Computer | Your Definitive Technology Guide

Does Delete Really Remove Information?

One of the things that many people believe about their computer system is that pressing the word, “delete” really does delete the information off the computer. It is gone. You may believe this simply because you have been faced with the lost document or the long winded email you typed up is now gone. While those types of documents may in fact be gone for good, the ability to delete information from a computer takes more than just a hit of the delete key. In many cases, the information may stay on your computer for a long time.

This is important information to know. After all, if you do not have the ability to delete information off your computer, you could be exposing that information to numerous other people. Just consider the amount of stuff you store on your computer. You likely do your personal banking online. You may store your family’s photos on your computer. You may have medical files documenting your latest health scare on the computer, too. It may seem like all you have to do is delete this information to make it gone forever, that simply is not true.

It is actually quite difficult to permanently remove data from a computer. If you want do remove that data for good, you may have to actually destroy the hard drive to make it happen. That is not something you want to do.

When you delete something on the computer, the only thing the computer does to that information is to place a mark on the file indicating that the file can be overwritten. If the operating system needs to do so, it will overwrite that section of the hard drive.

If you are concerned about the information on your computer, the only real way to be sure that the information is completely gone is to destroy the hard drive. While it may not be easily accessible when you delete it, it is there.

Filed Under: Computer Tagged With: Computer and Internet Resources

What Is Net Neutrality?

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Recent reports indicate that the FCC is likely to move towards implementation of net neutrality rules. The controversy is in place and, as recent as this month, the FCC is implementing changes. The rules will restrict broadband Internet service providers from taking specific actions, such as blocking any legal website. This is being called net neutrality. The rules are more extensive than just this.

For example, the new net neutrality rules will stop internet service providers from slowing down the transmission of any type of content or application that the provider, for one reason or another, does not like or that is a competitor’s product. This rule was designed to provide more access and benefit to consumers. One of the reasons there is a need for this type of ruling, many believe, is that there are no methods right now to stop search blocking as well content discrimination.

What does this mean in terms of how it actually applies to usage? Previously, if one internet service provider wanted to, it could block the content from a competitor provider or even from various other organizations. This could lead to political motives or unfair representation of other businesses and services. This may benefit that company while hurting the public’s access to information and services.

However, the new rules do give more leeway to some types of companies, including wireless companies. These companies are still able to block access to some types of applications. This is due to broadband congestion, the FCC states. Even these sites do not allow for the providers to block legal websites or any type of Internet telephony application. This includes products and services like Skype.

The rules on net neutrality may or may not provide you with an improved experience. These rules are likely to change, since the Internet continues to be a very powerful and ever changing medium. Laws like this take much longer to develop since the technology continues to change.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Technology Tagged With: Network neutrality, Skype

NORAD Santa Tracker: Santa Online

Each year, NORAD takes to the sky and helps kids around the world to track Santa. Santa moves from place to place, city to city delivering gifts to the massive numbers of children throughout the world. To help kids to see where Santa is, and to provide a bit of geography education to kids, NORAD gets online to track Santa using GPS and animated programming. The program is a live view of Santa, using 2D graphics and using Google Maps. In addition, the program implements 3D Google Earth images into the representations.

If you have always wanted to see how Santa makes his way throughout the world, the NORAD Santa Tracker program is one of the best ways to do so. Kids just need to log into the website on Christmas Eve. There is nothing to download. There is no charge for the service. However, this project has been taking place since 1955 and it has become an annual tradition for many children throughout the world. Over the years, the program has gotten much more sophisticated, but the underlying goal and message is the same.

The program started in an interesting way. In 1955, Sears Roebuck created an ad instructing children to call Santa direct, on his private line, and to talk to him. People, including one man named Terri Van Keuren. As children called, Van Keuren pretended he was Santa. Soon, he decided to start telling kids where Santa was, in an effort to increase interest. From that point on, the program offered a service of telling kids, in one way or another, where Santa was throughout his flight from the North Pole.

Even if you missed using the NORAD Santa Tracker this year, the good news is that you can still use it next year. In addition, the website maintains the tracker’s videos of Santa throughout the month following his visit on Christmas Eve. Kids will love the idea of watching for Santa’s arrival.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: NORAD

Facebook and Privacy Issues

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Facebook continues to be the leader in the online social media websites. With so many different reasons to log in, millions of users frequent the website. Facebook has been one of the top performers in terms of its website presence for the last few years. But, in the last year, privacy issues have sprung up, leaving may Facebook users to be leery of the website and its safety.

The year has been good to Facebook, especially with the success of the film, The Social Network, which chronicled the start of the Facebook website and its developer, Mark Zuckerberg. While the movie did well, the company itself saw some rough spots as many people grew concerned about the way Facebook allows users to see personal information about other users.

The changes were announced at the F8 meeting in the spring. The changes included changes to the way that the company works with third party websites. This helped to encourage developers to turn to Facebook itself, but it also lead to privacy concerns, spurred on by the privacy advocates. The FTC also took note of the concerns when various advocacy groups petitioned the organization to monitor the way that social networks communicate private information.

The company responded by taking steps to protect private information from users. The company rolled out a variety of changes including overhauls to profiles, improved messaging services and added changes to Groups. Some of the company’s relationships, especially with companies such as Zynga, a gaming platform on the Facebook platform, were strained. The two companies came to an agreement.

While there is still likely many additional changes likely to come in the upcoming months to the Facebook platform and to the privacy settings on the site, there is now an increased awareness among many Facebook users about the service. Privacy concerns are important, experts warn, since other social media companies are watching and waiting to learn what the rules will end up saying.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet Tagged With: Facebook, Privacy, Social media, Social network

iPad 2? What It May Bring

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One of the hottest gifts right now is the iPad, Apple’s latest creation. The iPad offers a variety of benefits to users, including the ability to take a portable computer with them. The tablet sized computer platform allows the user to do everything from scan the web to read books and even to communicate with others. The problem, though, is that it is a one sized, flat shaped device that leaves some room for improvement.

Recently, rumors are indicating that Apple, the famed iPod maker, is working on its second version of the product. The iPad 2 is likely to have some significant changes based on what customers have said about the product thus far. The new product is likely to have some ergonomic tweaks to it, too, which will increase its user friendly feel incredibly. The changes to the iPad may include things like a cut in sizing off the length of the device, and the width. The screen size, though, is likely to remain the same. The new iPad could also have a smaller bezel. That is the technical term for the black area that surrounds the actual screen. It is likely that the device will not slide around when you press on something right along the edges either.

Another change may include moving the speakers. This could help to keep the device distributing audio at a better rate. Another change may be to the ambient light sensor on the device. This could be moved to the back of the unit. It is also a possibility that the product will include the company’s new technology that is getting positive results, FaceTime. This program allows for real time chatting service on the device.

Though these are only rumors, there is little doubt that Apple will come out with a new version of the iPad in a short amount of time. The company is known for its ability to continuously change as the market warrants.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Technology Tagged With: Apple, IPad, iPod

Small Businesses Tackling New Marketplace

Each year, thousands, if not millions, of small businesses take to the Internet to start marketing to the masses. There are some industries that this works well for, such as those industries in which a small business is selling a product. While a local audience may have only a few handfuls of clients who need the service or the product the business offers, the Internet opens the door to thousands and even millions of people who could benefit from investing in the company’s product. In addition to this, even service businesses with only a local market will benefit from creating a website.

Small business websites are growing in number because there is a new ease of getting the business online. Ten years ago, websites were complex to make and required the expertise of a full fledged programmer. Today, those needs are gone. There are more companies that offer specialized services in this area than ever before, with many of them offering incredible programs that make it easy for even the novice to get on the website, creating a website all on his own.

How can a small business take the Internet’s users and make them its business clientele? One way to do this is to simply sell to a larger audience. For many businesses selling a unique product or service, just creating an online marketplace to sell items is all that is necessary. For those businesses that have a more unique service, such as providing local plumbing service or providing consulting services, the Internet is still a great tool. A large number of people still turn to the web to get information for local services and companies they need, rather than flipping through the phone book.

By listing your business on the web, you increase who you can sell to and make your customer. At the same time, you create a unique opportunity to create a strong business clientele, one living farther away.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Technology Tagged With: Business, Customer, Small business

3 Things About Technology You Should Know

Technology is often a bad word for those who do not have a great deal of experience working with it. In many ways, technology can seem daunting because it has such specific learning curve. While you might not want to go to school to learn how to navigate the terminology of technology, there are a few things you should know. Specifically, there are a few specific myths you may be following that you do not necessarily need.

One of the things you should know is that you do not have to wait 15 seconds before you turn your computer back on after rebooting. This is only somewhat true. While it is important for you to wait a few seconds before turning the computer back on, 15 seconds is really overkill. What you are waiting for is for the spinning plates in the hard drive to come to a complete stop. Since these plates are spinning at 10,000 rpm, it can take a few extra seconds to get them to stop.

Another myth is about megapixels. Specifically, companies would like you to believe that the more megapixels a device has, the better it is and therefore you should spend more for it. The sharpness of any shot is based on the skill of the photographer, which means no level of megapixels is going to improve an amateur’s shots to a great deal. Unless you are putting together a mural or a billboard, you likely do not need a larger size of megapixels.

Another myth you should know is about your nickel cadmium battery. Some say you must run the battery out completely before charging it. It is not all that important to do this after the initial charge on the phone. It can be helpful to some degree to do this, but it does not have to happen every time.

The more you know about technology, the easier it is to avoid these myths. That helps you.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Technology Tagged With: Internet service provider, Nickel-cadmium battery, Technology

Are Macs Protected from Viruses?

In the day and age we live in, it has become incredibly important to find ways to protect yourself from the increasing number of viruses and other threats online. PCs, or personal computers, which operate on a Windows based system are known for their vulnerability in this area. Some people have even gone as far as turn to other software solutions as a way of protecting themselves from these threats. But, the question you should be asking is whether or not Macs, which are often the other option for PC users, are actually better protection than the PC.

Although it is more common to hear problems about viruses and other threats from the PC viewpoint, this does not mean that Macs are completely protected. In fact, there are some very specific threats that have occurred in the last few years that showcase the bigger threat that Macs face than what many people believe is possible. In other words, do not believe you are secure just because you have a Mac.

One of the main reasons that people do not hear as much about these types of attacks on Macs is because it is a simple numbers game. There are many more Windows based computers on the market and in homes than there are Macs. That means, simply, there are more people reporting problems including spam, viruses and malware. These same types of threats, though, are still present in the Mac framework. You just may not hear about them because there are fewer instances making noise in the market.

There’s no additional strength built into the Mac system that allows for these systems to be better able to defend against invasions like this. While many companies, including the manufacturers of the Macs, Apple, would like to let individuals believe that Macs are simply immune, that is not the case. If you do have this type of computer, it is still important to have some level of security.

Filed Under: Computer, Technology Tagged With: Anti-Virus, Apple, Mac, Macintosh, Personal computer, Virus

Is Your ISP Tracking Your Actions?

One of the things many people believe about the computer at home is that the ISP, or Internet service provider is tracking everything they are doing. Imagine the feeling of having someone watching which websites you visit in any of your interactions. That could be very revealing about many people. Is this true? Many people believe this that are specifically concerned about Internet security and personal information safeguarding.

The ISP is the link you have locally to get into the computer network known as the worldwide web. When you use the ISP to access the Internet, the ISP will transfer every request you make form your computer through the ISP’s routers, which then deliver the message to wherever you wanted it to go. It may seem like the ISP route, then, has the ability to scan each piece of transmission, from the websites you are visiting to the emails you are sending.

What you may not want to know is that ISP’s do have the power to do this type of scanning. However, there is virtually no reason for companies to do this. The goal of any computer Internet service provider is to turn a profit and it is unlikely it can do that simply by gathering the massive amounts of data you transfer on the web. In addition to this, you can breathe a sigh of relief because these providers simply do not have the monetary means to store all of this information. The archive of information would be enormous and nearly impossible for the company to manage.

In addition to the lack of funding, and the benefit of storing this information, most public sector privacy groups would make a big deal about this. It would simply be too hard to meet the privacy requirements and limitations.

As you consider the websites you visit and the emails you send out, know that no one is looking over your shoulder and recording what you are doing.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Technology Tagged With: Access Providers, Internet service provider

Why Pick a PC?

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The rivalry between Mac users and PC users isn’t likely to die down anytime soon. Ultimately, you have to select the computer that best fits your needs. Although Mac enthusiasts would disagree, PCs are not without their own merits. These computers offer benefits such as:

Flexibility
If you love to change out hardware and software to have the latest and greatest system, go with a PC. More software is available for a PC, including freeware options. Macs are primarily created for design work, and that area is the one they most excel in. Because a Mac can’t be as easily updated as a PC, you run the risk of your computer being archaic in just a couple years.

Gaming Advantages
To maximize your gaming experience, the PC is the clear winner. The selection of games available on the PC is much greater than for a Mac, and video card technology and software like the xvid codec from open source software xvid continues to evolve as advances are made. You can easily upgrade a PC graphic card, with a variety of choices from inexpensive options to high-end cards. Often, you cannot upgrade a Mac, and when it is possible, the components tend to cost more than they do for a PC.

Costs
As prices have continued to drop, PCs are an inexpensive way to own a home computer, get your teen set up for email and the Internet, or create a network for a small business. Even laptops have come down in prices, with some as low as $500, which means you can get a portable option for very little cash, while the low-end MacBook Pro will set you back around $2000.

Support
When your Mac has an issue, you must take it to the Apple store for work. With a PC, you have more options if you need repairs. Again, the cost is generally less to fix a PC than for a Mac.

Filed Under: Computer Tagged With: Apple, Macintosh, Personal computer