Notebook computers are becoming very popular. They seem
to be popping up everywhere: on tv shows, on airplanes,
in movies, or in your friend’s lap. These sleek little
machines are invading our daily lives like never before…
and the invasion has just started. Find out why they have
become so popular with their users and why your next PC
should probably be a notebook computer.

It is estimated that over 42 million computer notebooks
will be produced this year. And that number is said to
be growing by 20% each year. So what’s driving the demand
for these devices, what’s making them so popular?

It’s more than just the next techno fad, notebook computers
offer some very practical solutions to our computing
requirements and needs. There are some real solid reasons why they
have become so popular among their users. These are the same
reasons why you should consider making your next PC purchase
a notebook or laptop computer.

So if you need convincing, here are those 10 solid reasons
why you should consider buying a notebook computer:

1. Size. This is one situation where size really does matter.
It’s the main reason you should consider buying a notebook or
laptop in the first place. You want a PC that will fit neatly
in your hand to take to your next office meeting, you want
a convenient laptop to take to class or you want a notebook
for your next cross country business trip.

Notebooks come in a variety of sizes to match your needs or
purpose. They are categorized or grouped accordingly:

Tablet PC (smallest) Size of a paper tablet or notepad, less than 3
pounds.

Ultra Portable (small), around 11″ x 10″, less than 1.3 inches thick, less
than 4 pounds.

Thin and Light (mid-size), around 11-14″ x 11″, 1 to 1.4 inches thick, from 5
to 7 pounds.

Desktop Replacements (largest), more than 13″ x 11″, more than 1.5 inches, more
than 7 pounds and up.

As you can see there is a great range of sizes so you should have no
trouble finding a notebook computer to satisfy your needs. Just match
the notebook size to the main purpose or use of your notebook and you
can’t go wrong.

2. Portability. Probably the second, if not the most important reason
you’re considering buying a notebook or laptop. You want a PC that’s portable
and lightweight. One that you can take anywhere; to class, to meetings,
on business trips or from room to room in your home.

This freedom of movement — taking your office or vital data along on
your business or personal travels is the main selling point of the
notebook computer. The portability factor is one you should seriously
consider — do you need a portable computer for your home, work or just
for pure enjoyment.

3. Performance. Not too long ago, notebooks or laptops were viewed by
many as second class computers when compared to the performance and
speed of the mighty desktop PC. Distance cousins discreetly allocated
to the sidelines.

But things have changed! Although still not on par with the desktop,
thanks to the next generation notebook chipset, Intel’s New Sonoma
Platform, many notebooks come very close to providing the performance level
of a desktop PC. Many notebooks, especially the desktop replacements,
already have impressive technical specs that would shame most ordinary
desktops. Some of these desktop replacements even use desktop processors
or CPUs.

With hard drives up to 100GB or more at (7,200rpm), with RAM up to 2MB in
some cases, and supported with Intel Pentium 4’s, at 3.4GHz or more — most
notebooks are very capable of handling almost all computing applications and
functions with ease. They can do the job.

4. Connections. We live in a wireless world. The notebook will do for
computers, what the cell phone did for the telephone industry — make our
communications wireless. Being constantly connected to your friends, your
business or your family does have a certain appeal that can’t be denied.
The notebook computer will give you this wireless connection.

Most notebooks now come with WI-FI (Wireless Fidelity), also known as
802.11 a/b/g, with the ability to stay connected no matter where you are.
As more and more businesses such as hotels, restaurants and airports
offer these ‘hot spots’ or WI-FI service to their patrons, easy
connections will become commonplace.

Plus, BIG PLUS - Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO network is spreading fast,
this will bring wireless connections to a whole new level. It will
make the Internet truly wireless!

5. Function. There are certain functions that are unique to the
notebook computer. The tablet PC provides a convenient device for note
taking and data gathering that’s not practical in a desktop computer.
For business professionals such as doctors, lawyers, real estate
agents…these tablet notebooks do very practical ‘in-the-field’ chores
or tasks. Other notebooks are very useful for powerpoint presentations
at meetings and other gatherings.

6. Backup. The notebook or laptop can be used as a convenient backup
of your vital files and programs. Often overlooked, but the notebook can
provide a rather cheap and safe way to protect your sensitive data.
Anyone who has had a major or total loss of their hard drives can appreciate
the importance of having a safe backup system.

For those constantly surfing the net, exposing your sensitive data to
all the hazards (viruses, worms, spyware,etc.) can lead to problems.
Having a separate system stored on a laptop or notebook can
be a good way of working around this problem.

7. Variety. Notebooks and laptops offer much more variety than the
ordinary desktop PC. From a small pocket size tablet PC all the way
up to a Multi-Media desktop replacement that offers TV, Stereo,
CD/DVD Player, as well as a computer of course.

There is a greater range of systems to choose from; all the way from
sleek custom designed notebooks to huge monster gaming laptops, there’s
something to satisfy most tastes. You can also buy a notebook to
match your style; from IBM black to Ferrari Red. It’s out there.

8. Price and Availability. Notebooks are everywhere and they’re
getting cheaper by the minute. Notebooks prices are coming down, as
more and more notebooks are sold — the price will drop even more.
They’re still slightly more expensive than a desktop PC but the gap
is closing fast.

Finding a seller or dealer is very easy, shopping online directly
from the manufacturer or company is also becoming very popular. In addition,
there are also some very good reputable online dealers that’s spreading
the notebook gospel. Your dream notebook is only a click away.

9.Sex Appeal. It has to be mentioned, notebook computers are sexy!
There’s no denying it; these sleek, svelte machine are some of the
sexiest accessories this side of a Batwatch Extra. The notebook’s great
looks will probably be the first drawing card for many people who’s
considering buying a notebook. A fully functional accessory that will
not only turn heads but can also do the books.

10. Last but not least, the main reason you should consider buying a
notebook computer — because you want one. Just for the convenience,
portability, or the downright pleasure of owning a notebook computer. Besides,
it’s a proven medical fact that denying your wants or needs can be detrimental
to your health.

Go treat yourself!

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Rohit Tokhi

1.Let your PC boot up completely before opening any applications.

2.Refresh the desktop after closing any application. This will remove any unused files from the RAM.

3.Do not set very large file size images as your wallpaper. Do not keep a wallpaper at all if your PC is low on RAM (less than 64 MB).

4.Do not clutter your Desktop with a lot of shortcuts. Each shortcut on the desktop uses up to 500 bytes of RAM

5.Empty the recycle bin regularly. The files are not really deleted from your hard drive until you empty the recycle bin.

6.Delete the temporary internet files regularly.

7.Defragment your hard drive once every two months. This will free up a lot of space on your hard drive and rearrange the files so that your applications run faster.

8.Always make two partitions in your hard drive. Install all large Softwares (like PSP, Photoshop, 3DS Max etc) in the second partition. Windows uses all the available empty space in C drive as virtual memory when your Computer RAM is full. Keep the C Drive as empty as possible.

9.When installing new Softwares disable the option of having a tray icon. The tray icons use up available RAM, and also slow down the booting of your PC. Also disable the option of starting the application automatically when the PC boots. You can disable these options later on also from the Tools or preferences menu in your application.

10. Protect your PC from dust. Dust causes the CPU cooling fan to jam and slow down thereby gradually heating your CPU and affecting the processing speed. Use compressed air to blow out any dust from the CPU. Never use vacuum.

RAM IS THE WORKING AREA (DESKTOP) OF THE CPU, KEEP IT AS EMPTY AND UNCLUTTERED AS POSSIBLE!

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By:Bob Benson

With the popularity of cell phones on the rise, companies are constantly touting their offers for free cell phones. But are those offers real? There are some things to consider before you grab up one of those offers. Take a look at some facts and some options.

The majority of free cell phones are offered by companies that provide cell phone service. These companies can afford to make the offer because they’re assured that they’re going to have your business for a set period of time. That’s because the only way you’re really going to get one of their free cell phones is by signing a contract that binds you to cell phone service for a specific period of time. With that contract, you’re agreeing to pay for the service – usually for one or two years – whether you use it or not.

But if you price cell phones purchased outright, isn’t it better to sign that contract than to pay the full price for a phone? Probably, but you should carefully evaluate your situation and be sure you’re going to want to pay for the service for that length of time.

Keep in mind that there are dozens of companies out there providing cell phone service, and they’re all vying for a specific customer base. Because of the situation, you have the upper hand – at least to some degree. One of the gimmicks these companies use is to offer free cell phones in an attempt to gain new customers. Before you sign up, get a value for the phone they’re offering for free. Ask for the price of the phone if you don’t sign a contract, and then price that phone with some other companies. You may find that the phone isn’t worth very much anyway and that signing simply buying the phone without signing a contract is a better decision.

Choosing a cell phone service provider should not end at which of those companies will provide the best free cell phones. Evaluate the service past the phone. The price of service, terms of the contract and features (call waiting, call forwarding and voice mail) should all play a role in your decision. When you weigh those aspects, you may find that buying a cell phone from company A is a better deal that taking the free cell phones from company B.

There’s no doubt that there are free cell phones available. But as is true with most things, there are also strings attached and terms to be met in order to qualify.

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Intro
One of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types of computers is that they’re upgradable. If you get to the point where you need a faster computer, more storage space or whatever, you don’t have to buy a new PC. You can upgrade it by buying just the extra part you need. But sometimes it’s better to just take the plunge and replace it… and how do you know what part to upgrade? Here’s my guide:

Memory
Adding memory is one of the most popular upgrades. It makes a big difference to how fast your PC runs. When your PC runs out of memory for what it’s doing, it stores information on your hard drive instead. Your hard drive is nowhere near as fast as the memory. The more memory you’ve got, the less often your PC will need to store things on the hard drive as it works. So the faster it will go.

How much memory is enough does depend on what version of Windows you’re running. With Windows XP, 256MB is considered a bit on the low side, though it’ll be just about OK. 512MB is decent and 1024MB is really good. If you have Windows 95 or 98, you can get by on 64MB though it’s worth going to 128MB even if you just use your PC for basic office work. More will make it really hum along.

It also depends on what you’re using your PC for — if you’re just typing up the odd letter and sending emails, then 256MB will probably do you but if you’re editing video or playing the latest 3D games, it’ll be worth getting the full 1024MB.

If you buy memory, make sure you get the right type for your computer — the best thing to do is go to a shop and get them to pick the right type and to fit it for you. You CAN fit it yourself if you know what you’re doing but be careful!

Hard Drive
Another upgrade that can be worthwhile is a bigger hard drive. If you don’t have enough space for all your files and programs then it’s obviously a good plan! I’d also recommend it if you have only just enough space. When your hard drive is nearly full your PC has to scamper around it trying to find empty space every time it wants to save something… and that takes time.

I’d recommend keeping your existing hard drive and adding a new one instead of actually replacing your existing one. No point in throwing it away if it’s still working! A typical hard drive nowadays is anywhere from 40GB to 160GB — if you’re getting a new one it might as well be big!

With a hard drive you can either fit it yourself or get a shop to fit it… or there’s a third option. You can buy an external version which plugs into your computer via a USB port. These are great for moving information from one PC to another. If it’s always on one PC, I prefer the hard drive neatly tucked away inside the case… but again, it’s up to you.

Bigger/flat monitor
If you’ve got a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor (the type with a box sticking out the back, like a television) you might fancy one of those stylish flat ones. It’s not just a fancy gadget, they also fit better on a small desk and you can have it closer to the wall than a big cumbersome CRT.

If you decide to go for it, think about whether you want one with built in speakers. It keeps you desk nice and tidy and looks more stylish. But you can get much better sound quality with separate speakers.

You also could think about what size of screen you want. It’s measured in inches from one corner to the opposite one. 17inch is pretty standard for desktop PCs though the flat screen types tend to seem bigger than the CRT type even when they’re the same size. For normal use, I wouldn’t particularly recommend getting a big one but if you do a lot of design or gaming, it might be worth it.

Processor
I’m not a big fan of processor upgrades. People talk about the processor speed when they’re saying how fast a PC is but there’s a lot more to it. Upgrading the processor without upgrading the other parts doesn’t tend to make much difference. And if you’re going to change the other bits too, you’re probably best off just buying a new PC. It’ll probably be cheaper.

CD Writer/DVD player/DVD writer
This is a simple one. If you don’t have a CD writer and you want to be able to write CDs, get one! As usual, I’d advise you to get it fitted at the shop you buy it at. Or you could get an external one that plugs into a USB port. If you fancy it you could even get a DVD player or DVD writer, if you want to put your home movies on DVD. Again, you can either get it fitted or buy an external one.

Graphics Card
This is a bit of a specialist one. If you’re into fast 3D games, then it might be worth getting a faster graphics card. If you aren’t, it probably isn’t. A standard graphics card can handle ordinary graphics pretty well. It’s only when the PC throws fast 3D at it that it struggles. Then the PC itself has to do some of the work for it, leaving less time for the PC to work out whether you’ve been clobbered by a goblin.

Epilogue
The crucial point about upgrades is that it really does depend on what you use your PC for. If you’re happy with what your PC is doing for you, don’t let anyone talk you into feeling you have to upgrade.

Tim Wakeling is the Author of Computers One Step at a Time, a home course using plenty of pictures of the screen to show you how to use your PC. He also writes a free monthly newsletter about computers for non-experts. Find out about both at http://www.osaat.co.uk
© Tim Wakeling, UK 2005. You may re-publish this article online and in print as long as you leave it unchanged.

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Glenn Murray

Tech-writing is a tricky business. It’s not a very high profile industry, so there’s not much support around. Follow these 10 quick tips, and you’ll be well on your way to a satisfying tech-writing career.

1) Follow a sensible career path…

* STEP 1: Start in a team

* STEP 2: Stay only just long enough

* STEP 3: Manage yourself

* STEP 4: Manage a team

* STEP 5: Go contracting (depends on the market)

2) Knowledge is your lifeblood – learn the politics of your company. Know who knows what. Find someone who consistently gives you timely, reliable, technically accurate answers, and get their name tattooed on your shoulder! Every company has at least one. And they may not be in the project manager/product manager/customer/programmer roles. They are generally the people who’ve used the product in the real world, and dealt with real world customers.

3) Communicate WITH, not AT. Tech-writers don’t have enough power to get away with communicating at.

4) Track stuff (take spreadsheet printout and write it up on the board).

5) Develop good product and domain knowledge – The more you can figure out for yourself, the better off you’ll be (and the more respect you’ll get from the techies).

6) Find out who your users are, what they are trying to do, what they are having trouble doing, and how they want to be helped. Then provide this assistance. Help the user do what they are trying to do. Don’t just tell them what the product can do… a help system is only helpful if it addresses the users’ needs.

7) Treat everyone as a customer. Then manage their expectations and your commitments. Always ensure they know what you’re doing. Tell them when you’ll be finished. And pull out all stops to meet your deadline.

Provide a surrogate user testing mechanism for the development team – providing usability feedback.

9) Work as hard as required to get good quality doco finished on time and to budget – this is how you’ll get the satisfaction out of work that you need.

10) Have fun with it.

Don’t become jaded and cynical by the high-tech, harsh, uncaring IT world. Use your smarts, and make the most of the resources provided. Most importantly of all, make work satisfaction your number 1 goal. It’s the best way to stay happy and get ahead.