Friday, December 4, 2009
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Build Your Own High-Def PC
source: msn.comIf you've been dreaming of the ultimate high-definition computer, why not take matters into your own hands? We show you how to pick the hottest components and create the multimedia system of your dreams.
It's official: We're living in a high-definition world. And with a new generation of affordable, high-quality HD components flooding into the world of PCs, it's high time your computer shared in the fun.
Unfortunately, great HD systems still cost a fortune. However, if you've got the skills to assemble your own machine, you can save a bundle by building an HD-capable Media Center PC that can bring you pristine video and amazing gaming.
Whether you're recording free, over-the-air HDTV, playing Blu-ray Disc movies or making light edits to your HD home videos, a well-built high-def system does it all. For this demonstration, I'm building a PC that will complement my living-room entertainment system. Feel free to mix and match choices for your own needs. Heavy gamers, especially, should aim higher on the video card and processor.
Note: For the purposes of this guide, I assume the reader has a basic level of PC building experience. If you've never built a computer before, I recommend reading Scott Mueller's article "Step-By-Step: To Get Just the PC You Want, Build It Yourself" -- it offers important tips for assembling your computer. No matter how experienced you are, be sure to practice good anti-static procedures by grounding yourself well at all times and wearing an anti-static wristband.
Case and power supply
Any good computer starts with high-quality components from the ground up. That means choosing a case and power supply that will be adequate for your needs.
Case
Beauty is beauty -- even if it's skin deep. Pick a case that will look good on your desk or in your home entertainment center. Many home theater cases also include displays to show the name of a song that's playing and even navigate media: in a word, slick. I chose the SilverStone Crown CW03-MT for my HDPC, largely because of this integrated LCD display. (Look for this case at various online electronics stores.)
Be sure the software that drives those extras works with your operating system of choice. I'm planning to load my HD system up with Windows Vista Home Premium, which I know will support this feature (as will Windows XP Media Center Edition).
While you could cram everything into a case the size of pizza box or shoe box, you'll have a much easier time and a broader selection of components to chose from if you stick with a horizontal minitower. Also, the system's heat -- and therefore the sound generated by fans keeping everything cool -- is going to define your experience. Nobody wants to have to pump up the volume just to drown out a whiny PC fan. Good airflow design will keep things quiet.
Builder's Tip: Before you start building, cover part of a table with overturned mouse pads to create an anti-static workspace and wear a wrist strap clipped to the case to protect the components.
A 500-watt power supply should generally prove adequate if you're not including multiple hard drives, a high-end video card and other energy-hungry devices beyond the recommendations given here. (Use OuterVision Extreme's Power Supply Calculator Lite to come up with a rough estimate of what you'll need.) Some cases -- especially those smaller than the industry-standard ATX -- include built-in power supplies. But for nearly silent performance, consider upgrading from those. Finally, go green if possible, with the latest energy-efficient spec, 80 Plus. I chose the Antec NeoPower 650 because of its quiet fan; and its 650-watt rating ensures more than enough margin to grow with upgrades.
When installing your power supply, try to route the nest of cables along the case edges so that they don't obstruct airflow.
Lay a foundation for premium performance by selecting a great motherboard and CPU; then complement those components with fast memory and a high-def graphics card.
Motherboard
First, be sure to pick a motherboard that works with the previous parts: ATX versus MicroATX for the case and the right socket for your processor. The video card should work with any new motherboard's PCI Express slot, but get one with a like-brand on-board video chip set for best compatibility. (Or avoid on-board video entirely.) Skip a dedicated sound card by picking a motherboard with a surround-sound chip set and output plugs to match your receiver. The standard assortment of PC ports should be fine, but get gigabit Ethernet for high-speed, wired video transfers over a home network. I picked the ASUS M3A32-MVP for compatibility with all of the previous components and for its silent heat-pipe design that provides extra cooling.
Processor
Quad-core processors are going mainstream, but they draw a lot of power and generate excessive heat. Certain video editing programs take great advantage of the four cores, but we're aiming for a lower target. You could still build a good system with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 or other similar chip -- gamers take note -- but I decided to go with something less powerful and a lot cooler. The AMD Athlon X2 BE 2400 works well for home theaters because its peak draw of 45 watts helps keep the fans quiet. This CPU's 2.3-GHz speed and dual-core architecture provide enough muscle for general media tasks, but a dedicated HD video decoder on the graphics card will add more power. Whether you go with an Intel CPU or one from AMD, you'll definitely want a dual-core processor to handle the system's multimedia tasks.
CPU cooler
Your CPU should come with its own heat sink and fan, but those bundled components may well generate too much noise for an entertainment PC. Give them a try if you can, but don't hesitate to consider a replacement. While you can buy liquid cooling components that are completely silent, we're skipping that route because of the maintenance required, not to mention leaks. Instead, opt for a quiet, variable-speed fan attached to a heat sink. And double-check the specific model for processor and case compatibility. The Zalman CNPS9500 CPU cooler fits with my components and case, and it runs quietly when turned down.
Video card
The graphics card is one of the most critical components in our setup, since it's going to take over much of the HD playback from the processor. And in just the past several months, these cards have made a giant leap forward in quality while prices have dropped.
You don't necessarily need an ultra-high-end option; Those generate excessive heat. Instead, just make sure the card decodes Blu-ray Disc movies in addition to your own recorded shows. HDCP compliance -- which decrypts the digitally protected video signal -- is critical, but fortunately, it's also typical these days. The Asus EN8600 GT with HDMI is one good option, fulfilling these needs easily. At press time, nVidia was also readying its GeForce 8200 chip set for motherboards, bypassing the need for a dedicated HD graphics card. For my system, however, I picked the ATI Radeon HD 3450 video card, because it meets my other needs and doesn't require a fan for cooling. Unlike the Asus, this card lacks an HDMI port, but it works well with any DVI-equipped HDTV.
For PC World reviews of mainstream graphics cards, see our Top 10 chart.
You'll need tons of hard-drive space to store all your media, plus an HD optical drive to play high-def movies. Here are the components for completing your HDPC.
Hard drive
Compressed HD video recordings can eat up roughly 7GB per hour, so get a big-enough hard drive to hold all those recordings. Nearly all current motherboards support the SATA bus, and the most recent models run at 3GB per second, although 1GB/sec models should be fast enough for this system. Pick a drive that runs at 7,200 RPM or greater. While you could install multiple drives for the absolute best performance, a big, single drive will be sufficient. Go for at least 500GB. I settled on a 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 because of its speed and its capacity to hold 140 high-def episodes of "Lost." If you add multiple drives, position them as far from each other as possible, so they stay cooler.
Optical drive
A few weeks ago, as of this writing, Blu-ray had pummeled its rival, HD DVD, into little more than a sad memory. Unless you're looking for bargain movies as they're discontinued, you should avoid the dead-end HD DVD format. I chose the Pioneer BDC-2202 for my system, because it plays back Blu-ray discs and burns standard DVDs. (You can find Blu-ray burners for about three times that cost.) Whichever drive you settle on, consider removing the front bezel when installing it in your case. This plastic lip isn't always needed, and some system cases even come with a replacement bezel that matches the color of the front paneling.
Video tuner and capture card
I'd like to drink straight from my cable company's HDTV programming through a CableCARD solution, but those still aren't readily available to do-it-yourselfers like me. Instead, I'll have to get my over-the-air HDTV through an ATSC tuner card and antenna. Since the ATI TV Wonder 650 supports the Clear-QAM format for digital cable, I can use it to capture unencrypted digital channels directly from a cable feed. Analog component-video capture cards are available, but they're overkill for this project, running $1,000 and designed for high-end video production.
Sound card
Dedicated audio cards aren't nearly as essential as they used to be. Sound processing is rarely taxing enough to slow down a modern system, so I didn't use any add-on card for my project. Besides, Windows Vista's rewritten audio architecture takes even less advantage of sound cards than Windows XP. Unless you're building a recording studio or need specialized audio ports that aren't built into the motherboard you bought, skip the sound card altogether and save a chunk of change.
Input devices
If you're planning to use your PC with your home entertainment system, a Media Center remote is a must. You'll want something that controls mouse movement and can input key commands. I like to have a full-on wireless keyboard and gyroscopic mouse nearby for extensive input. But you can also get home-theater-designed devices that fill all these roles. For that universal approach, I picked the Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard. This Bluetooth remote handles mousing with its trackpad, while the thumb-friendly keypad works well for entering URLs. But if you choose a different solution, be sure it uses RF -- radio frequency -- commands instead of IR (infrared). RF can work from as far as a few rooms away, while IR requires a short, direct path to the PC.
Display
Resolution and aspect ratio are critical when picking a monitor. For a living room, be sure to get something that's natively shaped in a 16:9 rectangle to match HD video. (A work-and-play office display might have a taller shape.) And pick a size that's at least 1920 by 1080 pixels (1080p). Both LCD and plasma screens look great, although some plasma displays present brighter colors in exchange for a higher cost. I'm going to be plugging my system directly into my existing HDTV, but the 27-inch Samsung SyncMaster 275T makes a good desktop alternative because it includes a variety of inputs for analog and digital connections. Be sure that your display -- like this one -- supports HDCP for Blu-ray Disc and movies.
Motherboard, processor, RAM and video card
Motherboard
First, be sure to pick a motherboard that works with the previous parts: ATX versus MicroATX for the case and the right socket for your processor. The video card should work with any new motherboard's PCI Express slot, but get one with a like-brand on-board video chip set for best compatibility. (Or avoid on-board video entirely.) Skip a dedicated sound card by picking a motherboard with a surround-sound chip set and output plugs to match your receiver. The standard assortment of PC ports should be fine, but get gigabit Ethernet for high-speed, wired video transfers over a home network. I picked the ASUS M3A32-MVP for compatibility with all of the previous components and for its silent heat-pipe design that provides extra cooling.
For PC World reviews of top motherboards, see our Top 10 chart.
Quad-core processors are going mainstream, but they draw a lot of power and generate excessive heat. Certain video editing programs take great advantage of the four cores, but we're aiming for a lower target. You could still build a good system with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 or other similar chip -- gamers take note -- but I decided to go with something less powerful and a lot cooler. The AMD Athlon X2 BE 2400 works well for home theaters because its peak draw of 45 watts helps keep the fans quiet. This CPU's 2.3-GHz speed and dual-core architecture provide enough muscle for general media tasks, but a dedicated HD video decoder on the graphics card will add more power. Whether you go with an Intel CPU or one from AMD, you'll definitely want a dual-core processor to handle the system's multimedia tasks.
You can install the processor simply by lifting the socket arm, carefully setting the chip in place and lowering the lever -- no pressure is needed.
Your CPU should come with its own heat sink and fan, but those bundled components may well generate too much noise for an entertainment PC. Give them a try if you can, but don't hesitate to consider a replacement. While you can buy liquid cooling components that are completely silent, we're skipping that route because of the maintenance required, not to mention leaks. Instead, opt for a quiet, variable-speed fan attached to a heat sink. And double-check the specific model for processor and case compatibility. The Zalman CNPS9500 CPU cooler fits with my components and case, and it runs quietly when turned down.
When installing your own CPU cooler, be sure to apply an even, paper-thin layer of thermal paste over the processor's surface, and set the cooler in place. Try not to let the cooler slide back and forth over the CPU while seating it.
RAM
Current motherboards can support a variety of memory chips, but make sure that the exact type you select works with yours. Don't bother with the absolute fastest DDR3 RAM. Instead, spend your money on quantity: 4GB will be ample for Windows Vista or Windows XP Media Center. (And unfortunately, your particular OS and hardware configuration might not quite recognize all of it.) Also, go for a pair of the same 2GB DIMMs. Many current motherboards take advantage of dual-channel architecture so that each DIMM can access the memory controller. The middle-weight Crucial 2x2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 DIMMs strike a solid balance between price and performance.
Current motherboards can support a variety of memory chips, but make sure that the exact type you select works with yours. Don't bother with the absolute fastest DDR3 RAM. Instead, spend your money on quantity: 4GB will be ample for Windows Vista or Windows XP Media Center. (And unfortunately, your particular OS and hardware configuration might not quite recognize all of it.) Also, go for a pair of the same 2GB DIMMs. Many current motherboards take advantage of dual-channel architecture so that each DIMM can access the memory controller. The middle-weight Crucial 2x2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 DIMMs strike a solid balance between price and performance.
Handle the RAM -- and any other components, for that matter -- only by its edges, and firmly push it straight into place rather than at an angle.
The graphics card is one of the most critical components in our setup, since it's going to take over much of the HD playback from the processor. And in just the past several months, these cards have made a giant leap forward in quality while prices have dropped.
You don't necessarily need an ultra-high-end option; Those generate excessive heat. Instead, just make sure the card decodes Blu-ray Disc movies in addition to your own recorded shows. HDCP compliance -- which decrypts the digitally protected video signal -- is critical, but fortunately, it's also typical these days. The Asus EN8600 GT with HDMI is one good option, fulfilling these needs easily. At press time, nVidia was also readying its GeForce 8200 chip set for motherboards, bypassing the need for a dedicated HD graphics card. For my system, however, I picked the ATI Radeon HD 3450 video card, because it meets my other needs and doesn't require a fan for cooling. Unlike the Asus, this card lacks an HDMI port, but it works well with any DVI-equipped HDTV.
For PC World reviews of mainstream graphics cards, see our Top 10 chart.
Drives, displays, input and operating system
Hard drive
Compressed HD video recordings can eat up roughly 7GB per hour, so get a big-enough hard drive to hold all those recordings. Nearly all current motherboards support the SATA bus, and the most recent models run at 3GB per second, although 1GB/sec models should be fast enough for this system. Pick a drive that runs at 7,200 RPM or greater. While you could install multiple drives for the absolute best performance, a big, single drive will be sufficient. Go for at least 500GB. I settled on a 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 because of its speed and its capacity to hold 140 high-def episodes of "Lost." If you add multiple drives, position them as far from each other as possible, so they stay cooler.
Optical drive
A few weeks ago, as of this writing, Blu-ray had pummeled its rival, HD DVD, into little more than a sad memory. Unless you're looking for bargain movies as they're discontinued, you should avoid the dead-end HD DVD format. I chose the Pioneer BDC-2202 for my system, because it plays back Blu-ray discs and burns standard DVDs. (You can find Blu-ray burners for about three times that cost.) Whichever drive you settle on, consider removing the front bezel when installing it in your case. This plastic lip isn't always needed, and some system cases even come with a replacement bezel that matches the color of the front paneling.
Video tuner and capture card
I'd like to drink straight from my cable company's HDTV programming through a CableCARD solution, but those still aren't readily available to do-it-yourselfers like me. Instead, I'll have to get my over-the-air HDTV through an ATSC tuner card and antenna. Since the ATI TV Wonder 650 supports the Clear-QAM format for digital cable, I can use it to capture unencrypted digital channels directly from a cable feed. Analog component-video capture cards are available, but they're overkill for this project, running $1,000 and designed for high-end video production.
To capture HD footage from your own video camera, just stay digital with USB or FireWire. Antenna type and position will determine your channels. Look for one that advertises digital reception, and try aiming in different directions while testing stations.
Sound card
Dedicated audio cards aren't nearly as essential as they used to be. Sound processing is rarely taxing enough to slow down a modern system, so I didn't use any add-on card for my project. Besides, Windows Vista's rewritten audio architecture takes even less advantage of sound cards than Windows XP. Unless you're building a recording studio or need specialized audio ports that aren't built into the motherboard you bought, skip the sound card altogether and save a chunk of change.
Input devices
If you're planning to use your PC with your home entertainment system, a Media Center remote is a must. You'll want something that controls mouse movement and can input key commands. I like to have a full-on wireless keyboard and gyroscopic mouse nearby for extensive input. But you can also get home-theater-designed devices that fill all these roles. For that universal approach, I picked the Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard. This Bluetooth remote handles mousing with its trackpad, while the thumb-friendly keypad works well for entering URLs. But if you choose a different solution, be sure it uses RF -- radio frequency -- commands instead of IR (infrared). RF can work from as far as a few rooms away, while IR requires a short, direct path to the PC.
Resolution and aspect ratio are critical when picking a monitor. For a living room, be sure to get something that's natively shaped in a 16:9 rectangle to match HD video. (A work-and-play office display might have a taller shape.) And pick a size that's at least 1920 by 1080 pixels (1080p). Both LCD and plasma screens look great, although some plasma displays present brighter colors in exchange for a higher cost. I'm going to be plugging my system directly into my existing HDTV, but the 27-inch Samsung SyncMaster 275T makes a good desktop alternative because it includes a variety of inputs for analog and digital connections. Be sure that your display -- like this one -- supports HDCP for Blu-ray Disc and movies.
Software
I based my system on Windows Vista Home Premium because Media Center comes bundled with that package (as well as with the Ultimate edition). If you can track down Windows XP Media Center Edition, that older OS is a good alternative, but it doesn't include the same native HD support, built-in MPEG-2 decoder and overhauled interface as Vista's version.
I based my system on Windows Vista Home Premium because Media Center comes bundled with that package (as well as with the Ultimate edition). If you can track down Windows XP Media Center Edition, that older OS is a good alternative, but it doesn't include the same native HD support, built-in MPEG-2 decoder and overhauled interface as Vista's version.
Unfortunately, neither OS allows Blu-ray Disc playback in Media Center or Windows Media Player. Your Blu-ray drive will likely ship with bundled software, but if not, check out Nero 8 Ultra Edition.
Once your system is up and running, add it to your home entertainment center or set it up on your desktop to watch and edit movies, record your favorite shows, play all your music and more.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Diversify Your Backups to Prepare for a Data Disaster
Source: msn.com
If a natural disaster wipes out your hard drive, it will probably destroy your local backups, too. Here's a backup plan that will get you through even the worst-case scenario.
A corrupted Outlook database trashes your e-mail archive and contact list. An accidentally deleted folder wipes out critical business documents. A sudden hard-drive failure destroys your MP3s and photo libraries. The list of potential catastrophes goes on and on, and few users are prepared to deal with them. That's because they lack a diversified backup plan.
From a certain point of view, data is a little like money. Financial advisers always recommend maintaining a diversified portfolio, the idea being that if one stock or mutual fund tanks, you won't go broke. The same concept applies to backups: By diversifying your approach -- that is, archiving your data in multiple places using multiple methods -- you're safe even if disaster strikes one location or collection of data.
Let's take a look at the ways you can expand your backup portfolio to protect against the inevitable data catastrophe. To ensure the safey of your important files, I recommend using at least a few of the following methods in unison.
Method 1: The full-system backup
Method 2: The remote, data-only backup
While it's great to archive your entire hard drive, don't overlook the benefits of backing up just your critical data: documents, bookmarks, financial records, e-mail, address books and so on. Why bother? Simple: Sometimes you just want to restore a handful of files or a select chunk of data. Plus, data-only backups take a lot less time than full system backups.
If you'd rather save your pennies and don't mind taking a more hands-on approach, loads of services let you park files online free of charge. ADrive, for one, offers 50GB of absolutely free storage. However, no synchronization is involved: It's up to you to pick and choose which files to upload, and when. Thus, use these services for files that don't change all that often, like MP3 and photo libraries.
Method 3: The spare-PC backup
If your PCs aren't on the same network -- one is at home and another is at work, for instance -- try Microsoft's Windows Live FolderShare, which syncs files across the Internet (and does so automatically; SyncToy requires you to manually resync whenever you change or add files). FolderShare's advantage is that you can expand your backup network to include friends, syncing critical files to their machines and vice versa. Like SyncToy, FolderShare costs nothing to use.
If you're a Google Docs user, you know that this Web-based office suite can import documents from Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. But wouldn't it be great if you could actually synchronize those kinds of documents between your PC and the suite? You can with DocSyncer, a free tool that's currently in beta. Though intended to make your files accessible anywhere you go, it also creates a perfect backup of your Office documents within Google Docs (and, for that matter, a backup of your Google Docs documents on your PC). Currently the beta is limited to syncing files contained in your My Documents folder, so you may have to do a little shuffling if your files reside elsewhere.
If you're like most users, you've accumulated years' worth of bookmarks in your browser -- a collection you definitely don't want to lose. Fortunately, it's a snap to copy those bookmarks to the Web for easy retrieval if the need ever arises. Firefox users should install the free Foxmarks plug-in, while Internet Explorer users can accomplish the same thing with BookmarkSync. Incidentally, both tools can also keep your bookmarks in sync across multiple PCs, and both let you access them from any browser.
Are you an e-mail pack rat? If so, you'd probably be loath to lose your archives. Start with one of two free backup utilities designed expressly for e-mail: Amic Email Backup, which copies everything -- including your address book, account settings and message rules -- to a single compressed file; or Mailstore Home, which duplicates all your mail into a searchable archive and optionally backs it up to CDs or DVDs.
Likewise, if you own an iPod, a Zune or other media player, you can use it to restore a lost or damaged music library. iPod users should check out iPod Folder, which copies music directly from the player to any folder on your Windows and Mac system. You can even store the program on your iPod so it's available on the spot. Zune owners need to tweak the Windows Registry to make the device appear as a removable hard drive, after which it's a simple matter to drag all your songs from device to desktop. You can do the same thing with any MP3 player that your PC recognizes as a hard drive.
Method 4: The document backup
Method 5: The bookmark backup
Method 6: The e-mail backup
Amic supports nine e-mail clients, including Outlook, Outlook Express and Eudora. Mailstore Home works with Windows Mail, Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird and Seamonkey.
Of course, unless you put those discs in a safe or upload the archive file to the Web, those kinds of backups are still vulnerable to fires and other local disasters. That's one reason to consider routing your e-mail through Gmail IMAP, which effectively creates a Web-based archive by syncing mail between Google's servers and your PC.
Start by signing up for a free Gmail account, then enabling IMAP and following the configuration instructions for your mail client. Then you can either configure your mail account to forward all messages to your Gmail account or set up Gmail's Mail Fetcher to retrieve messages from your ISP's POP3 server. From then on, all of your mail will go through Gmail, giving you more than 6GB of storage space for messages and attachments, and some excellent spam filtering in the bargain. Once you have everything set up, you'll forever have copies of your messages available in your Web-accessible Gmail account. That's not only an ideal e-mail backup, but just plain handy, too.
Method 7: The already-in-your-pocket backup
Finally, we come to the backups you already have -- but don't know you do. For example, if you carry a smart phone or PDA that syncs with your PC, it's like having a mobile backup of your contacts, calendar, memos and tasks. In the event of desktop data loss, just sync your device to restore everything to Outlook, Palm Desktop, or whatever contact manager you use. (Be sure to make a one-time adjustment to the sync settings so everything gets copied from the device to the PC, not the other way around.)
Monday, May 19, 2008
6 simple ways to protect the data on your PC
Source: MSN.com
By Liz Enbysk, State Street Writing
Source: MSN.com
By Liz Enbysk, State Street Writing
Maybe you’re not storing state secrets, but you’ve probably got at least a few files and photos on your PC that are near and dear to you just the same. So suddenly losing them – or having the wrong people peek at them – is grief you’d rather avoid.There are numerous ways to protect the files and folders on your PC, and in this instance, more really is better. So let’s get started!
1. Protect against viruses and spyware. Computer viruses and spyware are transmitted via e-mail or your Web browser. They can cause all sorts of grief, from changing or deleting files to allowing outsiders to access what’s on your PC. Antivirus and anti-spyware programs are widely available and essential to install; learn more here.
2. Set up a firewall. If you have an always-on broadband connection, a firewall can help prevent intruders from gaining access to your computer. A software firewall is included and turned on by default in most Windows operating systems, but there are other firewall choices to consider.
Video: GearDaddy -- Clear your hard drive
Slide Show: Analyze your PC's security
More GearDaddy Videos
3. Keep your software up to date. When security problems are discovered after a software product has shipped, companies typically issue updates that users can download to fix the problem. It’s always a good idea to install recommended security updates as soon as possible. If you run Windows or Microsoft Office, you can have them automatically sent to your PC through Microsoft Update.
4. Back up your computer. Bad things happen no matter how hard you try to prevent them, so getting in the habit of copying important files to another location is just plain smart. There are various ways to do it, from copying files to a CD or USB flash drive, using an online storage service or buying an external hard drive. Browse the pros and cons of each here.
5. Use passwords. If you have files and folders that you don’t want prying eyes to see, then make sure you’ve got your PC protected with a strong password and get in the habit of logging off your computer when you’re not sitting in front of it.
6. Protect individual files or folders. With Microsoft Office, you can limit access to files on your PC in a few simple clicks. For instance, with Microsoft Office 2007, you can encrypt files so people have to know the password to view them. You can also encrypt e-mail messages. Here’s how. Or, with a Word 2003 document open, click Tools and then Protect Document. You can choose what you want to allow others to do with the file, from restricting formatting changes to making the file read-only. You can also encrypt files and folders using the Encrypting File System in Windows. Learn more here.
Are your files feeling safer now?
Friday, April 25, 2008
12 Memory Tricks
By Tamim Ansary
Source: msn.com
Memory retrieval
All memories are recovered memories, and we recover them through associations: We remember a past event because something currently in our awareness -- something we're looking at, hearing, tasting, thinking about, whatever -- reminds us of something, which reminds us of something else, which reminds us of something else and so on back. That's why recent events are easy to remember: The environment is still loaded with cues and the chain of links is short.Good memory, then, is all about processing information properly as it goes into storage. Psychologist William James summarized the fundamental principle in a single phrase: "The secret is … forming diverse and multiple associations with every fact we care to retain." Here, then, are 12 concrete steps you can take to remember particular facts and improve your general capacity to retain what you learn. Note that only the last step is one you can take when you're actually trying to remember. All the rest have to do with how you absorb information and how you convert it into memory.
1. Pay attention.
You can't remember what you never knew, so don't be multitasking when you're trying to learn or memorize something: Give it the spotlight of your full attention at least once.
2. Understand.
The more completely you get it, the less likely you are to forget it. (If you don't understand football, you're not likely to remember the scores.)
3. Repeat and apply.
Directly after learning something, repeat it, preferably out loud. Even better, use it in your own way. If you want to remember a joke, for example, tell it to someone and try to make them laugh.
4. Chunk.
Although short-term memory can deal with only about seven items at a time, you can finesse this limit by grouping items together and thinking of each group as a unit. Later, you can unpack those units. Remembering the numbers 5, 4, 6, 1, 9, 8, 6, 5 and 8 is harder than remembering the numbers 546, 198 and 658.
5. Make meaning.
Nonsense is hard to remember. Compare this:disease reported control Chicago mumps the for of center an in outbreakwith this: The Centers for Disease Control reported an outbreak of mumps in Chicago. To make meaning where none inherently exists, the experts recommend embedding the information in an invented narrative. The license plate 3PLY981 thus becomes: Three carpenters cut a piece of plywood into nine pieces and ate one. Yes, I know, no one eats plywood; but that's actually a strength of the narrative in this case. (See step 7.)
6. Look for patterns.
Stanford researchers have found that forgetting is a key aspect of good remembering, but not because you have to clear out space; rather, it's because forgetting the less relevant details reveals the more meaningful underlying structure.
7. Visualize.
Search the information for some element you can turn into an image. If you've just met a Bridget Brooks and want to remember her name, you might picture the Brooklyn Bridge spanning her face from ear to ear. The more striking or ridiculous the image, the more likely it is to stick in your mind.
8. Hook it to something funny.
Stalagmites or stalactites -- which ones go up? Well, it's like ants in your pants: The 'mites go up, the 'tites come down.
9. Hook it to a melody, chant, rhyme or rhythmic motion.
Remember singing A-B-C-D-E-F-G to the tune of "Baa Baa Black Sheep"? How about: "In fourteen hundred and ninety-two/Columbus sailed the ocean blue"? Or try pacing rhythmically while memorizing a table of data.
10. Associate new with old.
Greek and Roman orators had a trick for remembering a speech. They would create a striking image for each topic they meant to cover (see step 7), mentally put these images in the rooms of their home, and then, while giving the speech, picture strolling through their home. Each next room would remind them of their next topic, and in the proper order. Note that they didn't have to remember the order of their rooms, because this knowledge was already imprinted in their brains.
11. Link learning to environment.
The memory tends to associate information with the environment in which one learns it. If you're going to be tested on something and you know where the test will occur, study the material in the same sort of place. If you don't know anything about the test site, study in a variety of locations so the memories won't get locked into cues from one environment.
12. Let 'er drift.
If a memory is staying out of reach, stop fishing for it, the experts say. Instead, let your mind drift to the general area: to friends you knew then, to the school you went to, the car you drove ... with luck, you'll happen into the end piece of a chain of links leading to the memory you're after.
By Tamim Ansary
Source: msn.com
Memory retrieval
All memories are recovered memories, and we recover them through associations: We remember a past event because something currently in our awareness -- something we're looking at, hearing, tasting, thinking about, whatever -- reminds us of something, which reminds us of something else, which reminds us of something else and so on back. That's why recent events are easy to remember: The environment is still loaded with cues and the chain of links is short.Good memory, then, is all about processing information properly as it goes into storage. Psychologist William James summarized the fundamental principle in a single phrase: "The secret is … forming diverse and multiple associations with every fact we care to retain." Here, then, are 12 concrete steps you can take to remember particular facts and improve your general capacity to retain what you learn. Note that only the last step is one you can take when you're actually trying to remember. All the rest have to do with how you absorb information and how you convert it into memory.
1. Pay attention.
You can't remember what you never knew, so don't be multitasking when you're trying to learn or memorize something: Give it the spotlight of your full attention at least once.
2. Understand.
The more completely you get it, the less likely you are to forget it. (If you don't understand football, you're not likely to remember the scores.)
3. Repeat and apply.
Directly after learning something, repeat it, preferably out loud. Even better, use it in your own way. If you want to remember a joke, for example, tell it to someone and try to make them laugh.
4. Chunk.
Although short-term memory can deal with only about seven items at a time, you can finesse this limit by grouping items together and thinking of each group as a unit. Later, you can unpack those units. Remembering the numbers 5, 4, 6, 1, 9, 8, 6, 5 and 8 is harder than remembering the numbers 546, 198 and 658.
5. Make meaning.
Nonsense is hard to remember. Compare this:disease reported control Chicago mumps the for of center an in outbreakwith this: The Centers for Disease Control reported an outbreak of mumps in Chicago. To make meaning where none inherently exists, the experts recommend embedding the information in an invented narrative. The license plate 3PLY981 thus becomes: Three carpenters cut a piece of plywood into nine pieces and ate one. Yes, I know, no one eats plywood; but that's actually a strength of the narrative in this case. (See step 7.)
6. Look for patterns.
Stanford researchers have found that forgetting is a key aspect of good remembering, but not because you have to clear out space; rather, it's because forgetting the less relevant details reveals the more meaningful underlying structure.
7. Visualize.
Search the information for some element you can turn into an image. If you've just met a Bridget Brooks and want to remember her name, you might picture the Brooklyn Bridge spanning her face from ear to ear. The more striking or ridiculous the image, the more likely it is to stick in your mind.
8. Hook it to something funny.
Stalagmites or stalactites -- which ones go up? Well, it's like ants in your pants: The 'mites go up, the 'tites come down.
9. Hook it to a melody, chant, rhyme or rhythmic motion.
Remember singing A-B-C-D-E-F-G to the tune of "Baa Baa Black Sheep"? How about: "In fourteen hundred and ninety-two/Columbus sailed the ocean blue"? Or try pacing rhythmically while memorizing a table of data.
10. Associate new with old.
Greek and Roman orators had a trick for remembering a speech. They would create a striking image for each topic they meant to cover (see step 7), mentally put these images in the rooms of their home, and then, while giving the speech, picture strolling through their home. Each next room would remind them of their next topic, and in the proper order. Note that they didn't have to remember the order of their rooms, because this knowledge was already imprinted in their brains.
11. Link learning to environment.
The memory tends to associate information with the environment in which one learns it. If you're going to be tested on something and you know where the test will occur, study the material in the same sort of place. If you don't know anything about the test site, study in a variety of locations so the memories won't get locked into cues from one environment.
12. Let 'er drift.
If a memory is staying out of reach, stop fishing for it, the experts say. Instead, let your mind drift to the general area: to friends you knew then, to the school you went to, the car you drove ... with luck, you'll happen into the end piece of a chain of links leading to the memory you're after.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
How to create an unattended windows XP installation CD.
You need to download and install a program called MagicISO from http://www.magiciso.com/ or any similar program.
First, Create a Windows XP CD Image this way:
· Insert windows XP CD and start MagicISO, from the menu list click on tools then chose Create ISO from CDROM, in the output file option chose a name for your Image and where you want to save it( for example d:\windowsXP Image ) then click OK, in the Output format chose ISO format (.ISO)
Next, create the Answer file:
You need to use Setupmgr, you find Setupmgr program in Windows CD under the support folder in Deploy.cab File
· Create an answer file with Setupmgr and rename it to WINNT.SIF
Last, add the answer file to the image to create the Unattended CD:
· Open the image file using MagicISO.
· Add the winnt.SIF file to the CD image inside the \i386 directory.
· Burn the image to new CD by clicking on the burn icon and insert blank CD then chose Burn it.
Note: I added too much detailed to make it easier for the beginners.
If there is anything not clear in this article, e-mail me to bayadm@gmail.com
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Multi-Core CPUs
Source: Windows Networking
In the computing industry there is a major shift afoot. Over the next few years you will see your networks overtaken by multi-core machines. This will affect many aspects of your network, from licensing and software development costs, to the entire focus of your network architecture. In this article I will help illustrate why the industry is moving in this direction and will explain some of the impacts it will have on you and your network.
Terminology
Terminology in the IT industry can be confusing. So, let’s get something straight right off the bat. A multi-core CPU has two or more processing units on the same integrated circuit. This is different from the term “multi-chip” which refers to multiple integrated circuits packaged together. This is different still from the term “multi-CPU” which refers to multiple processors working together.
Advantages
So why would hardware designers want to put the CPUs on the same chip? Well, one great reason is that putting multiple cores on one integrated circuit in one package takes up less room on the printed circuit board than the equivalent amount of single core CPU packages. Another, less obvious, advantage is that since multiple cores on a single integrated circuit are physically close together the cache coherency is greatly improved . Power savings can also be realised with multi-core processors. Since the cores are on the same chip, signals between the cores travel shorter distances. Also, multi-core CPUs typically run at a lower voltage and, since the power lost to a signal travelling over a wire is equal to the square of the voltage divided by the resistance in the wire, a lower voltage will result in less power loss. Another possible area for power savings is with the clock speed. You see, multi-core CPUs can perform many more times the operations per second even while operating at a lower frequency. For example, the 16 core MIT RAW processor operates at 425 MHz and can perform over 100 times the number of operations per second as an Intel Pentium 3 running at 600 MHz. How does the frequency affect the power consumption of a CPU? Well, it’s quite a complicated process, but a basic rule of thumb is that for every one percent increase in clock speed you will see a three percent increase in power consumption. That, of course, assumes that the other factors which affect power consumption have not been altered.Multi-core CPUs also have the ability to share a bus interface as well as cache circuitry. Figure 1 shows a diagram of the Intel Core 2 dual, which features a shared L2 cache. This can result in significant space savings. According to Intel, the Core 2 dual CPU has up to a 4 MB shared L2 Cache.
Figure 1: Diagram of Intel Core 2 Dual Processor. Courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.com/
Tilera’s Tile64
Speaking of a CPU’s cache, Tilera’s recently announced Tile64 (a 64 core processor) has a unique cache feature. The Tile64 utilises a mesh architecture, as shown in Figure 2. This mesh architecture allows the individual cores to do something quite unusual. When the core looks in its L2 cache and cannot find what it is looking for, it first looks in the L2 caches of the other cores in the mesh before requesting the data from main memory. This basically means that the mesh acts like an L3 cache.
Figure 2: Diagram of the Tile64. Courtesy of http://www.tilera.com/
Architecture
The unique cache feature of the Tile64 is an example of a major shift in computer architecture. Currently computers are centered around memory, with the processors accessing this memory. This requires a lot of communication overhead and is also a major bottleneck and limiting factor for speed of operation. With the adoption of multiple cores, the industry is moving towards a more processing and communication centric architecture. This new architecture is both faster and more efficient in its power usage.The current memory-centric architecture is not capable of realising the full advantages of multiple cores. For example, a typical cache read takes only 10 percent of the energy needed to read an off-chip memory location. The speed of an off-chip read operation will also be limited by both the memory technology used and the connection medium used which is not typically scalable.As multi-core processors become more common they will become more affordable. When this happens, software developers will begin to develop truly multi-threaded applications. This is when you will see a change in your networks. Your networks will likely change from being memory centric to processing and communication centric. Your networks of course won’t likely be using dual or quad core processors (except perhaps with the user’s computer). Your network equipment will have tens or hundreds of cores.
Multi-threading
But what’s this about software developers? Well, another factor which limits the performance advantages of multi-core CPUs is the software which runs on it. For the average user, the largest performance gains seen when switching to a multi-core CPU is with improved multi-tasking. For example, with a multi-core CPU you will see a large improvement if you are watching a DVD while doing a virus scan. This is because, each application will be assigned to different cores.If a user is running a single application on a multi-core machine there will likely not be significant performance advantages. This is because most applications are not truly multi-threaded. Applications may appear to be multi-threaded, for example a virus scan may start a new thread while the GUI runs in another thread. This is not true multi-threading. True multi-threading is when the bulk of the work is divided into threads. In the virus scan example, the GUI thread does very little work, while the virus scan thread does the heavy lifting and it is not capable of being divided up and sent to different cores.Developing a truly multi-threaded application requires a lot of very difficult work. This obviously adds significant costs to the software design cycle. That is why the majority of software applications will not be developed as truly multi-threaded applications until the number of cores is significantly high so that multi tasking does not realise any performance gains. This is when the user will demand it.Your networks are a slightly different story though. Routers are likely to be the first widely adopted machines with multiple cores as well as significant multi-threading. Servers will also see significant gains from multiple cores and multi-threading. Some of you now may be thinking, aren’t these products already multi-core? Well, yes, many are. I’m talking about a significant jump in the amount of cores. Intel has promised to deliver an 80 core by 2011, this is what I am referring to.
Licensing
The next question you’re likely to ask is, How does this affect my software licensing? Currently, this is a difficult question to answer. Many software companies will only require one license to run on multi-core CPUs. Of course, this usually only applies to CPUs with two or perhaps four cores. Microsoft has stated that they will continue to license their server software on a per processor basis and not on a per core basis. This certainly appears to be the way the industry is moving. However, we can only wait and see what software companies will do once we want to run their software on 80 cores. While there are some unknowns related to licensing, and some definite disadvantages related to software development, the move towards multi-core processors is definitely a good thing. Over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed that CPU speeds have increased dramatically, while their performance has only increased marginally. These diminishing returns are the real motivation behind the move to multi-cores. Multi-core technology is the only technology which can truly deliver significant performance gains. I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait!
In the computing industry there is a major shift afoot. Over the next few years you will see your networks overtaken by multi-core machines. This will affect many aspects of your network, from licensing and software development costs, to the entire focus of your network architecture. In this article I will help illustrate why the industry is moving in this direction and will explain some of the impacts it will have on you and your network.
Terminology
Terminology in the IT industry can be confusing. So, let’s get something straight right off the bat. A multi-core CPU has two or more processing units on the same integrated circuit. This is different from the term “multi-chip” which refers to multiple integrated circuits packaged together. This is different still from the term “multi-CPU” which refers to multiple processors working together.
Advantages
So why would hardware designers want to put the CPUs on the same chip? Well, one great reason is that putting multiple cores on one integrated circuit in one package takes up less room on the printed circuit board than the equivalent amount of single core CPU packages. Another, less obvious, advantage is that since multiple cores on a single integrated circuit are physically close together the cache coherency is greatly improved . Power savings can also be realised with multi-core processors. Since the cores are on the same chip, signals between the cores travel shorter distances. Also, multi-core CPUs typically run at a lower voltage and, since the power lost to a signal travelling over a wire is equal to the square of the voltage divided by the resistance in the wire, a lower voltage will result in less power loss. Another possible area for power savings is with the clock speed. You see, multi-core CPUs can perform many more times the operations per second even while operating at a lower frequency. For example, the 16 core MIT RAW processor operates at 425 MHz and can perform over 100 times the number of operations per second as an Intel Pentium 3 running at 600 MHz. How does the frequency affect the power consumption of a CPU? Well, it’s quite a complicated process, but a basic rule of thumb is that for every one percent increase in clock speed you will see a three percent increase in power consumption. That, of course, assumes that the other factors which affect power consumption have not been altered.Multi-core CPUs also have the ability to share a bus interface as well as cache circuitry. Figure 1 shows a diagram of the Intel Core 2 dual, which features a shared L2 cache. This can result in significant space savings. According to Intel, the Core 2 dual CPU has up to a 4 MB shared L2 Cache.
Figure 1: Diagram of Intel Core 2 Dual Processor. Courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.com/
Tilera’s Tile64
Speaking of a CPU’s cache, Tilera’s recently announced Tile64 (a 64 core processor) has a unique cache feature. The Tile64 utilises a mesh architecture, as shown in Figure 2. This mesh architecture allows the individual cores to do something quite unusual. When the core looks in its L2 cache and cannot find what it is looking for, it first looks in the L2 caches of the other cores in the mesh before requesting the data from main memory. This basically means that the mesh acts like an L3 cache.
Figure 2: Diagram of the Tile64. Courtesy of http://www.tilera.com/
Architecture
The unique cache feature of the Tile64 is an example of a major shift in computer architecture. Currently computers are centered around memory, with the processors accessing this memory. This requires a lot of communication overhead and is also a major bottleneck and limiting factor for speed of operation. With the adoption of multiple cores, the industry is moving towards a more processing and communication centric architecture. This new architecture is both faster and more efficient in its power usage.The current memory-centric architecture is not capable of realising the full advantages of multiple cores. For example, a typical cache read takes only 10 percent of the energy needed to read an off-chip memory location. The speed of an off-chip read operation will also be limited by both the memory technology used and the connection medium used which is not typically scalable.As multi-core processors become more common they will become more affordable. When this happens, software developers will begin to develop truly multi-threaded applications. This is when you will see a change in your networks. Your networks will likely change from being memory centric to processing and communication centric. Your networks of course won’t likely be using dual or quad core processors (except perhaps with the user’s computer). Your network equipment will have tens or hundreds of cores.
Multi-threading
But what’s this about software developers? Well, another factor which limits the performance advantages of multi-core CPUs is the software which runs on it. For the average user, the largest performance gains seen when switching to a multi-core CPU is with improved multi-tasking. For example, with a multi-core CPU you will see a large improvement if you are watching a DVD while doing a virus scan. This is because, each application will be assigned to different cores.If a user is running a single application on a multi-core machine there will likely not be significant performance advantages. This is because most applications are not truly multi-threaded. Applications may appear to be multi-threaded, for example a virus scan may start a new thread while the GUI runs in another thread. This is not true multi-threading. True multi-threading is when the bulk of the work is divided into threads. In the virus scan example, the GUI thread does very little work, while the virus scan thread does the heavy lifting and it is not capable of being divided up and sent to different cores.Developing a truly multi-threaded application requires a lot of very difficult work. This obviously adds significant costs to the software design cycle. That is why the majority of software applications will not be developed as truly multi-threaded applications until the number of cores is significantly high so that multi tasking does not realise any performance gains. This is when the user will demand it.Your networks are a slightly different story though. Routers are likely to be the first widely adopted machines with multiple cores as well as significant multi-threading. Servers will also see significant gains from multiple cores and multi-threading. Some of you now may be thinking, aren’t these products already multi-core? Well, yes, many are. I’m talking about a significant jump in the amount of cores. Intel has promised to deliver an 80 core by 2011, this is what I am referring to.
Licensing
The next question you’re likely to ask is, How does this affect my software licensing? Currently, this is a difficult question to answer. Many software companies will only require one license to run on multi-core CPUs. Of course, this usually only applies to CPUs with two or perhaps four cores. Microsoft has stated that they will continue to license their server software on a per processor basis and not on a per core basis. This certainly appears to be the way the industry is moving. However, we can only wait and see what software companies will do once we want to run their software on 80 cores. While there are some unknowns related to licensing, and some definite disadvantages related to software development, the move towards multi-core processors is definitely a good thing. Over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed that CPU speeds have increased dramatically, while their performance has only increased marginally. These diminishing returns are the real motivation behind the move to multi-cores. Multi-core technology is the only technology which can truly deliver significant performance gains. I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
What is the difference between spyware and a virus?
Spyware vs Viruses - Understand the Difference - Microsoft Security
Source: Microsoft
Published: February 17, 2007
Spyware and viruses are both forms of unwanted or malicious software, sometimes called “malware.” You need to protect yourself from both.
What's the difference?
• | Spyware (sometimes called adware) collects information about you without appropriate notice and consent. |
• | A computer virus spreads software, usually malicious in nature, from computer to computer. |
Spyware can get installed on your computer in a number of ways. One way is through a virus. Another way is for it to be secretly downloaded and installed with other software you've chosen to install.
In short, spyware is a specific type of unwanted software that secretly collects your information.
A virus is a specific way software can be secretly distributed, often by e-mail or instant messaging.
Both spyware and viruses can cause damage to your computer or cause you to lose important data.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
10 Things You Need to Know About Intel's Core 2 Duo (aka "Conroe")
Source: PC Magazine
1. Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme will be the fastest processors available. Faster than the Pentium EE, thanks to new techniques like Smart Cache and Wide Dynamic Execution—and, according to preliminary results, faster than the AMD FX62.
2. Core 2 Duo overtakes the Pentium as the name in processors. Farewell Pentium: There will never be a Pentium 5, 6, or XX. A brief moment of silence, please.
3. For the first time, Intel has specifically created one unified Core architecture for all categories: Conroe (desktops), Merom (notebooks), and Woodcrest (workstation/servers). All are based on Intel's Core technologies, and all three are 64-bit-capable dual-core processors with shared enhancements.
4. All three variations (Conroe, Merom, and Woodcrest) will provide more computing power and use less energy. This will help laptops extend their battery life. It will also enable system builders to come out with thinner desktops and workstations, since lower energy means less heat, which results in fewer fans hogging case space.
5. Expanding on that, lower power also means that the fans used will be slower, so your system will be quieter. With more PCs landing in the living room or in quiet dens, "quiet" is more important than ever.
6. Core 2 Duo is, for now, engineered to drop right into some current Pentium D/EE (LGA775) motherboards (with some BIOS/Firmware updates). This will make upgraders happy—especially those who bought the latest and greatest PC last summer—and system manufacturers, who don't need to buy a bunch of different parts (and won't have to learn the intricacies of a new socket)—yet.
7. Multitasking moves to the next level. With Core 2 Duo's virtualization technology, you can turn one physical PC into several virtual systems, all running different applications and OSs. For example, theoretically you could run an FTP server on one, a Web server on another, have a database running on a third, and still be playing a game or surfing on a fourth. This is a boon for developers who want to keep "clean" virtual machines running.
8. Today, only business PCs have the TPM 1.2 protection chip built in. With Core 2 Duo, all PCs will be protected. TPM (Trusted Platform Module) protects your passwords, logons, and personal data at a hardware level from hackers, spyware, and identity thieves.
9. About the lame code-naming convention: Conroe, Merom, and Woodcrest don't exactly call to mind "speed" or "kickin' performance." Intel's desktop and workstation CPU design offices are in Oregon, California, and Texas, so it makes sense that the towns of Conroe (Texas) and Woodcrest (California) are represented in Intel's code names.
10. When can you get one? Intel wants its Core 2 Duo processors in systems within a few weeks of the official launch, which rumor mills have as the last week of July. Look for systems in early August.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Cisco disconnects Linksys brand
Source:The Register
Cisco will ditch the Linksys brand to bring all SMB and consumer gear under its single networking omnicorp banner. CEO John Chambers blabbed the plan to journalists at a European roundtable last week.
Chambers opined: "The reason we kept Linksys' brand because it was better known in the US than even Cisco was for the consumer. As you go globally there's very little advantage in that."
Cisco paid $500m for Linksys in 2003. Though Chambers was unspecific, it looks set to disappear from shelves sometime this year. The integration process is almost complete, he said, with Linksys stock being run down.
All Cisco kit, from cheapo home wireless hubs up to fat military-capable setups will soon bear the Cisco brand.
Cisco will ditch the Linksys brand to bring all SMB and consumer gear under its single networking omnicorp banner. CEO John Chambers blabbed the plan to journalists at a European roundtable last week.
Chambers opined: "The reason we kept Linksys' brand because it was better known in the US than even Cisco was for the consumer. As you go globally there's very little advantage in that."
Cisco paid $500m for Linksys in 2003. Though Chambers was unspecific, it looks set to disappear from shelves sometime this year. The integration process is almost complete, he said, with Linksys stock being run down.
All Cisco kit, from cheapo home wireless hubs up to fat military-capable setups will soon bear the Cisco brand.
Convert any image to Icon
I searched the net looking for a way to convert JPG images to icons, I found many programs that doesn't give exactly what you looking for and most of them are not free. Then I found this excellent and easy way in a forum on http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/
and this how it is:
Open the image in any image editor for example ACDSee fotocanvas or photoshope.
Resize it to 32x32 pixels or to 64x64 pixels.
Save it as a .bmp
Rename it to .ico
Easy ..... right
and this how it is:
Open the image in any image editor for example ACDSee fotocanvas or photoshope.
Resize it to 32x32 pixels or to 64x64 pixels.
Save it as a .bmp
Rename it to .ico
Easy ..... right
Saturday, August 4, 2007
الأصدقاء الستة
الأصدقاء الستة
لكل ملك أو أمير مستشارون دائما حوله ونحن أمراء أنفسنا وهناك 6 أنواع من الأصدقاء فيا ترى من أي نوع هم أصدقاءنا
· الصديق المنعش صديق اصغر منك سنا ستأخذ من نشاطه وحماسه وتتعلم منه كل ما هو حديث وجديد
· الصديق المماثلة نفس تخصصك أو له نفس اهتماماتك أو يسكن في نفس شارعك هذا الصديق الذي يعيش حياة مماثلة لحياتك هو الوحيد القادر على أن يفهم وجهة نظرك أو أفكارك عندما تحتاج إلى من تشكي له همومك.
· الصديق الحكيم صديق تشعر أن لديه خبرة في أمور كثيرة ووجوده في حياتك يشعرك بالأمان فعند أي مشكلة ستجد من يمد لك يد العون بالمشورة والنصيحة
· الصديق المرح ينسيك عندما تتحدث إليه مشاكلك وقلقك فهو قادر على تخفيف الحزن عنك بل قادر على أن يجعلك تضحك بأعلى صوت
· الصديق المعاكس هو صديق يختلف في كل شيء عنك فادا كنت في القسم العلمي هو في القسم الأدبي وإذا كنت ميسور الحال فهو اقل منك سيعطيك وجهة النضر الأخرى من الحياة بل ويجعلك تشعر انه ليس بالضرورة أن ما عند الآخرين الدين يختلفون عنك في كل شيء أفضل مما عندك بل يدفعك للشعور بالسعادة بما لديك.
· الصديق التاريخ شاهد عيان على تقلبات حياتك مدها وجزرها هذا الصديق قابلته ربما على مقاعد الدراسة في المرحلة الثانوية أو الجامعية فهو الصديق الثمين احرص عليه ولو بعدت بينكم المسافة.
هل تستطيعون الآن أن تميزوا نوع الأصدقاء الذين هم من حولكم .....
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