thing you want to do is send a boat load of text messages in a short period of time. You are sure to encounter the wrath of your opt-in list and face the possibility of getting your short code shut down. If your SMS marketing message is relevant and the information provided is useful, the result of a well prepared bulk SMS mobile marketing campaign can be phenomenal.

Robert Lee is the Director of Mobile Solutions at AbsoluteROI™ (a SellingSource.com Company) located in Las Vegas, Nevada. With 15 years experience in the National and International telecommunications and mobile marketing industry, Robert has gained invaluable insights into the most effective use of cell phone technology for data monetization, and SMS marketing.

MagicJack and the VoIP Beanstalk

CES is such a pandemonium that it is very easy to walk right by a booth unwittingly not knowing that it could have the greatest thing since Viagra. That almost happened to me with the MagicJack booth as I was intent on reaching another exhibitor and had my blinders on. If it hadn't been for an attractive woman handing me a small matchbook size object and asking me if I knew about MagicJack, I would have missed one of the truly innovative offerings in the whole show.

What is MagicJack anyway? It's an entirely new VoIP service. It blows away anything else I've seen out there in the entire VoIP arena.

Here's how it works. Now pay attention. Follow me closely. Make sure you don't miss any of the steps. First, you take the matchbox size device and plug it into a vacant USB port on your desktop or laptop. Second, you plug any ordinary telephone into the other end. The software will install automatically. It will assign you a new phone number peculiar to your device that goes with you wherever you use the it. Finally, when it has finished, pick up the receiver and make a phone call as you normally would. Should we go over it again in case you missed anything? Simple as one-two-three, right?

Now, there is a lot more good news to come. First let's talk about the cost. Hold onto your chair for this because it's going to come as a shock. Buying the MagicJack box is the first major setback. It will cost you all of $39.95. Then come the fees. There is no fee if you want to try it free for 30 days. There is no fee for the entire first year because it is included in the price of the box. By the way, you have your choice of a silver or pink MagicJack box.

On the second year of service you are gonna get nicked big time. Your credit card will be billed $19.95. That's not too bad on a monthly basis when you compare it to say Vonage and its $24.95 basic monthly fee. However, the $19.95 is not a monthly fee; it's an annual fee! That's right; it's an annual fee. You get unlimited local and long distance calling in the United States and Canada over the Internet for $19.95 a year. Think you can handle that?

Besides free unlimited local and long distance calls, does this little box offer any other features? You bet. It is just like all the big-boy telcos with features such as redial, voice mail, 411, 911, caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, conference calling, and directory assistance. The only difference is that all of these features are FREE with MagicJack. Inbound international calls are free too. Outbound international calls are $.02 a minute.

Another plus feature is that you don't really need to plug a phone into the MagicJack to use it. If your computer has a mic and speakers, that's all you need. It's even better with a headset. You have to remember to select whether you are using a phone or a headset though. The default is to the phone. What about the transmission quality? I have used it on my laptop with the built-in speakers and mic; I have used it with a Bluetooth headset; I have used it with USB plug-in headphones and with a regular telephone. Simply put, I found the quality to be superb in all instances. It also works well with UMPCs and the little OQO. I understand that it may already be available for MACs or will be soon.

One more great plus for MagicJack is that it offers a free add-in that allows you to dial directly from within Outlook with a nifty MagicJack toolbar. The only problem is that I never could get this feature to work on my laptop. Nor could I get MagicJack to work with Outlook's native dialer. MagicJack builds its own scrollable directory as you add numbers called and received from which you can also make calls. Are there any negative aspects to MagicJack? The answer is a definitive yes. If your Internet connection goes down, you are out of phone service. Another problem is that, at the present time, you can only operate a single line from a MagicJack. So, you could not run a phone line and a fax line with a separate number off the same device. However, the company hopes to have a unit available eventually that will handle two lines from the same box.

Now, wouldn't it be nice if MagicJack accommodated the handheld market too with an online account you could use as a VoIP service on your pocket pal? Maybe someday. I think you will agree, however, that these are not serious or unexpectable issues.

The only place you can purchase your MagicJack at the moment is online at www.magicjack.com. Before closing, let me quote from an avid MagicJack fan who sent me a nice note about her experience with the program after I mentioned it in another column:

I am a loyal reader of your column and wanted to comment about the Magicjack that you mentioned in your latest column. We have been using it for several months now and I want to tell you what a marvelous product it is for international travelers. They just plug it in to their computer wherever they are and either plug the hotel phone into the end of the magicjack or use a headset and they can call back to the USA just as if they were calling from a USA number. It has saved us hundreds of dollars I am sure. We have a daughter that loves to be in constant communication and she has a job that takes her all over the world for weeks at a time. She has the best luck using a headset because not all phones work well with the magicjack. So far it has worked in the following countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Kenya, Rwanda, Jordan. It does not work in the United Arab Emirates as they block VOIP. And a person needs to be connecting to high speed internet for it to work. We do not use it as our home phone as many people try to do but really believe they should market it as a solution for international travelers. We had tried so many programs that could be downloaded to phones, etc. trying to bring the price down and we had tried Skype but this product (Magicjack) allows the traveler to call a land line or cell phone at no cost. With Skype the receiving party needs to be on the computer too.

I followed your advice and got the Mio gps. I had had a Garmin 320C but passed it down to another daughter and upgraded. I do really like it but the learning curve was a little steeper than the Garmin.

Just thought you would like a little feedback from one of your readers.

Janet D

So, to that glowing endorsement, I add my own, and conclude this review with a very high recommendation that you consider acquiring a MagicJack, unless you are a dummy. Let MagicJack be your beanstalk to the world.

Keep connected!

Timothy Hillebrand, Ph.D. is a retired archaeologist and windows mobile expert who writes for Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine and several other publications. Visit his blog at http://professorpocket.blogspot.com/

The Real Working Out Gadget - Nokia 5610 Red

Recently Nokia has launched its new music edition phone in reply to Sony Ericcsson series. The phone is named Nokia 5610 Red Xpress music and comes with unbelievable sound quality as compared to other Nokia phones. Its key feature includes Cutting-edge, media-centric design with 2.2" scratch-resistant window, making it more durable. Nokia 5610 Red has got iconic Music Slider Key for unique sliding user interface access to music. Its crystal clear hi-fi sound is enabled by audio chip, which most of the Nokia phones lack. Nokia 5610 Red has also got 3G for faster downloads and video calls. Its 3.2 mega pixel camera makes it worth for the price offered. Adding to the clarity is 2.2 inches screen with resolution of 240x320 pixels and 16 million colour display. One of the very different features in its display is ambient light sensor to optimize display brightness and power consumption, making the optimum use of your battery.

The Nokia 5610 Red Xpress Music got dimensions as 98.5 x 48.5 x 17 mm and has got a weight of 111 grams. The music player is compatible enough to support formats like MP3/MP4/AAC/eAAc/WMA. The added feature to this phone is secondary QVGA video call camera, for making any video call. The features common to most of phones are also present there like Bluetooth with A2DP, WAP 2.0/xHTML (opera mini), stereo FM radio with RDS, built in 20 MB memory with expansion available up to 4 GB.

In Nokia 5610 Red the user interface is very much compatible to music lovers, on slide panel it has 5-way navigator soft keys, send and end keys. Side volume keys with zoom functionality and 2-way spring loaded Music Slider music key. Making all shortcut keys available on the front to make your phone looks like a media player.

Nokia 5610 Red has got some extra features as like Yahoo Go!, Nokia Catalogs Version 4.1,Flash Lite player version 2.1.1, User interface themes and ring tone pack, Flight mode: All transmission-related activities turned off. The use of latest technology with the amazing combination of sleek design has indeed made Nokia 5610 Red a true youth icon.

Nokia 5610 Red, Nokia 5310 Red and Nokia 5300 Black are the popular mobile phones and these mobile phones are available on Mobile Phone Shop UK. Faith Hill is Search Engine Marketing Consultant for Cheap Mobile Phone Contract UK.

How to Upgrade a Pharos 600 From WM5 to WM6 For Free

You won't find it on the Pharos site and there hasn't been a lot of attention focused on the fact that if you're packing a Pharos 600 WM5, you can upgrade it to WM6 for free. It's certainly a worthwhile thing to do, for it will enhance an already superb little pocket pal and bring it up to date. You'll be saving yourself around $600 too, which is the price of a new one.

OK, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.

1. Before you do anything, be certain to perform a backup of all your important files because the installation of the new operating system will wipe out all your programs and data. Obviously you will not want to store the backup to main memory. Use a memory card
2. Remove memory card from the Pharos 600.
3. With a USB cable, connect your Pharos 600 to your computer.
4. Go to http://download.pharosgps.com/download/Pharos600WM6.htm
5. Select WM 6.0 (Release 1) for Pharos GPS Phone 600. The following screen will appear:
6. Click on save. You will be downloading a 48.9 MB file. It took about three minutes on my machine, but obviously rates will vary.
7. Indicate where you wish to save the file and click Save.
8. Locate the resulting saved file (Pharos600_WM6Release1.exe) and double click it.
9. Choose run in the window that pops up.
10. Follow all on screen instructions
11. When the file has installed, press Finish.
12. The machine will begin to reset automatically.

Congratulations. You have successfully installed WM 6 and saved yourself a bundle. Enjoy! If you have any trouble, you can contact Pharos customer support by phone at (888) 742-7678 during normal Pacific Time Zone business hours.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pharos because not all companies make upgrades available, especially for free. I appreciate Pharos' dedication to customer care and satisfaction.

Timothy Hillebrand, Ph.D. is a retired archaeologist and windows mobile expert who writes for Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine and several other publications. Visit his blog at http://professorpocket.blogspot.com/

What You Should Know About Cleaning Your Computer

What a lot of computer owners don't realize is how important it is to keep your computer clean. Cleaning your computer is almost all the time considered not to be a priority of any computer owner. Why? I have to believe that it's lack of knowledge. In other words not a full understanding what the fuse is all about.

A computer is a very delicate piece of equipment. The computer works hard to entertain you, and serve your bidding. While your computer is doing all this it is running or is turned on. When the computer is on, all the components inside of the computer are working causing the computer to get hot. Depending on what you are doing on your computer at any given time, will in a lot of cases depend on how hot the computer will get.

Cooling is a very important part of your computer system. If your computer gets to hot things start to happen, bad things. Things that you don't really don't want going on inside your computer. In other words computer components will brake or burnt out. This will render them useless. Meaning they will have to be replaced.

The biggest cooling threat to all computers is dust. When a computer is on the components inside the computer are electrically charged. It's the electrically charged components that attract the dust in side of your computer. What happens when you leave the dust unattended in side your computer? It will build up on the computer components, and especially the computer processor heat sink. When the dust builds up on the computer components, they can no longer breathe or circulate the much needed cooler air that allows computer components to cool down. If your computer components can not cool down they will simply break down.

You should try and get the most you can out of your computer. You can increase your chances of achieving that goal with a simple cleaning. I recommend a good cleaning at least once a month. This would also depend on your environment. The reason why I recommend cleaning the inside of the computer once a month is that it makes the cleaning job easier by decreasing the dust build up inside the computer.

Robert Emler: In house computer assembler. I enjoy my computer and lik everyone else, hope to get the most for my money.You can find more helpful hints and solutions to problems about computers by going to. http://pcextream.com

 

Wicked Wireless Networks

By Sandy Cosser

People spend most of their working hours on computers, then go home to their pcs and spend more time mucking around on them. Laptops have become more affordable to the average Joe. It's not unusual to see people in coffee shops, sipping a latte' and typing furiously away. As our lives become more hectic, we constantly seek convenience, which, ironically, tends to increase the pace. With the birth of wireless networks we finally have the means to work everywhere, and no one has an excuse for being out of the loop. Good news for workaholics; bad news for all those who work for them.

Wireless networks, or WiFi, function in much the same way as two-way radios. A wireless adapter converts data into radio signals, which are transmitted via an antenna to a wireless router. The router decodes the signal and uses a wired Ethernet connection to send the data to the Internet. The process is simply reversed when data is sent back to the computer.

Having wireless adapters on your pcs and laptops is all good and well, but they're useless without WiFi hotspots. When you're in a hotspot your computer just needs to be switched on with the wireless connection enabled, for it to locate a network, which you can then connect to. Some cities are working to create hotspots that span the entire municipality, so that residents can have easy, reliable and inexpensive Internet access wherever they go. Hotspots are completely inconspicuous; the only way you'll know that you're in one is if you spot the signs advertising their presence.

Hybrid wireless networks offer the best of both worlds. Hybrid networks make it possible to connect your pc to a wired network and establish a second, wireless connection to your laptop. The process is a little more complicated than establishing a purely wireless network, especially if you use an old operating system such as Windows 95 or 98. But the potential benefits far outweigh the potential problems.

A step further along the road of convenience is the Apple iPhone. Instead of lugging a laptop around with you, all you need to stay connected is your phone. Apple's iPhone enables you to keep up to date with news from Digg and follow your favourite blogs. You can browse through an assortment of web apps and can store one on each of your nine home screen pages. The iPhone even has capacity to show movies and TV programmes. If you don't have the time to read, simply download an audio book and work your way through the most current best sellers.

Rumours of a Gphone, Google's answer to the iPhone, have been around for over a year. The Gphone will allegedly allow users access to Google search maps, gmail, and Blogger, and that's just the beginning. Concrete information about the Google Phone is virtually impossible to come by, and Google remains curiously tight-lipped about the whole matter. This suits gossip mongers just fine as they continue to speculate about the phone's release, competition between Google and Apple, and the myriad of features that the Gphone is bound to have.

Wireless networks are not the way of the future; they are firmly established in the here and now. Science fiction writers of long ago dreamt of a future where technological devices communicated with each other and effortlessly exchanged information. We live in an age where that dream is a reality. Bluetooth, wireless networks and computer/phone hybrids such as the iPhone have made our lives significantly easier and that, in the words of Ron Weasely, is "wicked".

Recommended sites:

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43047.asp

http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/index.html#calls

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Star Business Internet internet service provider and website hosting one of the leading Internet service companies specialising in business website hosting in the UK

 

Computer Help: Where To Get Help With Your Computer Problems

By H Wilbanks

Regardless of how much you know about computers, or how well you maintain it, computer problems are inevitable. The good news is that there are many easy ways to find computer help when you need it.

1. Use your computer's help files. Don't forget that your computer comes with a built-in help system, designed for sticky situations on the computer. This is your basic free computer help, and it is pretty useful. Your computer's help files can help guide you through basic computer usage problems. You can often do this by using the Troubleshooting section, which prompts you with questions regarding your computer problem.

2. Technical computer help desk online. If you run into problems with computer software, go to the software manufacturer's website. Almost all software manufacturers provide technical computer support online today.

3. Online computer help. You can also get a ton of online computer help by searching for specific websites for your computer problem. There are endless "fan" websites available online. These forums and group sites can prove to be a valuable resource of online computer help. Best of all, they're almost always free!

4. Computer problem help lines. Don't forget that your computer and software almost always come with computer problem help lines, too. Also called support lines, they are manned with live computer support technicians who can help you solve your computer issues in a timely manner. Be aware, though, that many computer problem help lines do charge for their services.

5. Live free computer help. Just like online computer help websites and forums, you can find live free computer help by checking resources like your local library, newspaper, and computer stores. Call ahead and ask if they provide free computer help. Often times, they're willing to give you some one-on-one computer technical support if they think you might make a purchase in their store.

Computer help can be easy to find. Think outside the box. Check locally. Sometimes the solution to your computer problems is right at your fingertips.

To learn how dust kills your computer or where to get computer help, visit http://www.NeedHelpWithMyComputer.com, a popular computer help website.

 

Nokia 5310 XpressMusic - A High Quality in Mobile Music

Any search for a mobile phone that could provide perfect musical entertainment will take you to the new 5310 XpressMusic handset from Nokia. This model handset has fulfilled a lot of expectations of the users and has created a special position in the market.

The special features of the previous models from Nokia motivated the users to wait eagerly and enthusiastically for any new launch from Nokia. There were also a lot of speculation regarding the capacity and capability of handsets from the Nokia kitty. And the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic has lived up the expectations of phone users in different parts of the world in all these different areas.

Every model handset from Nokia have come out with certain features that played a role in making it a successful model. The latest 5310 XpressMusic phone comes out with a perfect built-in music player that could satisfy the musical needs of potential users in more ways than one. The capability to play all popular formats including MP3, Midi, AAC, eAAC+ and WMA makes the handset a perfect musical entertainer. Moreover, the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic handset comes with dedicated music keys and 4GB of music space. The storage capacity of this handset is a very large; it makes it easy for the users to store a large volume of music. The availability of integrated hands free speakers makes the experience of listening to music an easy and comfortable affair.

The mobile phone 5310 XpressMusic has an FM radio function that would make it easy for the users to enjoy their favourite radio stations on their mobile phones. With the availability of latest music charts on the handset, the users would find enjoyment of music an easy affair.

Another attractive feature of the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic handset is the presence of high quality digital camera that would satisfy the photographic requirements of the user. The user with the help of the 2 megapixel camera could click the photos of objects which could be later send and shared among friends bringing in an element of fun to the handset. The presence of HTML makes it possible for the users to browse the internet on their mobile phones.

Jack Daniel is an expert author and the webmaster of Mobile Phones. The website having details of Contract Phones.

 

CPU Overclocking

Overclocking CPU is a process to increase the GHz rating of the CPU. The formula to calculate the speed of the CPU is as follows - The product of the FSB in MHz and the multiplier is the speed in MHz.

FSB

The FSB is a short form for Front Side Bus. CPU manufacturers have detected a method to raise the effective speed of the FSB. This is done by just sending more instructions per clock cycle. Thus, in every clock cycle, sometimes two or four instructions are sent. This results in increasing the FSB twice and four times respectively. This is of utmost significance. The reason is that when overclocking of the CPU is done, the user deals with the real FSB speed of the CPU and not the effective CPU speed.

Multiplier

This is simply a number which when multiplied by the FSB speed results in the total speed of the CPU. For example, if there is a CPU that has a FSB of 300 MHz and a multiplier of 10, then the CPU speed becomes 3000 MHz or 3.0 GHz. In case of CPU's like the Intel CPU's since 1998, the multiplier is a fixed number and cannot be altered. On other CPU's like the AMD Athlon 64, this number is top locked. What is implied is that the multiplier can be altered to a lower number but cannot be changed to a higher number. In case of some CPU's, the multiplier is totally unlocked. In this case, it can be changed to any higher or lower number. This is suitable for the overclocker.

It is simpler to overclock the system by raising the multiplier rather than the FSB. The reason is that the multiplier affects only the CPU speed. Raising it means overclocking the CPU. However, if the FSB is altered it amounts to changing the speed of each single component that communicates with the CPU. Thus, this means overclocking all the other parts of the computer system as well. This can give rise to a number of problems. The components that are not meant to be overclocked are forced to do so and may fail to perform.

AMD Athlon 64 cpu

In case of these CPU's, the term Front Side Bus is a misnomer. This is actually called as a HTT. These CPU's do not have a FSB. This term is integrated with the chip. Due to this the FSB communicates with the CPU at a higher rate than

Billy Zype is an overclocking expert. You can check out his website at http://www.hotoverclocking.com