What Is A Wireless Access Point?

What is a wireless access point? The wireless access point is the place for your wireless devices to connect to the network. There are basically two ways to connect to the network depending on what you learn about wireless routers: (1) through a wireless Access Point (2) through a wireless Router.

A Wireless Access Point is used to make wireless connections to an already existing network. When you consider what is a wireless access point, don't be confused by the name, an access point and a router are both wireless access points. The one that is officially called an access point has one connection that is connected to the network hub and the wireless devices connect through this equipment to get to the network.

A Router is, in its most simple terms, a piece of equipment that connects to 2 different networks at the same time. It does this by having a network connection to your internal network and a connection to an external network. The external network is usually the Internet through a cable or DSL modem.

The Internet uses public IP addresses to send and receive data on the Web. These addresses are becoming scarce which is why you usually receive a dynamically assigned address when you connect to the Internet from your Internet Service Provider. That way, they can reuse that address when you are not using it. You can get a static address from you ISP if you have a need for one, but you usually have to pay a premimum price to get it.

Your internal network might have anywhere from one to hundreds of computers connected. Each of these computers need an IP address to be able to access the Internet but you can't get that many public IP addresses.

A router is used to let you assign non-public IP addresses to your internal computers and it uses the public IP address assigned to it to connect to the Internet. It then translates your internal address to the Internet address so that your computers can access the Internet. When data is received from the Internet, it knows which computer internally is waiting for the data and sends it to that computer.

A Wireless Router is a regular router just like a wired router but also lets you connect wireless devices to it. Really, it is a wired router and wireless access point built into one device that can be used on a mixed wireless and wired network.

Answer these questions (yes or no) to see which type of access point you need to connect.

(1) I already have an existing wired network that I want to connect into?

(2) I am building a new completely wireless network?

(3) I am building a new wired and wireless network?

#1 = YES: You can purchase an Access Point if your existing network has a wired router to connect it to the Internet. If your network connects directly to the Internet without a router or you are adding Internet access to your network, you will need to purchase a Wireless Router.

#2 = YES: You will need to purchase a Wireless Router to be able to connect it to the Internet.

#3 = YES: You will need to purchase a Wireless Router to be able to connect it to the Internet and to the wired network.

As you can see, a Wireless Router can be used to connect to any of these configurations. The Access Point can only connect to an existing network, so to be on the safe side, you may want to purchase a router in case you want to make changes in the future by connecting hubs and routers.

By now, you should have determined which Wireless Standard you are going to use with your network after you know how to connect computers to wireless routers.

If you are building a complete network, I suggest that you purchase all of your equipment from the same manufacturer.

What is a wireless access point? Your wireless connection to the network.

Gregory Walding has a website devoted to teaching you how to setup a wireless computer network. Just visit http://www.ExpertWiFiAdvice.com to see what you need to setup your wireless network.

Paper Notebooks to Laptop Notebooks - A Scientific Renaissance

When we hear the word `notebook` the first thought that strikes our grey matter is a writing device in the form of a book usually made of paper. We generally imagine it in various forms like notepad, writing pad, or simply a scrapbook. Its use is generally determined by its size - not forgetting the general saying `the smaller, the better`.

The concept (of notebooks) which started as a collection of leaves somewhere in ancient Rome has today taken the shape of a latest electronic device called the `laptop`. Laptops were named `notebooks` probably because of their small size inspite of the fact that originally they did not have any note-taking ability.

Initially laptops had integrated screen and keyboard and were more like `suitcase computers` but with advancements in technology they kept getting smaller in size with enhanced features. Laptops were referred to as notebooks when they had condensed in size comparable almost to a paper notebook. Moving a step further we got something called PDA`s (Personal Digital Assistants) which were a little larger than portfolio notebooks and were named `notebook` to differentiate them from general laptops. In common man`s words these were called `Palm tops`.

The quest for comfort did not end with the PDA`s. Moving a step further we got a much better and advanced version of PDA s called the `Tablet PC`s`. Tablet PC`s are laptops or rather notebooks that have a special pen and software with which we can interact with the screen directly. So it was a kind where we can actually write on with a pen - a real master piece in the world of science! Here the screen itself is used as the Input-Output device rather than the Mouse or the Keyboard. Moreover these PDA`s and Palmtops use flash memory and they do not use the same OS or hardware as used by the typical laptop and notebooks.

Today notebook refers to laptops that can have their windows reversed to make it into a notebook and can be written on like a tablet. It can be used for making handwritten notes in class or to make sketches and drawings that can later be used as notes.

What makes the notebook indispensable is its portability, efficiency coming next to it. Today we are not under the constraints of working for fixed hours in office; our work can come home with us, thus, providing us with a more comfortable and relaxed environment. Other than that the notebook occupies the least possible space on the desk and saves us from the tangles of wires. To top it all the sleek, sensuous look of the portable notebooks makes it the most desirable asset today.

As the saying goes, if you want to gain something you should be ready to lose some too. Here the loosing factor comes in the face of money. This piece of sophisticated technology is twice as expensive as its desktop counterpart or sometimes even more than that. But since all good things come in small packages, the notebook as well should be accepted with its exorbitant price realizing the fact that it is paving the way for a simpler and efficient future.

Despite the notebooks being smaller and elegant, it is a bitter fact that it can never completely take over the desktop. The reason being the deficiency of space to fit in all the components and the lack of escape routes for heat. Moreover upgrading the hardware in a notebook becomes an overpriced task and can be done much easily and reasonably in a desktop.

Inspite of these various shortcomings the fact remains that the era of literature and arts has been succeeded by the scientific era with computer being at the centre of this renaissance.

This article can be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/notebook.php

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

Why is My PC Slow? Answering the Question

Are you one of the many people who are complaining, "Why is my PC slow?" Unfortunately, many people share this predicament. Many people have probably cursed or shouted a curse or two directed at their computer. It can be frustrating especially if you are on a rush and your computer takes forever to loads or to process. You're probably wondering, "Why is my computer not as fast as it was when I first bought it?" Those are the good old days. So, why is your computer slow?

Packed Computer Registry

This is the most typical reason for a slow computer. Not all people who use a computer what a computer registry is, how to find and how to clear them up. Before they could even get around to clearing their registry, they probably have suffered slow processing computer for a significant length of time.

Basically, your computer's registry is that area where most of your files, programs and software are stored. It is important that you regularly clean and maintain this section of your Windows XP in order to ensure faster operation and processing. If you keep storing and storing files into your registry without cleaning it every now and then, your computer may likely crash from storing too many data. People may also hear you complaining, "Why is my PC slow?" when you store too many data in your registry because this makes it difficult for your computer to easily locate entries. So, it takes the computer quite a while to respond to your commands.

Spyware and Virus Attacks

Spyware and viruses are not only pests; they are also resource thieves! Although these malicious programs are not designed for Windows XP slow down, they can still cause your computer to lag or to even come to a screeching halt. This is why it can never be too emphasized that you need a good anti-spyware or anti-virus programs to clean your computer off of these pests. If you can afford buying the good ones, do so. Although there are software that are available for free, they do not really give the same protection that paid programs do. Also, make sure that you keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs updated. If you have to update every minute, do so. Set up the programs to regularly run automatically. Otherwise, you'd have a computer packed with spyware and adware; and you'd be complaining, "Why is my PC slow?!"

Constantly Running Background Operations

There are instances when your Windows XP slow processing can be blame to your background programs. You might be unconsciously running these programs. A good way to check on background operations is by looking at the bottom tray at the right side of your computer. You might have operations and programs running. They take up resources; although you are not actually using them. So, make sure that you close all these programs so they will not interfere with the speed of your computer. Change the settings of these programs if possible so they will not automatically run without you knowing.

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XP Fixes for Basic Screen Freezes and Problems

You have been very excited when you first bought your computer. You made sure that you bought the best that your money can buy. So, you got the latest and most expensive computer and you installed Windows XP in it.

For the first few months, you were quiet happy with its performance. Until suddenly, you begin to notice that it's taking a significant amount of time to open programs or files. You begin to notice that a click on the mouse could trigger a freeze. There are times when your computer would even freeze without any reason. This can be really frustrating especially if the computer tends to freeze and shut down while you're at the middle of your work. You need to know basic XP fixes to help you deal with the common computer problems.

Causes of Window XP Slow Performance and Freezes

One minute you're busily typing reports, the next you're staring at a blue screen. Often, you'd find yourself cursing your computer. The blue screen is often called the Blue Screen of Death. This happens when Windows XP meets up with a system error. This also happens when the computer needs to recover from a serious system error. You could also have the Blue Screen or Death in cases where the operating system fails to recover from a huge error.

Another possible problem that people encounters when using the Internet is the Screen Freeze. The difference between a Screen Freeze and the Blue Screen of Death is that the computer freezes on the page where you're working. There is no change of solid color to indicate system error. The cause of Screen Freeze is unavailability of RAM. This means that you'd used up your computer's entire RAM so it has no space left to function.

Everyone also experiences lack of program response. This happens when only one program or two fail to respond to your command but if you click on other programs, the latter would work just fine. This is its difference from Screen Freeze. In Screen Freeze, the entire computer is frozen. It is not in blank blue but it does not respond. All these things require that you know XP fixes to help you deal with the problem without needing to send your computer to professional computer technicians.

Basic XP Fixes for Basic Problems

The Blue Screen of Death is easily solved by some online software. In fact, there are widely known Internet users' tools for this kind of problem. You can go online and download, make your research. Once you're satisfied, you can then proceed to downloading the software directly to your computer so you can use it the next time you're computer attempts a Blue Screen of Death

XP fixes for frozen screens or programs are quite simple. Often, you just need to wait for the computer to recover and to resume its operations. If the computer freeze is mainly limited to a particular program or a couple of programs, you can press Control plus ALT plus Delete so you could cancel the programs running that have gone frozen.

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How To Become A Pro At Editing Your Photos With Adobe Photoshop

Do you own Adobe Photoshop? Well, good for you, but that alone doesn't get you anywhere near to becoming a pro at editing your photos.

When I first started my Photoshop application, I got so confused with all the possibilities that I quit the program after 30 minutes and started regretting having paid such a high price for a piece of software I thought I'd never be able to handle. Hopefully, you are not as easily frustrated as I used to be, but I'm sure everyone out there gets a similar first impression of Adobe Photoshop. However, let me lift your mood right now by telling you that I have overcome my "Photoshop-phobia" and I am sure you can do so as well.

I don't know about you, but when I read a book about Photoshop, it just doesn't do the trick. It could bet he best manual on Photoshop in the world, but you still get confused every time you try to transfer information from the written text to your on-screen Photoshop interface. It is just not the same, it's a totally different feeling, maybe even an entirely different matter.

This is why I soon realized that reading about Photoshop and having someone explain to me how wonderfully his photos will look afterwards is just not working. I was just about to give up on me, when I finally found a way to learn Photoshop so easily I almost couldn't believe it.

The answer to all my problems is so simple: Video Tutorials! To me, this is such a great and effective approach, because you will see exactly how everything is done. Not only will you have someone explain how to use Photoshop, at the very same time you will actually see where and how to click. This may not sound like a super-secret-revealing news, but trust me, nothing is more effective when it comes to learning Photoshop. I always like to compare this to the learning process of a baby. Babies learn at least as much with their eyes as they do by simply listening. It is scientifically proven that you learn way more by watching and listening combined than by only reading or listening to a tape. That's why babies are such great learners. And that's exactly how I learned just about everything there is to know about Photoshop.

While I know that there are probably hundreds of video tutorials on Photoshop available for free on Youtube, I still highly recommend a professional tutorial like David Peters' Adobe Photoshop Course. He has been in the business of digital photography for years and knows what he is doing. I don't think there are any better video tutorials out there than his.

Check out Peter's site at http://www.edityourdigitalphotos.com/. It will get you to the same level as the Photoshop professionals in no time and it is definitely more than worth the money.

Ike Fox, a hobby photographer, owned Adobe Photoshop for years, bought dozens of how-to-books and tutorials before really learning Photoshop via online video tutorials. He is now thinking about selling his expertise as a professional photo designer.

Cell Phone Rates: Which Are The Best?

Cell phone rates are as varied as the companies that provide service. To compare rates, you first need to decide what features you want in your plan ranging from how many minutes you want per month to free text messaging. You should also take into consideration the area in which you live, as some service providers may not be able to connect with your region.

Alltell is one of the most popular service providers and is available in most areas. The company now offers the My Circle program which allows you free unlimited calls to any network anywhere. One rate for an individual plan was $49.99 which included 750 anytime minutes with a $.40 rate for additional minutes. There were unlimited night and weekend minutes and mobile-to-mobile minutes. My Circle with this plan included five people.

For a comparable plan from Sprint, this company offered 700 anytime minutes at a rate of $69.99 a month. This plan included unlimited nationwide direct connect and unlimited nighttime and weekend minutes as well as mobile-to-mobile. Additional minutes had a charge of $.45 per minute..

T-mobile, another popular wireless provider, had a rate of $49.99 for 600 minutes. They offered unlimited nighttime and weekend minutes as well as unlimited mobile-to- mobile. The company offered MyFaves unlimited minutes. Myfaves is similar to My Circle and includes unlimited calls to five people. Additional minutes were only charged $.20 per minute.

Verizon only offered 450 minutes in their individual plan at a rate of $39.99. This plan included free nighttime and weekend minutes but mobile-to-mobile calls were charged at a pay-as-you go rate. The company also charges you for text messaging. The rate for additional minutes was $.45.

For a 900 minute individual plan, Alltell charges $59.99 and increases MyCircle to include 10 people. All the rest of the anytime minutes and rates remain the same. Sprint offers 900 minutes at a rate of $69.99 while T-mobile offers 1000 minute plan at $59.99 while the rest of the both of their plans remains the same. Verizon offers a 900 minutes plan at $99.99 and their rate for additional minutes decreases to $.40 per minute.

The highest rated plan that Alltell offers is 6000 anytime minutes at a rate of $199.99 per month. The number of people in MyCircle increases to twenty and the rate for additional minutes drops to $.20 per minute.

Sprint offers a plan for 4000 anytime minutes at $199.99 per month. The only difference in the rest of this plan from the less expensive one is that the rate for additional minutes falls to $.40 per minute.

T-Mobile offers a 5000 anytime minute plan at a rate of $139.99 per month. The rest of the plan remained the same as the less expensive plans.

Verizon offers an Unlimited plan for $139.99 a month. This plan allows you unlimited calling anytime anywhere, which eliminates all charges for additional minutes. This plan also offers all other services such as text messaging for free.

By comparing the above rates, it seems that for regular individual service Alltell may be the wireless provider that you may want to choose, while for the maximum amount of minutes for a reasonable price, you may want to go with Verizon. In the long run, the choice is yours.

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It's NOT a VIRUS, it's NOT SPYWARE, so then WHAT is WRONG with my COMPUTER?

So, when my computer kept freezing up on me and crashing and doing some of the strangest things like deactivating an active window I was working in and giving me a DLL error on start up, I thought I had a virus or some serious spyware on my computer.

I used my up-to-date anti virus software, which also detects spyware and did scan after scan finding nothing! My computer was still messed up though, so I knew there was something wrong with it.

What options are there? Take it to the Geek Squad? Some computer repair place? How much would that cost? Lots! I know that much!

So I went on a search mission, just putting the different problems that I was experiencing with my PC, into the address bar of the internet, and after plenty of searching, I did finally find some answers!

Those answers were registry problems. I had never heard of a Windows Registry until then. Come to find out, most people haven't. So if you're like me, breathe a little easier, as I did! A Windows Registry is that place in your computer that stores all that useless information. I always knew that there was an area somewhere that did that, but I never knew a whole lot about it!

So now I knew that a Windows Registry existed! Now, get this, IT was what was causing a majority of my problems... The slow start up and shut down time, the overall slow performance of my PC, the DLL error upon start up, the graphics not appearing on web sites, everything! I couldn't believe it!

I found out that there was essentially no action that could be performed on my computer without the Windows Registry saying it could happen, how to carry it out and how much time it would take to do so. Also, there were some programs from time to time which I would attempt to install and failed and my Windows Registry held onto that information and errors were created due to that too. To make matters even worse, I downloaded a bunch of music onto my computer and that was a MAJOR issue with my registry.

So how did I find all this out? Well, after searching for a long time, I came across Registry Cleaners. I found used a couple of their free scans and found that I had more than 600 errors on my computer! I couldn't get all those errors fixed for free though, but after purchasing one of the Registry Cleaners, I did get all of those errors fixed. Let me tell you... my computer is working like brand new now! I can't believe the difference!

Now, all the problems that I mentioned above, and some, were actually fixed on my computer. I didn't have to unhook my PC and carry it into some repair place or pay out the nose for a techie to pay me a visit at my house, I paid around $30 for what seemed to be a magical program that took care of absolutely all of the issues on my computer. Can you imagine what that feels like? I am completely elated!

If you are experiencing any of the problems I was and you have found no spyware or viruses, scan after scan, and are about to pull your hair out and spend a fortune on repair or heaven forbid, a new computer.... Please check out Registry Cleaners first!

Everything you need to know about registry cleaners and some products to check out can be found at http://www.everyreviewcounts.com

Internet Explorer Errors - How To Resolve Them

Are you trying to figure out why your computer keepings crashing? Well, don't fret. The problem isn't nearly as complicated as some people think it is. Truth be told, fixing a PC running slow can be quite easy with just a little bit of information & some simple know-how.

As you know by now, crashes are never good for a computer. Not only are they extremely annoying & frustrating, but they're also potentially dangerous in the grand scheme of things. The more the PC crashes, the more data thats gets lost -- the more data lost, the more stability the PC loses. So, in a sense, every time your computer crashes, it gets closer & closer to complete instability. With that being said, the goal of every PC user should be to find the root cause of the crashes and then fix the problem before it worsens. Luckily though, finding the reason behind a computer crash isn't too hard, as most crashes are usually an after affect of the all too common registry crash. In case you didn't know, the registry is what governs the information flow on your computer. It isn't some mystical force that allows everything to run smoothly -- it's a complex system made up of thousands of files that tells the computer what to do and how to do it. Having said that, when this particular information management system becomes corrupted with errors, things start to go a bit haywire. The computer slows to a crawl, it becomes unresponsive, and it begins preventing the user from using certain software applications. Not long after these symptoms, the registry will begin to consistently crash -- and if the registry crashes, the computer crashes. It's a simple fact, the computer can not operate with a broken registry; so, fix the registry and you fix the computer.

The best way to fix your computer's registry is through the use of Windows repair software. A reliable PC registry repair cleaner will allow for quick & effortless scans that require minimal user interaction. All you have to do is click a button and the software will begin scanning and repairing the registry within seconds. The best part about this is, mistakes are kept to a bare minimum! If a mistake is made by the software and something important in the registry does in fact get deleted, you can simply use the "backup" copy of your registry to restore the computer's functionality. And don't worry if you don't know much about creating a back-up copy, most registry cleaners come equipped with an automatic "Back-up" feature.

The benefits of running top registry cleaners is too great to be ignored. Besides the obvious "crash protection" benefits, you also get to take your PC's performance to a whole new level. By eliminating all the errors within the registry, you will enhance the computer's speed, performance, as well as it's overall stability. In short, it will be like getting a brand new computer. Honestly, why would anyone not want to use Windows repair software?

PC Registry Repair has done the research so you don't have to! Our experts have created an online resource with PC Speedup Tips, including detailed registry cleaner reviews of the top registry cleaners for 2008.

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PC Speedup Tips - Two Proven Ways

No one wants to be stuck with a PC running slow. There are so many things that people have to attend to day-in and day-out that an additional 15-30 minutes for computer loading is simply too much time to be wasted. Having said that, the only solution is to take certain steps to help speed up your system. And in case you didn't know, the best place to start with that mission is with your hardware and your operating system.

Checking Out Your Hardware

There are many reasons why a computer may become sluggish and unresponsive. However, most people jump to the conclusion that they are infected with a virus or some sort of spyware -- when in fact, they may just be dealing with overheated hardware.

Your CPU, the brain of the computer, is prone to heating up when used for extended periods of time -- and considering the fact that the CPU is typically small, it doesn't take all that long for it to reach dangerous temperatures. This increased temperature causes the computer to behave erratically, resulting in very slow reaction time. You should also note that the more heat the CPU generates, the slower the computer will likely respond. To nip this problem in the butt, follow these 3 simple PC speedup tips.

1) Clean your fans of dust regularly. When dust collects on or around the fans, it makes cooling the inside of the computer much more difficult.

2) Consider adding 1-2 additional fans. The more fans you have, the less likely your CPU is to overheat. Fans are quite inexpensive, so there is no excuse not to pick up an extra one.

3) Switch to round cables instead of ribbon designed ones. These cables are inexpensive and usually easy to switch out with your current cables. Round cables promote better air flow, allowing your PC to remain cool and operate smoothly.

Checking Out Your Operating System

If you've gone through the same old song and dance to get your computer back to a tolerable speed -- anti-virus scans, spyware scans, software updates, defragmentation, disk clean-up, ect. -- yet still have not seen any type of improvement, it may be time to take a look at your registry.

Registry errors are one of the primary causes of your PC running slow, as they continue to build until the PC's owner takes the necessary action. These errors can occur at any time, making registry repair an extremely important aspect when trying to keep your system up to speed & in good health. However, you should not try to handle the situation all on your own.

Trying to remove registry errors without detailed knowledge of your operating system or of your normal processes is just foolish, as you could very well remove something that your system greatly needs and further damage your computer. Having said that, your best bet is to get a Windows repair software tool which can perform automatic registry repair on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. This way you'll keep registry errors to a minimum and you won't need to worry about different ways of speeding up your system.

PC Registry Repair has done the research so you don't have to! Our experts have created an online resource with PC Speed Up Tips so you no longer have to ask yourself, "How can I speed up my computer?" For more information, check out www.pc-registry-repair.com

Windows Repair Software - Cut Down On Costly Repair Bills

PC Repair Software -- Tools that Help You Save Both Time and Money

It is quite common for people to ask as how a Windows repair software tool can help them save money from PC expenses. Before delving into that, let us first see why the registry is important for your computer and what the effects are of registry problems on your system.

In simple words, the registry is a centralized database on your computer, where your Windows operating system stores essential information related to the software and hardware on your system, your user preferences, and customized system settings of your computer. The registry manages almost all activities that you perform on your system. Information is stored in the registry in the form of keys and their values. As you use your PC, several keys and values are accessed, added, removed, or modified in the registry.

It's not uncommon for unwanted information, such as obsolete, invalid and corrupt entries to accumulate in the registry causing it to bloat. A bloated registry easily gets corrupted and fragmented, resulting in computer errors and freezes.

Most of the time, these frequent computer errors, freezes, and crashes force you to seek external technical help to restore your PC back to a healthy state. Just imagine, a simple registry scanner could have saved you from all this trouble in the first place. Do you know most of the technical experts who help you restore your PC also do the same? Why pay an expert to use Windows repair software when you can use the same tool, for a quarter the cost?

With the help of good PC repair software, you can perform a thorough scan of the registry and weed out all unwanted data.

To perform a registry scan, you can choose between automatic and manual clean up methods. Where the automatic method, does everything automatically, the manual method enables you to scan through all registry entries reported as errors and select and remove only those that you are positive are errors.

Registry tools help you repair corrupt registry entries that help you resolve several computer errors. In fact, PC repair software is a one step cure from several computer errors such as Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, driver errors, runtime errors, and dll errors.

A bloated and fragmented registry slows down data access, which in turn slows down your computer. For instance, if you are working with Microsoft Word, when you try to save a file, the request to process the save command goes to the registry. Now, if your registry takes much longer than expected to process this command, the save function will take much longer than normal to complete this operation. This, in turn will likely frustrate you. When you defrag the registry, two operations take place. First, empty registry keys or the placeholders of keys are removed, helping you reduce the size of the registry. Second, defragging helps in re-indexing the registry files and making them contiguous. Both these tasks help you speed up registry data access and as a result speed up your computer.

PC Registry Repair has done the research so you don't have to! Our experts provide in-depth registry cleaner reviews and a detailed registry cleaner comparison of the top registry cleaners for 2008. For more information, check out www.pc-registry-repair.com

Is Your PC Running Slow? 5 Tips To Resolve This Problem

All computer users encounter slow performance or a sudden computer breakdown at one time or another. Quite often, registry problems are behind this gradual deterioration in your PC running slow.

When you install or uninstall applications, your system is infected by a virus, the system crashes, or many such activities occur on your system, several unwanted, invalid, and malicious entries get added to the registry that unnecessarily cause it to grow to a very large size. A large registry slows down, and as a result slows down your computer. In more severe conditions, registry problems may also cause various computer-related errors, which can eventually crash your system.

This can be completely avoided if you perform certain actions on regular basis to speed up the performance of your computer.

1) Perform Regular Virus Checks

If you are a regular net surfer, and don't care to systematically scan your system for viruses or malware, you are actually inviting trouble. Do you know that you can unintentionally download viruses and malware in your system just by visiting a website? The chances of infecting your system rise if you continue downloading software programs, music, and video clips on your system. Therefore, you must scan your PC for virus infections by using effective anti-virus software.

2) Use Your System Tools

Before you invest too heavily on various types of Windows repair software, you should use the System Tools, which are offered for free with your operating system. For example, you can use the Windows Disk Defragmenter tool to reorganize your files and check the hard drive for errors. The Disk Cleanup tool, on the other hand, helps you remove unnecessary files from your system.

3) Think Twice About Free Downloads

Though you may find it an attractive option to download 'free stuff' from the Internet, but there exist many websites that actually install spyware onto your computer and trace every activity on your computer and display unwanted popup ads. Many other programs secretly add programs to your browser or registry, which can affect system performance and crash your PC sooner or later. So, practice cautions before you click the 'Free Download' button next time.

4) Troubleshooting Errors When They Appear

Do you know that more than 90 percent of computers contain corrupt and significantly harmful files with more than 200 errors? If you ever witness an error message on your screen, you should immediately take action to resolve it. This is because it may gradually start affecting the performance of your system and causing you to reboot, among other things. For example, if you notice a Regsvr32.exe error on your system, you should logon to the Microsoft technical support page and enter the name of the error. This would display a step-by-step process, which you can follow to resolve your problem.

5) Using A Windows Repair Software

Using an effective PC registry repair tool is probably one of the most simple and non-technical methods to tackle the slow performance of your computer. You can opt for an advanced registry scanner or scan your system's registry. This would also allow you to deal with multiple errors at the same time while enhancing the speed of your PC.

PC Registry Repair has done the research so you don't have to! Our experts have created an online resource with PC Speed Up Tips so you no longer have to ask yourself, "How can I speed up my computer?"

For more information, check out www.pc-registry-repair.com

What About The Iphone?

The iPhone is perhaps one of the most desired gismos. However, like many people, all the known functions of the iPhone are that you can surf the web and use it as a cell phone. We must consider the high price and any other desired functions of the iPhone before purchasing an iPhone. I have always wanted an iPhone, but haven't really understood the full spectrum of its capabilities and why I might find the features to be a bargain, or not.

The iPhone bundles several features together, but what makes it so appealing is its sleek design and touch responsive screen with smooth graphical performance. The phone has Itunes integration where a user may download music and video files and transfer them to the iPhone for enjoyment on the go. Not unusual to many other phones manufactured lately, the iPhone has a camera that captures still shots. However, the camera's quality is measured at 2-megapixels, which is very good quality for a cell phone. In addition, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities are integrated into this unit. Interestingly, the display is shut down as the user applies the phone to his face to talk, and an ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the display so that it is apparent to the user in dim or bright environments. This can help to conserve power and extend the life of the battery charge.

For those who believe the common myth that this is the only phone that bundles these features alike, there are several similar products on the market. These competing products are also very expensive in price in contrast to the prices of other cellular phones. Like nearly all products in the world, there are things that you should be aware of prior to purchasing an iPhone. Many cell phone accessories that claim or appear to be compatible with the iPhone are not truly compatible and you may experience mixed results, however, many that have been tested are in fact compatible. An example of those products that did not work well with the iPhone was regular headphones. There are many other "buyer beware" tips that I found relevant to consider while deciding whether or not to buy an iPhone.

I have noticed that some complaints associated with the iPhone stem from the contractual requirement to buy iPhone accessories when signing up for a particular service with the iPhone as part of the package. Several complaints have been made regarding the iPhone's inability to record MMS, which means recording in video. I thought this was a real drag since I envisioned myself sharing a motion clip of random candid events in life that I wish to capture and send to my friends and family. A couple more of interesting points to be made are that the iPhone doesn't come with any games, nor does it provide any instant messaging. This is a major bummer for youngsters. Personally, I can't use the internet without the social benefit of Instant Messaging my close friends and family.

Other concerns and complaints in respect to the service is that the data connection is slow, there is no GPS, nor are there any custom ringtones. Although the iPhone is extremely popular and desired by many consumers, are they aware of its limitations vs. expectations. Perhaps this is only the beginning, when the iPhone and comparable products will integrate more features and minimize the limitations of today's iPhone.

Find a fantastic selection of cell phone accessories and the perfect one you are looking for at http://www.wonderfulcell.com

PowerPoint Tip: Create a drop-down menu

In the PowerPoint discussion group, in response to a request, Shyam Pillai shared a presentation that has a drop-down menu. Shyam is one of the best PowerPoint programmers around and his "proof of concept" is very elegant.

However, you can create a drop-down menu using animation. It will be less elegant, but doesn't require programming. The main menu button is used as a trigger, so that when you click it, the animation starts. If you want the dropped-down menu to disappear for the next use, the method is a little more complex.

Look at a drop-down menu in PowerPoint 2003 or other program. You'll notice that the drop-down menu just appears under the menu name. If there's some animation involved, it's too fast for me to see. However, I liked the effect of a wipe down animation, so that's what I used. You can use the Appear animation instead.

1. Insert an AutoShape/Shape. Add some appropriate text, such as Main Menu. 2. Then create your submenu items on AutoShapes/Shapes, just below the Main Menu button. Add text for the topics that you want to cover. 3. Select all of the submenu buttons and group them, by choosing Draw on the Drawing toolbar>Group. (In 2007, press Ctrl+G to group the selected buttons.) You do this so that all of the buttons drop down at the same time.

4. Choose Slide Show>Custom Animation. (In 2007, choose Animations tab>Animations group>Custom Animation.) 5. Select the grouped submenu buttons, and choose Add Effect> Entrance> Wipe. Set the Direction to From Top. Set the Speed to Very Fast. 6. You want the menu to wipe down when you click the Main Menu. In the Custom Animation task pane, click the submenu's drop-down arrow and choose Timing. 7. Click Triggers, then choose Start Effect on Click Of. From the drop-down list, choose the Main Menu object. Click OK. 8. It's nice if the submenu buttons disappear so that the next time you display the menu slide, you again have to click the Main Menu button to drop them down. This takes some finagling. (If you don't want the submenu buttons to disappear the next time you display the menu slide, skip to Step 11 and hyperlink to your Main Menu slide.) Select the grouped submenu buttons, and choose Add Effect> Exit> Disappear in the Custom Animation task pane. The new animation should appear above the trigger; if not, drag it up.

Note: If you now create links on the other slides to go back to this slide, you'll find that the submenu doesn't disappear. It may disappear once, but try again, and the Disappear animation won't work any more! that's because PowerPoint disables certain features when a slide is displayed more than once.

9. To make sure that the submenu disappears each time, click the Main Menu Slide in the left Slides pane and press Ctrl+D to duplicate that slide. Then select the first of the two identical slides. On that first slide, delete the submenu so that only the Main Menu button remains. 10. With that first slide still selected, choose Slide Show> Slide Transition. (In 2007, choose the Animations tab.) Uncheck the On Mouse Click check box and check the Automatically After check box, which should say 00:00. 11. Display the first slide that your first submenu button should link to. Add an AutoShape and choose Insert> Hyperlink. (In 2007, choose Insert tab> Links group> Hyperlink.) In the Hyperlink dialog box, choose Place in this Document, and choose the first of the two duplicate slides. This will ensure that the Disappear animation always works. No one will notice that you're going to a "dummy" first slide because the slide timing moves you immediately to the next slide -- which is your real menu slide. 12. Copy your hyperlinked button onto the other slides that you're linking to. These buttons get you back to the Main Menu.

---- This article in its original form may have included images and/or other media. To see the original article, go to: http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/powerpointtips/powerpoint_tip_drop-down_menu.html ---- For more free PowerPoint tips, go to http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/powerpoint_tip.html.

Ellen Finkelstein is the best-selling author of How to Do Everything with PowerPoint 2007 (and previous editions for PowerPoint 2002 and PowerPoint 2003). Other books include PowerPoint for Teachers: Dynamic Presentations and Interactive Classroom Projects and 101 Tips Every PowerPoint User Should Know.

History And Issues Of Notebooks

A Notebook or commonly referred to as a laptop computer is a smaller version of the desktop computer. But its advantages are that all of its components it comes in one neat mobile notebook shaped digital display box, and is easily portable. It usually weighs around 2 to 17 pounds (1 to 8 kgs) depending on the make, materials and different other factors that come into play such as the parent company etc.

Notebooks run on a singular battery from (usually) an external AC/DC adapter. It charges the battery and in the meanwhile supplies power to the laptop too. Numerous `notebooks` have a 3 volt back-up cell to supply power during power failures and when in places where there is no steady power supply. Notebooks, as personal computers are worthy and capable of doing the same work as of desktop computers. But they are less powerful than their desktop counterparts at the same price. This is because of the fact that most parts used in desktop computers are miniaturized to fit into the slim notebook version of the machine.

Notebooks usually have LCD (liquid crystal displays) and they use separate memory modules for their RAM. Notebooks usually have a touchpad (or trackpad) for a mouse and an in-built keyboard. But external installments of these can also be attached if the user wants to do so.

The first commercially available laptop (the name notebook was not feasible at that time as they were much bigger than the versions available now) was the Osborne I in 1981. Though it was much heavier and had only a tiny CRT monitor, yet it had a revolutionary effect on the business and industrial sectors. The idea of taking back work to home was given a full new meaning. A better installment of the laptop or the `notebook` came in 1983. Compaq Portable was the first tech-product of Compaq and was a notebook version of the then hugely popular IBM Personal Computer. It became a hit as it was more IBM-compatible than portable from its predecessors!

But the first notebook was arguably the GRiD Compass 1101, released in 1982 by Bill Moggridge. The `clamshell` design, or the `notebook` design, where the LCD monitor remains shut against the keypad, was introduced. It was enclosed in a magnesium case, and could run on batteries. The first commercially successful notebooks were from the SupersPort series from Zenith Data Systems (ZDS), which competed with several other companies such as IBM, Toshiba, Compaq and others to notch up a deal with the U.S. Air Force for a contract of supplying 200,000 notebooks in 1987. This made the laptop popular and penetrative to the business and affordable price ranges to the common consumers.

Even though the notebook might seem a powerful and mobile genius of this age, it has its fallacies too. The major ones may be listed below.

Standardizing and weaker parts:

Parts of the notebook are miniaturized parts of desktop computers themselves and hence are weaker in comparison. The miniaturization process also takes a toll on the prices of the notebooks, which are generally higher priced than their desktop counterparts. Also, notebooks count a lot on steady power supply, even though supposed to be mobile, for a decent performance. Though, today technology has improved this negative facet of notebooks.

Durability Issues:

The portability, make, integrated composite structure and design of the notebooks make them more liable to shock, wear and physical damage than desktop computers. And the worst part is that the purchase value of a new LCD screen or motherboard, if damaged, is more than the whole purchasing value of the notebook itself!

Performance Issues:

Desktop computers are generally high performing machines when compared to notebooks of the same price range. This even though is being abolished slowly by improving cutting edge technology, this will not hold true. As energy and portability are prioritized goals for a notebook than absolute performance.

All in all, notebooks are the rage of the new generation today. And slowly but surely, the era of desktop computers is fading into oblivion.

This article can be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/notebook.php

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

The Growing Problem Of Cell Phone Addiction

As the number of people that have cell phones is rapidly growing, so is the number of people that are becoming addicted to their phones. When these phones were invented, they were intended to make life easier. Today there are some people that do not have a life because they do not know when to turn them off.

You probably know a person who is a cell phone addict. It could be the person who leaves his phone on in the hospital even if it is against the rules because he is afraid he will miss a call. Or the phone user who sends text messages all day from work when he should be doing his job. These same people will have an anxiety attack if they forgot their phones at home and cannot enjoy what they are doing until that phone is back in their hand.

Unfortunately, cell phone addiction may become more widespread as greater numbers of children are using cell phones. One study showed that Japanese children didn't make friends with peers who didn't have the phones. Another showed that three quarters of Hungarian children owned cell phones. A study in Italy showed that one quarter of the adolescents had multiple cell phones while in Great Britain 36% of college students surveyed admitted that they could not live without their cell phones. An unexpected result form the British study was that 7% of the students stated that they had lost a job or a relationship over their cell phone use.

There are questions as to whether cell phone addictions are actual addictions, such as an addiction to drugs would be. There are some similarities. Cell phone addicts use their phone to make them feel better. These users even seem to increase their phone use over time to get the same feeling that they had when they first began using them. There are also some anxiety issues when the user does not have his phone available. With regular addictions, there are usually some changes to the brain, from alcohol addiction to food addiction. There may have to be a study done on the brain of a cell phone addict for this trend to be considered an actual addiction.

Until then, you may have to look for the signs yourself if you are worried about a loved one being a cell phone addict. Again, the signs of an addict are someone that can not stay off his cell phone for any length of time. The person may become irritated if someone does not answer his voicemail or text message quick enough. He refuses to turn his phone off, even in areas where cell phone usage is restricted. If he has forgotten his phone at home, he can think of nothing else until he can get home to get it.

If this sounds like one of your children, there is something that you can do. If you have a premium cell phone plan, you can drop it back to the basics and limit the amount of time the child can spend on the phone. The youngster may not like it but will become adjusted to less cell phone usage as time goes by.

Cell phones do make life easier, but you should not lose sight of the fact that there is a life without them.

You just got a new cell phone or you want to personalize your current cell phone with the latest in cell phone accessories. Visit www.WonderfulCell.com today to find the cell phone accessories you need!

Some Tips How to Take Care of Your Laptop Computer

As the proud owner of a laptop computer, you'll want to keep your machine in the best possible condition.

Aside from cleaning your screen and dusting the keyboard, however, you'll need to take a few extra steps to maintain your laptop's health:

-- Play it cool

A laptop computer generates a lot of heat, especially when running the latest high-powered software. Too much heat and you risk damaging the internal circuitry.

Always try to keep your laptop in a well-ventilated, cool environment. And ensure you don't block the fan grills on the sides, back, or bottom of the machine at any time.

-- Handle the screen carefully

Avoid touching or playing with your LCD screen.

Yes, it might be fun to watch the waves generated by your finger against the screen, but LCD displays are fragile devices that must be cared for.

Take care when cleaning the screen too, and use only approved cleaning materials.

You won't want to pay the money for screen repairs or, even worse - a new machine entirely.

-- Don't drop it

Whatever you do, don't drop your laptop computer! Keep it safe inside of a carrying case when moving around or traveling.

Don't leave it on the edge of a table or on an unstable support of some kind. One ill fated drop to the floor could spell death for your mobile office.

Try to make sure the rubber feet underneath are in good condition and are still attached. This will prevent the device from sliding around accidentally.

-- Be careful with those drinks...

If you need to have a drink while working or playing, be careful not to spill it.

Your laptop computer could suffer the consequences from just a few drops of liquid poured in the right places.

While you probably do eat and drink around it regardless, you will want to occasionally wipe down the edges, the keyboard, the touchpad, and maybe even wipe down the screen to keep any dirt from accumulating.

-- Just say no to viruses

Security wise, make sure you obtain an anti-virus program.

Secondly, keep it updated!

Buying an anti-virus one month and not updating it for the next six really negates it purpose. Your laptop computer could be exposed to hundreds and thousands of new viruses every month if you don't update your virus definitions. Most anti-virus programs have automatic update methods, eliminating the need for you to have to remember to do it manually.

-- Avoid Popups

Pop-ups are particularly annoying on a laptop computer.Trying to close a bunch of windows without a regular mouse can be a nuisance.

You'll want a pop-up blocker, such as the Google Toolbar, to prevent these pop-up ads.

Many intrusive forms of advertising, and even some viruses, can install software on your machine by using various forms of pop-ups. It's best to get yourself a blocker and avoid the situation entirely.

-- Use a firewall

Always utilize a firewall on your Internet or network-enabled laptop computer. Even if you use Windows XP's built-in firewall (or purchase one from such companies as Norton), your security will greatly benefit from it.

Blocking out all the unnecessary ports and closing all the loopholes will prevent a hacker or virus from freely entering your hard drive.

So there you go. Combine all of the above tactics and help your laptop enjoy a happier and healthier lifestyle!

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to computer tips, do please browse for more information at our websites. http://www.infozabout.com http://www.computertips.infozabout.com

Creating Formulas in Microsoft Excel

Formula Basics

Formulas in Microsoft Excel begin with an equal sign. The equal sign tells Excel that the succeeding characters constitute a formula. If you don't enter the equal sign, Excel will treat your entry as text and the calculation will fail.

To show how formulas work, we'll begin with a simple exercise by selecting blank cell A1. Then type =5+5, and press Enter. Excel performs the calculation and produces a result of 10 in cell A1.

Notice the formula bar shows the formula you just typed. What appears in the cell is the result; what appears in the formula bar is the underlying value, which is a formula in this case.

Excel Order of Calculations When performing calculations in a formula, Excel follows certain rules of precedence:

Excel calculates expressions within parentheses first.

Excel calculates multiplication and division before addition and subtraction.

Excel calculates consecutive operators with the same level of precedence from left to right.

For example, the formula = 10+10*2 gives a result of 30 as Excel multiplies 10 by 2 and then adds 10. However, the formula =(10+10)*2 produces a result of 40. This is because Excel calculates the expression (10+10) within the parentheses first. It then multiplies by 2.

If you are unsure of the order in which Excel calculates, use parentheses - even if the parentheses aren't necessary. Parentheses also make your formulas easier to read.

Referencing Cells in Formulas

You can include or reference other cells in a formula. When you do so, the result of the formula depends on the values in the referenced cells and changes automatically when the values in the referenced cells change. This is extremely powerful in what-if scenarios.

To see how this works, enter 10 in cell A1. Now select cell A2 and type =A1*2. The value in cell A2 is 20. If you change the value in cell A1 from 10 to any value, the value in cell A2 will also change. Cell references are especially helpful when you create complex formulas, or conduct what-if analysis.

To reference cells in your formula you can select them with your pointer rather than having to type. For example, to enter a formula in cell A1 that references cells A2 and A3, do the following:

* Select cell A1, and type an equal sign.

* Click cell A2, and type a plus sign.

* Click cell A3, and press Enter.

The active cell does not have to be visible in the current window for you to enter a value in that cell. You can reference cells any where; in existing worksheet, another worksheet or even cells in other workbooks. You simply scroll through the worksheet without changing the active cell and click cells in remote areas of your worksheet, in other worksheets, or in other workbooks, as you build a formula. The formula bar displays the contents of the active cell, no matter which area of the worksheet is currently visible.

Relative, Absolute, and Mixed References

Relative references refer to cells by their position in relation to the cell that contains the formula. A relative reference to cell A1, for example, looks like this: =A1.

Absolute references refer to cells by their fixed position in the worksheet. An absolute reference to cell A1 looks like this: =$A$1.

A mixed reference contains a relative reference and an absolute reference. A mixed reference to cell A1, for example, looks like this: =$A1 or =A$1.

If the dollar sign precedes only the letter such as $A1, the column A is absolute, and the row 1 is relative. If the dollar sign precedes only the number such as A$1, the column A is relative, and the row 1 is absolute.

Absolute and mixed references are important when you begin copying formulas from one location to another. When you copy and paste, relative references adjust automatically, while absolute references do not. This means if you copy this formula =B$1+$B2 from cell A1 to B2. In cell B2, the formula would adjust to =B$1+$B3.

You can change reference types by pressing F4. The following steps show how:

1. Select cell A1, and type =B1+B2 (but do not press Enter).

2. Move the cursor near B1 and press F4 once. The formula becomes =$B$1+B2. Move the cursor near B2 and press F4 once. The formula becomes =B1+$B$2.

3. Press F4 again on either B1 or B2 to change the reference to mixed; relative column and absolute row.

4. Press F4 again to reverse the mixed reference; absolute column and relative row.

5. Press F4 again to return to the original relative reference.

Relative reference is the default. If you want to make a reference mixed or absolute, use F4 to do so.

References to Other Worksheets

You can refer to cells in other worksheets within the same workbook just as easily as you refer to cells in the same worksheet. For example, to enter a reference to cell A2 in Sheet2 into cell A1 in Sheet1, do this:

1. Select cell A1 in Sheet1, and type an equal sign.

2. Click the Sheet2 tab.

3. Click cell A2, and then press Enter.

After you press Enter, Sheet1 is now active. Select cell A2, and you will see that it contains the formula =Sheet2!A2.

The exclamation point separates the worksheet portion of the reference from the cell portion.

References to Worksheets in Other Workbooks

You can refer to cells in worksheets in other workbooks in the same way you refer to cells in other worksheets within the same workbook. These references are called external references. For example, to enter a reference to Book2 in Book1, follow these steps:

1. Create 2 workbooks; Book1 and Book2

2. Select cell A1 in Sheet1 of Book1, and type an equal sign.

3. Switch to Book2. Click to select A2.

4. Press Enter

After you press enter, your formula should be =[Book2]Sheet1!$A$2. This reference has 3 parts: The Workbook Book2 in square brackets, the worksheet and the cell. So referencing cells in external workbooks by selecting the workbook, then worksheet, and then the cell you want to reference.

Click here for more Excel Training

Shawn is a tutor and instructor who has been developing numerous online training courses, including Microsoft Office, Excel spreadsheet, Access database, Excel VBA (Visual Basic), Access VBA, PowerPoint, Dreamweaver and more.

Spyware Antivermin Is Something Anyone Would Hate To Remain

Antivermin spytware is one more type of malware, you shouldn�t keep on your computer. Antivermin spyware poses a real danger for you and your computer and even though you, like many other Internet users, might have never heard of antivermin spyware, you should make your best to get rid of it.

Most people live with a false sense of security. Sure, bad things happen to a lot of individuals, but what are the odds it will become a personal problem? Everyone likes to pretend no one will steal, cheat, or take advantage of them. Basically, individuals feel like they live under the radar of the unscrupulous and dishonest segment of the population. However, after taking off the rose colored glasses, citizens soon realize nothing is 100% safe from theft or invasion, even behind the locked doors of home. So, before disaster strikes, make every effort to take the necessary precautions, including taking the time to remove computer spyware.

A couple of weeks ago I myself became a victim � of antivermin spyware. The shocking thing is that I am a security freak and I have been working with computers for more than 30 years, so I am certainly not ignorant. However, since I am not a developer, I don�t know absolutely all intricacies of spyware.

I was looking for an anti-spyware program for my computer. However, I was also hoping for a free answer to my safety needs. I thought I had found the perfect software. Unfortunately, as with so many free downloads, I could scan my computer for free, and eradicate some of the problems. But, if I truly wanted a threat and infection free computer, I would have to purchase the complete file.

But the program wasn�t that bad. It managed to detect hundreds of problems. But I wasn�t convinced that this is the best program I can find and I continued my search. I certainly wanted a program, which will not bother me with ads and which can fix all the problems.

Because of this I uninstalled the program and continued to search for alternatives. But to my greatest surprise, the program wasn�t uninstalled completely and it kept showing me popup messages. This was pretty annoying! But antivermins are like that and I am sorry I had to learn it the hard way.

Of course, I made some more attempts to kick the program out of my computer but all my efforts and sophisticated approaches were fruitless. This nasty thing wouldn�t go away! Eventually, I had no other choice but to perform a system restore to a date before I installed this bogus application.

To put it shortly � if you manage to catch antivermin spyware, get rid of it asap. It will nag you all the time and it is malware! The longer you keep this pest on your computer, the greater the danger because it has more time to infiltrate your files. If it manages to achieve this, you will really be in hot waters!

We are glad to have Isaiah Henry has our spyware removal geek at RemoveSpywareandAdware.com. Discuss and ask questions on any of your PC security concerns on theSpyware Removal Forum.