WoW Gold - How To Make World In World of Warcraft

Okay, so you have joined the millions of people who are becoming very addicted to the game we know as World of Warcraft or as some call it, just plain Warcraft.

The biggest obstacle that most people face is of course leveling and making gold. The quests, characters and mazes are just the beginning. So, starting out how do you make gold faster and level faster in the WoW.

Well, for the basics or the beginner we can give you some basic steps to make gold. One of the easiest ways to get started is to start as a Skinner, Herbalist or a Miner until you gather resources. Travel to a main town to learn these skill early and believe me, it's worth it to do this early.

Have a mule waiting at you factions auction house town, in example, Ironforge for Alliance, create a character that is closest to the auction house. The best character is a dwarf or gnome for easy access to Ironforge. Humans need to travel via Stormwind and the Underground tram. Place your character near a mailbox that is not busy. There are 2 mailboxes near the Auction House in Ironforge. Choose the one that is not as busy.

Making gold in World of Warcraft auction house, check the prices using the search function. Sell at the highest price. The NPC vendor will buy from you at up to 20 times the price. Always set your auctions for 24 hours and put a buyout price of about 4 to 6 times the value to an NPC vendor.

There are many more ways to learn how to make gold in world of warcraft. The best way is to learn from those that have and are doing it.

The Internet's Largest PSP Game Download Site!

Downloading and playing games on your PSP is a very simple process. You will be able to download games that are exactly like the UMD version, with no quality loss whatsoever. The games will be loaded and played directly from your PSP memory stick. Download from thousands of games. Our database of games are updated daily.
Action Games
Metal Gear Solid - Sonic Rivals - Grand Theft Auto - Justice League

Role-Playing
Marvel Ultimate All - Dungeon Siege - Valkyrie Profile - Moster Hunter

Racing Games
Need For Speed - ATV Offroad Fury - NASCAR - Burnout Legends

Sports
Tony Hawk's Project 8 - NFL Street 3 - Madden NFL 07 - NBA Live 07

Instantly access millions of PSP ready files, along with a Free PSP Software Package and Free PSM Magazine Subscription!

The PSP is a very versatile piece of equipment. It allows portability for playing games in the form of small UMD disc that you can easily carry around. However apart from UMD disc, there are other ways of storing your PSP games i.e. in your memory sticks.
This is a simple guide on how to download PSP games from your computer to your PSP.
Homebrew PSP games are custom design games developed by programmers. Some of the feature of these homebrew PSP games is that it emulates other gaming console so that you will be able to play wide variety of games from platforms such as Nintendo, Supernintendo, Megadrive, NeoGeo and much more.
This makes the PSP a very powerful gaming console not to mention that these homebrew PSP games are available all over the internet.
What you will need is sufficient PSP memory stick. I would always recommend memory stick of at least 1GB, but if you do not have the sufficient resources (i.e. money) a 256MB Memory stick should be alright.
Note: for a brand new memory stick you will need to format it.
The other thing that you will require when installing a game to your memory card is your PSP Firmware version 1.5 or less.
Later firmware version will not work. If you do have a later version of PSP, please consider downgrading you PSP.

In simple terms its this; you will download your games from the internet into you PC and then transfer your game files to your PSP via a USB cable.
When your computer is connected to your PSP, your PC will recognize your PSP as a detachable memory (similar to a USB drive). It will assign a drive (usually f: ) and you will be able to drag and drop you PSP games file to your memory stick.

These are some of the step to download PSP games:

Step 1 You must copy your PSP games file to the correct path or the games simply will not work. The correct path is PSP>GAME (all the folder names are in caps)

Step 2 After the PSP games are fully transferred to your memory stick, disconnect the PSP from your PC. In your PSP main menu, scroll to GAME and then select Memory Stick option. Press X, and list of available games in your memory stick will be displayed. If you find any error on your PSP, you might want to check your firmware version.
This is a simple guide on how to download PSP games from your computer and it is a proven techniques and been done countless of times. Most important of all it allows you to enjoy wide variety of games from other gaming console.
PSP Blender Facts

What is included with a PSP Blender Membership? With your PSP Blender Membership you receive instant access to millions of files ready to be transferred to your PSP. This includes but is not limited to movies, television shows, video games, music, and PSP software.

Are the downloads full version games and movies? The downloads are the full version games and movies, exactly like the original.

Are there any additional fees after a membership is purchased? There are no additional fees ever after a membership is purchased. Members receive unmetered, and unlimited access to millions of files ready to be downloaded to their PSP.

How long does my membership last? There is a one time fee for lifetime access to the PSP Blender download Database.

What firmware versions are supported? All current firmware versions are supported.

How do I download movies/games/music to my PSP? The files are downloaded to your computer then you simply transfer the files straight to your PSP using a USB cable or compatible memory stick reader. We offer all software needed and complete step by step instructions making the process simple even for a child.

Do you offer PSX/PS1 games that can be played on my PSP? Absolutely! We are the only PSP download service to offer this option at the time. Download all of your favorite PS1 games and play them on your PSP.

Can I download imported or foreign games? We offer games from all countries. If you are looking for a Japan import, we will have it.
Do you offer PSP emulators and ROM games for Gameboy, Super Nintendo, ect? With a PSP Blender membership you will receive access to emulators and thousands of PSP compatible ROM games from the following systems: 

Gameboy / Gameboy Color
Neo Geo CD
Super Nintendo
Sega Genesis
Neo Geo Pocket
Turbo Grafx 16
Nintendo (NES)
Sega
PC (Windows)

What video format is used on the PSP? We show you how you can play almost any type of video on your PSP this includes the following video formats.
AVI
MOV
MP4
OGM
MKV
NUT
ASF
WMV


What audio format is used on the PSP? We show you how you can play almost any type of audio on your PSP this includes the following audio formats.
MP3
M4A
WMA
OGG
WAV

Can the downloads be played on my computer, TV, or iPod? There is no limitation on where you can watch the movies. Watch them on your computer, burn them to a disk and watch them on your TV, watch them on your iPod Video etc..

How fast are the downloads? Our recent speed tests indicate the following data.

Is PSP Blender Macintosh compatible? PSP Blender is now fully compatible with Macintosh Systems . We include step by step guides and instructions specific to Macintosh users.

Is PSP Blender compatible worldwide? PSP Blender is fully compatible with all versions of the PSP.

What are the minimum hardware and software requirements? At a minimum, you will need the following items:
Operating Systems
Windows® Vista/XP/2000/98/ME Macintosh OS X
Processor (CPU)
A Pentium II 300 MMX or equivalent as a minimum
Memory (RAM)
At least 64meg memory
Hard Drive (HDD)
Hard drive on your computer with at least 4 gb, but preferably 10 gb FREE space in one partition.
USB Cable
PSP USB Cable or memory card slot on your PC
PSP Memory
At least a 256MB-512MB memory card. 1GB or larger cards are preffered

Is PSP Blender Legal? PSP Blender is 100% legal as we do not condone the illegal downloading of copyrighted material. By joining PSP Blender you agree that you have read and understand our safety agreement.

How can I connect to the internet using my PSP ? The PSP can connect to existing Wi-Fi hot spots. Hot spots are areas with Wi-Fi service and are either accessed for free or for a fee. It is possible to purchase access using a metered system or passes good for a certain time frame, such as day, week or month. There may be metered access or with a pass for, for example, a day, month or year. Access can be for a complete chain of locations or just one hot spot. Hot spots can be in bookstores, cafes or airports. Using the below website you can search for local Wi-Fi hot spots.

Do you offer a money back guarantee? We provide full support and can help with most technical issues. If you have met the minimum requirements but still have trouble because of hardware issues we will offer a refund. A refund request must be made within 60 days of the date of the purchase.

Is there any support available if I am having problems? We offer full technical support to members via email, our PSP members forum, and support tickets. We also send out a weekly mailing detailing all of the updates to the PSP scene as new types of downloads are constantly available.

Can I connect my PSP to my PC? The PSP can function as a USB Memory Stick Duo reader. Using this functionality, you can copy pictures, audio, and other content to and from your Memory Stick Duo. To access the Memory Stick Duo in your PSP from your PC, you'll need a USB cable that has a "Mini-B" connector (common for digital cameras) and a "Standard-A" connector (common for printers, etc). Plug the Mini-B side into the top of your PSP and the Standard-A side into your PC. From the PSP software, navigate to the top of the settings list and select "USB Connection." Your PC (Windows/Mac/Linux) should detect a new "Removable Disk Drive" that you can then access.

What is UMD? UMD (Universal Media Disc) is a new, proprietary, high-capacity optical medium enabling game software, full-motion video and other forms of digital entertainment content such as movies and music, to be stored. The newly developed UMD is the next-generation compact storage media and at only 60mm in diameter, can store up to 1.8GB of digital data, making it perfect for a portable entertainment player like the PSP™ system. UMD stores a broad range of digital entertainment content including games, music, movies, and more.

Do I need to use a wireless hotspot or wireless access point to play against people? No, you can also connect up to 16 PSP systems in the vicinity directly through ad-hoc mode for gameplay without any additional hardware. PSP Blender game downloads fully support multi player options.

Where can I buy PSP transfer cables, and Pro Duo memory sticks? We highly recommend Ebay for the best deals.
For more information and resources on PSP games download. 

Learn To Understand Computer Software

In this day and age there is very little excuse to be illiterate when it comes to computers, though I know a surprisingly large amount of people that still are. Our entire world, literally, commmunicates via the computer and the internet, so I suggest that it is past time that you get to know the machine that has revolutionized the face of the earth. Learning computer software is just one important step that you need to take.

Basically, computer software includes everything that makes your computer run and work the way it does. The actual physical parts and pieces of your computer are considered computer hardware. You can see why it is important to be familiar with the programs and systems that run your computer can't you? If you are overwhelmed by all there is to learn about your computer, then take a few proactive steps and you'll be on the road to understanding rather quickly.

First of all, get to your local library and pick up a couple of books about computer software. Ask the librarian for some good suggestions if there are a lot to choose from. And then start reading. See what you can learn from the computer experts and authors about computer software. Another great place to begin learning is to sign up for a class that is focused on learning both computer hardware and computer software. You'll never be sorry for enrolling in an introductory course and learning a bit. 

The honest truth is that the rest of your life will be dominated by people who know how to function on the computer enough to survive. So the wisest thing you can do for your sake and for the sake of your future is to learn about computer software right away. Even if you already know about computer software, I guarentee that there is still more to know. Don't be fooled into thinking that you know all there is to know about computers. The world of the computer is constantly changing and expanding, so get on board and be prepared come what may.

Taking the time to familiarize yourself with computer software will be helpful no matter what job you take or what direction your life takes. So be proactive and learn while you can. Your career will benefit and you'll be amazed by the many ways you can communicate easier and quicker with the people you love. 

Easy Method Of Comparing Documents

If you are involved in the activity of comparing documents then constant changes are always a part of the routine. There are a number of changes regular made by the document owner and as well as the contributor and by the reviews. Keeping a track on these changes in a document is a very difficult task while it also consumes a lot of time. The amount of time in editing the changes that take place regularly in a complex document is very thorny. There are a lot of professionals who undertake the task of tracking changes in a very difficult manner like manually tracking changes in printed documents, cut and past of little matter in the online pages and merging the documents to compare the article.

Problems in comparison. Comparing a document is a very hard challenge that many professionals undertake daily. Manually doing the task of comparison is a backbreaking process and is also consumes a lot of time. There is also a lot of risk in manually going through the documents as you may tend to leave out a point that can be very costly. There are many companies today who are looking for a solution that can handle the task of comparing documents and making the documents easy to be viewed later. This solution would also leave many professionals with a lot of time to concentrate on their job and clients. Wordshare is a software that is designed to handle complex documents while making the task of comparing the documents easily. The wordshare technology ensures eccurate, fst and reliable comparison of documents.

Easier comparison. An industry in the windows utility development has designed a set of software tools to help you out in your daily work. The software tools are developed to assist you in document comparison for most of the file types used daily. The comparison tools speak of easy use, great function and flexibility.

Document Comparison Tools. There are multiple professionals from all types of industry and from world wide who work with different types documents. The files that are completed and done off with are often changed by the main author or by some other member of the company. Tracking changes in small files is a not a difficult job but when dealing with larger and complex files comparing the data in them is tiring would consume a lot of time. Document comparison tools make the task a easy one. The software is called as 'Diff Doc' which is the first document comparison tool in the world. The software can compare all types of files like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and also PDF, XML, HTML, RTF, Text and wordperfect.

There are also some of the simple ways of comparing your documents in Word document. In a word document you can use the option of compare side by side which will only function if two word documents are open. If there are three documents open a pop up will ask which two you need to compare. After selecting the documents and clicking the option your documents will be displayed besides each other. This will make it easier to track particular changes.

The Latest Technology, Wifi And Digital Cameras

We were all use to the idea of sending in our film for developing and waiting for our pictures to come back. It takes days before we can see those developed photos.

Then along came digital cameras and the world was taken by storm with this cool new technology. Suddenly you could take a picture and see the results immediately. At first these cameras were slow and not such great quality but still kind of cool. Then things heated up and now we have fantastic digital cameras of all sizes and shapes that can take wonderful images which can be shared instantly with your family, or the rest of the world for that matter.

The latest now in technology integration is WiFi and digital cameras. No need to even plug your camera memory card into a computer, or a printer at all. Now you can buy a digital camera that transmits the images via wireless technology. Yes, that is right, a wireless connection for your image uploads.

Now, you may be among those in the population that have not even gotten their hands around the whole digital image sharing thing yet. But this promising new technology may lead us to a world of fewer cables to plug in, quicker transfer of our images, and in the case of events in the world, the ability to share images of news almost instantly.

As we saw in the recent bombings in London, folks with cell phone cameras recorded the devastation they saw in the underground and shared it with the world in almost real time fashion. These new cameras may be able to take that sort of thing to an all new level. Imagine cities that implement widespread WiFi access and photographers with WiFi cameras capturing images of news and other special events. They could transmit those images right away and let the world see them. You may concern how it works? Here is am eaxmaple:

Nikon has released two models of digital cameras that are WiFi enabled. The idea is to be able to transmit your pictures straight from the camera to your computer or printer through a wireless adaptor. You bring up the images to transfer, hit "go", and they get sent through the air to your printer. The Coolpix P1 and P2 will be in the $400-$550 range in pricing and the adaptor is extra. They are competing with Kodak which released its own version of the WiFi camera in their Easy Share line of cameras this year. Kodak has already gone to making it easy to share photos by transmitting them at so called "wireless hot spots", usually cafes or stores where wireless access is sold or given away to customers. These efforts by the leading camera makers seem aimed at adding value to their already impressive digital technology.

Digital cameras continue to be hot sellers despite what some in the industry thought would be a slowing of sales this year. Many had predicted that cell phone cameras would slow digital camera sales, but this is not happening. 

Photoshop Layers Tutorials

Layers are a powerful feature of Photoshop that allow you to work on one part of an image without disturbing the rest of it. While the concept of layers may seem intimidating at first, once you get the hang of using layers you'll wonder how you ever survived without them!

The transparent parts of any layer, shown by the checkered grid, allow the layers beneath that layer to show through. You can show and hide each layer in an image by clicking on its corresponding eye icon in the Layers palette.

To organize your layers, you can arrange them into layer groups by going to Layer > New > Group…. Each layer group displays in the same way as any ungrouped layers on the Layers palette. A layer group is signified by a folder icon. You can collapse or expand layer groups by clicking on the triangle to the left of the folder icon, and nest layer groups within each other by dragging one folder icon into another.

Here are 10 quick Layer Shortcuts.

1 - Rename layers by double-clicking on the layer name.

2 - Select a layer by using the keyboard shortcuts Alt-[ and Alt-] (Option-[ and Option-] on a Mac).

3 - Merge a layer into the one beneath it by pressing Ctrl- E (Command-E). If you have selected layers, this shortcut
will merge those selected layers together.

4 - Change the transparency of a layer by changing its opacity with the Opacity slider, or typing a value into the
Opacity box (which is visible when you have the Selection, Move, or Crop tools selected).

5 - Duplicate a selected layer by pressing Ctrl-J (Command-J on a Mac). You can also duplicate a layer by dragging it
while pressing the Alt (Option) key.

6 - Select multiple layers by holding down Ctrl (Command on a Mac) and clicking the layer names. This forms a temporary link between the selected layers that allows you to move them as one unit, delete them all, and so on.

7 - You can also link layers together. Select layers by clicking on them while holding down Shift or Ctrl (Command
on a Mac).

8 - To unlink all the layers, select one of the linked layers and go to Layer > Unlink Layers.

9 - To temporarily unlink a layer, hold down Shift and click on its link icon (a red "X" will appear over the link icon).

10 - Reactivate the link by holding down Shift and clicking the link icon again.

Things You Need To Know About The 404 Error Message.

Anyone who uses a computer on a regular basis has been faced with a 404 error message. This irritating little obstacle to our research or fun-search activities can be a bit of an irritation for most of us. The 404 error message commonly appears when we request a URL that the server does not have. For some reason, the server chooses to simply flash a 404 error message rather than providing us with the information that we need. All we know from the information provided is that the page has not been found. This is usually a default message that most Web servers return when someone requests a URL that the server does not have. This is not to suggest that the URL does not exist.

The 404 error message is in violation to basic rules for error messages in general, according to some of its critics. The critics suggest that the 404 error message needs to be written in layman's terms so anyone who reads it understands exactly what has happened. Every time I have gotten one, I immediately thought that I made a mistake. Of course, the first thing we do when we make a mistake is re-enter the information just to be faced with another 404 error message. We may try again and again until we reach the number of entering the same information over and over again that makes us realize that it may not be entirely our fault. 

Unfortunately, we usually check one more time just to be sure. The next step is to blame our source of information. We double check our source to make sure that we were given the right URL only to see that we were right. Filled with self-doubt, we go right back on to the server and enter the same URL again just to find a 404 error message staring right back at us.

We do all of this simply because the server broke a very important rule They need to make the error message clear as day for anyone using the server, not just the technically-savvy individuals who know not to waste time entering and re-entering the same URL over and over again. Sometimes it is the user's fault but there is no way of knowing this through the 404 error message. The second rule the servers break is not specifying what the user has done wrong. The vague information usually leaves the server confused and irritated. It is annoying when you know that there is something wrong but you don't know what it is. 

The Future Of Computer Certification Exams

The format and difficulty of computer certification exams is constantly changing. When I took my first certification exam (Novell NetWare 3.1x CNA, January 1997), there was no such thing as a simulator question, and my practical skills really were not tested. The exams then were much heavier on memorization.

One factor that helped make up for that was that the Novell exams were adaptive. If you missed a question on a particular topic, you would continue to be asked questions about that topic until you got it right. You couldn't afford to be weak in any topic, because the exam would most likely find that out and keep hitting you with questions on that topic until you failed.

Adding to the stress, after a certain number of questions your exam could end at any time. You had no idea how many questions you would get, just that you would get at least 15. Every time you hit the "next" button after question 15, you didn't know if you'd get another question or if the exam would suddenly end and give you a pass or fail response.

Times have changed. Cisco has led the way in introducing simulator questions to their exams, where the candidate is presented with a simulation of a router or network and asked to perform tasks that someone who is ready to earn that certification should be able to perform. This is a much better test of competency than the exams were eight years ago.

What will be the next "big jump" in computer certification exams? To earn the world's most difficult technical certification, the CCIE, the candidate must first pass a rigorous 100-question qualification exam, and must then pass a practical lab exam. The candidate is presented with an exacting set of network requirements and must build that network on a pod of Cisco routers and switches in less than eight hours. 

This is just personal opinion and not "insider information", but I believe the day will come when the CCNA, CCNP, and other Cisco certifications will require some kind of hands-on practical lab to earn the certification. What better way to test competency than to have to perform tasks on real Cisco equipment? There would be more overhead for Cisco with this kind of testing, since lab equipment and lab proctors would be needed, but the already-prized CCNA and CCNP would become that much more valuable in the workplace if employers knew that to earn that certification, the job candidate had to pass a hands-on exam.

This would benefit the candidates as well, since it would do an even better job in protecting their investment in time and money. This could also be the next step in ferretting out candidates who try to get past the CCNA and CCNP exams via braindumps. As I always tell my students and customers, when you're standing in front of that router or switch, there is no multiple choice ... you either know it or you don't!

Analog vs Digital Satellite Tv Receivers

In today's world, communications are of utmost importance, there is absolutely no doubt about that. Satellite tv is one of the technological breakthroughs of the 20th century. Made possible because of the massive satellite fleets deployed by different companies and with different purposes, satellite tv has in a way revolutionized communications.

The communications satellites of different companies relay on an increasingly diverse range of TV programming. And when it comes to the options you have for your satellite tv receiver, this will greatly depend on the very nature of the satellite tv service you desire to view. There are satellite tv programs which are (FTA). FTA is an abbreviation from "free to air". However, there are other satellite tv services which are encrypted, and are only available to subscribers of various satellite tv companies.

Another important distinction must also be made between satellite tv services which are analog and those which are digital. The analog services are based on electromagnetic waves that vary in their frequency. I am sure you have heard of the term FM, which is short for frequency modulation. Also, analogue transmissions can vary in intensity. In the latter case, the process is called amplitude modulation, or AM.

But digital signals are a different story entirely. And yes, we have entered in the digital age, where everything is made up from many 0s and 1s. This is also how a digital signal is broadcast, in a series of binary digits called bits. 1 means on, 0 means off, and this is how information is actually transmitted to the computer circuitry. 

When speaking about the costs of an analog satellite tv receiver, it depends on the number of features offered (as every other electronic product). There are some low cost receivers which equal the high priced items in quality. However, there is a downside. And the downside is the fact that the operator must remember all the adjustments that need to be made and execute them, with each satellite tv broadcast.

However, since we are in the digital era, there are dozens of digital satellite tv services which are emerging all over the place. And their number will only increase in the following years, there is absolutely no doubt about that. The question of MPEG compliancy is a very debatable issue though.

And another difference from the analogue services is the fact that digital services are usually a part of a big package, which consists in a wide array of channel options. This is because digital compression makes combining more channels in a single digital stream possible. This is how "bouquets" are created, and these packages have a great appeal to people who always want "all in one". Having multiple channels in a single package is very convenient, as more and more types of tv stations emerge all over the world. These stations are very specialized. If you want to want sports, entertainment, or everything else and from over the world, there never has been a better time for that with the help of digital satellite tv.

Free Flash Online Arcades

Free flash arcades may seem a little intimidating for a new user. If someone really wants to enjoy the entertainment that an online arcade may provide, then they just need to have a little extra help. Understanding the many different categories of games and who they may interest is probably the first step in actually enjoying arcade games.

I will start with a simple genre. The action genre is one of the most popular for flash games. Their premise can easily be viewed as just changes on a lot of the old classics. In fact, many just change the basic structure of the old Mario adventures to make for a quick and fun internet game. Action games are generally very easy to play too. They are often just based off of keyboard controls. You just press the right key to make your character move, grab coins, fight bad guys, etc. The concept should be easy to grasp and you'll usually have multiple lives to get used to the interface.

Branching off from this would be shooter games. These are also very simple. They often just boil down to a shooting range with some cool effects. Most true shooters rely on using the mouse to move the crosshair and shoot all of the bad guys before they shoot you. This is another simple genre to understand, and any new user should be able to enjoy a little mindless fun on one of these. If you need justification, you can remember that playing shooting games helps develop your reaction speed and your eyesight.

Things start to get a little complicated from this point onwards. Another genre is the adventure game. There are actually a surprising number of good role-playing games that will give something extra to the player. Many of these are just a variant of good puzzle games. You will have to use logic to figure out how to solve a series of quests and puzzles in a fantasy world. Movement is usually keyboard based and you will benefit most from having a unique thinking process. Anyone who used to play the old 2D games should also feel a good sense of nostalgia. 

Defense games are another popular genre. They can either be action or strategy based in nature. A defense game is based on one objective. You just have to protect your home, castle, anthill, temple, etc. from all of the bad guys who want to get in and destroy it. An action based defense game relies on your quick reflexes to throw little invaders around with your hand of god, or for you to quickly place your own defenders in the path of the invaders. There are several games that are based more on strategy. These present you with a variety of monsters. In these games, you will have to use several different structures and strategies to outlast the onslaught. You will receive points for each kill that can be used to upgrade the structures. I will warn you, these games are very addictive and you can easily lose several hours playing one.

These are just some of the types of arcade games available through standard online arcade websites. It would be impossible to cover every variation, but most will fall into this general set. May you have the best of luck with your future gaming.

 

Perpendicular Hard Disk Drive

What is a Hard Disk Drive?

A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a device used by modern computers to permanently store information. The Hard Disk Drive is arguable the most essential part of a computer system in that all the information that is permanently stored is contained within its enclosure, including your computer's Operating System (OS). Thanks to Hard Disk Drives, long gone are the days when you would have had to keep all your programs and documents stored on removable media such as Floppy Disks or CD-ROMs.

Originally invented in the mid 1950's and made commercially available in 1956 by International Business Machines (IBM). Called RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control), the first Hard Disk Drives contained as much as 50 platters which were 24 inches in diameter and were computers in their own right albeit with a single purpose – to store data. The entire unit which housed the hard drive was the approximate size of two large refrigerators placed side by side. In the 50 or so years since their invention, Hard Disk Drives have steadily and aggressively far out paced Moore's law. Which stipulates that memory in computers will increase by 100% approximately every 18 months. Hard Disk Drives on the other hand have increased capacity in the same period by approximately 130%, an increase of 100% every nine months in many cases. Such capacity increases are being threatened, however.

In the years since the first Hard Disk Drive very little has changed apart from logical steps in technology such as the increased speed or improved interfaces, the basic technology has changed very little. There have been no technological leaps, as it were, for Hard Disk Drives beyond their increased miniaturisation. Apart from miniaturisation and recording media improvements the Hard Disk Drive as a device is almost identical technologically speaking, to the very first, the RAMAC.Hard Disk Drives use a similar technology as is employed in audio and video cassettes. Such audio and video cassettes use a magnetic ribbon wound around a two wheels to store data. To access a particular portion of the data contained on the magnetic ribbon, the device must wind the tape such that the beginning of the section containing the data is underneath the device that reads the data (the magnetic read/write head). This process is called sequential data retrieval because in the process of accessing the particular data, the device must sequentially read each piece of data until the data it's looking for is found. This process is very time consuming and contributes to wear.

Hard Disks on the other hand use a circular disk-shaped platter upon which the magnetically sensitive compound is laid. Such platters are similar in concept to a Compact Disk (CD) in that the data they hold can be accessed randomly, that the recordable media is in a circular (disk) shape, and that the data is sectioned off into tracks and sectors. Data on a Hard Disk Drive can be accessed randomly because the recordable medium of Hard Disk Drives uses these separated tracks and sectors. By separating the data in such a way, it can be positioned at random intervals of the disk, depending upon the space requirements.

Anywhere from one to seven recordable platters are contained within a modern Hard Disk Drive's metallic enclosure. Hard Disk Drive platters are perfectly circular disks made from either an aluminium alloy or a more recently a glass ceramic substrate which is a ceramic disk suspended in a glass outer shell. Onto the surfaces of a disk's platter is laid a thin layer of a magnetically sensitive coating called the recording medium, in modern drives the mixture is a complex amalgam of different materials such as cobalt chromium platinum boron (CoCrPtB) and other such rare metals.





How does a Hard Disk Drive store data?

All information located on a computer is expressed as a series of ones and zeros (1/0), as binary digits (bits). Taking advantage of the nature of magnetic particles, that they can be polarised to magnetic north or south and that their magnetic poles can be alternated or switched when a sufficient magnetic field of the correct polarity is applied, Hard Disk Drives can store the very same sequence of bits onto a disk by polarising the required magnetic particles on the recording medium such that they represent the data being stored. Hard Disk Drives are sectioned off such that they contain both intersecting tracks and sectors. The purpose of which is to provide a logical data structure, to provide a way to distinguish between areas of data. Within each track there are a number of sectors. It is within these sectors of the Hard Disk which data is stored.

The platter of a Hard Disk Drive is coated with a magnetically sensitive coating comprised primarily of magnetically charged particles or filings which as a whole may be called the recording medium. These particulates can be magnetically aligned such that they represent binary digits, by inducing an electromagnetic field upon them via a devices read/write head. The recording media contains many billions of microscopic particles which when viewed extremely close resemble miniature metal filings. When a Hard Disk Drive records data onto the medium it takes many hundreds (usually anywhere from 500 to 100) of these magnetically sensitive particles to store a single binary digit. The increased reduction of the amount of particles required to record data is highly limited by the precision of the read/write head (the miniature device that reads and records data onto the recording medium) because the magnetic field which is used by the drive's read/write head to read and/or record (write) data is such that it already tentatively borders nearby data.

Should it be shrunk much further in an attempt to increase precision, the likelihood of data corruption would increase vastly. Research by various parties has been on-going to find a workable solution to recording data onto much fewer or even single particles for some time now. A hard drive may record data onto the Hard Disk Drive by applying a sufficient magnetic field to the section of the recording medium (which is suspended upon the Hard Disks platter) such that the data (a series of ones and/or zeros which correspond to the information being stored) is recorded onto the medium by aligning the specified particles to the desired magnetic pole (north or south). In doing so, any previous data which was present is therefore destroyed. 

Perpendicular verses Longitudinal

Ever since the late 1980's and early 1990's magnetic media drive manufacturers have been researching the feasibility of switching from longitudinal to perpendicular recording techniques. The advantage is clearly one of capacity: when longitudinal magnetic particles are packed together, they take up much more space than if they were to stand upright, if they stood perpendicular to the platter. More than merely a matter of initial capacity gain, perpendicular recording technology avoids a problem which has been well known in the field for many years: the super-paramagnetic effect (SPE), which affects magnetically charged particles of such small size as that used in Hard Disk Drives. "The super-paramagnetic effect is a phenomenon observed in very fine particles, where the energy required to change the direction of the magnetic moment of a particle is comparable to the ambient thermal energy" (source: Wikipedia.org).Many theories have cropped up over the years as to what density magnetic particles (described by a disks areal density) may achieve before becoming subject to SPE. At present it is suggested that anything from 100Gbit/inch2 to 150Gbit/inch2 is the physical limitation for longitudinal Hard Disk Drives, although perpendicular media solutions have been made as high as 230Gbit/inch2.

In the layering of the magnetic particulates atop a magnetic suspension layer and orienting the particles perpendicular to the platter, the recording medium can pack many more magnetically sensitive particles together in the same space than previously possible whilst keeping SPE at bay. Perpendicular recording technology does not however preclude SPE from limiting capacity in the future, more than anything perpendicular recording technology can been described as a way to give manufacturers breathing room to develop more permanent technological solutions such as holographic lithography or a multilayered recording medium. Traditional recording media manufacture consists of the spreading of recording material over a disk platter via a centrifugal force induced by spinning the platter whilst the recording material is placed atop its surface. The centrifugal force would spread the recording material across the surface, evenly spreading it in all directions. Perpendicular recording media manufacture on the other hand requires a much different technique.

The exact manufacturing process of perpendicular recording media is unsurprisingly a closely guarded secret, especially considering its recent arrival on the marketplace. From patents filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), it can be taken that the predominant technique involves the laminating of magnetic and non-magnetically charged metals such as chromium, cobalt, platinum and alloys of similar; sandwiching unique layers to affect the desired result – a recording medium such that the magnetic particles are aligned perpendicular to the platter. In US patent number 6387483, filed by the NEC Corporation of Tokyo; it describes the technique as follows:The perpendicular magnetic recording medium of the embodiment is formed by laminating a Cr film, a soft magnetic under layer film, and a perpendicular magnetizing film on a substrate in this order. (Source: USPTO no. 6387483)

In longitudinal media manufacture too, laminating multiple supportive metals is achieved; in perpendicular media however, the difference is the magnetizing film as described above. Whereas traditional lamination ordinarily serves only to prevent wear and noise (both electro-mechanical and audible noise), in perpendicular media manufacture it would appear that at least some of the lamination process is used to magnetize the magnetic media particles to a perpendicular orientation. Precisely how the reorientation of magnetic media particulate is accomplished is not easy to determine, most probably because the technology is so new that such details are sketchy at best and obscure or guarded at worst. This fact is not at all surprising concerning a new technology such as perpendicular magnetic media development.





The future of storage technology

Perpendicular magnetic media technology as discussed earlier is merely a temporary solution, to find more permanent solutions we must look to much more advanced technologies. One such technology is patterned magnetic media. The process of patterned magnetic media aims to make singular magnetic particulates the object of recording bits, you will remember that current technologies requires approximately 500 to 1000 magnetic particles to store a single bit. The object of patterned media is to cut this dramatically down to a single particle per bit. Advantages of such a technology are such as reduced statistical noise associated with granular media and more increased areal density (as much as 64Gbit/inch2).

Patterned magnetic media aims to prevent the SPE barrier, or at least further decrement its effect through the use of so-called mesas and valleys. The technique uses the creation of barriers between magnetic particles, thereby avoiding the SPE complication which affects closely packed particles. Holographic Storage (a.k.a. Holographic Lithography) too is a technology that aims to increase storage capacity which is also under heavy research, and claims to be a much more permanent solution. Unlike Patterned Magnetic Media, Holographic Storage is a revolutionary step away from magnetic media and previous optoelectronic technologies.

Hard Disk Drives will always be subject to inertia and centrifugal force induced by the moving parts of the drives mechanical components (platter, read/write head), Holographic Storage has no such issues; the holographic process uses lasers in replacement of the read/write head of a Hard Disk Drive and the media itself requires no momentum (unlike the platters in Hard Disk Drives).

Such holographic storage is far from realisation, in fact it is postulated by some that it may be as much as ten years before the technology can be made into a workable solution. In direct symmetry to early memory research, research on Holographic Storage technologies seems to have banded into two camps: one of super fast data retrieval and extraordinarily high capacity storage; no doubt there will be extremely profitable markets for both.

How to make a Ghillie Suit

To make a ghillie suit is to invest much time and concentration into the effort. I will show you two different ways of making a ghillie suit - one is the expensive way and the other is the poor man's way.

The expensive way to make a ghillie suit would be to go out and buy a "blank". Usually a blank will be a poncho that has twine or burlap netted into it, to allow for the stringing in the foliage. Once you have this one, what you need to do is go to the area you will be using it, either the paintball arena or the hunting grounds you are going to venture to. What you do next is to pick up the surrounding habitat, grasses and leaves. Remember, if you use grass and leaves or other green items they will wilt very quickly. However, if you are hunting and most of what you will be in is dead leaves - that is a good thing. You assemble it by carefully weaving in different materials and making sure they stick. Eventually after a few hours of work you might have a whole arm done - you just repeat this until the entire ghillie suit is covered. Now throw it in a pile of leaves, and kick some dirt, mud, dust, anything like that on it. Step on it too - trample it. Once you have, you shouldn't be able to see it easily from a distance of ten feet.

If you don't have the money to buy one - make one! You will need some jute or burlap netting, or any comparable netting, along with either a sewing machine, or thread and needle. You can attach the netting loosely like scales on a lizard, or you can make it tight and conform. Personally I prefer scales, as it allows me to put more onto my ghillie suit. Once you have this assembled correctly, and your scales are on there, or whatever you have used, take it out back and make a mud puddle. Once you have a nice muddy puddle, dip the whole thing in it, and then rinse it off to get the major chunks out. Let it dry, and follow the same routine of heading out to where you will be hunting or paintballing, and get it gussied up with some twigs, grasses, leaves, and anything else. After you have it ready, dump some mud one it, and lightly rinse it in order to make the dirt look real - well the dirt is real, but you know what I mean

Now, the difference between the two is the price, and the time it takes to assemble. Once you have it assembled and ready though, I guarantee you will love the ghillie suit you spent the most time on. The more effort and time you spend making one, the more satisfaction you will have when it is done. Remember, after all that manufacture you need to coat it in the dirt and surrounding smells too - this will throw off the scent from animals, and also make it look more natural. 

Switching To Broadband Internet - Is It Really Worth It?

The internet is a growing and dynamic entity. Growing in exponential rate everyday and changing as just as fast. Naturally companies try to offer access to internet in growing number of ways. Dial-up, Broadband, Wi-fi and such. But we'll talk about broadband today and is it really that necessary to switch from dial-up to broadband.

Is it worth it to switch to broadband service? As most things are, it depends on you're situation. Dial-ups are cheap, today it's almost dirt cheap. That's it's advantage, but don't expect to surf the net in cruising speed. If speed is what you want then broadband is significantly faster that dial-ups.

Back to the question. What really helps in deciding if switching to broadband is a must. Is try to ask yourself "How do I use the internet for?". By the way I'm a big fan of the saying "Questions Are Answers".

If you're using the internet for:

- checking and sending e-mail
- chatting (without video)
- surfing for text based information

Then switching to broadband is a waste of money. like most people, they just use the internet for checking and sending e-mails. Dial-up will work for you just as fine.

If you're using the internet for:

- Downloading movies and music
- Watching streaming videos
- Chatting with video and voice
- Playing online games

Just like me. I use the internet for online games, checking my websites, downloading music and videos. So broadband was a huge help for my internet life.

To conclude. The internet is becoming the wave of the future. Easy access to information and services. But switching to broadband is up to you and you're needs. So I suggest that you ask yourself "How do I use the internet for?". Knowing the answer would be a great help in deciding if broadband internet is for you.

Macromedia Shockwave Games

Almost 400 million people have installed the Macromedia Shockwave player on their computers. This allows them to play free online games which have an astounding level of quality and detail. Shockwave is Macromedia's first multimedia player and predates the existence of Flash. Though it was specifically designed for movies, Shockwave has become the tool of choice for developing online games.

The 3D engine used with Shockwave is the most powerful in existence today for online games. It has surpassed even Java in popularity. Most developers now use this amazing tool to create free online games. All flash files can be played in the shockwave player. The Shockwave engine renders objects much faster than Flash, and it also works with the video hardware on the user's computer. The only problem with Shockwave is that it is not available for Linux. The Linux community is lobbying to change this.

The free online games produced using the Shockwave engine are nothing short of impressive. It is believed by many experts that further advances in this technology may allow it to compete with console games in the future. While this may sound slightly far fetched, it is far from being impossible. Many argue that the graphics capability of the Shockwave engine can compete with or surpass that of the PSP or Nintendo DS. While this is up for debate, there can be no doubt that Shockwave is a force to be reckoned with.

Games can be produced in Shockwave for any genre. Racing games, RPGs, fighting, and simulators are all currently available in Shockwave. Many of these free online games require users to meet certain system requirements in order to play them. This is the only downside which separates them from console games. All games which are designed for a specific console will work. With Shockwave you need to have a computer which is powerful enough to play them. The most powerful advantage Shockwave games have over console games is cost.

While many of these games may be free, some cost as little as $9.95 per download. This is a lot cheaper than the $40 you will pay for a PSP game, or the $60 you will pay for an Xbox 360 game. As better games are released in Shockwave, we may see a shift in popularity from console games back to computer games in the future. Shockwave has made a huge impact in free online games and their developement. 

How to prepare surfaces for Asset Tags and Asset Label Tags on Computers & IT equipment

In past articles we have talked about what asset labels or asset tags are and who should be using them. This article is designed to show people the best method of applying an asset label or asset tag.

Failure to follow these instructions could mean that the labels will not work as expected.

The most important element of applying any kind of security adhesive based identification device is the cleanliness of the surface. The surface needs to be free of dirt and especially any oils or grease as this will prevent a good bond ever being achieved.

I have found that the best method of doing this is simply to clean the surface with an alcohol wipe. You can buy sachets quite cheaply. You simply open the sachet by tearing the top open and taking the alcohol cloth out. Then, gently rub the area of the equipment where you intend to apply the label.

You will find that the alcohol may take 30 seconds to evaporate, however when this has completed the surface should be free of any contaminants.

Now, as these labels are highly tacky you need to make sure you get the label on straight because, in some grades of materials - especially the void material and the destructible, it is impossible to reposition them without damaging them.

Sometimes I recommend you mark out the corners with a little marker pen so you have a rough idea of it being on "square" - note, only do this before you wipe with alcohol as the ink in the pen itself may prevent the adhesive from grabbing.

The next stage is to wait. With vinyl destructible labels tags I'd recommend 2 hours for 40% strength, 1 day for 60% strength and 3 days for 100% strength. It really does take that long for the adhesive to cure. For a voiding asset label tag you can usually test the tamper evidence immediately as the two-stage adhesive is immediately activated.

Barry Michaels-Radio is My Life!

Thirty year broadcast veteran Barry Michaels, ('Michaels In The Morning') has quite a few stories to tell! His early life was an idyllic one, growing up on picturesque farm land in the southeastern United States, with a Mom and Dad to admire and a support group of aunts and uncles that many don't have today. Barry became interested in radio at an early age, becoming a 'gopher' for one local radio personality and quickly learning where the emphasis is placed in the term 'show business'. Barry's career began in earnest after college, when he finally screwed up his courage to apply at a small radio station near his hometown, where he spoke mostly to cows. Little did management know that he would have paid them to be on the air! From having the honor of being recognized by his peers with nominations as Major Market Air Personality of the Year to working as a towel boy in a swanky country club between radio jobs, you'll share in Barry's top of the mountain triumphs and bottom of the valley lows. You'll get to meet some of the most talented professionals in the business and you'll cheer the heroes and clinch your teeth at the bad guys! Barry also honors those who entertained and inspired an entire generation of radio personalities-the voices on those fifty thousand watt a.m. radio stations with legendary call letters like WLS, WCFL, WABC and more.

From sleeping in his Volkswagen 'Bug' to traveling across the United States five times in search of the perfect on air radio job, Barry's stories are poignant and laugh out loud funny. Learn how Barry was almost gunned down by a psychotic listener at a radio station in Orlando, Florida before his boss intervened. See radio through his eyes when he begins work at a rock and roll station that employs a Catholic priest as a 'DJ', and dodges flying beer bottles in one of the many bars he makes appearances in for his radio station

The 'Radio Road' is fraught with many bumps along the way and you may even see yourself as Barry attempts to raise three young sons as a single father and tries a comeback after a bitter divorce and child custody battle. You may not want to enter the thirty five dollar a week almost condemned house Barry was living in while awaiting the court's ruling. You really don't want to wake up in his room during a thunderstorm as rats prepare to feast on his toes! Meet his new landlord, who's down on his luck too, and has a secretive past with the United States Army. Barry's adventures have taken him from the beautiful stillness of his blue Virginia mountains to the golden Pacific ocean--all seen through the window of his beloved Volkswagen Beetle, which he still owns. It's radio, it's life, and it's real. Come along for the ride, and find out the true stories of those 'masked riders of the hertzian wave.' With photo and audio collection. Read more about Barry's life here-http://www.thebarrymichaels.com
 

Rules In SEO

f you want to build a successful business on the Internet, you can spend as much money as you can afford on a Google AdWords campaign and other forms of advertising. However, it has been proven in the Search Engine Marketing industry that at least 40% of the time, your clients will find you through Google and other search engines.

This fact alone makes it very important for any serious Internet business owner to learn the basics of Search Engine Optimization. If you can't do it yourself, at least you can't be left in the dark on the methodologies if you decide to hire an SEO specialist.

And just what are these SEO basics?

Website Design and Navigation

These are the most important aspects of SEO. A website that succeeds with both search engines and website visitors are those that are easily navigated and are designed in simple HTML. When these two elements are combined, they make up for a good visitor experience and easy crawling by the search engine spiders.

Some of the things to avoid in website design are dynamic page and URLs, frames, flash elements, Java script, and image maps for web page interlinking or sitemap generation.

Keyword research

SEO is based on the premise that an unknown number of Internet users are searching for a host of things on Google by typing in search terms called keywords. If you want to know the popular keywords that is appropriate to the business your website represents, research exhaustively on keywords.

In deciding what keywords to use, there is one rule: "the more specific the better". If you own a dating site, for example, "true love" or "soul mate" might be too broad. Run the keywords on Overture and Wordtracker. You might find keywords that are more appropriate to your site like "True love for marriage", perhaps? 

Keyword Density and Relevance

Search engines, specifically Google, determine what websites go to the top of your search based on relevance. This is determined in part by keyword density, or how many instances a keyword appears in the web page's content.

Write your content according to density. Do not spam, though. Aside from sounding gibberish, spam content also gets flagged by search engines and websites containing them are removed from the index.

Relevance and Inbound Links

Search engines also consider inbound links to your site (specifically, their number and quality) to determine your website's relevance to a keyword.

Make time to find the sites related to your website. Also make sure that the hyperlink to your site found on the other website has your keywords in them.

Don't scoop and link though. Google once penalized websites that linked with 200 to 300 other sites per month.

An Opportunity On Each Page

On each page on your website there is actually an opportunity for you to rank for a different keyword each time. Notice how two different pages by the same website are generated for the same keyword. Go ahead and assign different keywords to each. Write and optimize accordingly.
 

Who Will Win The Hi-def Games War?

With Sony's PlayStation 3 finally launched across the globe, the next-gen videogames wars can start in earnest. Microsoft already has a reasonable installed base for Xbox 360, but not enough to guarantee dominance, while Sony's consumers' brand loyalty is being tested to the limits by the PS3's high price point.

Nintendo, meanwhile, has carved out a nice niche for itself by making next-gen not about hi-def, with its ridiculously named, but extremely popular Wii.

Within the industry though, most pundits are expecting a much more level playing field this time around, with Microsoft and Sony battling it out, but neither gaining significant domination over the other. This is, frankly put, a disaster for Sony whose PlayStation 2 console defined a generation, and not just of consoles.

What is the reason for this shift? One word: exclusivity. In the good old days, games publishers were convinced to launch their game on a single console, and then perhaps later allow it to grace the competitors' machines, and so Lara boosted the original PlayStation and GTA helped the PS2 explode. With the next-gen, exclusivity is all but gone. GTA will launch on both the Xbox 360 and PS3 and Lara is two-timing the PlayStation all over the place. There are even rumours that Snake will turn tail and that Metal Gear Solid 4 will not be a PlayStation 3 exclusive. In fact, the only games that remain exclusive to a format tend to be those developed by the console manufacturers themselves, first party games as they are known.

So, what do Microsoft and Sony have up their sleeve? Sony has a game called Heavenly Sword, which has games journalists very excited, but apart from this its near-future release schedule is quite embarrassing. 

Microsoft on the other hand has a machine mature enough to be expecting its second-wave of titles, games which should really be starting to take advantage of the next-gen hardware (to date, only Gears of War has really shown its next-gen credentials to gamers). And its line up is looking OK, and not just first party: Bioshock, from 2K, Mass Effect, a highly anticipated game from Bioware, who can do no wrong, Halo 3 to arrive one month after GTA IV on both platforms - you don't have a bucket big enough to describe how many bucketloads this game will sell, Fable 2, from the well-liked Lionhead Studio and then later more Project Gotham Racing and Halo action.

Essentially, this year Xbox 360 has some good triple A games, with 2 tent pole releases in GTA IV and Halo 3. Sony has GTA IV and Heavenly Sword and then many more third party, multi-platform games.

So, expect Microsoft to shift some units with their line up, but Sony will also be hoping for a GTA effect on its console. This pinkish, if not rosy, outlook for Microsoft could change next year though. Sony has more development staff than anyone else, and while it might be taking its time, you have to expect its first party games to start coming through.

All of this, of course, is only considering the games consoles as just that, and it remains to be seen what effect, if any, the Blu-Ray (PS3) vs HD-DVD (Xbox 360) hi-definition formats for videos have on sales.
 

Antennas - how good is your picture?

Antennas are a simple thing, but they cause no end of trouble. At its most basic, you can make a working antenna from nothing more than a wire coathanger or some other piece of metal. In fact, if you stick your finger where the antenna goes, you can even act as an antenna yourself!

If you want a good picture on your TV, though (or good reception for your radio, as the case may be), you need a good quality antenna. The best antennas for home use are generally ones that are mounted on the roof, as it is much easier for them to get a good signal from up there.

If you can't get an antenna onto the roof for some reason, don't worry – there are a few more alternatives to endlessly fiddling with which way the thing points. One good thing to try is a booster antenna. This is a special kind of antenna that plugs into the mains electricity, and uses the extra power to boost the signal strength that reaches your TV. Boosters are cheap and easy to use, yet can often yield a surprising leap in quality.

Another thing you might try is to use a long antenna (usually made from a long piece of wire), and put it out of a window. While hardly very nice to look at, this also tends to improve your reception.

If you want your TV to be able to receive digital transmissions over the airwaves, then you may find that you need to upgrade your antenna. This is because some older antennas simply do not have enough bandwidth to handle digital transmissions. However, plenty of antennas are compatible with digital TV, meaning that all you need to do is add a set top box or get a TV that is capable of decoding digital transmissions out of the box.

Computer Certification: Become A Utility Player

In baseball, a "utility player" is one who plays more than one position. These players are usually backups, but they have a job in the major leagues because of their value to the team; since they can play more than one position, they have that much more value to their employer.

Too often in IT, workers become either LAN or WAN engineers, knowing little if anything about the other side. Many LAN administrators I worked with knew little about routing and switching, while many WAN engineers I knew not only didn't know much about the LAN side of their network, but they didn't want to know anything about the servers!

In today's IT world, it's a bad idea to specialize in only one thing and not know how to do anything else. Not only does it limit your future career prospects, but it limits your current prospects as well. Employers don't want to hire someone and have them get up to speed on the job - they want someone who can walk right in and do the job. The more you know, the better your chance of getting a better job - or quickly being able to get another job if you were laid off tomorrow.

A term often heard on Wall Street is "diversification", meaning that investors should not invest heavily or totally in only one stock; if that stock plummets, they're in big trouble. Your career is the most important stock you will ever own, and you're 100% in charge of it. Diversify. If you're working primarily with servers, learn some routing and switching. If you know the routing protocols your company uses on its WAN, learn something about that protocol. (If you don't know the protocol, ask!)

While you're adding these skills, get certified while you're at it! Adding a CCNA, MCSE, or other computer certification looks great on your resume while signaling to employers that you're constantly adding to your skills.

Adding more skills and knowledge to your IT skill set is always a good idea. Don't limit yourself to the technologies you work with every day. Make an investment in yourself and become a well-rounded network engineer. This will help you keep the job you have - and open doors in the future that might otherwise have remained closed.

Layouts can enhance value of the Myspace account

Templates are a very attractive piece of value addition to the Myspace account. There are a number of features that can be brought on to the account with the use of a strong template based on the layout. The templates are preset and designed for the benefit of the account holders. Check the templates of the layouts for better user.

It is well known that the Myspace page defines the account holder's personality and characters as well the preferences and choices. It is often found that the web page in the Myspace reflects the overall identity of the person. Hence, it is imperative that the web page is well designed including all the desired features. The most important feature in the web page is the layout page of Myspace. It could feature a number of specialties such as the images of the user, family members, colleagues and friends. However, to build the page, the layout is a very important component. The layout can be designed by the user on specific skill sets or use the tools and codes defined on the desktop to create the account. However, if these tools are not available on the desktop, the account holder could use the tools on the Internet. Try the popular search engines such as Yahoo! and Google to trace the tools on the Internet. The first and foremost requirement of a Myspace page is the layout that will form the base. For instance, once the layout is defined, features and color schemes can be brought on them using the tools. The layout collections can be accessed from the Internet. The layout can be sought though payment of a prescribed fee. They can also be taken for absolutely free by downloading the layout collections from the Internet sites, which are dedicated to the creation and development of Myspace page. 

The account holders of Myspace can opt for plenty of layout options that can be changed almost on a daily basis as per seasons. However, more than frequent changes to the layout of the Myspace account page could mean lack of consistency on part of the account holder. If there has to be adequate traffic to the site of the Myspace on the Internet, then the account layout should be consistent. This will ensure reach for those seeking community and social life friends on the Internet. The layout can be downloaded from various Internet sites for free. The layout comes with several hundreds of themes and color combinations. For instance, the layout comes in all the basic colors to which more synthetic colors can be added by the users. The layout color combination can be customized by the user without altering the character of the Myspace account.

The tools are available on the Internet to carry out the necessary changes. The layouts come in various shapes and sizes. If you are a youngster seeking more adventure, then the layout can be developed and improved using the tools from the Internet. However, make sure that the changes conform to the requirements of the layout.
 

Gender bending in MMORPGs

Most MMORPGs, such as Maple Story, RF Online and many other others allow players to experience a fantasy world filled with Orcs, Elves, Dwarves, and many other exotic races. These games also allow players to choose which gender their avatars will assume. While Playing as non-human races is considered unremarkable, playing as the opposite gender (termed gender bending) has always been a divisive issue. Current surveys show that 85% of MMORPG players are male and that males are up to 5x more likely to gender bend than females. This means, on average, at least half of all female avatars in a virtual world are played by men.

There are some very practical reasons why a man would prefer to play a female character online. For instance, it is widely known that others players are much more generous with items and in game guidance to female characters. Females who play a male character give up this gender specific advantage, which likely explains the far lower female gender bending tendency. It has also been noted that in third party MMORPGS many men prefer to spend their game hours staring at the back of a slim female body rather than a bulky man's. Many do not accept these utilitarian reasons alone as being the explanation for gender bending. Some suspect that there are darker and more psychological reasons why a man would dress in women's garb, virtually speaking that is.

That a man would want to play a female character is often evidence enough for many in the online community to label someone a homosexual. But surprisingly, feminist organizations see gender bending as another sign of female oppression. In most virtual worlds, female characters are scarcely clad and are blessed with what we shall term "bountiful assets." It is sexism on the men's part to want to control these polished pleasure bots, or so the feminist argument goes. There is certainly some small minority of men who use female characters to approach other men online but doesn't ultimate responsibility lie on the individual in defending himself against unsolicited advances online? 

The issue has gone so far out of hand in some places that game publishers and governments decided they needed to step in. Recently in China Shanda Entertainment, a major developer of virtual worlds, issued a new rule that anyone wishing to create a female avatar must first prove their gender to the company via a webcam. Interestingly, women wishing to play a male character would not need to go through this procedure. Many players faced character deletion if their female avatars didn't have a female face to defend them on the webcam. Not surprisingly, players wore wigs and put on make up to fool the developers into letting them keep their avatars. Shanda may of found the perfect way to reverse gender bending trends between the sexes - by putting additional barriers in front of male gender benders and encouraging female gender bending. (by forcing women to "prove" their sex) Soon China may have the first virtual world where half the men are women!
 

The Types Of Computer Memory

How can a computer be such an amazing gadget? To many people they just can't be so amazed on how computers have changed the way we live. Computers can now be found in many sizes and shapes. Almost every home appliance seems to have their own mini computer located somewhere. From cars to buildings to almost every gadget there is, most of the time each one has a computer working to make them run and change the very way we live life.

First and foremost, the most important component of the computer is its processor. It is considered the heart of the computer that does all the calculating and processing. But with all that calculating and processing, the computer won't be such a remarkable gadget if not for its amazing memory. Computer memory makes it possible to retain important information on a computer. Such data can be used again and again and retrieved when a certain stored data is needed. Without the computer memory, the processor will have no facility where to store its important calculations and processes, thereby making them useless.

There are different types of computer memory tasked to store different types of data. They also have different capabilities and specialties when it comes to storing necessary data inside the computer. The best known computer memory is the RAM, otherwise known as Random Access Memory. It is called random access because any stored data can be accessed directly if you know the exact row and column that intersect a certain memory cell. In this type of computer memory, data can be accessed in any order. RAM's exact opposite is called SAM or Serial Access Memory, which stores data in a series of memory cells that can only be accessed in order. It operates much like a cassette tape where you have to go through other memory cells before accessing the data that you are looking for. 

Other types of computer memory include the ROM or Read Only Memory. ROM is an integrated circuit already programmed with specific data that cannot be modified or changed, hence the name "Read Only". There is also another type of computer memory called Virtual Memory. This type of memory is a common component in most operating systems and desktops. It helps the computers RAM to be freed up with unused applications to make way for loading current applications being used. It works simply by checking for data stored in RAM not being used recently and have it stored in the computer's hard disk, thereby freeing valuable space in RAM for loading other applications. A virtual memory will make a computer think that it has almost unlimited RAM inside it.

Another type of computer memory that has made computers process tasks faster is what is called cache memory. Cache memory works simply by having current applications, calculations and processes stored in its memory instead of directly to the main storage area. When a certain process is in need of data previously used, it first will try to access the cache memory if such data is stored there before accessing the central memory storage area. This frees up the computer from looking for the data in a larger and bigger memory storage area and makes data extraction faster. Computer memory is in a constant state of development as more and more technologies are being developed. Who knows, maybe in the near future computer memory might also be fit for human consumption. 

Discover VoIP And Enjoy The New Way Of Communication

You've probably heard about VoIP technology or Internet telephony. Voice Over Internet Protocol is a new form of communication that enables you to telephone through the Internet for free or at a very low price.

Developers and entrepreneurs have created an industry around VoIP technology in its many forms: desktop applications, telephone services, and corporate phone systems. VoIP is an essential technology that have many aspects.

It seems that many communications firm foresaw the magnificence of VoIP technology, because by this time it is extremely widespread. VoIP is one the world's fastest growing industries. It almost covers the whole world.

In the last few years we could see a complete revolution in communication world: everybody begins to use PCs and Internet for job and free time to communicate each other and sometimes to talk each other.

VoIP can send voice over the Internet, rather than through the regular telephone network. The point is that analog voice is converted into digital signals (bits) and then backwards. It allows you to make and receive phone calls to practically any number worldwide including landlines, mobiles, international numbers etc.

To the businessman, VoIP is a single technology investment with many revenue streams. To the enterprise network engineer, it's a way to simplify the corporate network and improve the telephony experience for users of the network. For you, it's the best way to save money on the terrible phone bill. 

And this is what makes VoIP so revolutionary. The big deal is that you can save great amounts on your phone bill, especially if you frequently make calls abroad.

When you are using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) line, you always pay for time used to a PSTN line manager company: more time you stay at phone and more you'll pay. In addition you can't talk with more people at the same time.

But with VoIP technology, you can talk all the time with as many people as you want (the needed is that other person is also connected to Internet at the same time, like here http://www.peneo.com), and as far as you want. What's more, you can share data with your partners. You can send images, documents and videos while you're talking. If you run a business, the advantages and the money you can save multiply.

But then, why everybody doesn't use it yet? Well, the only disadvantages are voice quality and call reliability compared to PSTN. VoIP applications require a real-time data streaming cause we expect an interactive data voice exchange. But this problem is solvable in the close future.