Archive for the ‘Tips’ category

Guest post: How to Prolong Your Laptop Battery’s Life

October 29th, 2011

The convenience of having a laptop is being able to have a device with the
features of your desktop computer that you can take with you when you’re on
the move.  The problem is: some laptops have a terrible battery and don’t
last more than one hour when not plugged in. It’s as if your laptop is on
life support and desperately needs to be attached to the power supply. You
may be doing things to limit the battery life of your laptop
unintentionally. But relax, there are ways to help prolong the battery life
so you can get the most usage out of it.

» Read more: Guest post: How to Prolong Your Laptop Battery’s Life

Guest Post: Top 10 Reasons New Blogs Fail

October 5th, 2011

Blogging is one of the rare things in life that start off rather easy and actually get more difficult over time. The reason it’s easier to start a blog than it is to keep it going is simple: In the beginning, you are full of anticipation about getting new readers, getting lots of comments, and finding new things to write about. Adrenaline is a huge catalyst in getting a blog off the ground.

But when adrenaline runs out, it can be so tough to keep going. Let’s look at the top 10 reasons new blogs fail and what to do about them.

Top 10 Reasons New Blogs Fail

» Read more: Guest Post: Top 10 Reasons New Blogs Fail

Guest Post: How Storage Technology is Moving into the Future

September 27th, 2011
300px PersonalStorageDevices.agr Guest Post: How Storage Technology is Moving into the Future

Image via Wikipedia

 

If you were to get into a time machine and go back just 20 years, you could truly amaze people with news of the changes that have taken place in storage technology (to say nothing of the fact that you’re in a time machine, of course). What was once assumed to be the best and most widely-used form of storage – the local hard drive – finds itself something of a relic, used primarily for applications and operating systems rather than storage of data.
Indeed, things are changing.

Local hard drive options

Local hard drives do still have one advantage over the other options: speed. A solid state hard drive, for example, can give you instant access to your data. The problem is that most of us don’t need that kind of fast access to data. All of the other options are generally quick enough. Some components – like applications and operating systems – can benefit from that kind of speed. That’s why operating systems remain on local hard drives, for example. But your average data storage just doesn’t need it.
External hard drives provide more versatility in that you can take them with you from one place to the next. Unfortunately, like local hard drives, they’re susceptible to loss, corruption, physical damage, viruses, and more. They have the same weaknesses as internal hard drives, but they’re portable.

Online storage options

On the other hand, online or so-called “cloud computing” storage options offer users a lot more in the way of security and stability. Because these systems are based on redundant hardware and network connections, your data is much safer with an online storage system than it is on your hard drive. Chances are that it’s much better protected from viruses and other harmful software, as well.
Of course, there is a price to pay for that kind of security. You need to pay your monthly fee (although most online storage services offer a certain amount of space without charge). You also won’t have access to your data if you’re offline. (This isn’t always the case, either; some online storage systems actually sync your data with a local copy, so that even when you’re offline you have access to that data provided you connected with that particular computer previously).
Online storage is really revolutionizing the way we think about data. A hard drive crash no longer means losing several years’ worth of documents and photos. All of your important data is safe and sound in the cloud, and can remain there as long as you retain the service.

A bright future

While it’s hard to predict what storage options might look like in 20 years, one thing is certain: for now, cloud computing is where storage technology is headed, and fast. Individuals as well as businesses are taking advantage of online storage systems, and learning that data security and accessibility don’t have to be major concerns. You simply let your online storage provider worry about those things, freeing you up to do whatever it is you do.

Eric Greenwood is a seasoned writer in technology that takes a special interest in online storage. You can find more of his articles located at OnlineStorage.org.

 Guest Post: How Storage Technology is Moving into the Future

Guest Post: How Cloud Technology Will Revolutionize the Online Teaching Degree

September 14th, 2011

Guest post by Jessica Wagner

Is it your lifelong dream to become a teacher, but you’re stuck in a position that will only allow you to pursue an online teaching degree? Many people are drawn to teaching because they feel compelled to improve the situation of students from every demographic. Whether you are looking to break into a school in an affluent neighborhood with the most access to technological advances, or you wish to educate less fortunate students; the soon to be prevalent use of cloud networking will take education out of the classroom and into the virtual realm.

Gaining a teaching degree online will allow more teachers to teach fewer children, design lesson plans with learning paces set to each child’s own style, and make education more about providing the youth with valuable life lessons than about business and money.

The Basics of Cloud Computing 

Clouds allow information to be shared easily between connected devices by storing all documents and materials in a centralized network. Many offices are turning to these to decrease rental fees and eliminate rush hour commutes. By implementing a cloud network in a school system you can cut down on numerous expenses such as buses, building maintenance, and horrible cafeteria food. Education funds can go towards hiring more teachers, investing in technology, and even reducing taxes.

Apple is one of the leading names in technology and with Steve Jobs recently stepping down as CEO, they will need a PR campaign to help their investors regain confidence. By placing their new iCloud as an educational and technological breakthrough they can satisfy investors while changing the way we think about education.

Easier Access for All 

With universal access to any learning material, any student from any neighborhood will have access to the same quality of education. Imagine a child living in an exurb or rural area having access to the same materials as a child living in a prosperous suburb. Cloud computing might be able to eliminate the school zoning system and allow for a more open transformation of ideas.

The Ability to Learn at a Comfortable Pace 

There is an overwhelming urge for our society to use drugs in order to control students and streamline the classroom process into a standardized activity. Great minds like Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg never finished college. In the case of Albert Einstein, his education was given up on because teachers and authority figures deemed him unworthy of a stellar learning experience.

Einstein was able to teach himself math and science because he was an extremely curious personality. Instead of drugging students out if they fall out of line, teaching courses through cloud computing and other interactive methods allows them to wander in and out of an educational stimulus at their own leisure (or that deemed fit by their parents). Having a loosely structured virtual classroom can help students learn the importance of working in groups and meeting deadlines.

Excitement about the Technology Involved 

According to the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, teachers are looking for more challenging ways to engage at-risk students. Not only does the use of technology excite students into performing better work; it also teaches them real-life skills which will be of use outside of the classroom in real work situations. Some schools in inner cities are so overpopulated that they are teaching their pupils how to use Microsoft Office software with a pen and paper, completely negating the course material.

Parents have always clamored at educators about wanting more involvement in the learning process of their children. By conducting classes through computers and reducing the amount of time in the classroom, they will have more time than ever to track the progress of their children.

Guest Post: 5 Free Apps for Finance Minded Android Users

July 18th, 2011
14601v1 max 450x450 Guest Post: 5 Free Apps for Finance Minded Android Users

Image via CrunchBase

This guest post was written by Jessica Wagner, a freelance writer from San Diego, CA.

» Read more: Guest Post: 5 Free Apps for Finance Minded Android Users

How To Add a Dock To Ubuntu 10.10

January 30th, 2011

Anyone who has seen a Mac is highly aware that it has a dock. What if you wanted that for your Ubuntu 10.10 install?

Well here is how you add it:

  1. Open Ubuntu Software Centre (Applications –> Ubuntu Software Centre)
  2. In the search box search for Docky. And install it.
    screenshot1 e1296442941713 How To Add a Dock To Ubuntu 10.10

    Docky in the Ubuntu Software Centre

     

  3. Start it if it hasn’t already. (Applications –> Accessorys –> Docky)
  4. Click the docky icon and set your preferences and looks. Make sure its set to start automatically. And that manage windows without launcher is selected.
  5. In the bottom panel (you know…very bottom of screen where the open windows are) right-click an empty area and click delete this panel. Confirm.
  6. Tada. All done. Now you can have a mac like experience in Ubuntu. Enjoy icon smile How To Add a Dock To Ubuntu 10.10

TV Buying Guide – Rocketboom Tech

September 23rd, 2010
Television can TV Buying Guide   Rocketboom Tech

Image via Wikipedia

Getting a new TV can be both fun and confusing. What kind should you get? LCD, LED LCD, OLED, plasma or 3D? Naturally that is way to many choices.

Thankfully rocketboom tech has come up with a fix. They have made a video that will show you which TV you should get, and why.

Watch below:

10 Apps You Must Download For iPhone/iPad

July 9th, 2010

I’ll try something new. I’m now on HubPages.

Hubpages allows you to write what you want, on a site with a high PR. You can then earn $ off of adsense, ebay, amazon, and kontera advertising from your “hub”.

I’ve made my first hub called “10 iPhone Apps To Download When You Get Your iPhone”.

Here is a preview of it:

What apps should you use when you get your new iPhone?

Well there are 10 apps that you should download right away to help you move along in the digital world.

Please check it out, link to it, share it, rate it, etc it would be greatly appreciated :).

Where Can I Get Free Wifi In Canada?

July 8th, 2010

Ah Canada, #2 largest country in the world. But where is the Free wi-fi? (Internet).

Actually there is a lot of free places for WiFi in Canada.

You can get free wi-fi at:

  • Safeway
  • Starbucks (full store)
  • Second Cup
  • Public library’s
  • Some restaurants

A full list is at Canada Free WiFi which covers free wi-fi spots. You can also even become a free wi-fi location (not free for you) icon smile Where Can I Get Free Wifi In Canada? .

So if you are wondering where you can get free wi-fi in Canada, you no longer have to worry. Enjoy icon smile Where Can I Get Free Wifi In Canada? .

Note: 1. Safeway, Starbucks, and Second Cup WiFi are not compatible with the DS since they can’t login. Also they don’t offer any power ports, so good luck if you have a laptop. 2. Safeway, Starbucks, and Second Cup force there DNS servers, so free services like Google DNS, OpenDNS, and Norton DNS will not work.

Fix XP Boot (MBR) From Vista Disk

May 27th, 2010

I did a very silly thing this morning. I deleted my Ubuntu, and Vista partitions without fixing XP’s MBR. This basically leaves grub in rescue mode because there is no boot partition. I have the Vista disk but it was unable to fix the MBR or so I thought.

To fix the XP MBR (from a vista downgrade or whatnot) do the following:

  1. Boot from the Vista DVD
  2. Select repair install when the screen shows up after the language settings.
  3. Then open the command prompt aka restore counsel:

 Type the following: X:BootBootsect.exe /NT52 All

Note: X:/ is the drive letter where the Windows Vista media is located (the command prompt will show the letter).

After the computer restarts it should load XP’s MBR again icon smile Fix XP Boot (MBR) From Vista Disk .

If it doesn’t still work or you use Vista and have the Vista dvd then just use the repair startup tool 2-3 times.