Laptop or Desktop - Which Computer to Choose?

Traditionally, laptop computers were bought by people who had to be able to take their computer with them when they left the office, such as the salesman visiting a customer. It always used to be the case that buying portability meant a trade-off in terms of power and functionality, so desktop machines were the preferred option for those who didnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt have to travel.

Is this still a genuine trade-off, however? Itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs time to re-examine the assumptions to see if they are still true.

Laptops are more expensive than desktops
While this is still true, the price differential is less than it once was, and may not be an overriding factor any longer. On the other hand, if you require a docking station, monitor, keyboard and mouse for use when youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre in the office, the extra cost will be substantial.

Laptops have smaller, low definition screens
Once upon a time the laptop user had to be content with peering at a small screen, with poor resolution, and which was only visible when viewed straight on. Todayรขโ�ฌโ�ขs high resolution TFT displays are easily the equivalent of CRTs, to the extent that more and more desktop users are choosing them because they take up so little desk space. Furthermore, a 15" laptop screen has the equivalent real-estate of a 17" monitor.

Laptop users must struggle with small keyboards, and a joystick or touchpad instead of a mouse.
To some extent this is still true, although modern touchpad systems are so easy to use compared to those of a few years ago. With a docking station, you can use a full sized keyboard and a normal mouse when you are in the office, and get the best of both worlds.

Laptop memory and disk sizes are limited
While itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs still true that laptops have smaller disks and memory than desktops, the incredible advance in miniaturisation means that even the smallest laptop has disk and memory much larger than the best equipped desktop of a few years ago. Unless you expect to store a lot of photographs, or do video editing, any laptop will have more than sufficient space.

Itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs hard to expand laptop hardware
This is still true, but paradoxically it doesnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt matter! Once upon a time, adding a new device or peripheral often meant opening up your computer to install an expansion card. Nowadays, technologies such as USB and Firewire mean that all that is required is to plug your new device in. In this respect, desktops have lost their advantage.

Laptops are difficult to upgrade.
This is true. In order to pack a lot of power into a small space, manufacturers use proprietary hardware and custom connectors. If you expect to want to upgrade your disk, add extra memory, or even replace the motherboard, a desktop is still the best choice. Many users, however, would never do these things, so for them the distinction is unimportant.

Laptop data doesnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt get backed up
Because laptops are typically taken home at night, they are not connected to the office network, so it is impossible for the IT department to include them in overnight backups. It is important that proper procedures are put in place to ensure that important data is replicated onto a server at regular intervals.

Laptops are easier to steal
Unfortunately this will always be true, a portable device, removed from the security of the office, is an easy target for thieves.

In conclusion, the distinction between desktop and laptop is still there, but it is not so important as it once was. If mobility and flexibility are important for you, it is no longer necessary to sacrifice functionality and ease of use.

Simon Johnson is both a laptop and a desktop user! He is also a freelance journalist and webmaster for http://www.better-laptops.info

Laptop Travel Tips

Travel laptops require more consideration on top of the usual factors involved in buying a laptop, such as performance, price and warranty. Getting a system that is light is critical. With widescreen models becoming more popular, whilst great for viewing, it just adds weight to the system. If you are not into watching movies or complex graphics, a smaller screen should be fine.

While the price of laptops compared to desktops has shrunk recently, you will still pay slightly more for a laptop. With laptops reasonably difficult to expand or upgrade, itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs a good idea to add more memory or get a bigger hard drive at the time of purchase. Your system should have at least two USB 2.0 ports, as this will be the main way of connecting to external devices.

If you are a frequent traveler and want to use your laptop while flying, there are some other design issues you might want to consider. Widescreen laptops can be a hassle if you are in the coach section, as there is hardly enough room to open the machine. A system with external controls for volume and Wi-Fi can also be good, to avoid annoying other passengers or interfering with the aircrafts navigational system. For really long flights, a second battery is probably the most cost effective way of keeping your system powered up.

As laptops are more likely to be damaged or stolen while on the road, it is a good idea to have a backup plan. Do a regular backup so if something bad does happen, you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt lose too much data. The easiest way to do this is to buy a laptop with a built in DVD burner. One DVD disc should be more than enough to store your work data. You could also use a CD burner, but you would probably need to carry multiple discs. If you only have a small amount of files you need to backup, a USB flash drive would also do the job.

Laptops that are on the road regularly are more likely to break down. So invest in a good quality carry case to limit any potential damage in transit, and always keep your backups up to date.

Most warranties these days are only twelve months, so if there is a extended warranty available, it may be worth taking up if you are constantly on the road.

(C) Copyright http://www.cheap-laptops-guide.net All rights reserved

You may use this article in its entirety if this resource box stays attached.

For more interesting articles on laptops, laptop batteries and accessories go to http://www.cheap-laptops-guide.net/

3 Benefits to Owning a Refurbished Laptop

If you like having the latest and greatest, then refurbished is not for you. However, if you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt mind minor cosmetic damage, and the fact that someone else has used your laptop, then you may want to consider purchasing a refurbished laptop. But why would anyone want to purchase a refurbished laptop as opposed to a brand new one? In this article, I will tackle this very issue, and give 3 reasons why you should own a refurbished laptop.

The first reason why purchasing a refurbished laptop may be a good idea is that they are a lot less expensive than their newer cousins. Of course, refurbished implies that it has seen prior usage, so refurbished laptops are generally older models, and you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt always know how their previous owners took care of them. But refurbished also implies that someone has taken the time to fix, and often times replace, any broken components. Do some research and only buy from reputable sources.

The second reason why you may want to purchase a refurbished laptop is that, because of their low cost, they are more expendable than new models, and make a great second laptop. As I explained above, refurbished laptops are generally a lot cheaper than a new laptop so if something should happen to it, youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre only out maybe a few hundreds dollars as opposed to a new laptop which could cost you thousands.

The third reason why you may want to consider purchasing a refurbished laptop is that since youรขโ�ฌโ�ขll be spending a lot less money on the computer itself, you can afford to spend more upgrading it with newer, and better components. For example, you can add memory to speed it up, or upgrade to a larger hard drive. You should, of course, make sure that your computer can support these upgrades before you even purchase it. If it canรขโ�ฌโ�ขt, then look for one that can before making your final decision.

I've discussed three benefits to owning a refurbished laptop. They are low in cost, make a great second laptop, and you can spend more on upgrading the components. Make sure to do your research before you buy, and owning one will be a pleasant experience.

Erick Charles is an IT professional who is eager to share his expertise, and love of computers and techonology with others. Visit his website at http://thetechboy to find out more.

iPod Shortages During Holidays

Even though the holiday season is still a little ways off, retailers are already reporting that shortages of Appleรขโ�ฌโ�ขs uber popular iPod mp3 player are very likely. As has been a problem with iPodรขโ�ฌโ�ขs, especially with the popular iPod Nano being released and the video enabled iPod hitting shelves, is that there simply arenรขโ�ฌโ�ขt enough of them. Apple canรขโ�ฌโ�ขt make them fast enough to meet the ridiculously high demand.

As Businessweek reports, ""All iPods are in very tight supply, and Apple isn't filling 100% of its orders from us by any means," says Charlie Tebele, president of Manhattan-based RCS Experience. And Crutchfield's Anderson says Apple typically ships less than 30% of what the retailer requests each week. The Charlottesville (Va.)-based company put in an order for $3 million worth of iPod nanos after the product was released, and the order still hasn't been nearly filled. It currently has $4 million of all iPod models on order."

The question of where there will be shortages isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt really a question at all, predict most analysts. Shortages are practically guaranteed. The only question at this point is how bad the shortages will be. No one knows how many stores will sell out and have barren shelves when shoppers walk in looking for an iPod to buy as a gift for the holidays. Needless to say, it would be well advised to head out and buy that gift as soon as possible rather than wait until the holiday rush.

http://www.ukmp3.co.uk provides free support and advice on all the latest mp3 players. We offer a free monthly newsletter, with prizes for all subscribers

Buying Gaming Laptops

Laptops are designed keeping a target user in mind. The different parameters to consider while designing a laptop are battery life, processor speed, graphics, weight of laptop and cost. Gaming laptops come installed with the fastest processors, cutting edge graphics cards. A hefty battery pack, huge heat sink, special ventilation ducts, and several cooling fans and can give the same performance as that of high-end tower PCs. These laptops provide thrilling 3D gaming experience and mobility to gamers, be it LAN game parties or while traveling.

Gaming performance is closely connected with the quality of the graphics card. ATI and NVIDIA have mobile versions of their fast cutting edge graphics cards, complete with 128MB or even 256MB of video memory. Try looking for laptops with ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 or NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 graphics processor. They are currently the hottest in market!

Another criterion to select a laptop is the processor. If weight of up to 13 pounds is not an issue then you could consider Intel's 3.8-GHz Pentium 4 or the Athlon 64 FX CPU processors. For lower weight laptops go with the fastest available in the category: Intel Core Duo or AMD Turion 64 CPU.

Apart from selecting a laptop with hard disk capacity of over 80 GB, consider the speed of the hard disk. Conventional 5,400-rpm drives work fine for most desktop and entertainment PCs but you would need a 7,200-rpm hard drive to play 3D games without jitters, pauses and long loading game time.

The minimum screen size of your screen should be at least 15.4 inches. Anything less and you will limit the visual graphics detail of your games, as well as your shooting accuracy. Gaming laptops are now available in different hot designs. Manufacturer Alienware has its famous glowing alien head, and other vendors like Falcon Northwest, Hypersonic, and Vodoo PC offer automotive class custom paint jobs. Dell XPS systems come with customizable LED lights.

Now, regarding the cost. When you are talking about gaming laptops, it's all about the best cutting edge technology available in laptop segment. Depending on what configuration you go for prices could range anywhere from $2500 to $4242 for a Vodoo brand laptop?

Jerry Baker makes computers and laptops easy to understand. As a successful publisher of laptops-plus.info, he opens the world of motherboards, laptop batteries and memory, and even buying gaming laptops.

On Reconditioned or Refurbished Notebooks

What exactly is a reconditioned or refurbished notebook computer? Depending on where you are buying, it normally should be a used - or possibly a returned notebook - that has been factory rebuilt. A refurbished notebook computer is basically a cheap, used (maybe) and renovated computer that satisfies all your performance and portability needs and provides all the advantages you would get on buying a new notebook - such as warranty and technical support. This is critical - do not buy a so-called reconditioned or refurbished notebook computer if it does not have the same warranty or guarantee as a new machine.

I'm writing this article right now on a factory reconditioned notebook that I purchased well over two years ago at a very substantial savings over the same machine "new". It came with a full factory warranty and it has performed like a champ. Granted, I was nervous when I first bought it, but I'm now convinced that if you can find a reconditioned or refurbished notebook that has the features you're looking for, you'd be foolish to pay full price -- the discounts are incredible, and the products are functionally identical.

If you just need a computer that is portable, one that you can use to perform simple computing tasks, why spend a fortune in buying a new notebook from some well-known brand? Look for a refurbished notebook computer instead. You will get a notebook that will give you the required performance at a much lower price - and it will still be covered by a warranty.

There is normally a difference between "refurbished" and "reconditioned" (or factory reconditioned). Refurbished usually means that this is an older notebook that has been used and then reconditioned - often by a third party. Depending on the warranty being offered by the refurbisher, this could be an excellent deal. As always, it depends on whether the refurbished notebook meets your specifications. If so, and the price - and guarantee - are good, then you have nothing to lose.

Reconditioned machines, when you find them in a retail outlet, usually are returns that had some problem, went back to the manufacturer, were fixed and now are available at a very substantial discount but have the full 'new' machine factory/manufacturer guarantee. This can be a huge savings and an incredible deal. Often these reconditioned notebooks sell at a discount of 50% or more - and they may even be current models.

Maybe I've just been lucky, but my experience with factory reconditioned notebooks has convinced me that it's foolish to dump a bunch of dollars into a new machine if an equally capable refurbished notebook is available. After all, every reconditioned notebook was once a new notebook that had some kind of problem causing its return. If the factory did its job, then the reconditioned notebook is less likely to have a problem than a new model. And if it does have a problem, you will still have the warranty that new notebooks have.

Students, and of course their parents, who are on the look out for a low-priced notebook to meet school needs, should definitely consider buying a refurbished notebook computer. Education is expensive enough without throwing away money by paying top dollar for a notebook when an equivalent refurbished or reconditioned notebook would serve as well. Check out the computer shops in the local area - or even check online sites like Amazon.com that may showcase a good refurbished notebook computer on sale.

So before you spend - possibly waste - a lot of money buying a brand new notebook that might have features you will never need and accessories you never asked for, look into the possibilities of a suitable and low-priced reconditioned or refurbished notebook computer.

Copyright 2005 Richard Keir

Richard, a computer professional and writer, has a strong interest in software and computer hardware. Visit Completely Notebooks at http://Completely-Notebooks.net to learn more about all kinds of notebook computers and accessories.

Wireless Access Point Scanning Software

Wireless access point scanning software can mean one or two Things. first it could mean that you are trying to find wireless access points on a LAN to find their IP address. This can be used when you start a new job and you want to get a quick handle on if any one has wireless access points on the LAN and to find their IP addresses. You can down load wireless access point scanning software from the wireless APรขโ�ฌโ�ขs manufacture or generic versions off the internet. As a wireless administrator you really want to have you wireless access points with static IP addresses so you can find them when you need them.

The second kind of wireless access point scanning software is for discovering the actual wireless signal radiating from the AP. Now this is often referred to as war driving software.

Examples of Wireless access point scanning software are:

Netstumbler: Netstumbler will scan for radio beacons from wireless access points and tell you their names, MAC address, SSID and if they are locked or not. This type of software is very easy to use. All this software will do is tell you the above information and signal strength

Kismet and Airsnort รขโ�ฌโ�� These fall into the wireless "sniffers" category, which are used to collect packets from wireless transmissions. If enough packets are colleted then a hacker can eventually crack the encryption key. The collection of packets is a very time consuming process, which could take days or even months. After all the packets are collected then encryption cracking software will take over and start the cracking process.

Wireless access point scanning software falls into those two categories LAN and wireless discovery. If you wish for your wireless network to be protected you can also use these same programs as an IDS ( Intrusion Detection System). The most secure wireless network is the one nobody knows about.

Hey how good are your wireless networking skills? Come train with the wirelessninja today and learn from the master young grasshopper http://www.wirelessninja.com

How The Advancements In Wireless Technology Have Totally Changed Our Lives

Wireless technology has literally changed our lives. This up and coming method of communication has literally changed the way we live. Many of us cannot imagine a day without using a wireless device. In fact, we use them so much, that we barely recognize them as wireless anymore.

Telephone lines were originally designed to send news reports. Ever heard of getting something over the wire? Journalists still refer to their Associated Press reports as coming over the AP wire, though they most likely travel through the air like all other pieces of information. The invention of the radio demolished the idea of news sent over a wire. In fact, it completely destroyed the concept of the telegraph and eventually the landline telephone.

Computer networking works in a similar manner. Who would choose an immobile stationary system over a wireless one? Why would you choose to actually be chained to a desk when you could move freely about, accessing the internet and other files on a network from the comfort of a couch, a recliner, or a coffee shop. Additionally, while many believe that wireless costs more, this price too is going down, and soon anyone will be able to afford a wireless connection.

WiMAX, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is steadily making its way unto the wireless market. Its biggest advantage lies in the distance that it spans. Instead of a wireless connection reaching a few meters, it will reach kilometers. Currently some of the strongest WiMAX network reach over 30 miles. It literally spans the length of metropolitan areas, and thus with WiMax, you'll no longer have to search for hot spot sign. Check out wimax.weblongsinc.com for more information about this up and coming form of wireless technology.

Bluetooth has become a mysterious wireless term to non-geeks, but its quickly becoming a household word thanks to its technology in cellular phones. Bluetooth basically is a way to connect hardware. The hope is that instead of seeing a mass of cords behind your television, you'll just have the necessary blue tooth hardware, a wireless connection that connects your DVD player to your television. Everyone hates those mass of wires, or any mass of wires that threatens to ruin the aesthetics of a room, and Bluetooth has the potential to improve the look of just about any system.

Eventually wireless technology will make life simpler. We'll be able to do things in places that we never imagined before. After all, who would think that you could contact a person from across the globe while sitting in a cafe across town, with no cost to either of you. Grandparents in California can talk to their grandkids in Florida while soaking in the rays on the beach. I predict that not only will wireless make life simpler in the future, but that we'll function with it so smoothly, that we wonรขโ�ฌโ�ขt even notice the wireless technology.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as high speed internet at http://www.wirelessandhighspeedinternet.com

Laptop Security

As an administrator, and ultimately the person responsible for the information and laptop security within your organization, "Stolen Laptop" is the last two words you want to hear. Unfortunately, statically this is going to happen and if you have not put into place a laptop security policy you will wish that you had.

Laptop Security Cables are the number one purchased laptop security devices. People often do not have a clear understanding of what level of security, laptop cables provide. A laptop security cable will not work if it is not used. A laptop security policy that requires that they be used is necessary to achieve the protection the home office is looking to achieve. The small plastic security slot where they attach offers minimal protection and additionally the cables really arenรขโ�ฌโ�ขt that difficult to cut. So, why are they the number one solution? They provide a visual theft deterrent. We have found that visual laptop computer security solutions are very effective and when it comes down to it economically they are most effective.

Products like the STOP (Stop Theft of Office Property, Inc www.StopTheft.com) security plates provide an effective visual deterrent solution as well and are the second most commonly used laptop security theft deterrent. The STOP Plate is probably the least expensive solution and takes us one step toward laptop recovery as well. If your laptop has a STOP Security Plate, placed visibly on the top of the laptop, you gain big strides in the possibility of getting your laptop computer and the information on your laptop back. If you put both or either of these two products into your laptop security policy you will have followed in the steps of some of the largest corporations and government agencies in this country.

With laptop theft deterrent solutions in place we want to look at recovery and data protection commonly provided by using some form of laptop security software. Products like Stealth Signals (www.Xtool.com) X-Tool services and Advanced Systems International (www.Advansysperu.com) USB Lock AP or RP offer a comfort zone that many laptop security administrators aim to achieve. Stealth Signal offers the ability to track and recover a stolen laptop, asset management, encrypted virtual hard drive, remote information back-up and remote delete features, a major portion of the computer security control a Computer or Network Administrator is looking to achieve. Another important control needed is to control the use of the USB ports. Computer security professionals know the damage potential a small USB memory device presents. These memory sticks, iPods or MP3 devices can hold unbelievable large amounts of information. How easy is it to connect one of these to your network allowing the ability to remove valuable proprietary information. Advanced Systems Internationalรขโ�ฌโ�ขs USB Lock RP provides simple server remote control over the computers within your care. If you're looking for individual control for the laptops in the field there is the USB Lock AP that offers the added benefit of a simple to use file lock.

Ultimately when it comes to laptop security there really arenรขโ�ฌโ�ขt that many effective solutions. Putting a security policy together that addresses deterring the laptop theft helps to protect your property and your information. By utilizing a few additional laptop security software tools you help insure greater protection of your companyรขโ�ฌโ�ขs data.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas Goll is a recognized authority on the subject of laptop security. His website, http://www.LaptopSecuritySolutions.com provides a valuable resource on everything you'll need.

Connect to the Internet Through Wifi

Wifi known as Wireless Fidelity allows a user to connect to the internet without using network cabling. Whether itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs from your bedroom, couch, indoors or outdoors data can be sent and received within the range of a wireless base station. Wifi uses 802.11a or 802.11b technologies to provide a very reliable connection that is also fast and secure.

Wifi is available to every type of internet user and allows multiple users to connect to each other, other devices and the internet. However, your connecting device will need to have a Wifi certified card (PC Card or PCMCIA card) and it will connect to other certified products such as a base station or access point. It also saves on the cost and distance limitations of using cables, not to mention the unsightly look of running cables throughout an area.

These networks are very useful in the business and sales industry as they allow salespeople and travelers to connect to the network with ease and not be confined to one location to access applications such as email and databases. They allow business networks to easily expand and grow making a Wifi network a very useful technology in the business world. Businesses no longer need to abandon current network infrastructures and start over, they can simply use this wireless technology to easily change the network and allow for rapid growth.

Wifi networks work at the 2.4 or 5 GHz bands and possible speeds of 11 or 54 Mbps. Their speeds are very comparable to 10baseT networks and allow for easy network access. A Wifi network is essentially plug and play as you can turn on a certified device and connect to the wireless network providing you have the proper authentication and security credentials.

Wifi networks have security in the form of WEP (Wired Equivalent Protocol) that can provide the same level of security as that of a wired LAN. Wireless networks that are transmitted over radio waves are more susceptible to security problems, but WEP aims to provide security by encrypting the data sent over the radio waves.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at http://www.wifi-central.info

Need a Second Computer? Buy Refurbished Laptop

Are you looking for a cheap yet reliable second laptop for your business or for your studies? Consider buying refurbished laptop. These are reconditioned or recertified laptops that were usually earlier sold and returned by consumers for a variety of reasons. They are sent back by the store to the manufacturer and then refurbished so they can look and work just as good as brand new laptop computers.

Compared to a new and feature-laden desktop or laptop computer, a refurbished laptop is a lot more budget-friendly. Especially if you are on tight budget, buying a refurbished laptop would be a great help.

The benefits of a portable computer are endless. A laptops is more practical since its portable and more convenient to use compared to desktop computers. Its extra light, durable, powerful, handy and technically advanced. You can bring them anywhere, either to a sales pitch, a lecture or a business meeting or to any room in your house and so you can work with utmost comfort and convenience.

Imagine working on a report while on a perfect island vacation, attending a video conference while at home or preparing a homework while stargazing on verandathese are luxuries you cannot enjoy using a bulky desktop computer. All these are possible only with a laptop. Now add more savings to those benefits and thats what you get if you buy a refurbished laptop.

Apart from its very affordable value, you can also expect refurbished laptops to give you excellent performance. Many refurbished laptops work just as good as new ones; they got the most up-to-date features since they are just a few months old. They also come with different specifications so you have a choice whether to buy a high-specification refurbished laptop or a low-specification laptop, depending on your need.

If you are in need of a second computer, which you are going to use for only a few applications and which you may need to bring outside your office, you can get by with a low-spec refurbished laptop. They are offered at a much lower price since they have slower processors, old version operating system, smaller memory and lesser features. However, they work just as efficient as a low-spec brand new computer since they have already been reconditioned.

Specifications that you need to be particular about in buying a refurbished laptop include the processor speed, the memory, and the hard drive. If you want your computer to run faster and execute commands quickly, you should get laptop with higher processor speed, say 2.0GHz. This is especially important if you usually connect to the internet and upload or download large files.

Also, it would be better to have bigger system memory so that it would be faster for the applications to load. The memory holds the data that are in use so if you want to use the latest operating system, you would need a bigger memory, at least 256mb.

The hard drive is also a very important specification to consider in buying a refurbished laptop. As your second computer, you may not be saving too much information in your refurbished laptop, so you may get a hard drive with 10GB storage space. If you need to save much information on that computer, a 40GB hard drive could already give you sufficient space.

For more fresh information on Laptop, visit us at Laptop.InfoRevealed.info.

Is Your Wireless Network Secure?

Networking professionals are encouraging people to think twice about wireless network security. You might be thinking I use WEP-128 bit encryption with MAC address filtering, Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขm safe. Or you may be youรขโ�ฌโ�ขve never even heard of WEP, if this is the case you might want to unplug your wireless access point immediately. But then again look at the bright side at least you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt have the false sense of security that your network is secure. Perhaps you are the smart guy who knows how insecure wireless networks are. You too are at just an equal risk!

Your computer consultant might be partially right when they say WEP will protect your network. It will protect your network from casual snooping but that is about it. Last year the FBI was able to crack a WEP protected network in less than 3 minutes with tools widely available on the internet. Since then itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs been downhill for WEP.

At this point you might be thinking, "Oh well, someone gets on my network and uses the internet". This is completely false. If someone has gone through the process of getting on your network chances are the only thing they want is not internet access. Any computer security professional will tell you that physical access to the network is 95% of the security battle. Once this has been accomplished you can consider all of your data compromised. Customer invoices, customer data, credit card numbers and passwords to financial institutions will all be in the hands of a hacker.

One in many methods can be used to gain access to your personal data, whether itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs through Key loggers, Trojans, or just by sniffing your plaintext network traffic.

Maybe, just maybe, I have not convinced you of the insecurities of wireless networks. Let me tell you about another attack that hackers can use to gain access to your network. Letรขโ�ฌโ�ขs say your access points are completely locked down, to your knowledge. A user from your network goes and flips on their laptop while sitting in an airport terminal waiting for a plane. They see an available insecure wireless network so they click on it and connect. None of us have ever done this before right, itching to check their email one last time before heading out of town? Unbeknownst to them they have just clicked on a fake honeypot wireless network, set up by a rogue hacker that before they can even realize their machine is already being scanned. Picture for a moment that user could be anywhere, even sitting at a desk in your network. Just as long as the rogue access point is stronger than your APรขโ�ฌโ�ขs radio signal youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre security is done.

May be you fall into the category of never setting up wireless networks because you read about their insecurities.

How then can you be at risk? Just consider for a moment that a user in your organization fires up his wireless card.

Seeรขโ�ฌโ�ขs a wireless network that is named XYZCorp after your company. So they connect to it and immediately a script is hammering their machine for security vulnerabilities. Once again they connected to a rogue access point setup by a hacker. Now you might be thinking. "Cรขโ�ฌโ�ขmon you must have to be a computer genius to find and run these tools." Think again, thanks to the kind people over at remote-exploit.org all these tools can be downloaded in one big happy ISO file.

Burned to a CD as an image and bang youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre done, ready to take a drive to the nearest business and start sniffing credit card numbers. Everything wrapped into a nice package just waiting for the next script kiddy to start running the programs. You may be thinking ok this is a major problem so what should I do? Give up my organizations ability to use wireless networks? This isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt exactly what we are saying. A newer wireless security technology has taken over in 2004 called WPA. It is more secure than WEP. And so far tools are not as readily available to hack your network. But consider the following. WEP was ratified in the late 1990รขโ�ฌโ�ขs less than six years later it was exploited. This is typical of almost every computer technology. It is only a matter of time before technologies are exploited. Just always remember Security is a multi-tiered companywide responsibility. From providing physical security to web site security all matters should be considered serious and not taken lightly. So before you grab a wireless access point and slap it in your network, I urge you to think twice.

You may think you are in a sinking boat because you are a small organization not able to implement the latest technologies and afford the newest access points. Or maybe you cannot afford to pay an IT staff over 100k-200k a year to maintain your medium size network. Executives at N2 Network Solutions say you should consider IT outsourcing or IT consulting. You can get Industry certified engineers on a project by project basis. Contractual relationships are also available to dump the responsibility of your network into their hands for a fraction of the price. To keep your small to medium size network performing like a Fortune 500 machine invest the capital and secure your assets.

Jeremy Whittaker is a Senior Consultant for N2 Network Solutions, a leader in Phoenix IT Outsourcing, providing computer services and Phoenix IT Consulting.

Handheld Computers Guide - What to Know When Purchasing Your New PDA

Handheld computer devices, also known as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) are quickly becoming a necessity for millions of people around the globe. The ability to replace your address book, calendar, calculator, and even some functions of their home computers, can be absolutely priceless.

What other item can serve so many functions, and yet, fit in your pocket? Cell phones are now integrating them, there are even handheld gps units becoming available.

More and more handheld computers are integrating wireless technology, blue tooth, all kinds of memory cards, and many more technologies, making them extremely versatile and more useful every day.

The handheld computer revolution is dominating the mobile work force, and it's only a matter of time before they're as common as personal computers, and laptops. There are even schools that are now using them in the classroom, allowing them to do school work on.

Handheld Computers are the future of mobile computing

When Handheld Computers were first introduced, it was the mobile work force that took them as gold. An address book, calendar, notebook, word processor, and much more, all rolled into a tiny device that can fit into your pocket. How could they pass it up? It was exactly what they had been waiting for.

They no longer had to carry around their bulky laptops just to see what was on their calendar, or to simply jot a couple notes in a word processor. Now, there is an application for just about anything you could possibly want to do on a handheld computer. They can seamlessly integrate into personal computers, synchronizing data, swapping dates and files, making the hard working mobile workers job that much easier.

Now with the addition of pda phones, handheld computers have become even more useful, by retrieving your email, accessing the internet, watching movies, the possibilities are limitless. These PDA's are still rather expensive, but that will change in the next few years, like all other computer devices.

With the cost of a handheld computer being slashed at every turn, they're no longer only for the deep pocketed or the mobile business man or woman, just about anyone can afford a handheld computer in some shape or form.

There are some things to watch for when purchasing a handheld though, just like any other computer.

Things to look for when purchasing a handheld computer

Processor Speed - Just like any computer, it's important to know how fast your handheld computer is. Since the applications and operating systems are much less intensive, they don't need as much processing power to run, but it's still an important factor to consider.

Memory (RAM) - Also the same as desktop computers, how much resident memory your handheld has is important, depending on what kind of applications you intend to run on it.

Memory (ROM) - Basically, how much hard drive space it has built in. As long as it has a card reader slot of some kind though, this can easily be upgraded, as the price of memory cards has dropped considerably, but the more it has built in, the less you'll have to purchase later.

Display Size and Resolution - While not crucial, if you want a good sized, clean and crisp display on your handheld computer, you'll want to note the size and resolution of the display.

Card Slots - This can be very important if you want your handheld computer to sport a lot of accessories like wireless network cards, and memory sticks. You'll want to make sure it has the card reader slots you need.

Operating System - There are two basic operating systems on handheld computers right now, Windows based, and PalmOS based. If you're going to be purchasing or downloading applications and games for your handheld computer, you'll want to know what kind of operating system it uses.

Accessories - It's always good to know what accessories your handheld computer will come with, but it's also good to know what kind of accessories are available for it. If there is a particular accessory you need, you should first make sure it will even be available for the pda you plan to purchase.

This article taken from Computer Discounts Guide - Handheld Computer Guide. View the website for more helpful guides.

Donny Duncan, the author of Computer Discounts Guide has been in the computer field for over thirteen years.

MP3 Player Sales to Soar

Think the iPod and mp3 players are the big craze now? Analysts predict that the current massive numbers of mp3 player sales are merely a fraction of what they will be in four years. Although it is hard to think that these little gems could sell in even larger numbers, the fact is that mp3 players will soon be the primary way of listening to music no matter where you live in the world.

Worldwide in 2004, a total of 26.4 million mp3 players were sold. However, led by Appleรขโ�ฌโ�ขs uber popular iPod mp3 player, those numbers are expected to jump over 370 percent. For those without incredible math skills, that means over 125 million mp3 players are expected to be sold in the year 2009 alone. Staggering numbers indeed and it appears as if it is only the dawn of the mp3 era.

The apparent rise in popularity and demand will be due to the growing video capabilities of these players. No longer will they only play music, but players are now handling video as well. Video capabilities of mp3 players are rising quickly, especially with the drop of the price of flash memory and the increased memory capacity in the small sticks, and this has made them highly sought after alternatives to other types of players.

Needless to say, the age of the mp3 is only beginning to emerge. Many bright, fun new advances and features are on the brink of being in hands worldwide.

http://www.ukmp3.co.uk provides free support and advice on all the latest mp3 players. We offer a free monthly newsletter, with prizes for all subscribers

UMPC - For People Who Look For the Best

Nobody wants to stay away from the best, then how can you? Let me introduce you to the latest gadget in the tech industry, Ultra Mobile PC commonly known as UMPC. In simpler terms it is a complete PC with ultra mobility.

It combines the power of Windows XP with mobile-ready technologies. There are various benefits attached with it, ranging from anytime connectivity, it does not matter in which part of the world you are in, you can check your e-mails, can chat and stay connected with the world all the time.

It uses a built-in wireless connectivity which gives Internet access anytime and from anywhere. The device weighs approximately 2 pounds and has an integrated touch panel with bluetooth facility. UMPC is handy and easy to use. You can use it simply by touching its screen with your finger or the stylus.

Enjoy the comfort and ease of shopping for Ultra Mobile PC from the comfort of your home or office with Internet. Browse through various online sellers website and you will get the best deal. Make sure to do a bit of research before making any decision. The increasing number of online Ultra Mobile PC seller has opened up an opportunity for you to get the desired Ultra Mobile PC at a price that fits perfectly to your pocket.

Comfort, mobility and complete entertainment are the words that match perfectly with the UMPC. It wonรขโ�ฌโ�ขt be wrong to say, that UMPC reflects technology at its best.

Sally Thompson has spent most of her life in the field of finance. She has done her Masters in Finance and expertise in writing articles on Financial as well as Credit products.

Wireless Broadband Access - Making the Virtual Office Possible

Do you remember when home wireless networking burst into our lives? Suddenly we could work from any where in the house. Have you ever wanted to do the same when you are out on the road?

With WiMax, now you can!

WiMax is a wireless network access program that offers its subscribers citywide high-speed broadband access to the internet. You can be up to 31 miles from an antenna and still get online.

Although, the further you are from the antenna the slower your connection.

Here is how it works.

A broadband provider sets up several cells to support a certain geographical area. While the theoretical range of WiMax is 31 miles, most cells will only support an area from three to 10 miles.

Within this range, special cards based on the 802.16 wireless standards will allow mobile devices to surf the internet at high speed.

This cell system is similar to how digital cell phones work now.

Where this technology really shines is for mobile business computing. Imagine you are a busy sales executive. You just finished a presentation to a major client.

The presentation went well, but they asked for some revisions. Normally, you would have to rush back to the office and have the revisions made.

With WiMax, you could connect via your VPN. Mail the changes to your office, which would make the revisions and send them back. All in a matter of minutes.

Can you imagine the level of perceived customer service your clients will have? You just told them that they are important, so important you dropped everything to handle their requests.

In just minutes you emailed the changes to your boss, she reviewed and approved them and emailed the updated paperwork directly to you. Another three minutes to print them out on your portable printer and get the clients to sign! Contract closed!

How could they not be impressed!

Typical download speeds are in the range of 400 รขโ�ฌโ�� 700 kilo bytes per second (kbps).

That is slightly faster than many cable companies allow for their cable modems. It is much faster than DSL connectivity.

Astonishingly, this technology is capable of speed bursts of up to 2 megabytes per second (mbps)!

How can you integrate WiMax into your current business? How about setting up a wireless mobile office that is always connected to your home office?

Start with getting a good laptop computer and add as much memory as it will hold. Purchase your WiMax wireless network card to get access to the broadband system.

Now, think about accessories. Will you need a portable printer to print presentations and contracts for your customers?

What about telephone service? Do you want to transfer your office phone to your cell? It could eat up your minutes, costing you extra money.

Have you thought about Voice-over-Internet Protocol or VoIP? Another name for VoIP is Internet Phone.

You could setup your office phone with a VoIP provider and take the module to the field with you. All it needs is an active internet connection to work.

Another option is to use your VoIP with a software phone program. This way you could use your laptop as a telephone.

There you have it, a complete mobile office. How great would it be to make plans with your clients in real time? Could your competitors even try to compete with you at this level?

Most likely, they could not!

In short, wireless broadband access may be the best key to increasing your competitiveness.

The freedom to engage customers, on their turf, while maintaining connectivity to your office will allow you to respond to rapidly changing situations.

Can you think of a better way to impress your clients than by being able respond immediately to their needs?

Parrott Writing Services, a San Antonio Texas company specializing in web content, ghostwriting, website optimization, online/offline ad copy and technical writing to small businesses.

http://www.rickparrott.com

Send an email to: EBOOK@sasecure.net for a FREE electronic copy of my eBook on Computer Security!

Remote Access

The term Remote Access refers to the ability to get access to a computer or a network from a remote location. This technology is largely used in big corporate houses, where the people in faraway places can easily access the computerรขโ�ฌโ�ขs network.

Remote Internet Access works on a similar technology. Through Remote Internet Access to an Internet service provider, a home user gets to use the Internet in the convenience and comfort of his home. Not only the home users, but also big corporate houses and Internet cafร�ยฉs, get access to the Internet from the remote internet service provider.

The most common method of Remote Access is a dialup connection through a desktop PC, laptop, or a notebook, using regular telephone lines, where data is transferred from the host server to the remote PC through these lines. Another possible way to provide remote Internet access is by using a dedicated fixed line between the computer or remote local area network to the main corporate local area network. Though a dedicated line comes out to be more expensive and less flexible than the dial up connection, the speed of data transfer through a dedicated line is much faster than the latter. Other various technologies used for providing Remote Internet Access with faster data rates are: Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), wireless, cable modem, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

The Remote Access server that provides Internet connectivity comprises of a computer and associated software that is set up to provide remote Internet connections. Also known as a communication server, the Remote Access server includes a firewall to ensure the safe transfer of data and information from one end to another.

Remote Access provides detailed information about remote access, remote PC access, secure remote access, remote internet access and more. Remote Access is the sister site of FTP Site Hosting.

Laptop Computers-Find The Perfect Fit!

Features And Functions Of Laptop Computers

Take a look at several laptop computers to see if their features and functions match your lifestyle and your needs. There are a plethora of laptop computers on the market today, so if you are in the market for one, you should take the time to do some pre-purchasing research. By doing such research on laptop computers, you will be guaranteed to make a wise decision.

Are Laptops Reasonably Priced?

The first thing that you need to consider is price. A laptop (or notebook) computer may cost about twice as much as a desktop computer of the same capabilities and features. There are basic computers, and then there are those full of extras, such as memory, graphic capabilities, etc. You will find a wide range of prices for laptops, so go online or to different computer stores to cost compare.

Features To Look For:

Wireless Internet Connection

Laptop computers are a great tool for people who need computers, but are always on the go. Wi-Fi, or wireless internet connections, are very important to such people. Many laptop computers come already equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, which means you can use your laptop in special areas (library, coffee shop, book store) that offer Wi-Fi access. Other laptop computers have a unique space for you to insert a Wi-Fi card that you can purchase at most computer or cellular phone stores.

Speed And Memory

Some laptop computers are actually slower than their desktop counterparts. In general, the type of internet connection and memory space you have on your laptop is what will determine your speed. If a fast speed concerns you, you should use a wireless connection and purchase extra memory for your hard drive. Lower priced laptops usually come with a 20 to 40 GB hard drive, but you can purchase a laptop with an 80. You should also look for something with greater than 128 MB of memory so that you can run all of the current software and applications.

Portability

Most people who use laptop computers need them for their portability, ability to be carried from place to place. Laptop computers may weigh a lot, over eight pounds, so it is recommended to go to different stores to lift the different types, styles, and models from different manufacturers.

By Margarette Tustle. Learn more information about laptops and laptop computers from dnalaptop.com.

Wireless Access Points: Thin vs Fat

Wireless LAN Switches: The Best Solution

There are two types of wireless access points Intelligent (Fat) and Thin wireless Access points. A fat wireless access point has everything it needs to handle wireless clients. A Thin wireless access point is basically a radio and antenna that is controlled by a wireless switch. If you deploy several Fat wireless access points they need to be configured individually. With thin wireless access points the entire configuration takes place at the switch saving you time and money.

Wireless LAN Switches provide many benefits:

Wireless Mobility รขโ�ฌโ�� Intelligent access arenรขโ�ฌโ�ขt managed in a central location which means there is no third party monitoring the movement of a user. If a user moves to another work area traditional wireless access points have a hard time passing off the user to the new access point. Thin wireless access points are controlled be the wireless LAN switch who will manage the users movement.

Security- Using the wireless LAN switch the administrator can check logs, configure is security settings, make group polices for wireless users all in one spot. Also built in to many wireless LAN switches are RADIUS servers which will give another layer of security on top of your encryption policies. In enterprise wireless networks the administrators biggest fear is rogue wireless access points. Wireless LAN switches can detect when a new wireless access point comes into the area and decide if it is a trusted or non-trusted device.

Placement รขโ�ฌโ�� Power over Ethernet is another great feature of wireless LAN Switches. Power over Ethernet eliminates the need for an power outlet to be near the wireless access point. This saves your company money by not having to install new power outlets. Also this improves security by not having the wireless access points within easy reach of passerbyรขโ�ฌโ�ขs.

If you are deploying a wireless LAN for a company I would be scared if you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt utilize wireless LAN switches and wireless thin access points. The upfront costs of these products are more but your total cost of ownership will be less than having to administer each wireless access point separately. To sum it up home owners should stick with Fat access points and businesses should use thin.

Simple and secure wireless networking is the name of the game an http://www.wirelessninja.com We will save you money and prevent you from getting a wireless administrator's headache.

E-mail Privacy Mythology

Many people believe that e-mail privacy is inherent and guaranteed, psychologically equating it with the postal system. E-mail systems were a crucial tool in creating the Internet, and actually predate the Internet in existence. While the ability to access your personal e-mail messages is secured with a password, this is insufficient to guarantee legitimate security. There are additional security considerations when using laptops to access e-mail systems.

Businesses are increasingly relying on electronic mail to correspond with clients and colleagues. As more people find the need to transmit sensitive information through the internet, the need for e-mail privacy becomes more apparent.

The e-mail message is perpetually exposed to unauthorized access as it travels along this unprotected Internet from the composer to the reader. If routers between the source and destination of an e-mail message are compromised, potentially any e-mail message passing through that router could be accessed.

Unencrypted e-mails should be regarded as postcard, in that anyone who receives it can read it. Intelligence agencies screen unencrypted e-mails with ease and conduct these screens regularly.

Some e-mail you may send and receive could be considered company property. It is unwise to associate personal e-mails of any kind with a company address.

When using laptop notebooks to send and receive e-mail, you may often be using someone elseรขโ�ฌโ�ขs network. You must be aware if using a wireless network if the network is encrypted. If the network is not properly encrypted any e-mail you send or receive is accessible to any skilled person within the wireless signal range. Even when using secure networks, everything you send and receive is going through their system. It is imperative that one uses TLS encryption when sending mail, and to use a send mail server other than the foreign network. When reading e-mail on someone elseรขโ�ฌโ�ขs network, you must make sure your mail server supports SSL and use the encrypted access only.

If you delete an e-mail you must not have the misconception that the existence of the e-mail is gone forever. This is not the case as most electronic documents are backed up and recoverable, and most e-mails are backed up on a remote server at some point in time.

For more information about Laptop Security visit Security4Laptops.com.

Security4Laptops.com is your definitive guide to using mobile devices with the privacy and security necessary in this modern work-a-day on-the-go world.

Cheap Laptops: Are They Worth The Money?

Remember last year when a sale featuring laptops priced at $500 caused a stampede in one store. What a difference a year makes!

Laptop prices have been steadily dropping, falling below those stampede prices in some cases. As productions costs come down and the marketplace is flooded with all makes of laptops, you can expect laptop prices to drop even further.

No news there, most products come down in price eventually, electronic products are no different. Actually, they seem to come down in prices more rapidly.

This is written by someone who bought a $1000 VCR -- now you can get the same VCR for under a hundred bucks. If you can get anyone to buy it. For that matter, do they sell VCRs anymore?

Technologies change all the time.

Have you bought a TV lately? You may have been surprised at the different ones ( Plasma, LCD, Rear Projection ) and just look at the prices on the old fashion TVs, they have become downright cheap, compared to what they once were.

When one technology is replaced with another you can usually find some nice discounts and cheap prices. Many consumers confuse the word cheap with poor quality,

don't make the same mistake. In most cases, you're still getting a high quality product; just at a lower price.

There is a similar thing going on with laptops or notebook computers. A few years ago, compared to buying a PC, buying a laptop was very expensive.

Now laptop prices have fallen. New technologies have come on stream, most notably the new Intel Duo processor. Rightly or wrongly, it makes a lot of older laptops somewhat obsolete. But these older laptops are still high quality products that you may be able to purchase at a cheaper price.

But the million dollar question remains -- are cheap laptops worth your hard earned money?

Yes and no.

As a prudent shopper you have to be careful and know exactly what you're purchasing. A cheap laptop that will break or not perform up to our expectations is not cheap - just a waste of your hard earned money.

So you have to be careful and play it safe, always go with a high profile laptop maker. HP, Sony, Apple, Toshiba, Dell, Panasonic... many of these companies do sell inexpensive laptops. They also sell perfectly fine refurbished laptops that you should also consider if you're interested in buying a cheap laptop.

Many of these big name laptop makers do offer special deals and discount coupons. Many good quality laptops can now be bought for well under $1000. No matter what type or kind of laptop you buy or from whom, always check the warranties and know exactly what is covered should you run into problems with your newly purchased laptop.

Value for Your Money

However, you must always try to get the best value for your money. You must comparison shop and look closely at what you're getting for your hard earned cash.

Look at the processing speed, look at the amount of RAM, look at the graphics and visuals/display, try out the feel and touch of the keyboard and touchpad -- do they meet or perform to your satisfaction?

Look closely at the different features and ask yourself: do you need a wireless connection? do you need a large hard drive? 40-80-100 gigs? do you need a DVD burner? do you need long battery life? (if you're just using your laptop as a desktop replacement and it will be plugged in all the time, long battery life may not be that important). What connections do you need? How many USB ports? Firewire?

Keep all these features in mind when buying your laptop. A cheap laptop isn't cheap if it doesn't give you all the features you want. To be fully satisfied with your purchase, your cheap laptop must have all your requirements (things you just can't live without on your laptop) included in that cheap price.

In other words, you must make sure you're getting good value for your money. Make sure you're getting a high quality laptop with all the features you need or require in your laptop for a decent price.

Only Buy What You Need

Why buy a fully loaded laptop when you will never use a webcam or DVD burner. Why buy a 100 gig hard drive when you don't and will never need all that storage space? Instead, find the features you want and then go bargain hunting for a laptop within your price range.

Shop Around, Shop Around, Shop Around

The Internet is an excellent place to start your comparison shopping for a quality inexpensive laptop. Most, if not all of the major laptop makers have online sites where you can find some great laptop discounts and laptop deals. Many online stores and affiliate sites will also give you some great laptop bargains, so shop around.

Dell is well known for its online laptop coupons and discounts. Using Dell coupons will get you a cheaper laptop. Many other laptop makers like Toshiba and HP offer great online deals and discounts,

so make sure you look around before you buy that cheap laptop.

And don't forget eBay, but be careful of what you're buying and always thoroughly check out the seller as well as the product. Remember "It ain't cheap if it doesn't work!"

Still, if you're on a limited budget it pays to do your homework and shop around. There are some great bargains to be had, but don't be fooled by all those low prices. Just make sure your cheap laptop has all the features you need or can comfortably accept without too much disappointment. Make sure your cheap laptop is in fine working order and has a nice warranty attached to it.

Then and only then, can you be assured that your cheap laptop is well worth your money.

... For more information on Buying Notebooks and Laptops at Bargain Prices Go Here: Cheap Laptops or Try Here: Dell Coupons Copyright ร�ยฉ 2006 Titus Hoskins This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Make Your Laptop More Comfortable To Use With Accessories Like These

Many people are beginning to buy laptops now that prices have gone down on them so much, some are using only a laptop for their computer usage and others like myself use the laptop in conjunction with their desktop or when we have to go away for trips. It is amazing to me how many different accessories are available to customize a laptop. There are numerous performance enhancements that you can add but since most of us go out and buy the most advanced system we can, I am going to focus more on the accessories that will help make your laptop more comfortable to use.

One of the best investments I made for my laptop was a laptop beanbag table. This handy little item that is tapered and angled giving you a comfortable solid surface to work on so that you can sit in bed or on the couch and use your laptop more easily. The hard table also allows for proper cooling which keeps your laptop from overheating, something that happens often just sitting on your lap. To make it even more comfortable the bean bag table also has an ergonomic gel wrist rest to help prevent wrist strain and maladies like carpal tunnel syndrome. Not only was this one of the best investments for me in terms of comfort, it was also one of the cheapest.

Another cool invention is called the laptop wall caddy which makes it super convenient and comfortable to use your laptop anywhere you want in your home. It is basically like a portable desk. The height of the laptop wall caddy is easily adjustable and has a top that flips down to give you a stable workplace and then can be folded out of the way to save space. This is really great if you have a small home or apartment and don't really have the space to be able to set up a permanent workstation.

Another thing that I consider in the comfort area is also a performance enhancer, a wireless card. The reason I consider it a comfort feature is because it gives you freedom to use your laptop anywhere without being confined to a certain space or tied to wires. Of course you will need a wireless service plan as well, but it is worthwhile to have just to be able to enjoy the mobility that it affords you. I promise once you get it you will never want to give it up. Make sure you have extra batteries too, that way you don't have to be plugged in at all.

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about laptop accessories and laptop batteries at http://www.laptopbatteriesplus.com.

The Wireless Web: Are You Sharing Your Client's Data?

Are you wireless? Should you be? Does it matter?

With wireless capabilities being built into every new laptop under the sun, the internet is quickly becoming an always-on, always accessible way of doing business.

So what does that mean for you then?

Well, I don't need to tell you the value of being able to communicate with your clients from anywhere, at anytime. (Of course, we all have the power to choose just how accessible and available we are to our clients, but I digress...)

The real power of a quick email reply to an urgent client request from your wireless device of choice is this: it makes your client feel VALUED and IMPORTANT. It is a feeling we all live for. Delivering that feeling to your clients will do more for increasing your profits than many other activities.

That's the power of wireless.

Want to go wireless? Here are some basics. Much of this is not stuff you need to remember, but just information to help fill out your understanding:

*Wireless networks have flavors. There aren't many, but most wireless networks are one of three types, which are labeled by the letters a, b, and g. The differences are quite technical. In short, A and B are pretty old and G is the newest and the fastest. End of story.

*Wireless networks have names. These network names have been given the techie acronym SSID, which stands for Service Set IDentifier. When you sit down at your laptop and pull up the list of wireless networks in the area, the names in that list are, you guessed it, the SSIDs. Please don't bother to remember this acronym, you most likely won't need it again.

*Wireless networks can have extra security. This extra security comes in the form of encryption. Just like the technology used to protect your data when logging on to your bank accounts online, wireless networks can be (and should be) ENCRYPTED to protect your business data.

*New laptops are wireless ready. Most every new laptop comes with wireless access built in. No additional hardware or software is required. For older laptops, however, you will need a small wireless card that can be purchased for anywhere between $15.00 and $100.00 at your local computer store.

While wireless internet access provides many, many benefits to you and your business, there is a dark side...

As internet access becomes more and more interwoven into the business landscape, internet SECURITY, will become more and more of a priority.

Wireless security is not only something for the tech world to worry about. When dealing with private client data (which we ALL do), it is in your best interest to understand what you are dealing with. Don't worry, it's just a matter of understanding a few simple ideas and then applying them to protect yourself.

By default, most wireless networks send everyone's data flying through the air unprotected. If you have the proper tools (which are easily downloadable from the internet), you can pluck that data straight out of the air.

The wireless access at your local coffee shop or library is most often this type: completely unsecured and open to prying eyes. Yes, even Starbucks lets your data fly through the air, available for all.

So enough scare tactics...

The only word you have to remember when it comes to protecting yourself and your data is ENCRYPTION.

A good rule of thumb: If a wireless network is not encrypted, DON'T connect to it.

Some might say this is a bit paranoid. To that I might say, "Should my clients expect anything less?"

It is one thing if you are a college kid sitting at a coffee shop sending messages back and forth between your friends. It is quite another when you are preparing a legal brief or some other piece of confidential information that will be sent to your client.

So how do you tell if a wireless network is encrypted?

Simple...

If you need a password to connect, it is encrypted. If no password is required, you are operating in the open with no protection whatsoever.

There are various encryption strengths, some suited for your basic office environment and some more suited for even more confidential situations, like a doctor's office.

At this point, the important thing is not so much the strength of the encryption as much as whether or not you have it at all. Most would-be internet thieves (no, that is not their technical name), upon seeing an encrypted wireless network, will move on the thousands and thousands of easier targets with no encryption.

The bottom line:

The benefits wireless internet access bring to your business are too numerous to count. If you aren't "wireless" yet, look into it. If used properly, it can add heaps of value to the service you offer your clients.

Once you go wireless, you owe it to yourself, your business and your clients to be knowledgeable enough to protect your data from theft.

Jason Leister, the Real Estate Technology Guru (tm), is owner of Computer Super Guy, LLC, a Chicago-based technology firm that helps real estate professionals profit with technology.

Visit the Real Estate Technology Guru to subscribe to our free monthly eZine, ProfIT, and receive a FREE copy of our special report "The Truth About Real Estate Websites and Search Engine Optimization."

Small Business Opportunity Laptop Ideas

When a good small business opportunity idea is combined with the latest in laptop technology, expect nothing less than an explosively successful enterprise.

The reason should be obvious. The extra mobility that a laptop provides means that a small business opportunity entrepreneur can be on the road for months and yet clients and customers wouldn't even know it nor care less. This allows for a fascinatingly efficient one-person business enterprise because the principal can promote their business across the country and even the globe and yet do everything as if they never left their cozy head office premises.

Small Business Opportunity Laptop Idea: Recruit Agents For Your web site Worldwide

An excellent laptop computer well able to access the Internet means that you can go around the country promoting your web based business and recruiting agents while still efficiently running your site. It has clearly been proven that offline advertising and promotion of online small business is very effective. Radio and newspapers have been especially effective in promoting online enterprises in recent years.

With all your tools in your laptop, you can very effectively go all over the place promoting your site in local newspapers and radio stations, as you gradually cover the whole country and beyond. This exercise of sending sales persons on the road was previously an extremely expensive undertaking that usually required a person to recruit a fairly large sales team. Now the net and modern, efficient and powerful laptops have opened up vast new opportunities for the small business entrepreneur that were a wild impossible day dream just a few short years ago.

Visit the writer's blog to read the rest of this article and to get more small business opportunity laptop Ideas. Or hire a low cost writer who will change the destiny of your blog.

Automobile Pedestrian Radar Hurt WiFi Performance

And for those of us to have WiFi enabled computers, we know it is very important to get a good line of site connection when we use our computers or laptops from our vehicles. Unfortunately some of the new pedestrian high-tech radars being installed in modern automobiles will cut the signal.

So if you are a real estate agent downloading your e-mails on your computer in the parking lot at Starbucks or in front of the best Western hotel or even the parking lot outside your office, you may become very frustrated with someone in a new SUV with high-tech everything electronics balances in the parking lot and over the speed bump, as their pedestrian radar will cut your signal short.

Recently I talked with some Honda engineers at a trade show and I asked them if I am inside Starbucks using their WiFi and one of your cars with the special pedestrian radar parks out front facing in through the glass; will it cut my signal? They said that is entirely possible, however if the key is out of the ignition to pedestrian radar is turned off.

They did tell me that the new Volvo pedestrian radars do have a stronger signal and they would definitely cut my signal. At the SEMA autoshow there were several new prototypes of aftermarket pedestrian radars, which hooked into the dashboard or directly to the battery and they would go off even if the car was parked in the key was out of the ignition. This poses a problem also for those who are trying to pick up a WiFi signal from across the street and a delivery truck drives by with one of those aftermarket pedestrian radars. Bummer.

Lance Winslow

Wireless Ethernet: A Viable Business Opportunity for the IT Consultant

During 2002, many vendors were rushing to market 802.11a (up to 54Mpbs) wireless Ethernet products that were supposed to be the next wave in wireless networking. However, at the same time, an "in-progress" standard called 802.11g may supplant both the original 802.11b and newer 802.11a standards. So frankly, the "safest" bet for now may be to seek out wireless Ethernet hardware that supports all three standards: 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g.

Wireless Ethernet as a Business Opportunity

As an IT consultant you should be aware that wireless is a great business opportunity for savvy computer consultants. However, since there is a fairly large installed base of 802.11b (11Mbps) products already, and most 802.11a products are not backward compatible with 802.11b products (although many vendors are rushing to market with hybrid 802.11b/802.11a products), this 802.11a standard faces an uphill battle in the marketplace.

The Bottom Line about Wireless Ethernet

While wireless Ethernet will likely overtake wired Ethernet (Category 5) as the dominant small business networking standard at some point in the future, the "when" and "how" is still very unclear. In the meantime though, many small business computer consultants are still finding wireless Ethernet to be a tremendous marketplace opportunity.

Copyright MMI-MMVI, Small Biz Tech Talk. All Worldwide Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in author resource box required for copyright compliance}

Joshua Feinberg helps computer consultant business owners get steady, high-paying clients. Learn how you can too. Sign-up now for Joshua's free audio training program that shows you how to use field-tested, proven Small Biz Tech Talk tools.

Simple Tips To Buy A Laptop

With the extensive variety of laptop, or notebook, models available on the market today, it is extremely difficult for some people to conclude on purchasing the one that is most convenient for their needs. Different computer features offer potential laptop users a vast world of technology based ideas to accomplish a given task. From copying a CD-Rom data to writing your own code, laptops can be used as desktops, adding effectiveness and efficiency to their small easy-to-carry size.

Given that you are not a computer expert, but you do know some of your desktop computerรขโ�ฌโ�ขs main functions and components, the following simple steps can lead you closer to a laptop deal that you will not regret two weeks after the purchase.

Begin by thinking of your ideal laptop computer size. With the world of mobile computing increasing at a great speed, size currently does make a difference. In particular, a notebookรขโ�ฌโ�ขs size affects two main factors of your next laptop decision: its ability to be carried around easily and its display screen size. In fact, if you are constantly on the go and you need portability to be a key characteristic of your laptop experience, then it is advisable to purchase a smaller model. On the hand, in case you are planning to spend hours in front of your laptopรขโ�ฌโ�ขs computer screen, then you are better off with a larger display that will not cause your shoulders any unnecessary strain. With screens exceeding 17 inches, some of the available laptops do not loose anything when compared with desktops. But the down side is that as bigger the laptop gets, its weight also increases.

Next you have to figure out how big you need your hard drive to be as well as how much of system memory, or RAM, you will need. Deciding on your laptopรขโ�ฌโ�ขs hard drive is a process that requires you to think whether or not your notebook purchase will be you main computer system, or if it going to act as a supplement to your existing desktop. In case this will be your principal computer system, it is wise to select a larger hard drive that will accommodate all your software programs and files รขโ�ฌโ��purchasing a laptop with 60 GB RAM or more is the perfect solution in this case. If you are now planning to use your portable computer unit as a graphic designerรขโ�ฌโ�ขs tool or digital photographerรขโ�ฌโ�ขs database unit, then you will need as much memory as a laptop can hold. In fact, how much memory your laptop can hold can be part of your decision, since larger than 256 MB of RAM would not serve your publishing or image development needs.

Of course, your laptops network connection abilities should be such so as to allow you to stay connected either to the Internet, to a wireless network, or to a home and office intranet network. Build-in network connections will allow you to be always accessible and will ease your overall laptop experience.

Finally, but most importantly, prior to any purchase decide on your available budget. Although, laptop prices have decreased, itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs still a pretty big investment.

John Gibb is the owner of Laptop computer sources, For more information on laptop computers check out http://www.laptop-computer-sources4u.info

Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 2

Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This is the second part of a series of articles designed to give you a few suggestions for your next purchase.

Assuming you've done the visual inspection mentioned in part one, you're ready to power up the laptop and do some more digging.

Laptop Operating System

Does the laptop you're looking at come with an operating system? If not, it could be difficult for you to fully test the operation of the laptop. One good alternative to a built in operating system is to download and burn a copy of Knoppix. Knoppix is a linux operating system that runs off the CD-ROM drive instead of the hard drive. This allows you to test the laptop even if it doesn't have an operating system installed. You can find Knoppix at www.knoppix.com

Quick Power Up Inspection

Power up the laptop if it already isn't on. Make sure to open the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that comes with the laptop. Look for USB ports and make sure they are in good repair. Locate the vent for the CPU fan (if it has one รขโ�ฌโ�� most do) and listen to the sound it makes. If you hear any whining or grinding sounds, beware. This may be an indication that the CPU inside has not been getting proper cooling which can definitely lead to problems down the road like random crashes, shut downs, etc...

Examine the LCD Screen

Chances are, you're going to be staring at that screen an awful lot. Make sure the colors are stable and that there are no parts of the LCD screen that are washed out or discolored. Replacing an LCD screen is expensive. Better to find a problem with it before you buy it then afterwards.

Is the LCD screen bright enough for your needs? Some used laptops will have LCD screens that are too dim to be practical. Keep in mind that older laptops will often not be very bright in direct sunlight. They should all be bright in normal lighting conditions however.

Joe Duchesne is the Webmaster of Asklaptop.com a site that offers you information when you buy a laptop including related information. Reprint freely as long as the links in this resource box are live and point back to Asklaptop.com.

Mobile Technology - Writing on the Run

Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขm a big fan of using the right tool for the job when getting words down on (virtual) paper. I like to write but I hate dragging anything out in the field that I donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt have to. On the other hand, Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขm not very good at transcribing my journals from a notebook into a document file. I wrote a series of newspaper articles during both my Appalachian Trail thru-hike and Mississippi River trips for the Greensboro News and Record. During those trips I was largely dependent on public libraries for their computers and Internet access to post articles and photos. While libraries are wonderful about letting me use their systems, this isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt the most optimal set-up for many reasons. Hours of operation, distance from where I was staying, and just the issue having to go to one more place just to upload 1,000 words and a few photos. Thereรขโ�ฌโ�ขs got to be a better way. Maybe there is.

For the next trip Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขm planning on using something like a Palm TX with a folding keyboard for writing and photo management. As is stands now, I do most of my writing at home on an old Handspring Visor and folding keyboard that I canรขโ�ฌโ�ขt manage to kill. I love the convenience of just whipping out the PDA and hammering out a few words at the drop of a hat. For just getting words on paper, itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs hard to beat. The battery life on those old black and white units are incredibleรขโ�ฌโ��Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขll go for about three weeks on a set of AAรขโ�ฌโ�ขs. The downside is that I donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt have WIFI or a card reader for the photos with that setup.

We did use a Pocketmail email device for much of our short emails on the river. It was very easy to upload and download text emails, but no provision for photos. Thereรขโ�ฌโ�ขs an audio modem on the back, so you just dial a toll-free number from any phone, hold the unit to the receiver, then get you emails. Very handy.

Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขve also demo-ed a unit from Alphasmart called a Dana. Itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs a Palm-based unit thatรขโ�ฌโ�ขs the size of a thin laptop, with a great keyboard and usable black and white screen. Batteries last about 40 hours, and it has built-in (but slow) WIFI. For just basic word processing, this is thing is great, and itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs built like a tank. But then thereรขโ�ฌโ�ขs no real provision for photos....

What I want is a flash-based PDA with lots of memory, built-in WIFI, folding keyboard, and a battery life of at least 20 hours. That, and a benevolent benefactor to foot the bill for another long trip!

John Pugh has over 5,000 miles of backpacking and paddling experience, including a thru-hike of the famous Appalachian Trail. In 2005, he and his fiance paddled 2,150 miles down the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers to raise awareness for the Audubon Society's Upper Mississippi River Campaign. His book on the expedtion is being released in October, 2006. More information about their Source to Sea expedition, including their journals, sponsors, photographs, river resources can be found at http://www.sourcetosea.net.

A Guide to Refurbished Laptops

Computing freedom, independence, and mobility donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt have to come with a hefty price tag.

Manufacturers refurbish laptop computers that have been returned. The laptop might have a scratched screen or other minor blemish. In some cases, the laptop was an unwanted gift or its packaging was dented. The laptop is inspected by the manufacturer, tested for quality, and repackaged for sale at a much lower price.

While many new laptops can cost thousands of dollars, most refurbished laptop computers usually cost less than a couple of grand, and often less than $500. In most cases, they are as good as new and have a very low return rate. They even come with guarantees and warranties, just as you would expect with a new model.

A refurbished laptop can satisfy most peopleรขโ�ฌโ�ขs basic computing needs, such as word processing, running software, reading e-mail, creating spreadsheets, playing CDs, surfing the Internet, and more. Laptops allow access to all these features from anywhere.

All laptop manufacturers offer refurbished laptops, including such popular brands as Dell, IBM, Toshiba, and HP.

Computer prices are affected by type of processor, operating system, modem, and network card; size of the hard drive and RAM (Random Access Memory); and whether there is a CD/DVD-ROM/RW, a video card, a sound card, and zip drive. Prices are also affected by screen size and type of chassis.

The price will be affected by all these specifications, along with how well preserved the chassis is, the name of the manufacturer, and whether you acquire the laptop form the factory or through a private dealer. Private dealers charge less, but beware: not all dealers are up to par with their refurbishing skills. Be sure to go to one that is reputable and experienced.

Refurbished Laptops Info provides detailed information on quality, cheap refurbished laptops by manufacturers like Dell, IBM, Toshiba, and HP, as well as refurbished laptop batteries and related products. Refurbished Laptops Info is the sister site of Rack Mount Computers Web.

Pocket PC

Pocket PC can mean an operating environment based on Microsoftรขโ�ฌโ�ขs Windows CE operating system (a variation of Microsoft Windows operating system for miniature computers and embedded systems) or a handheld device that runs a specific version of that OS. According to Microsoft, the Pocket PC is ""a handheld device that enables users to store and retrieve e-mail, contacts, appointments, play multimedia files, games, exchange text messages with MSN Messenger, browse the Web, and more."

To be labeled as a Pocket PC, there are some prerequisites for handheld devices, such as running Microsoft Windows CE, PocketPC edition; being bundled with a specific suite of applications in ROM that include a touchscreen, directional pad, and a set of hardware application buttons; and being based on a ARM version 4 compatible CPU, Intel XScale CPU, MIPS CPU, or SH3 CPU.

The Pocket PC platform was introduced in 2000, by Microsoft and includes a combination of Windows CE Version 3.0, an enhanced user interface, Pocket Office applications, handwriting recognition, an e-book reader, wireless Internet, etc. Versions that include mobile phone features and capabilities, such as Mobile 2003 Phone Edition, have also been released. Popular handheld PDAs such as the Hewlett-Packard Jornada 540 series, the Compaq iPaq, and the Casio Cassiopeia E-115 run on the Pocket PC platform.

The latest Pocket PC from Microsoft is Windows Mobile 5.0, officially released on May 10, 2005. It is based on Windows CE 5.0, can be mounted as a USB Mass Storage device, and incorporates features such as Direct3D Mobile, integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi stacks. A Phone application is also included, and Windows Mobile 5.0 is compatible with Microsoft's Smartphone OS and related applications.

Pocket PC provides detailed information on Pocket PC, Pocket PC Software, PDA Pocket PCs, Pocket PC Games and more. Pocket PC is affiliated with Tablet PC Software.

5 Tips For Buying The Right Laptop Computer

It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models on the market today. There are literally dozens and dozens in every price range.

The key to finding the right one for you is to step back and consider exactly how you plan to use your laptop. When you define what you need before you go shopping, buying the right machine becomes much easier.

Here are 5 basic factors to consider:

1. SIZE

In the world of mobile computing, size definitely matters. The size of a laptop affects two key areas: portability and display size.

If you're always on the go and will be using your computer only in short bursts, a so-called ultralight will save you some shoulder strain.

On the other hand, if you're going to spend hours in front of your laptop, a larger display may be in order.

Today, some laptop displays exceed 17 inches, rivaling the display size of many desktop systems. The down side is that these monsters can easily weigh three times as much as an ultralight.

2. HARD DRIVE

Speaking of size, what about the size of the hard drive? One way to approach this issue is to ask yourself the following question:

Will this be my primary computer, or will it supplement my desktop system?

If the former, you should look for a bigger hard drive - 60 GB or more.

If the latter, you may be able to make it with a 20-30 GB hard drive.

But even this isn't absolute.

If, for example, you plan to copy a huge MP3 library from your desktop system to your laptop to make your music library portable, you'd be well advised to err on the side of too big.

3. MEMORY

In determining the right amount of system memory, or RAM, take a look at the ways in which you intend to use your laptop:

If your needs are somewhat mundane - email, spreadsheets, word processing, etc. - 256 MB of RAM should be plenty. This is a common configuration for many laptops, so it means you probably won't need to spend extra for more RAM.

On the flip side, if you're an aspiring mobile digital photographer or videographer, you should stuff your laptop with as much RAM as it can hold.

In fact, exactly how much RAM your laptop can hold may in part drive your purchase decision. Applications for editing and manipulating multimedia content are notorious resource hogs.

4. NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Thanks in no small part to the Internet, computing in the 21st century relies heavily on being connected:

Connected to the Internet, connected to a corporate network, connected to a wireless network, connected to a home network, connected to an online service.

Your life will be easier if you buy a laptop that includes built-in means to connect to them all.

5. PRICE

If you're considering a laptop, you're probably wondering how much money you'll need to spend.

A few years ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find one for under $2,000. Today, there are plenty of laptops to be had for under $1,000.

What's more, most of the major manufacturers offer a variety of financing options.

Laptop prices have come down, to be sure. However, a laptop still represents a fairly major purchase for most people.

If you take the time to search for a laptop that meets your specific needs, you should get many years of use and enjoyment from this important investment.

--

You may republish this article, but must keep the resource box and copyright at the end.

About The Author

The author, computer journalist John San Filippo, has created the definitive guide for buying a laptop computer. It's an easy read and explains everything you need to know. Check out ==> http://howtobuyalaptop.com/

Free WAV Ringtones

Technology and scientific development is making the world a better place to live in. With the onset of technology, extensive research is constantly leading to new scientific inventions. Heavy monetary investments are being made in the field of technology research.

Thanks to technology, it isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt difficult to stay connected. Technology has brought forth many inventions that make connectivity happen at the touch of a button. One of many such inventions is the cell phone. Cell phones play an important role in todayรขโ�ฌโ�ขs world. Because of the demand for customized cell phone content, unique ringtones, and ringtone companies have sprung up in the past few years. Meeting customer demand is an ever-changing task that requires staying on top of new technologies and trends, but these companies meet the challenges and offer many different free ringtones.

It is quite possible that any individual can get a free ringtone, as long he knows what type of free ringtone he needs. The one type of free ringtone that is almost synonymous with the word "technology" and that is the WAV ringtone.

WAV is the computer file name is that is short for "wave" and is a type of audio formatting that can be stored on your personal computer. This file can then be downloaded from the computer onto your cell phone and set as a ringtone. This is one way you can have a free WAV ringtone. These WAV ringtones can also be obtained free of cost from the ringtone manufacturing companies. The output of the free WAV ringtones is best on any phone that falls into the "smart phone" category. Some of these "smart phones" include the Nokia 3650, 7650, Sony Ericsson, and also the BenQ P30. These free WAV ringtones are about 100Kb in size. Moreover, they have fade in and fade out qualities. There is a huge collection of free WAV ringtones to choose from. There are over a hundred of English free WAV ringtones and more than a fifty Chinese free WAV ringtones to select from on some Web sites. The creators of the free WAV ringtones are constantly researching and uploading new and different WAV ringtones, and ways to make it easier for the user to download them.

FreeRingtonesNow.net is a website that offers visitors the ability to find free ringtones and specific information on free wav ringtones.