Content for Reprint Blog

When I received my shiny new Lexmark laser printer – toner recycling was instantly brought to my attention for a variety of reasons. Firstly there was the inclusion of some nice toner recycling bags with pictures of trees and forests all over them, secondly barely two weeks later my toner cartridge had run out of ink.

Now I was quite shocked about this – I don’t print a lot and had expected a laser printer to cut my printing costs slightly and reduce the aggravation of replacing toner cartridges all the time. The reason I discovered was that the cartridges supplied with my laser printer – where (get this) starter cartridges – basically they have produced sealed toner cartridges and put a tiny proportion of ink inside them. So they were now finished and needed to be recycled in their eco-friendly schemes. The environmental impact of producing these cartridges had been already incurred – approximately 2 litres of oil per cartridge but because they had virtually no ink in them that had been pretty much wasted.

If you buy a new laser printer beware you may have the same ’starter cartridges’ inside your printer. I am afraid I was not very impressed with this – I mean why not just charge a little more for the printer and fill the toner cartridges up properly so they don’t need to be recycled virtually immediately.

Don’t get me wrong – when a cartridge reaches the end of it’s useful life then toner recycling is the sensible option but the printer manufacturers are deliberately reducing the life span of these cartridges simply to make more money (and basically completely ignoring the environmental costs).

A laser toner cartridge could easily be used several times over if the ink could be refilled but the manufacturers took away the refill hole on most and replaced with a toner recycling bag. When companies like Tonertop up below made kits to refill the cartridges anyway – some manufacturers started putting computer chips which expired after so many prints (fortunately these can also be replaced). This is basically the same as putting a chip in your car so it won’t work after 20,000 miles so you have to buy a new one !

The issue shows how so many big companies pay lip service to environmental issues and their priorities certainly don’t lie in this area. Perhaps we can’t blame them after all they are in business to make money not save the environment. It perhaps does lie with us the consumer to buck this trend – please check out how easy it is to reuse your toner cartridges by refilling them with ink before you even need toner recycling.

For those who drive significant distances or who frequently find themselves searching for things in unfamiliar surroundings, a GPS satellite receiver can certainly simplify life. Like most electronics devices however, the number of choices, brands, and features can make the selection of a device difficult and somewhat time consuming. Shoppers however can take some time to identify the features that would be most valuable for them, determine how much they are willing to spend, and then relax as the selection will be greatly simplified once these decisions are made.

In a world of innumerable options, here are a few of the more critical characteristics to consider:

Will the device be used outside of the vehicle?

There are some ultra portable GPS devices designed for use in cars, vans, and trucks that offer the flexibility of use outside of the vehicle as well. To be useful, the device would need not only roadmaps but terrain information loaded. Certainly size and weight need to be considered if the device is to be carried; Bluetooth helps to make this option more feasible. Rechargeable batteries would also be important in these instances so that the GPS device could operate without being plugged in for several hours.

Is the screen sufficient?

Obviously the screen needs to be large enough to easily view, but small enough to not block the view of the driver. It is also wise to be sure that the screen is easy to view in any type of lighting condition; not only at night time but in bright sunlight as well. Most people also prefer a touch screen to navigate rather than one requiring the use of a stylus or some other type of access. For those who want to be sure they take their eyes off of the road as little as possible, a GPS device with voice commands is also critical.

How accurate is the information the GPS device provides?

There are a number of features to consider when trying to assure the accuracy of information. A device with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is able to pinpoint locations accurately to within a few feet; this may or may not be critical for a given user. Some devices will merely instruct drivers to “turn left” while others are capable of providing more detail by stating the name of the street when providing instructions. Some devices also provide real-time traffic information by using an FM frequency within the vehicle. The accuracy and detail of the maps included with the GPS device can vary as well so comparison shopping can be useful. The more “points of interest” on a map the more likely it will pinpoint the location a user is seeking. Keeping maps updated after purchase is usually up to the consumer. Some devices require the purchase of a CD to update the device while others accomplish this across the internet.

Is the device easy to use?

Again for many users, voice commands and a touch screen make a GPS device easier to use. Examining the menus to determine if they are user friendly is important. Many current models don’t require any complex installation and are ready to go out of the box but some offer preloaded maps while others require buyers to install the maps themselves.

As with any purchase, consumers should identify their needs and their budget to determine which device would be the best choice. If pin point accuracy is needed a GPS device with WAAS might be crucial but if budget considerations rule, a device that allows the user to transfer maps from a PC to the device would be a more cost conscious choice than one with maps on the hard drive.

The days of bulky landline telephones has come and gone. It was the process by which a user was alerted to an incoming call was through the receiver getting an electrical pulse that activated a bell or buzzer mechanism. This “ringing” sound became synonymous with the initializing of a phone connection and has become an ingrained part of the slang of the language.

While research has shown that the ring-pause-ring pattern is the easiest code to hear, modern digitized mobile cell phones have taken the incoming call signal to a new level of not only practical application but enjoyment as well.

The first actual ringtones were put into use in 1998 in Finland. The Harmonium service allowed individualized ringtone sounds to be transferred directly over the air as part of the call signal. This new fad became so popular that before too long there were entire libraries of special ringtone sounds that could be accessed and used. While these early ringtones were still monophonic, they did offer a wide variety of sounds and tonal patterns.

Soon new cell phones acquired the ability to utilize multiple ringtones and set different sounds to individual callers as an advanced cue for the user to know who was calling them. While the first ringtones were monophonic, the popularity of this cell phone feature soon brought improvements.

With the introduction of Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sequenced recordings gave melody to the new ringtones. Usually looped in three to thirty second segments of sound, these new style ringtones produced recognizable music selections and further improved the customizing features to identify individual callers.

In the newest cell phones and especially the high tech iPhone, actual pre-recorded high-fidelity music from mp3 and WAV files stored in the memory of your phone can be used. Truetones as they are called can make use of pre-existing sound files or, by use of onboard programs, can edit and excerpt any selected part of that file for use as a custom ringtone.

Along with this ability there have been several websites dedicated to the easy creation of custom ringtones without needing to have special software downloaded on the phone. Since its inception in 2005, these sites have increased the availability of custom ringtones to just about any user.

While there are many free ringtone services to choose from, some of them charge for the privilege of downloading specific sound files. A new element has been added to commercial ringtones as a few musical artists have created songs specifically designed to be sold as ringtones for cell phones. The rap artist Chamillionaire has gone multi-platinum with the ringtone made from one of his songs and has created his own niche within some cell phone services.

Ringtones have become a multi-billion dollar industry and with such financial success it is no surprise that unscrupulous people have taken advantage of this popularity. There have been several major lawsuits against providers for such tactics as giving a free ringtone without informing the customer that by accepting it they are being signed up to a billable service.

Most recently Cingular was fined for billing people for ringtone service automatically whether they were using it or not. With the complexity of the new cellular phones and the ability to connect to the internet with them, there have been a few incidences of spyware being downloaded into phones through supposedly “free” ringtones.

The language of the computers is completely different from that of our common slang and usage. Each and everyday a new language is being introduced by the software professionals that finds its way into the market. It is this language that helps them to program the circuits that have become inevitable in our life.

If you are going to say that I am in the technical field where I do not use computer languages, then you are wrong. The computer had infiltrated our lives to such an extent that we use computers from the smallest of things to the biggest. It is not necessary that you have to know the various technical terms that is associated with the usage of computer rather you must be aware of the general terms that are in use for which you need a computer dictionary.

The computer dictionary would contain the simple words like mother board, CPU, processor, circuits, etc. It would also house the meanings for certain simple terms with very different meanings. For instance, the computer key with the name caps lock has no literal meaning in the original English dictionary but if you look in to the computer dictionary, it would say that it means converting the font from small letters to capital ones.

This way a computer dictionary would be very different from a normal one. Of course the meaning of the word mouse would not be that of a rodent. You must be well aware of the terms that you would have to use while using the computer. Suppose your console breaks down and you have to call up the system engineer and explain him the situation. Now there are two possibilities, either you may have to tell him about any part of your computer or he may ask you something in technical language.

In both the above cases your computer dictionary would come to your rescue. Not only this, suddenly your computer gives you a command which you find it very new. You can just jump into your dictionary and figure out easily what your computer wants you to do. It is always essential to upgrade your dictionary from time to time. This is because a lot of new words are introduced everyday in the field of information technology and some of the old terms are eliminated from use. So a constant update would help you to go with the trends.

Smart phone with the use of mobile technology performs multiple roles of a music player, computer, digital camera, calendar, TV, etc. Smartphones are handheld electronic devices with functionality of PDA and cell phone. Its smartness is not only its outlook but also being very efficient. It is specially designed as a business friendly device and as an all-time office assistant. One of the significant differences of the smartphones with the other phones is the self-configuration. The manufacturer already configures the other standard handsets and the user cannot modify them. Smartphones permit the users to configure and the applications can be selected according to their needs. For example you don’t have to stick to the calendar application and it can be changed to your taste.

WiFi feature is another advantage of some smartphone users as this permits broadband connectivity to the user through wireless network. It has got expanded Personal Information Management (PIM) that can be perfectly used by you for certain options. This helps you to get reminded of your engagements at the time you have chosen. Another remarkable smartphone application is its communication with desktops and laptops.

The smartphone applications allow you to send instant messages, e-mail etc. It supports applications of video games but video files and audio files can be played in some accepted formats. Latest smartphones introduced in the market are designed with a new feature Viz. Near Field Communication (NFC) and this application allows the user to the smartphone similar to a credit card that is wireless. So while buying smartphones, look for its applications and read the particular smartphone model’s technical reviews, as this will help you to choose the best featured smartphone. The applications mainly used by users are ringtones, games themes, wallpapers, calendars, email and cameras.

A smartphone has an operating system like a PC or a laptop. The various operating systems available are Symbian, Blackberry, Palm, Windows mobile, Linux etc. Nokia Symbian smartphone has the largest software availability. Microsoft and Symbian operating systems are widely used in the smartphones and they dominate the market also. Smartphone applications offers information features like wireless e-mail, fax, intercom, online banking, PIM, LAN connectivity, Web browsing and data entry in graffiti style. They permit the users to transfer data between computers and phones. Smartphones are great choice for traveling and business professionals as they need frequent access to calendar, e-mails, Internet and other applications during movement.

A Smartphone application offers you convenience in making calls and allows you to take notes at the same time. You can plug in your smartphone earpiece for jotting down notes easily on this hybrid device. The smartphone application allows you for accessing all information in one place and reduces your work of synchronization of PDA and mobile phone. But working on spreadsheets applications on a smartphone drains your battery and the smartphone cannot be used till it’s charged.

The smart functions of smartphones are QWERTY keyboard, securing access to e-mail and touch screen. Smartphone in essence is a voice centric instrument offering PDA capabilities. In smartphones the primary function is voice and secondary function is data. The other features are address book, contact list, to-do list and advanced access for informations etc. With the launch of iPhones in the market, our perception will change and can elevate the smartphone’s application image to a higher level.

It can seem like a difficult task trying to select a HDTV set for your home, especially if HDTV technology is new to you. So, you have managed your search down to Sony Bravia HDTV sets, how are you going to select a Sony Bravia HDTV set that meets your needs in your home? In this article we will take a look at buying the best HDTV for your home.

We all have seen those nice pictures of the HD TV sets in magazines and shopping catalogues, however, is this the best way to choose a Sony Bravia HD TV set? They have a nice picture, and it looks vibrant, and makes us think that they are all of superior quality. Though they are, it doesn’t mean it will meet our needs. It is kind of like a McDonald’s burger advertised in the picture compared with the actual burger!

A more detailed comparison of various Sony Bravia HD TV sets is what will be necessary to find the best HDTV set for the home. The first point is to find information about the various HD TV sets available. This information will prove helpful when narrowing down a list of potentials.

It is easy to go and find one option, and then stick with that option; however, by searching for several, you will find that you have much more options to get what you need. This information can either be found online via the online stores selling Sony HDTV sets, Sony official sites and also from stores.

One of the biggest parts of the TV is the vision part, so at this point it will be essential to think about how big of a Sony HDTV set you want. No one wants a HD TV that is too small that it spoils your viewing pleasure, and conversely a too big HDTV set will cause more problems than it is worth.

First measure how much space you have. This will allow you to find a HDTV that will fit within the space you have. Also consider the distance from where you will be sitting and how far away the TV is. This can be a simple process of looking at your old TV set and considering if you want a bigger set or smaller, depending on space constraints and your budget.

Generally though a smaller TV will be used in a bedroom, compared with a larger TV in the living room. Sizes up to 36″ work best in bedrooms and above 40″ for the main TV in the living room. This works out great considering that Sony produces televisions in those ranges.

Because Sony produces so many different sizes and versions of its HDTV sets, you can be sure that you can find a set that meets your space and feature needs. The next point to consider when comparing Sony Bravia HDTV sets is to compare sizes, the type, the style and the prices.

Remember that Sony Bravia range of HDTV’s are high end products, so are made durable and reliable with the latest technological features. However, the more stylish products often will cost more than those that look less stylish.

Technology is a broad concept dealing with our knowledge and use of tools and crafts to adapt to and control our enviornment. Today it is hard to keep up with all the new technology available to us. As a “baby boomer” I find myself behind the times. My children, and in some instances my grandchildren, know more than I do about computer and internet technology. I have decided to explore the world that is available to us through use of the internet and our computers. It is my hope to share what I find.

Recent technological developments, including the printing press, telephone, and internet allow us to interact on a global scale. One way to do this is through Weblogs, better known as “blogs”. Most of my friends don’t know abouts blogs and neither did I until recently. Now I have created my own blog and am posting regularly to it. I am also reading other blogs and enjoying a new avenue of knowledge and companionship. Imagine my surprise to discover that not only can blogging be educational and entertaining, but it can be used to create income.

My husband works offshore and watches what everyone else wishes to watch on TV. He now watches what he wants on his computer. I found that if you have internet access at home, in a motel room, or even internet satellite service on your RV you can enjoy unlimited programming anywhere. We travel regularly and have found limited TV programming in motel rooms. We won’t have to miss our regular program any more.

If you have internet access at home, in a motel room, or even internet satellite service on your RV you can enjoy unlimited programming anywhere.

You can find almost anything you want on the internet. You can shop from the comfort of your home and have your products delivered to you front door. My 75 year old mother was remodeling a small house and we needed handicapped accessories. No problem, I found her many items to choose from. My daughters find it much easier and less hectic to Christmas shop on line.

It is inevitable. I call it digital inertia. It builds up within any computer from the moment it is assembled, sold and fired up for the first time. All computers, no matter how fast, how furious, become lumps of porridge within a few months. Some last longer, but the build up of digital dust mites and laziness is something none of us can avoid. Our speed demon has become a horned turtle and we always ask ourselves what happened? We find ourselves turning to our technologically inclined friends and asking “How to speed up my computer?” There are a lot of factors involved, but I’ll tell you some sure fire ways to speed up your computer in 1 hour.

Over time, because of its dedication to keep up to date, you will realise your program task bar is full of programs, some of which you have no idea how they got there in the first place, and some of them you haven’t even used past the first ‘fire it up and test it’ phase. All these programs after a while end up putting a lot of clutter in your memory, because over time, the information gets fragmented and Windows has to constantly re-fragment the information, seeking it out from hidden digital cul de sacs, weaving it together for a program launch. Defragment your disk! It will take you less than an hour – maybe more if you have the entire Guggenheim museum stored in your hard disks. You will notice a 50% increase in speed, guaranteed. Other than Windows disk defragmenter – there are plenty more efficient and speedier, full featured defragmentation programs out there for you to use.

Another reason for the gradual decline in speed could be that a PC is overloaded with information. Take a look at your start-up programs and the programs you have running in the background. Are they essential? A full featured anti-virus program cuts quite deep into the virtual memory. Scrutinise all the programs you have and delete and uninstall the ones you don’t need – especially the ones that are using up precious memory. Just press Ctrl-Alt-Del, and run through the processes tab – a lot will be revealed to you. If, by chance, you need all those programs, then don’t fret – upgrade your memory. Buy an extra stick of RAM if your PC is overloaded with your high memory programs.

Optimise, optimise, optimise. I can’t stress this enough. There are so many programs and registry cleaners out there on the internet that help to clean out the registry, all loose floating files in hidden temp and system folders and any digital stragglers choking the otherwise fine machinery of your speed demon computer. A program like this does everything from A-Z, sniffing out all possible sectors of your computer, including that all important brain box of a registry that basically controls EVERY aspect of your computer. Keep it up to date and clean – that makes the difference between a running computer and a stuttering computer.

So, there you have it, sure fire ways to speed up your computer. Of course there are so many other ways and so many different sectors that need addressing, but these are some of the common and major issues plaguing PC users the world over.

So, you want the best deal on computer help or computer repair? Let’s get started.

So where should you look? Look in the newspaper. There should be some ads there. Look in your local trade newspapers. One that we have around here is the Trading Post. Look on message boards for fliers or business cards. You are looking for people who may be working out of their home. Why? Well, because these guys don’t have rent on an expensive building to pay for. They don’t have the same overhead as some of the other shops. That’s not to say that all shops are going to be overly expensive, and all people who work out of their homes will be priced right. But, the guy who runs their computer shop from their house could more easily pass the savings in overhead onto you.

Now, some of these guys you will call are top notch and some of them aren’t. This is where you have to be prepared. Learn something about a computer before you take your computer to a shop. Know something about the problem you are calling about before you call, or take it to someone. That way you don’t get ripped off by someone with a skilled tongue. And you won’t be fooled by someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. Listen to them. Do they sound like they know what they are talking about? Are they just nervous or do they really understand what they are talking about? Ask some questions to help clarify their qualifications. You aren’t necessarily looking for the cheapest, you want good work done at a fair price. The person might do cheap work, but maybe his workmanship is cheap too.

There are some companies out there that are charging very large fees for services that don’t need to cost as much as they do. Is it really worth $100 to do 30 minutes of work? I have heard of bills of over $80 to do about 15 minutes worth of work. It’s not wrong to make a lot of money, but there is a wrong and there is a right way to make money. You don’t need to rip off the customer to make money. As a computer help guy, my goal is to charge roughly $25 an hour for my work. I guess it depends on location. $25 an hour is good money in this area.

So, I recommend, if you want a good deal, don’t take your computer to a Big Name company. There are skilled guys out there, maybe in your own neighborhood, who would love to do work for you. You get a good deal and they make a good profit.

When this person gets to your house, or you go to theirs…. Does the person know what he is doing? Does he act like he knows what he is doing? Is he nervously poking around the computer in a way that makes you think he doesn’t have a clue? This isn’t always a sure indicator. Maybe the person just hasn’t dealt with people that much because he/she just started this line of work. You could leave them to their work if they seem nervous and come back, then see what progress has been done. Ask the person if they need you to be there during the repair.

Lastly, be prepared to pay a fair price for the work. This isn’t a contradiction to the purpose of this article. This is computer repair, this isn’t the kid down the street mowing your lawn. If you feel the price is unfair, get an explanation. If it still seems unfair, there is nothing wrong with trying to talk the price down some. But remember, we, as computer help guys do want to make a good living at this, so please try to be fair with us. Computers are something that not everyone is comfortable with. It is a specialized field that requires a good bit of study and practice. And, be courteous, if the person has obviously done too much work for the price he is asking, do them a favor and give them some more money. Feel free to tell them if you don’t think they charge enough.

Times have moved forward for laptop users who used to have to rely on connections from some telephone source whether it was a land line or a mobile telephone. Whichever the source, it was in most cases a slow dial-up connection that took even longer on a laptop. Today it is rare for even those using a laptop to utilize a slow dial up connection. Mobile broadband is available for those who need or desire to use their laptop while travelling.

Mobile broadband has become a popular service, but it’s important to be careful you select a provider that offers both quality service and a reasonable price. Unlike regular broadband, not all providers charge a flat fee. In fact, many mobile broadband providers charge by the megabyte, and for someone who is very active with their laptop, that can certainly add up. If that is your situation, you want to make sure you find a mobile broadband provider that charges a flat fee based on your specific amount of usage.

Those who are unfamiliar with mobile broadband may ask how you use mobile broadband technology. Certainly everyone is familiar with the concept of accessing the internet using your mobile phone, but in order to have a broadband connection, you have to have a special PC card that fits into your laptop or you need a USB modem. Some people tend to stay away from the USB modem because of its tendency to project from the side of the laptop.

Although mobile broadband is certainly a good choice for many people who travel frequently away from home or simply need to use a laptop in areas here there is no landline, it is no substitute for a stable broadband connection. A search of some providers that offer flat monthly fees shows that one can obtain a mobile broadband connection for as low as 10.00 per month, the connection speed tends to be under 3 Mb. If you are looking to complete something in a hurry, you certainly will not be able to do so with mobile broadband.

Mobile broadband is a step in the right direction from dial-up, but you have to make sure you choose the right provider for your needs. If you do a great deal of work when you are away from any landline connection, you may want to choose Vodaphone which has a speed of 7.2 Mb. Though still not quite as fast as standard broadband, it is comparable to the cheapest plan on O2 at 8 Mb.

If you are a regular laptop user, it’s essential to make certain you choose a mobile broadband provider that offers a reasonable rate with a higher speed. This is especially true when you are working online instead of just surfing the internet because if you can’t connect quickly, it is not going to benefit your business contacts and connections for you to use a mobile broadband service. The mobile broadband provider you choose should be able to accommodate your needs for pricing and speed.