Anti Glare Screens

By: yusran

You remember those old green screen computers? I remember being in elementary school and learning to program in logo on one. Even at that time, the green screen monochromatic was a little dated, but the teacher assured us that it was the best possible system for our eyes. The four color and sixteen color screens we were using at home, she assured us, would lead to the ruination of our vision. This was far before anyone had heard of anti glare screens, but even back then, there was awareness about the possible harmful effects of computer screens on people's eyes.

Well, whether or not my 4th grade teacher was right, no one but a complete fanatic uses monochromatic computer screens today. Anti glare screens have become a necessity for the modern computer for many reasons. Many of us use our computers for everything – for work, for email, for movies and video games.

The amount of ultraviolet and other dangerous emissions from our computer screens inevitably builds up and does damage to our eyes if we don't use a screen glare filter. The anti glare screen may not seem to make a big difference if you are just looking at your computer for an hour or two, but multiply that by several hours a day for years and years, and you will see just how much of a problem it can be. But anti glare screens aren't just useful for safety.

The number one use of anti glare screens is, well, for reducing glare. If daylight is coming through your window at a bad angle, you won't be able to see what is going on your screen at all. What would you rather do? Would you like to close the shades and stay in artificial light all day? Do you want to have to turn the computer at different angles as the sun makes its transversal across the sky?

Or do you use the easy and logical solution of anti glare screens which will eliminate glare, not only from sunlight, but from artificial lighting as well. To me, the choice seems simple. I have anti glare screens on every computer in my house, including my laptops. Although they can be temperamental and fragile, anti glare screens in general really are a great technology. I'm sure the day isn't far away when they are built into every computer monitor straight out of the factory.

Article Source: http://www.articlesaboutcomputers.com

Understanding The Basics Of A Data Logger

By: yusran

When the meteorologist reads the local forecast, it is because of his/her accurate assessment of the data logging factors. In addition, water levels, depths and flow can be measured this way. If you have ever read the newspaper and see a listing for how many people traveled on a certain highway over the weekend, perhaps you wonder how that assessment was made. Did someone stand outside and count each individual car or truck that passed by? Well, no, but a computer did. Road traffic counting is another example of data logging.

A data logger is defined as an electronic computerized device that records data over a predetermined amount of time. Depending on the job, some data loggers are small while larger machines are used for more extensive research. These units acquire data according to the programming and store it into memory or a storage unit. This memory can be set to accommodate days, weeks or even months without ever having human intervention. Modern data loggers use a battery to promote storage in the units memory Older models use paper or disks, but technology has all but rendered these earlier models extinct.

Data loggers are so accurate that, in addition to recording detailed information, they often provide a time and date indicator to ensure that all of the recorded data can be broken down and associated with a specific date and time for informational research purposes. This is possible because of their built in clocks, which easily provide an accurate reading.

From the simplest of device to a complex unit, data loggers offer a wide range of flexibility for nearly any data retrieval job. The more simple devices are, as expected, easier to program. The more complex the unit, the more work that is involved. Some of the most modern data loggers offer website capabilities, which allow individuals to surf onto a website and monitor the tracking system. This works well for users who enjoy real time information, including weather data, web cams, etc.

During harsh weather conditions, troublesome water levels or other concerns, a data logger can be linked to devices, including modems, cell phones or satellites. This capability can keep individuals updated on the status of weather conditions, but also alert them if immediate attention is required. If you ever notice a weather warning interrupt a radio station or television broadcast, that information is coming from a data logger that is responsible for monitoring weather conditions. The information is then relayed to the meteorologist, who gets the information out to the public.

As individuals, it is difficult to realize the complex nature of data loggers and their responsibilities. But, without them, we would certainly become aware of their absence. Without a way to measure such important data factors, without an efficient way to report them and research certain data, we would be forever uninformed.

What is a USB device?

By: yusran

A USB device is any peripheral hardware that connects and runs on a computer's Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface - a standardized socket that allows connection and disconnection of devices without having to reboot the computer. USB controls the peripheral devices in a master/slave relationship.

The USB interface expands a computer's plug and play capabilities, as it allows a wide array of devices that have been specifically created for USB to be connected with the PC, either with or without device drivers installed. USB's standard design was accomplished by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), a consortium of leading computer and electronic companies that serves as the industry standards body. As a result of the standardization, third-party hardware is identical on all platforms and differs only in the required OS-specific software.

The advantages from USB aside from expandability are lower production cost, auto-configuration, improved performance and reliable speed. The USB interface also provides power to peripherals without the need for a power adapter. Common USB devices include mice, keyboards, joysticks, webcams, game pads and other low-bandwidth devices.

USB controllers

Before USB 2.0, there are two competing Host Control Device implementations: the Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI) developed by Microsoft, Compaq and National Semiconductor, and the Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI) made by Intel. The USB-IF mandated a unified implementation in USB Version 2.0, resulting in the Enhance Host Controller Interface (EHCI). Only EHCI supports hi-speed transfers of up to 480 Mbit/second, while the original competing implementations were retained as companion or virtual host controllers for backward compatibility. The virtual host controllers support full speed (12 Mbit/second) and low-speed (1.5 Mbit/second) transfers.

Device Classes
Among the many defined device classes, ordinary users will most likely encounter the following:

o Audio interface devices – include speakers, microphone, sound card
o Communications devices – Ethernet and serial adapter, modem
o Human interface devices – joystick, mice, keyboard
o Imaging devices – camera, printer
o Mass storage devices – Flash drive, memory card reader, digital audio players,
external drives
o USB hubs
o Smart card readers
o Video devices – webcam
o Wireless controllers – Bluetooth adapter, WiFi adapter

Article Source: http://www.articlesaboutcomputers.com

How to care for your batteries to last longer?

Because of the high failure rate of fleet batteries and the uncertain situations such failures create, some organizations assign a person to maintain batteries. This person checks all batteries on a scheduled basis, exercises them for optimum service life, and replaces those that fall below an accepted capacity level and do not recover with maintenance programs. Batteries perform an important function; giving them the care they deserve is appropriate.

A personal user is one who operates a mobile phone, a laptop computer or a video camera for business or pleasure. He or she will most likely follow the recommended guidelines in caring for the battery. The user will get to know the irregularities of the battery. When the runtime gets low, the battery often gets serviced or replaced. Critical failures are rare because the owner adjusts to the performance of the battery and lowers expectations as the battery ages.

The fleet user, on the other hand, has little personal interest in the battery and is unlikely to tolerate a pack that is less than perfect. The fleet user simply grabs a battery from the charger and expects it to last through the shift. The battery is returned to the charger at the end of the day, ready for the next person. Little or no care is given to these batteries. Perhaps due to neglect, fleet batteries generally have a shorter service life than those in personal use.

How can fleet batteries be made to last longer? An interesting contrast in the handling of fleet batteries can be noted by comparing the practices of the US Army and the Dutch Army, both of which use fleet batteries. The US Army issues batteries with no maintenance program in place. If the battery fails, another pack is issued. Little or no care is given and the failure rate is high.

The Dutch Army, on the other hand, has moved away from the open fleet system by making the soldiers responsible for their batteries. This change was made in an attempt to reduce battery waste and improve reliability. The batteries are issued in the soldier’s name and the packs become part of their personal belongings. The results are startling. Since the Dutch Army adapted this new regime, the failure rate has dropped considerably and, at the same time, battery performance has increased. Unexpected down time has almost been eliminated.

It should be noted that the Dutch Army uses exclusively NiCd batteries. Each pack receives periodic maintenance to prolong service life. Weak batteries are systematically replaced. The US Army, on the other hand, uses NiMH batteries. They are evaluating the Li-ion polymer for the next generation battery.

Great Backup Solution By External Hard Drive

The external hard disk drive is the form of the internal hard drive and can be connected to the computer system through the data (external) cables. Auxiliary power is required by some of the external hard drives and the other drives get the power from the USB 2.0 data connection. The external hard drives provide the facility to the users as an excellent backup hardware due to its portability and the capabilities of data storage. The external USB drives also have different sizes and shapes like the internal hard drives.

The most typical type of connection for the external hard drives is the USB 2.0 (universal serial bus). The external drives also have the SATA and the Firewire connections.

The customer must be aware of his computer’s capabilities and requirements before selecting the external drive. The Firewire drive requires Firewire connections and therefore, the user will have to buy the additional hardware (Firewire connections) to operate the drive. Basically there are 2 camps of the users of external drives. One of them is those who connect the drive permanently and the second one is those who connect the drive only when they are backing up the data.

The users who connect the external drive permanently to the system utilize the drive as RAID-1 configuration or a mirror. Most often the included software in the external drive allows the customers to do this, but sometimes the user has to use the software of third party. This method is easy and advantageous as the customer gets backups (real time). And the disadvantage of this method is that the external drive runs constantly and is attached constantly to the system. Other mentality of the users of external drive is they connect the drive to backup data or photos. This method requires backup schedule because the backups may become nearly useless or quickly out of data. In this method, the user has advantage that he can store the external drive in a secure location off site from the computer. While the disadvantage of this method is that the data backups may not be up to data completely on any of the given day.

The external hard drives are portable, reliable and are fairly cheap. Their life expectancy is almost the same as that of the internal hard drives possibly if the external hard drives are not constantly connected to the computer. External hard drive’s most important benefit is that it can be separated from the system and can be stored any where else. The backup data in the external drive can be kept even safer by keeping the drive in off site location or in safe (fireproof). If the external drive remains connected to the system all the time, then it will be exposed to same threats as that of the computer like theft, fire etc. The external hard drives are vulnerable to be accidentally dropped or shock. External drives provide great solutions for data backup. The most important facility of the external drives is that they can be separated from the system between backups.

The SD card is solid state memory card

The SD card is solid state memory card. It is used in laptops, video consoles, digital cameras, mobile phones and similar other digital devices. The SD cards are very robust and reliable. SD memory cards are the new and successful addition to the media that will help to pave way for networked society of the future. The SD cards are small in size, user friendly and have powerful features to facilitate and provide ease to its users. These memory cards help to link different digital equipments because they are highly compatible. SD memory cards are also compatible with application formats of host and they do not need the use of personal computer. The compatibility and the interpretability of the SD card is very broad and therefore, the applications of the SD memory card are expected to further expand in the future. Due to ease of use and compatibility of the SD memory cards, they are now considered as the standard for the digital connectivity. Advancements are being made so that the SD card can give universal accessibility to multi media data of wider array. The size of the SD memory card is small and is approximately 24x32x2.1mm.

The data can be easily transferred using the SD memory cards because of their slim size and the compact design. SD cards have the basic, important and powerful features of bridge media. Music and video clips can be played by SD card compatible device with the help of “decoder software” even without the drive mechanism. In this way the product designers have more freedom to be creative and therefore, more compact equipment can be made.

The other popular and smaller form of SD memory card is the miniSD card, its size is approximately 20 x 21.5 x 1.4 mm. The small size does not mean that the capacity will also be reduced. The SD cards have the recording capacity of 2GB, 4GB and 8GB. Work is being done to further enhance its capacity. The SD cards have high data storage capacity so they are capable to store the high quality video that requires large capacity.

Demand has increased for high speed memory cards because of the increased digital contents and data volumes. SD memory card protects the data by the technology of copyright CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media). The CPRM protects the data from illegal copying and therefore, helps to distribution system of the commercial media and music as well. The CPRM technology was introduced and is licensed by the four companies Intel, Toshiba, IBM and Matsushita. This technology is enhanced in Secure Digital card by built in technology of key revocation.

After the detection of external device, the control circuitry of the SD memory card allows the reading and writing of the data within its protection area. There is a system of check out that allows three copies from PC to SD card in accordance with specification of SDMI. All the products of SD audio comply with the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI). The authentication among the devices enabled the access to SD card. When exchange of information and mutual authentication takes place, each time a random number generates. These are the basic powerful features of the copy right technology of the SD cards.