Deep down, you know that regular computer backup is the responsible and prudent action that could one day save your business from the utter chaos of a major data loss. You know this. But even so, you put off getting a reliable computer backup system in place and continue to cross your fingers, hoping for the best. All the while, with each passing day you store more and more of your business’ critical information on your computer’s vulnerable hard drive.
When it comes to planning for data recovery, ignorance is the opposite of bliss. Let’s take a closer look at how you’re neglecting your computer backup and then at a few simple strategies for protecting the future of your business.
How You’re Neglecting Your Computer Backup
You use a computer every day to organize, grow and operate your business, but you can’t remember the last time you made a backup of the information stored on your computer.
You don’t know how to perform a backup, but you have an IT guy that you think backs up your computer from time to time. You’re not sure how often he does the backup, and you’re not sure what happens to the backup once he’s completed it. Does he take it home? Does it get transferred to another external hard drive in your office? No, he leaves the backup CD on top of the computer, so that when your office is robbed, the CD is stolen with the computer. (Repeat outcome for fire and flooding.)
You or your IT person perform a backup of your computer system on the first day of every month and store it safely offsite. If your computer crashes on the last day of the previous month, having to recreate 30 or 31 days of hard work would be a complete nightmare, but so far you’ve been lucky.
Your assistant backs up all of your computers every Friday afternoon to CDs, which she then puts into her purse to take home. The information is unencrypted, but she’s been with you for years and she’s practically part of the family. On her way home, she stops at the grocery store to pick up a few things, and as she’s loading her purchases into her trunk her purse is stolen from the front of her shopping cart. As she already has her car keys in hand to open the trunk, she doesn’t even realize that her purse is missing until she arrives home. Now your private information (and the private information of your client base) is available to complete strangers, who also happen to be criminals.
How You Can Act Now to Protect Your Business
Recognize that your time is a non-renewable resource, and therefore the time spent working on your computer is extremely valuable. Protect that investment by backing up your computer every day.
Ask yourself: how much time do I spend working on my computer every day? Is it 4 hours, 6 hours, or perhaps even 8-10 hours? How would you feel if your computer crashed and you lost an entire day’s worth of progress? How about a week’s or a month’s worth of progress? If these are unacceptable scenarios for your business, you need to get serious about computer backup and recovery.
Train a second and third person to perform a complete backup. This way, if you are out of the office for any reason, two other people can step in to backup your computers.
Personally store a copy of your recent backup offsite, in a secure location like a safety deposit box. If your IT person is copying your backup to an external drive that resides in your office, have them also make a CD version that you can take offsite.
The best way to ensure that your computer backup is completed every day, encrypted, and securely stored offsite, is to use a reputable online data backup and recovery service to automatically backup and securely store your information. These services are inexpensive, reliable and managed by digital storage experts.
When you’re planning the future of your business, don’t neglect the importance of daily, offsite computer backup. Because being able to recover all of your information after a frightening computer crash or theft is pure business bliss.
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AlcE
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AlcE
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Tape back ups are infallible according to tech gurus. A tape back up system ensures that valuable data is always stored safely and that no loss of data will occur in case of disasters. Tape back up systems are in use by several small and large corporations and are known to be reliable.
Of all back up systems for computer data tape backups are the cheapest, they are a secure way to store data and can be transported with ease. In terms of cost a tape backup system is cheaper than most other back up systems and the equipment and expertise needed is minimal. A tape back up system can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on configuration.
When buying a tape back up system you need to consider:
1. Your need. Study your systems to determine how much data needs backing up and how often. Find out how much new data is generated each day or week. This will help you decide whether you need daily back up, weekly back up or fortnightly back ups.
2. Don’t just go out and buy the first tape back up system you see. Find out all about hardware, software, and tapes. Get advice on how to buy a simple user friendly configuration.
3. Choose a tape drive based on your needs. Find out how many megabytes of data you will need to store. There are many reliable systems like Mountain Network solutions, Colorado Memory Systems, Hewlett Packard, and so on.
4. When considering a tape back up software decide whether you will need server only back up or server and desktop back ups. Great software for tape back up systems is available from Cheyyenne, Maynard, Palindrome, and Filesafe. Know what software will suit your needs. Read reviews , case studies, and trade publications.
5. Select tapes that have a proven reliability. Most people recommend 3M, Exabyte, or Sony tapes.
6. Once you have all your needs figured out create a note and then get quotes form different dealers. Comparison shop to get the best deal.
Before you sign a check ask about guarantees and service. Many vendors offer training too. Look for honesty, reliability, and transparency. Most people who have these qualities will talk openly about successes as well as failures.
Insist on testing back ups. And store the tape back ups off site so that they are not destroyed in case of floods or fire.
Of all back up systems for computer data tape backups are the cheapest, they are a secure way to store data and can be transported with ease. In terms of cost a tape backup system is cheaper than most other back up systems and the equipment and expertise needed is minimal. A tape back up system can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on configuration.
When buying a tape back up system you need to consider:
1. Your need. Study your systems to determine how much data needs backing up and how often. Find out how much new data is generated each day or week. This will help you decide whether you need daily back up, weekly back up or fortnightly back ups.
2. Don’t just go out and buy the first tape back up system you see. Find out all about hardware, software, and tapes. Get advice on how to buy a simple user friendly configuration.
3. Choose a tape drive based on your needs. Find out how many megabytes of data you will need to store. There are many reliable systems like Mountain Network solutions, Colorado Memory Systems, Hewlett Packard, and so on.
4. When considering a tape back up software decide whether you will need server only back up or server and desktop back ups. Great software for tape back up systems is available from Cheyyenne, Maynard, Palindrome, and Filesafe. Know what software will suit your needs. Read reviews , case studies, and trade publications.
5. Select tapes that have a proven reliability. Most people recommend 3M, Exabyte, or Sony tapes.
6. Once you have all your needs figured out create a note and then get quotes form different dealers. Comparison shop to get the best deal.
Before you sign a check ask about guarantees and service. Many vendors offer training too. Look for honesty, reliability, and transparency. Most people who have these qualities will talk openly about successes as well as failures.
Insist on testing back ups. And store the tape back ups off site so that they are not destroyed in case of floods or fire.
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AlcE
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Over time most people tend to store valuable data on their personal and business computers. And, some never think about back up systems. Often when things go wrong the loss of data can rob you of your peace of mind and sanity.
The first thing to do when you perceive that there is trouble in your server , hard disk, or RAID health is to stay calm and not facilitate further loss by pressing all keys and codes. Take a deep breath and decide on whether you are going to do the data protection and recovery yourself or seek the help of specialists. The key to preventing loss of computer data is to create back ups like clockwork.
Data recovery, although possible, hardly ever promises 100% recovery of lost data, here are a few suggestions:
1. Use proven data recovery software and try and retrieve lost files.
2. If you suspect a hardware collapse just pull the plug and call for professional help. Do not try and shut down the system or save any files.
3. Listen to the computer and see if you can detect any abnormal sounds.
4. Connect the faulty disks to another computer and use the disk as a slave to try and recover lost files.
5. Consider investing in data recovery software. Surf the World Wide Web and locate a reliable data recovery and protection service. Be sure to check their credentials.
6. If a drive is damaged do not run defragmenters or volume repair utilities.
7. In case the ruined drive has OS systems on it get recovery systems that have boot functions. Once the files become visible copy them onto disks or external drives.
8. Never dry a wet hard drive with a dryer it will damage the system completely.
9. Clean up the system by deleting unwanted files and software.
10. Install protection systems like firewalls and anti-virus scanners.
As far as possible never drop a drive down. Use only recommended hardware and software. Beware of free downloads. Set up an infallible back up system.
Protect your data against loss by:
1. Conducting weekly backups that are offsite. Remote data back ups minimizes data loss.
2. Use Storage area networks or SANs.
3. Add surge protectors to your computer system . This will protect the delicate equipment.
4. Connect the whole system through an UPS or uninterrupted power supply system.
5. Install anti-virus software and firewalls.
6. Insure your hardware.
7. Follow the rules of safe computer use like never opening attachments from unknown sources and protecting your system from phising by avoiding free downloads and so on.
Take the ultimate step in protecting your data by training all employees if you are a business and if you are an individual then stay abreast of recent trends in computer protection and data recovery.
The first thing to do when you perceive that there is trouble in your server , hard disk, or RAID health is to stay calm and not facilitate further loss by pressing all keys and codes. Take a deep breath and decide on whether you are going to do the data protection and recovery yourself or seek the help of specialists. The key to preventing loss of computer data is to create back ups like clockwork.
Data recovery, although possible, hardly ever promises 100% recovery of lost data, here are a few suggestions:
1. Use proven data recovery software and try and retrieve lost files.
2. If you suspect a hardware collapse just pull the plug and call for professional help. Do not try and shut down the system or save any files.
3. Listen to the computer and see if you can detect any abnormal sounds.
4. Connect the faulty disks to another computer and use the disk as a slave to try and recover lost files.
5. Consider investing in data recovery software. Surf the World Wide Web and locate a reliable data recovery and protection service. Be sure to check their credentials.
6. If a drive is damaged do not run defragmenters or volume repair utilities.
7. In case the ruined drive has OS systems on it get recovery systems that have boot functions. Once the files become visible copy them onto disks or external drives.
8. Never dry a wet hard drive with a dryer it will damage the system completely.
9. Clean up the system by deleting unwanted files and software.
10. Install protection systems like firewalls and anti-virus scanners.
As far as possible never drop a drive down. Use only recommended hardware and software. Beware of free downloads. Set up an infallible back up system.
Protect your data against loss by:
1. Conducting weekly backups that are offsite. Remote data back ups minimizes data loss.
2. Use Storage area networks or SANs.
3. Add surge protectors to your computer system . This will protect the delicate equipment.
4. Connect the whole system through an UPS or uninterrupted power supply system.
5. Install anti-virus software and firewalls.
6. Insure your hardware.
7. Follow the rules of safe computer use like never opening attachments from unknown sources and protecting your system from phising by avoiding free downloads and so on.
Take the ultimate step in protecting your data by training all employees if you are a business and if you are an individual then stay abreast of recent trends in computer protection and data recovery.
Posted by
AlcE
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Power outages, systems errors, viruses, hardware failure and more could throw your whole business to jeopardy if you have failed to create an efficient back up system. Personal or business data stored on computers or laptops is very often lost due to disasters big and small.
There are so many reasons due to which data can be lost, power outages or surges, computer crashes, spyware, viruses designed to wipe up entire disk systems, natural disasters like tsunamis and floods. What you need to do is always be prepared for the worst and think of data recovery systems.
In case of any problem and possible data loss here are 6 basic rules for you to follow:
1. Do not use your system. When you use the computer the chances of overwriting and irreparable loss are extremely high.
2. Do not try and copy any files to or from your disk.
3. Never connect to the internet until the lost data has been recovered.
4. Try and free space on the disk that contains lost files. Empty the recycle bin and browser cache.
5. Call in the data recovery experts. In an emergency it is best you do not attempt file recovery yourself. Sit with the expert and indicate the important files that are lost. Once the files have been recovered check carefully that they are complete and functional. Then save them in multiple locations like CDs, pen drives, and another directory on the computer.
6. Once this emergency is over make efforts to put in place a data recovery system. The World Wide Web has several experts in the field who will set up simple data recovery systems. It is not very expensive and you have to consider that protecting you valuable data from loss is very important.
Data recovery systems are designed by experts and the systems can recover most of your data. What you need to do is ensure that all your data is backed up periodically say once a week or fortnight depending on usage. Finding a data recovery expert is not hard all you need to do is go online and study the various options. Make a short list and verify the efficacy and reliability of each consultant or vendor before signing up.
There are two options data recovery software and professional services. You need to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether you just want to invest in software or take professional help. Your decision should really depend on how much computer knowledge and expertise you have and whether you will be able to use the software efficiently. Before you buy any software ask about any warranties of full data recovery.
The advantage of hiring a professional is that is that :
• They are experts.
• They have the most advanced software and updated systems.
• They have the expertise to recover all kinds of file types including FLV and flash files, MIDI music files, digital media files, voice files, and other regular files.
Data recovery is not difficult at all and can save your business or personal data.
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AlcE
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The so called music and movie download sites are under attack.
In America the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America)and Hollywood's MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America)are trying to shut them down, and seasoned Internet users are calling them a scam. Do they deserve this?
Surfing the Internet, looking for music and movies to download, you will find a lot of so called music and movie download sites. These sites do not provide you with music, or movies to download, no, they provide you with file sharing soft ware you can use to search for, and download music, movies and games. Most of them also provide you with cd burning soft ware and they have a helpdesk for those members who run in to problems with their downloading.
These sites are under attack.
First of all there is the entertainment industry that wants to shut them down. They claim that these file sharing programs are used to download copy right protected materials.
This is true of course, but lots of people download and trade files legally on file-sharing networks.You can, for example, legally download music from hundreds of bands and thousands live concerts, as well as multiple software titles and games. File sharing has enabled music fans from around the world to build the largest library of recorded music in history. File sharing is not illegal as long as you obey and comply with all relevant copyright laws. Sharing copyrighted material without permission could be illegal in your country.
In America the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) are leading the fight against the sharing of copyrighted music. Others, like Hollywood’s MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) are also starting to get involved and are taking legal action against the music and movie download sites.
It will not be easy to shut down these download sites. Especially since the Internet has no borders, it will be an almost impossible task, to get all the countries in the world to agree on how to legislate Internet downloading.
Another attack on music and movies download sites comes from, what I call, seasoned Internet users. They claim these download sites are a scam, because they charge for something you can get for free.
Well, you could get it for free, that is true. These download sites provide you with soft ware to search for and download files from the Internet. They provide you with soft ware to burn these files on a cd should you wish to do so.
All this software is available for free on the Internet, but for an Internet novice it could be a daunting task to look for this kind of soft ware, to decide which soft ware to use, how to use it.On top of that they have to make sure that they do not download spy ware, ad ware or what ever. Joining a download site and have all the info in one place is not a bad option for most of them. Another advantage is the fact that these download sites provide a help desk for their members.
Is it a scam if you provide info that people could get for free elsewhere?
Consider this.
You are looking for a telephone number, so you look it up in the phone book.
Say you do not have the right phone book, you can go out looking for it.
You probably can find this free info in the library.
You can also pick up the phone and ring an information service.
They will provide you with this free info and they will charge you for it.
So, is this information service a scam?
I do not think so, and I also do not think that the music and movies download sites are a scam.
Provided of course that they tell you what you can expect from them before you sign up with them, and that they deliver on this promise
If you want to join a download site, chose one that gives a guaranty that you can have your money back if not satisfied.
Once you have joined, test out everything, especially their helpdesk.
If you have no questions, ask them a few things you know already, just to test their response.
And last but not least, do not hesitate to charge back your money if you are not completely satisfied.
Happy downloading!
In America the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America)and Hollywood's MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America)are trying to shut them down, and seasoned Internet users are calling them a scam. Do they deserve this?
Surfing the Internet, looking for music and movies to download, you will find a lot of so called music and movie download sites. These sites do not provide you with music, or movies to download, no, they provide you with file sharing soft ware you can use to search for, and download music, movies and games. Most of them also provide you with cd burning soft ware and they have a helpdesk for those members who run in to problems with their downloading.
These sites are under attack.
First of all there is the entertainment industry that wants to shut them down. They claim that these file sharing programs are used to download copy right protected materials.
This is true of course, but lots of people download and trade files legally on file-sharing networks.You can, for example, legally download music from hundreds of bands and thousands live concerts, as well as multiple software titles and games. File sharing has enabled music fans from around the world to build the largest library of recorded music in history. File sharing is not illegal as long as you obey and comply with all relevant copyright laws. Sharing copyrighted material without permission could be illegal in your country.
In America the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) are leading the fight against the sharing of copyrighted music. Others, like Hollywood’s MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) are also starting to get involved and are taking legal action against the music and movie download sites.
It will not be easy to shut down these download sites. Especially since the Internet has no borders, it will be an almost impossible task, to get all the countries in the world to agree on how to legislate Internet downloading.
Another attack on music and movies download sites comes from, what I call, seasoned Internet users. They claim these download sites are a scam, because they charge for something you can get for free.
Well, you could get it for free, that is true. These download sites provide you with soft ware to search for and download files from the Internet. They provide you with soft ware to burn these files on a cd should you wish to do so.
All this software is available for free on the Internet, but for an Internet novice it could be a daunting task to look for this kind of soft ware, to decide which soft ware to use, how to use it.On top of that they have to make sure that they do not download spy ware, ad ware or what ever. Joining a download site and have all the info in one place is not a bad option for most of them. Another advantage is the fact that these download sites provide a help desk for their members.
Is it a scam if you provide info that people could get for free elsewhere?
Consider this.
You are looking for a telephone number, so you look it up in the phone book.
Say you do not have the right phone book, you can go out looking for it.
You probably can find this free info in the library.
You can also pick up the phone and ring an information service.
They will provide you with this free info and they will charge you for it.
So, is this information service a scam?
I do not think so, and I also do not think that the music and movies download sites are a scam.
Provided of course that they tell you what you can expect from them before you sign up with them, and that they deliver on this promise
If you want to join a download site, chose one that gives a guaranty that you can have your money back if not satisfied.
Once you have joined, test out everything, especially their helpdesk.
If you have no questions, ask them a few things you know already, just to test their response.
And last but not least, do not hesitate to charge back your money if you are not completely satisfied.
Happy downloading!
Posted by
AlcE
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Free spyware stoppers are programs capable of stopping harmful software programs known as Spyware from infecting your computer. If your computer becomes infected with a Spyware program, the Spyware will send information about you and your computer habits back to the Spyware owner, without you knowledge or consent. Information sent back to the Spyware owner can often include very private data, such as lists of all your visited websites, details about online purchases, credit card information etcetera.
Information gathered by Spyware is usually used for commercial gain, but has been used for much more malicious schemes as well, such as credit card frauds and identity theft. To avoid this from happening to you, you can install one of the many free Spyware stoppers that are available online. Take your time and compare several free Spyware stoppers, since their quality and reliability can vary considerably. Some free Spyware stoppers are available in a more advanced version for a fee.
Unlike computer virus programs and common worms, Spyware programs usually refrain from self-replication. Instead, the computer user is lured into accepting a download of the Spyware program from the web. Spyware can be included in a popular software program, such as game. If you download music from the web without a using any of the Spyware stoppers, you will most likely infect your computer with Spyware sooner or later.
Spyware can however download it self to your computer even if you refrain completely from downloading music and programs from the Internet which is one the reasons why it so important to use free spyware stoppers.. A simple click on a fake X when you try to close a pop-up window is enough for a download to begin, without you even noticing it. As of 2005, computer users that are running Microsoft Windows operating systems are most exposed to Spyware, and will benefit most from installing free Spyware stoppers. There are however a few new Spyware programs and worms out there today that can infect Linux and other UNIX platforms. If you are a UNIX user you should therefore also check out the free Spyware programs, to be on the safe side.
Unlike Virus program, Spyware programs will often make an effort not to disturb you. By not interfering with the computers normal tasks, kidnapping your mailbox or deleting any information - typical Virus actions - the Spyware can stay unnoticed inside your computer and continue to send out more and more information about you.
This is why you should take advantage of the many free Spyware stoppers that are available online. By simply downloading one of the free Spyware stoppers from a reputable site you can put an end to the Spyware problem and protect your privacy. When you choose between the various free Spyware stoppers, you should ideally pick one that will not only stop all attempts to install Spyware on your computer. Instead, choose one of the free Spyware stoppers that are also capable of scanning your entire computer and removing any existing Spyware from it.
Good free Spyware stoppers should also be easy to download and install and hassle free to manage. If you experience problems with your free Spyware stoppers, you should take advantage of the fact that they are free and simply choose a new one among the many free Spyware stoppers that are available today. Since all computer users have their own personal preferences and needs, free Spyware stoppers that are right for your friends might not be right for you.
Information gathered by Spyware is usually used for commercial gain, but has been used for much more malicious schemes as well, such as credit card frauds and identity theft. To avoid this from happening to you, you can install one of the many free Spyware stoppers that are available online. Take your time and compare several free Spyware stoppers, since their quality and reliability can vary considerably. Some free Spyware stoppers are available in a more advanced version for a fee.
Unlike computer virus programs and common worms, Spyware programs usually refrain from self-replication. Instead, the computer user is lured into accepting a download of the Spyware program from the web. Spyware can be included in a popular software program, such as game. If you download music from the web without a using any of the Spyware stoppers, you will most likely infect your computer with Spyware sooner or later.
Spyware can however download it self to your computer even if you refrain completely from downloading music and programs from the Internet which is one the reasons why it so important to use free spyware stoppers.. A simple click on a fake X when you try to close a pop-up window is enough for a download to begin, without you even noticing it. As of 2005, computer users that are running Microsoft Windows operating systems are most exposed to Spyware, and will benefit most from installing free Spyware stoppers. There are however a few new Spyware programs and worms out there today that can infect Linux and other UNIX platforms. If you are a UNIX user you should therefore also check out the free Spyware programs, to be on the safe side.
Unlike Virus program, Spyware programs will often make an effort not to disturb you. By not interfering with the computers normal tasks, kidnapping your mailbox or deleting any information - typical Virus actions - the Spyware can stay unnoticed inside your computer and continue to send out more and more information about you.
This is why you should take advantage of the many free Spyware stoppers that are available online. By simply downloading one of the free Spyware stoppers from a reputable site you can put an end to the Spyware problem and protect your privacy. When you choose between the various free Spyware stoppers, you should ideally pick one that will not only stop all attempts to install Spyware on your computer. Instead, choose one of the free Spyware stoppers that are also capable of scanning your entire computer and removing any existing Spyware from it.
Good free Spyware stoppers should also be easy to download and install and hassle free to manage. If you experience problems with your free Spyware stoppers, you should take advantage of the fact that they are free and simply choose a new one among the many free Spyware stoppers that are available today. Since all computer users have their own personal preferences and needs, free Spyware stoppers that are right for your friends might not be right for you.
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AlcE
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This is a Boot process do
1. Booting Up
It is useful to understand what happens behind the scenes when you switch on your computer from a cold idle machine to an operable and functional system. There are essentially two forms of booting - the soft boot and the hard boot.
The warm boot or hard boot involves powering the computer up from an initial zero power supply.
A cold boot on the other hand takes place when a software application or operating system triggers the computer to perform a reboot.
A successful boot is dependent on 3 conditions - the hardware, BIOS and operating system files to function without errors. When an error occurs, you will be notified by error messages, beeping sounds or in the worst scenario, a blank screen.
2. Bootup Process
The bootup process is a list of detailed procedures that the system undergoes to perform all system checks and load all necessary files to bring the computer to an operable state.
The Windows XP bootup process comprises of the following procedures:
a. The Power-On Self Test Phase
As soon as you power up your computer, a self-test is performed by the power supply to ensure that the volume and current levels are correct before the Power Good signal is sent to the processor. When this first stage is cleared, the microprocessor will then trigger the BIOS to perform a series of operations.
b. BIOS ROM Phase
The BIOS, also known as the Basic Input Output System is a firmware or set of instructions that resides on a ROM chip as contained in the motherboard.
It first carries out the P.O.S.T that performs and verifies all initial hardware checks, such as checking if the system is initialized by a warm or cold start, detecting the presence of peripheral devices and the amount of memory present.
It then accesses the information stored in the CMOS chip, DIP switches, jumpers and assigns the necessary system resources. After this, the hardware' firmware will individually carry out its own diagnostic test such as S.M.A.R.T.
The system will now attempt to determine the sequence of devices to load based on the settings stored in the BIOS to start the operating system. It will start by reading from the first bootup device. If it points to the floppy drive, it then searches for a floppy disk. If it does not detect a bootable diskette in the floppy drive, the system displays an error message.
If the floppy drive does not contain a diskette, it bypasses the first bootup device and detects the second device, which is usually the hard disk. It'll then start by reading the boot code instructions located in the master boot record and copies all execution into the memory when the instructions are validated and no errors are found.
c. Boot Loader Phase
Control is then passed on to the partition loader code which accesses the partition table to identify the primary partition, extended partitions and active partition which is needed to determine the file system and locate the operating system loader file - NTLDR. NTLDR will then switch the processor from real-mode to 32 bit protected mode which memory paging is enabled.
NTLDR will call upon the boot.ini file which is located at the root directory to determine the location and entries of the operating system boot partition. At this point in time, the bootup menu is displayed on the screen to allow you to select an operating system to start from if you have more than 2 operating systems installed in your computer.
NTLDR will pass all information from the Windows registry and Boot.ini file into Ntoskrnl.exe.
d. Operating System Configuration Phase
Ntoskrnl will begin to load the XP kernel, hardware abstraction layer and registry information.
After this is completed, the control is passed over to the DOS based Ntdetect.com program which collects and configures all installed hardware devices such as the video adapters and communication ports.
Ntdetect.com then searches for hardware profiles information and load the essential software drivers to control the hardware devices.
e. Security & Logon Phase
Lastly, Ntoskrnl.exe will start up Winlogon.exe which triggers the Lsass.exe or Local Security Administration which is the logon dialog interface that prompts you to select your user profile and verifies your necessary credentials before you are transferred to the Windows desktop.
1. Booting Up
It is useful to understand what happens behind the scenes when you switch on your computer from a cold idle machine to an operable and functional system. There are essentially two forms of booting - the soft boot and the hard boot.
The warm boot or hard boot involves powering the computer up from an initial zero power supply.
A cold boot on the other hand takes place when a software application or operating system triggers the computer to perform a reboot.
A successful boot is dependent on 3 conditions - the hardware, BIOS and operating system files to function without errors. When an error occurs, you will be notified by error messages, beeping sounds or in the worst scenario, a blank screen.
2. Bootup Process
The bootup process is a list of detailed procedures that the system undergoes to perform all system checks and load all necessary files to bring the computer to an operable state.
The Windows XP bootup process comprises of the following procedures:
a. The Power-On Self Test Phase
As soon as you power up your computer, a self-test is performed by the power supply to ensure that the volume and current levels are correct before the Power Good signal is sent to the processor. When this first stage is cleared, the microprocessor will then trigger the BIOS to perform a series of operations.
b. BIOS ROM Phase
The BIOS, also known as the Basic Input Output System is a firmware or set of instructions that resides on a ROM chip as contained in the motherboard.
It first carries out the P.O.S.T that performs and verifies all initial hardware checks, such as checking if the system is initialized by a warm or cold start, detecting the presence of peripheral devices and the amount of memory present.
It then accesses the information stored in the CMOS chip, DIP switches, jumpers and assigns the necessary system resources. After this, the hardware' firmware will individually carry out its own diagnostic test such as S.M.A.R.T.
The system will now attempt to determine the sequence of devices to load based on the settings stored in the BIOS to start the operating system. It will start by reading from the first bootup device. If it points to the floppy drive, it then searches for a floppy disk. If it does not detect a bootable diskette in the floppy drive, the system displays an error message.
If the floppy drive does not contain a diskette, it bypasses the first bootup device and detects the second device, which is usually the hard disk. It'll then start by reading the boot code instructions located in the master boot record and copies all execution into the memory when the instructions are validated and no errors are found.
c. Boot Loader Phase
Control is then passed on to the partition loader code which accesses the partition table to identify the primary partition, extended partitions and active partition which is needed to determine the file system and locate the operating system loader file - NTLDR. NTLDR will then switch the processor from real-mode to 32 bit protected mode which memory paging is enabled.
NTLDR will call upon the boot.ini file which is located at the root directory to determine the location and entries of the operating system boot partition. At this point in time, the bootup menu is displayed on the screen to allow you to select an operating system to start from if you have more than 2 operating systems installed in your computer.
NTLDR will pass all information from the Windows registry and Boot.ini file into Ntoskrnl.exe.
d. Operating System Configuration Phase
Ntoskrnl will begin to load the XP kernel, hardware abstraction layer and registry information.
After this is completed, the control is passed over to the DOS based Ntdetect.com program which collects and configures all installed hardware devices such as the video adapters and communication ports.
Ntdetect.com then searches for hardware profiles information and load the essential software drivers to control the hardware devices.
e. Security & Logon Phase
Lastly, Ntoskrnl.exe will start up Winlogon.exe which triggers the Lsass.exe or Local Security Administration which is the logon dialog interface that prompts you to select your user profile and verifies your necessary credentials before you are transferred to the Windows desktop.
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Imagine a future in which your personal computer becomes a doorway into a world of enhanced intelligence and creativity, emotional stability and previously unrealized personal success. In this world, the computer has become more than just a word processor or a web browser; it has become both an instantaneous communication tool for contacting seminar leaders or personal therapists and an interactive councilor that uses artificial intelligence to provide personal coaching and wise guidance.
Or even further in the future, computer aided methods of transformation of human consciousness. Could that colorful screen upon which you may be reading this become that door? This is a question that has intrigued those who have studies the potential of the PC, and the answer may be that this reality is closer than we realize.
In 1990, Simon and Shuster published Would the Buddha Wear a Walkman? by Judith Hooper and Dick Terisi, both editors at Omni magazine at the time and co-authors of the best selling book, The Three-Pound Universe.
In the chapter, "Using Your Computer to Expand Your Mind", they say: The computer is more than a number crunching word processing, artificial brain. In the right hands it's also a mind-expanding, creativity-boosting, even mind-altering tool. We have already accepted the microcomputer as a machine that can assume some of our tedious menial chores. But it has a potential as a mind-enhancing device as well. And the key is the software. Here is an excerpt:
“We have divided the field into five categories: smartware (which makes you smarter, more organized, a better writer, a better negotiator), psychological software (such as Eliza), stressware (aimed at reducing anxiety), games/head trips (trips into alternative realities) and spiritual software (intended to make you deeper). Thus far we have looked at some of the kinds of software programs the authors predicted. But as the technology of the compute leaps forward and our understanding of the mind become increasingly better, some of these other more far-out mind/computer software programs will become possible.”
In this chapter, they spotlight the founder of Mindware and Mind Media in Bruce Ehrlich and Digital Psychology." How does he see the future of computers, psychology and self-improvement?
Ehrlich predicts that such software [mind software] will eventually transform computer-human interactions. "The computer," he says," will become a friend." He foresees a dramatic growth in future years in what he calls "electronic Buddhas." This is a program designed to enhance the users spirituality. Another growth area is "psychoactive software How can a computer become a wise Buddha or guide? Or become psychoactive. Here are some of more wild-eyed guesses
One of the most important theoretical areas in computer science concerns artificial intelligence. One area of AI is expert systems. For example, a computer is trained to emulate a medical doctor in diagnosing a disease. These programs already exist, and have shown to be superior to human doctors in many cases in pinpointing illnesses.
Imagine then the computer developing an expert system model of a Zen master or psychotherapist. Expert systems that go far beyond Eliza's simple trickery to programs that teach real wisdom.
Now combine this with biofeedback, the technology we have talked about below. The most recent biofeedback breakthroughs have involved the recording and training of actual altered states of consciousness experiences. There actually has been recording flesh-and-blood Zen Masters as they enter Samadhi, the highest state of being in the Zen school.
Already, computers are giving us multimedia biofeedback rather than the primitive tones of three decades ago. Certainly at the current rate of technological progress, virtual reality will becomes available as an interface on the home PC. Already there is a graphical VRML (virtual reality markup language). Soon, goggles and gloves will supplement screen and mouse.
Consider the power of a virtual reality computerized biofeedback system. A system augmented by an artificially intelligent computer coach. Or perhaps a real human guiding a group of people over the Web. Still another possibility, a group of humans supporting each other in their exploration consciousness linked up through a computer network. Shades of virtual group therapy!
Looking to the future of software for enlarging the capacity of the human mind and consciousness, turning computers into true self improvement machines, capable of helping us achieve self-actualization. We may see:
* The power of computers doubling every two years,
* The creation of a global community"-linking everyone's ?homes by PC through interactive video and the World Wide Web
* New technologies such as biofeedback and virtually-reality are ready for prime time.
* The rapid and dramatic breakthroughs in our understanding of the brain, consciousness and behavior.
Computers and software as an expander of human intellect, creativity and consciousness has a glorious future that we only begin to imagine.
Or even further in the future, computer aided methods of transformation of human consciousness. Could that colorful screen upon which you may be reading this become that door? This is a question that has intrigued those who have studies the potential of the PC, and the answer may be that this reality is closer than we realize.
In 1990, Simon and Shuster published Would the Buddha Wear a Walkman? by Judith Hooper and Dick Terisi, both editors at Omni magazine at the time and co-authors of the best selling book, The Three-Pound Universe.
In the chapter, "Using Your Computer to Expand Your Mind", they say: The computer is more than a number crunching word processing, artificial brain. In the right hands it's also a mind-expanding, creativity-boosting, even mind-altering tool. We have already accepted the microcomputer as a machine that can assume some of our tedious menial chores. But it has a potential as a mind-enhancing device as well. And the key is the software. Here is an excerpt:
“We have divided the field into five categories: smartware (which makes you smarter, more organized, a better writer, a better negotiator), psychological software (such as Eliza), stressware (aimed at reducing anxiety), games/head trips (trips into alternative realities) and spiritual software (intended to make you deeper). Thus far we have looked at some of the kinds of software programs the authors predicted. But as the technology of the compute leaps forward and our understanding of the mind become increasingly better, some of these other more far-out mind/computer software programs will become possible.”
In this chapter, they spotlight the founder of Mindware and Mind Media in Bruce Ehrlich and Digital Psychology." How does he see the future of computers, psychology and self-improvement?
Ehrlich predicts that such software [mind software] will eventually transform computer-human interactions. "The computer," he says," will become a friend." He foresees a dramatic growth in future years in what he calls "electronic Buddhas." This is a program designed to enhance the users spirituality. Another growth area is "psychoactive software How can a computer become a wise Buddha or guide? Or become psychoactive. Here are some of more wild-eyed guesses
One of the most important theoretical areas in computer science concerns artificial intelligence. One area of AI is expert systems. For example, a computer is trained to emulate a medical doctor in diagnosing a disease. These programs already exist, and have shown to be superior to human doctors in many cases in pinpointing illnesses.
Imagine then the computer developing an expert system model of a Zen master or psychotherapist. Expert systems that go far beyond Eliza's simple trickery to programs that teach real wisdom.
Now combine this with biofeedback, the technology we have talked about below. The most recent biofeedback breakthroughs have involved the recording and training of actual altered states of consciousness experiences. There actually has been recording flesh-and-blood Zen Masters as they enter Samadhi, the highest state of being in the Zen school.
Already, computers are giving us multimedia biofeedback rather than the primitive tones of three decades ago. Certainly at the current rate of technological progress, virtual reality will becomes available as an interface on the home PC. Already there is a graphical VRML (virtual reality markup language). Soon, goggles and gloves will supplement screen and mouse.
Consider the power of a virtual reality computerized biofeedback system. A system augmented by an artificially intelligent computer coach. Or perhaps a real human guiding a group of people over the Web. Still another possibility, a group of humans supporting each other in their exploration consciousness linked up through a computer network. Shades of virtual group therapy!
Looking to the future of software for enlarging the capacity of the human mind and consciousness, turning computers into true self improvement machines, capable of helping us achieve self-actualization. We may see:
* The power of computers doubling every two years,
* The creation of a global community"-linking everyone's ?homes by PC through interactive video and the World Wide Web
* New technologies such as biofeedback and virtually-reality are ready for prime time.
* The rapid and dramatic breakthroughs in our understanding of the brain, consciousness and behavior.
Computers and software as an expander of human intellect, creativity and consciousness has a glorious future that we only begin to imagine.
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E-mail is one of the most powerful and widely used communication tools around today. Every day we log onto our computers at work and most of us will go straight to Outlook to check what new mail we have received. It provides a quick, easy way of communicating not only with other people in our organisation but people all over the world.
There are huge benefits to business in having the ability to quickly and easily transfer information as well as being able to set up meetings more efficiently. It is however, essential that we understand the best ways in which to manage this information.
Email Generation Rules
Before you send someone an email there is one simple question you should ask yourself:
Do you need a response from the recipients urgently?
If the answer to this question is YES, then you should be trying to contact them by telephone, pager or in person. For example if you wanted someone to attend a meeting in 30 minutes time there is no guarantee that they will read their incoming messages in that time and may therefore miss the meeting. However, if the answer is NO, then email could then be used as an option.
Once you have decided that email is the best option for relaying the necessary information you should follow these guidelines:
High Priority Messages: A message sent as "high priority" requires action by the end of the following day.
Time Specific Messages: Any message that is time specific must be expired after the relevant date. We will look at how to set expiration dates/times later is this section.
Routine Message Categories: All routine messages will be categorized and either filtered to Personal Folders or, where appropriate, removed from email to a bulletin board.
Follow Up Required:If a message requires reading or follow up the recipient must be in the To: field of the message.
Information Only: If you put someone into the Cc: field of a message you should not be expecting the recipient to read or action it. You have sent it for their information only.
Message Content: Keep your message brief, only use attachments if the data volume is significant and use the heading and the first 2 lines of your message to express both the content and the expected action you are requesting
Email Processing
Most of you will open Outlook when at the start of the day and leave it open until you shutdown your computer at the end of the day. To work more effectively with your e-mail program we suggest that you following these simple guidelines wherever possible:
· Only check your Inbox 3 times a day - morning, after lunch and prior to going home.
· Your Inbox should be empty when you close out of Outlook at the end of each day.
· Filter your emails. We will look at how to do this later in this section.
· Use Tasks and Schedule instead of e-mail messages
When a message arrives in your Inbox, after you have read it, you should do one of the following things:
· Delete it
· Schedule it
· Delegate it to someone else
· File it ie personal folders or in the case of attachments, on your hard drive
· Reply
There are huge benefits to business in having the ability to quickly and easily transfer information as well as being able to set up meetings more efficiently. It is however, essential that we understand the best ways in which to manage this information.
Email Generation Rules
Before you send someone an email there is one simple question you should ask yourself:
Do you need a response from the recipients urgently?
If the answer to this question is YES, then you should be trying to contact them by telephone, pager or in person. For example if you wanted someone to attend a meeting in 30 minutes time there is no guarantee that they will read their incoming messages in that time and may therefore miss the meeting. However, if the answer is NO, then email could then be used as an option.
Once you have decided that email is the best option for relaying the necessary information you should follow these guidelines:
High Priority Messages: A message sent as "high priority" requires action by the end of the following day.
Time Specific Messages: Any message that is time specific must be expired after the relevant date. We will look at how to set expiration dates/times later is this section.
Routine Message Categories: All routine messages will be categorized and either filtered to Personal Folders or, where appropriate, removed from email to a bulletin board.
Follow Up Required:If a message requires reading or follow up the recipient must be in the To: field of the message.
Information Only: If you put someone into the Cc: field of a message you should not be expecting the recipient to read or action it. You have sent it for their information only.
Message Content: Keep your message brief, only use attachments if the data volume is significant and use the heading and the first 2 lines of your message to express both the content and the expected action you are requesting
Email Processing
Most of you will open Outlook when at the start of the day and leave it open until you shutdown your computer at the end of the day. To work more effectively with your e-mail program we suggest that you following these simple guidelines wherever possible:
· Only check your Inbox 3 times a day - morning, after lunch and prior to going home.
· Your Inbox should be empty when you close out of Outlook at the end of each day.
· Filter your emails. We will look at how to do this later in this section.
· Use Tasks and Schedule instead of e-mail messages
When a message arrives in your Inbox, after you have read it, you should do one of the following things:
· Delete it
· Schedule it
· Delegate it to someone else
· File it ie personal folders or in the case of attachments, on your hard drive
· Reply
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Really free adware removal programs can sometimes seem hard to find. You click on a link that promise really free adware removal programs, but end up on a site with programs that eventually turn out to have a lot of strings attached. You might only be able to try out the really free adware removal program for a very short time, such as a few days, before you must purchase an expensive version of the program.
A few days is usually not enough to find if you are comfortable with you Adware removal program or not. Another disadvantage with this system is that when you purchase an expensive Adware removal program, you will most likely stick to that program even if the program becomes out-dated or a better program is offered on the market. In other cases, you can use the really free adware removal program for as long as you wish, but it turns out to be so basic that it offers very little protection from Adware. You are then encouraged to buy a better, but pricey, version of the program. Sometimes it is actually a really great free adware removal program that you are offered, but the updates cost quite a lot of money. Since all Adware removal programs need to be updated frequently to stay modern, this can turn out to be very costly in the end.
There are however examples of really free adware removal programs that are available for download online, but you might have to spend some time looking for them. Really free adware removal programs are seldom available off-line, since it would be too expensive to distribute them. Be vigilant when you choose a website from which to download a really free adware removal program, since there are a lot of dishonest sites offering fake adware removal programs. When more and more computer users began to protect their computers from adware with adware removal programs, the deceitful companies that gain from the Adware programs developed their own fake really free adware removal programs.
These fake programs are promoted vigorously on the Internet, and many computer users are lured into installing what they think is a protective. If you spend some time online, you will probably sooner or later stumble over a banner add that warns you about the dangers of Adware, or claim that your computer is already infested with Adware. You will be offered a great really free adware removal program, and if click on the banner your will be sent to a website.
From this website you can download something that looks like a very good and really free adware removal program, but it is actually a fake. Your computer will not be protected from Adware when you use this fake adware removal program, and the fake adware removal program will probably also install Adware, Spyware and other types of Malware in your computer. You can minimize the risk of downloading a fake adware removal program by only downloading really free adware removal programs from trustworthy web pages with a good reputation
A few days is usually not enough to find if you are comfortable with you Adware removal program or not. Another disadvantage with this system is that when you purchase an expensive Adware removal program, you will most likely stick to that program even if the program becomes out-dated or a better program is offered on the market. In other cases, you can use the really free adware removal program for as long as you wish, but it turns out to be so basic that it offers very little protection from Adware. You are then encouraged to buy a better, but pricey, version of the program. Sometimes it is actually a really great free adware removal program that you are offered, but the updates cost quite a lot of money. Since all Adware removal programs need to be updated frequently to stay modern, this can turn out to be very costly in the end.
There are however examples of really free adware removal programs that are available for download online, but you might have to spend some time looking for them. Really free adware removal programs are seldom available off-line, since it would be too expensive to distribute them. Be vigilant when you choose a website from which to download a really free adware removal program, since there are a lot of dishonest sites offering fake adware removal programs. When more and more computer users began to protect their computers from adware with adware removal programs, the deceitful companies that gain from the Adware programs developed their own fake really free adware removal programs.
These fake programs are promoted vigorously on the Internet, and many computer users are lured into installing what they think is a protective. If you spend some time online, you will probably sooner or later stumble over a banner add that warns you about the dangers of Adware, or claim that your computer is already infested with Adware. You will be offered a great really free adware removal program, and if click on the banner your will be sent to a website.
From this website you can download something that looks like a very good and really free adware removal program, but it is actually a fake. Your computer will not be protected from Adware when you use this fake adware removal program, and the fake adware removal program will probably also install Adware, Spyware and other types of Malware in your computer. You can minimize the risk of downloading a fake adware removal program by only downloading really free adware removal programs from trustworthy web pages with a good reputation
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Navigating the Start Menu in Windows XP
I will firstly explain how to launch an application without the use of the mouse and instead use keyboard shortcuts. Immediately after system startup if you are required to log in, type out your password and press the Enter key. Once the system have fully initialized you will be presented with the Windows Desktop. As an example we will launch Notepad. Follow the steps exactly as explained below:
Press Ctrl and Esc to show the Start menu or press the Windows Logo key. Now press the Up Arrow until you can see the selection rectangle moving upwards in the Start menu. Once the selection rectangle enters the Start menu press the Left Arrow to move to the left section of the Start menu. Then press the Down Arrow until "All Programs" is selected. Press the Right Arrow to expand the "All Programs" menu. Press the Down Arrow until "Accessories" is selected. Press the Right Arrow to expand the accessories menu. Now press the Down Arrow until the Notepad menu item is selected and the press Enter. This will cause the Notepad application to launch.
Armed with this basic keyboard shortcut knowledge you will be able to launch any application without the use of the mouse.
Moving Around the Desktop
Frequently users place icons on the desktop to quickly access some application, files or folders they regularly use. What now if the mouse packs up and you have to get to that file? Here is how to make use of the Windows keyboard shortcuts to get that done:
Depending on the current situation different steps might be required so keep in mind that you do not have to do all the steps.
Press the Windows Logo key and M simultaneously to minimize all Windows. Press Ctrl and Esc simultaneously and then press Esc again. (Only required under certain conditions so you might only need to perform this step if you do not get the desired results from the step below). Press the Tab key and release it. Keep on pressing and releasing it until you see a "focus rectangle" surrounding one of the icons on the desktop. If there are a lot of icons on the desktop you might need to look carefully if any receives the focus indicated by the focus rectangle. Also occasionally use the arrow keys to see if you can move between different icons if it is difficult to notice the icon with the focus rectangle. Normally the focus will move between the Windows Taskbar and the last icon that had the focus (being selected) on the desktop when the Tab key is pressed. Once you got the "focus rectangle" on any icon on the desktop it is just a matter of moving to the icon of your choice using the arrow keys. When the required icon got the focus or is selected press the Enter key to open the file, folder or launch a program.
Working with Windows
Our next step in this Windows keyboard shortcuts article is to manipulate windows in the context of minimizing, maximizing, moving and closing them. To minimize the currently active window press Alt and Spacebar. The Control Menu for the window will appear. Now press N to minimize the window.
To maximize or get a window to its restored state when it is minimized to the Windows Taskbar hold down Alt and then press and release the Tab key until the desired window is selected. When the window of choice is selected also release the Alt key which will ensure that the window will either be maximized or restored depending on its previous state.
If you want to maximize a window from its restored state press Alt and Spacebar. After the Control Menu appears press X to maximize the window. To restore an maximized window press Alt and Spacebar. When the Control Menu appear press R to get the window from its maximized to restored state.
To move a window press Alt and Spacebar. When the Control Menu appear press M. Now use the arrow keys to move the window to the desired location and press the Enter key to round of this operation.
When you want to re-size a window press Alt and Spacebar. When the Control Menu appear press S. Now press the arrow keys depending on which side you want to size the window from. Right will take you to the right edge of the window for sizing and the Down arrow will take you to the bottom right corner for sizing purposes. When pressing the left key first you will be taking to the window left border to carry out sizing from that side. Once you have selected your sizing location by pressing the left or right arrows and up or down arrows do the sizing by using any of the arrow keys. When finished press Enter to complete this operation. Pressing the Esc key will leave the original size of the window intact.
To close the currently active window press Alt and F4 or press Alt and Spacebar, then press C.
General Use Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Take note that the WINDOWS key is the Windows Logo key on the keyboard.
ALT+TAB
Display list of open programs and switch to next program.
(Press TAB again to advance to the following program).
ALT+SHIFT+TAB
Display list of open programs and switch to previous program.
(Press TAB again to select the pervious program).
WINDOWS or CTRL+ESC
Displays the Windows Start Menu.
WINDOWS+E
Open My Computer.
WINDOWS+D
Toggle between Show Desktop and Show Open Windows.
WINDOWS+M
Minimize All Windows.
F2
Rename selected folder, file or shortcut.
CTRL+N
Create a New document for the active application.
CTRL+O
Display the Open dialog box of the active application.
CTRL+S
Save the current document of the active application.
CTRL+P
Print the current document of the active application.
CTRL+A
Select All content of the current document.
CTRL+X
Cut the selected text or object.
CTRL+C
Copy the selected text or object.
CTRL+V
Paste contents of clipboard into active document.
CTRL+Z
Undo the last operation.
CTRL+Y
Redo the last Undo operation.
CTRL+B
Make selected text bold or remove bold formatting.
CTRL+U
Underline the selected text or remove underline.
CTRL+I
Make selected text italic or remove italic formatting.
CTRL+F
Displays the Find dialog box.
CTRL+H
Displays the Replace dialog box.
I will firstly explain how to launch an application without the use of the mouse and instead use keyboard shortcuts. Immediately after system startup if you are required to log in, type out your password and press the Enter key. Once the system have fully initialized you will be presented with the Windows Desktop. As an example we will launch Notepad. Follow the steps exactly as explained below:
Press Ctrl and Esc to show the Start menu or press the Windows Logo key. Now press the Up Arrow until you can see the selection rectangle moving upwards in the Start menu. Once the selection rectangle enters the Start menu press the Left Arrow to move to the left section of the Start menu. Then press the Down Arrow until "All Programs" is selected. Press the Right Arrow to expand the "All Programs" menu. Press the Down Arrow until "Accessories" is selected. Press the Right Arrow to expand the accessories menu. Now press the Down Arrow until the Notepad menu item is selected and the press Enter. This will cause the Notepad application to launch.
Armed with this basic keyboard shortcut knowledge you will be able to launch any application without the use of the mouse.
Moving Around the Desktop
Frequently users place icons on the desktop to quickly access some application, files or folders they regularly use. What now if the mouse packs up and you have to get to that file? Here is how to make use of the Windows keyboard shortcuts to get that done:
Depending on the current situation different steps might be required so keep in mind that you do not have to do all the steps.
Press the Windows Logo key and M simultaneously to minimize all Windows. Press Ctrl and Esc simultaneously and then press Esc again. (Only required under certain conditions so you might only need to perform this step if you do not get the desired results from the step below). Press the Tab key and release it. Keep on pressing and releasing it until you see a "focus rectangle" surrounding one of the icons on the desktop. If there are a lot of icons on the desktop you might need to look carefully if any receives the focus indicated by the focus rectangle. Also occasionally use the arrow keys to see if you can move between different icons if it is difficult to notice the icon with the focus rectangle. Normally the focus will move between the Windows Taskbar and the last icon that had the focus (being selected) on the desktop when the Tab key is pressed. Once you got the "focus rectangle" on any icon on the desktop it is just a matter of moving to the icon of your choice using the arrow keys. When the required icon got the focus or is selected press the Enter key to open the file, folder or launch a program.
Working with Windows
Our next step in this Windows keyboard shortcuts article is to manipulate windows in the context of minimizing, maximizing, moving and closing them. To minimize the currently active window press Alt and Spacebar. The Control Menu for the window will appear. Now press N to minimize the window.
To maximize or get a window to its restored state when it is minimized to the Windows Taskbar hold down Alt and then press and release the Tab key until the desired window is selected. When the window of choice is selected also release the Alt key which will ensure that the window will either be maximized or restored depending on its previous state.
If you want to maximize a window from its restored state press Alt and Spacebar. After the Control Menu appears press X to maximize the window. To restore an maximized window press Alt and Spacebar. When the Control Menu appear press R to get the window from its maximized to restored state.
To move a window press Alt and Spacebar. When the Control Menu appear press M. Now use the arrow keys to move the window to the desired location and press the Enter key to round of this operation.
When you want to re-size a window press Alt and Spacebar. When the Control Menu appear press S. Now press the arrow keys depending on which side you want to size the window from. Right will take you to the right edge of the window for sizing and the Down arrow will take you to the bottom right corner for sizing purposes. When pressing the left key first you will be taking to the window left border to carry out sizing from that side. Once you have selected your sizing location by pressing the left or right arrows and up or down arrows do the sizing by using any of the arrow keys. When finished press Enter to complete this operation. Pressing the Esc key will leave the original size of the window intact.
To close the currently active window press Alt and F4 or press Alt and Spacebar, then press C.
General Use Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Take note that the WINDOWS key is the Windows Logo key on the keyboard.
ALT+TAB
Display list of open programs and switch to next program.
(Press TAB again to advance to the following program).
ALT+SHIFT+TAB
Display list of open programs and switch to previous program.
(Press TAB again to select the pervious program).
WINDOWS or CTRL+ESC
Displays the Windows Start Menu.
WINDOWS+E
Open My Computer.
WINDOWS+D
Toggle between Show Desktop and Show Open Windows.
WINDOWS+M
Minimize All Windows.
F2
Rename selected folder, file or shortcut.
CTRL+N
Create a New document for the active application.
CTRL+O
Display the Open dialog box of the active application.
CTRL+S
Save the current document of the active application.
CTRL+P
Print the current document of the active application.
CTRL+A
Select All content of the current document.
CTRL+X
Cut the selected text or object.
CTRL+C
Copy the selected text or object.
CTRL+V
Paste contents of clipboard into active document.
CTRL+Z
Undo the last operation.
CTRL+Y
Redo the last Undo operation.
CTRL+B
Make selected text bold or remove bold formatting.
CTRL+U
Underline the selected text or remove underline.
CTRL+I
Make selected text italic or remove italic formatting.
CTRL+F
Displays the Find dialog box.
CTRL+H
Displays the Replace dialog box.
Are you tired of spam stealing your time, your money, your bandwidth and your hard disc space?
The time you devote each day to sort and delete spam from your inbox could be put to much better use. In the European Union alone, the working hours employees are spending on sorting and deleting spam is costing the companies and estimated 10 billion euros every year! By manually sorting out spam after it has reached your inbox you are loosing time and money, as well as bandwidth and space. You are also putting your computer at risk by allowing possibly hazardous content to enter your server. Supportcave.com offers free intelligent Spam Blockers, helping computer users to protect their computers as well as reclaiming their time, money, bandwidth and space from the spammers.
Every day - 365 days a year - more than 10 billion spam e-mails are sent out to e-mail users all over the world. Despite new laws and verdicts trying to strike down on the spammers, the number of spam e-mails are expected to rise to 30 billion a day by the end of 2005. Today spam constitutes 37% of all e-mail traffic in the U.S.
Spam is not only annoying, it's dangerous and it is causing financial losses for companies as well as individuals. For example, an estimated 10 billion euros are spent every year by companies in the European Union to deal with spam. Spam is sent out by fraudulent companies and individuals and can often be infected with viruses, spy programs or other undesired software. Studies show that 95% of all computer viruses are sent through e-mail. Even virus free spam causes problems since it consumes the users' time as well as hard disc space. Spam is however not only shunned by the users, the Internet Service Providers abhor it as well since it chews up a lot of bandwidth and disc space, and the non-stop sending of e-mails uses a lot of system resources and stresses the e-mail servers. This leads to a less effective Internet and increased costs for everyone.
The best way to protect your self from spam and battle the spammers is to use a Spam Blocker. The most basic forms of Spam Blockers are software programs periodically checking your e-mail for the best known types of spam and remove them, or filter them into a special folder for you to remove. There are however much more sophisticated Anti Spam programs on the market. The Webroot Spam Shredder is a Spam Filtering Software that lets you to remove spam e-mails from the mail server without ever pulling them down into your inbox. This means heavily increased security for your computer and your network and is the most efficient and effortless way of controlling your incoming e-mails. You will be given the opportunity to accept or delete suspected e-mails while they are still on the server. You can also choose to quarantine them for later review.
The time you devote each day to sort and delete spam from your inbox could be put to much better use. In the European Union alone, the working hours employees are spending on sorting and deleting spam is costing the companies and estimated 10 billion euros every year! By manually sorting out spam after it has reached your inbox you are loosing time and money, as well as bandwidth and space. You are also putting your computer at risk by allowing possibly hazardous content to enter your server. Supportcave.com offers free intelligent Spam Blockers, helping computer users to protect their computers as well as reclaiming their time, money, bandwidth and space from the spammers.
Every day - 365 days a year - more than 10 billion spam e-mails are sent out to e-mail users all over the world. Despite new laws and verdicts trying to strike down on the spammers, the number of spam e-mails are expected to rise to 30 billion a day by the end of 2005. Today spam constitutes 37% of all e-mail traffic in the U.S.
Spam is not only annoying, it's dangerous and it is causing financial losses for companies as well as individuals. For example, an estimated 10 billion euros are spent every year by companies in the European Union to deal with spam. Spam is sent out by fraudulent companies and individuals and can often be infected with viruses, spy programs or other undesired software. Studies show that 95% of all computer viruses are sent through e-mail. Even virus free spam causes problems since it consumes the users' time as well as hard disc space. Spam is however not only shunned by the users, the Internet Service Providers abhor it as well since it chews up a lot of bandwidth and disc space, and the non-stop sending of e-mails uses a lot of system resources and stresses the e-mail servers. This leads to a less effective Internet and increased costs for everyone.
The best way to protect your self from spam and battle the spammers is to use a Spam Blocker. The most basic forms of Spam Blockers are software programs periodically checking your e-mail for the best known types of spam and remove them, or filter them into a special folder for you to remove. There are however much more sophisticated Anti Spam programs on the market. The Webroot Spam Shredder is a Spam Filtering Software that lets you to remove spam e-mails from the mail server without ever pulling them down into your inbox. This means heavily increased security for your computer and your network and is the most efficient and effortless way of controlling your incoming e-mails. You will be given the opportunity to accept or delete suspected e-mails while they are still on the server. You can also choose to quarantine them for later review.
Posted by
AlcE
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Viruses are, however, not the only malicious software programs out there. The newest addition to the evil software family is the so called Spywares and a good anti-virus program or firewall is not enough to safeguard against these clever programs.
Spywares are known by many names such as adware, trojans, malware, browser hijackers etc. The thing they all have in common is that they will transmit your personal information to companies and individuals who have an interest in knowing about your surfing habits, online purchases, credit worthiness, interests, web searchs, chats, birth date and even your credit card number. The list goes on and on, since Spywares are constructed by promotional companies who need to know as much as possible about the online consumers to target them effectively. By ewes dropping on you online, these companies hope to be more successful when sending out promotional materials.
Spyware usually enter your PC by piggybacking on other software downloads. Every time you use downloaded or otherwise shared files, including Freeware, Shareware or p2p sharing programs, you stand the risk of unknowingly infecting your computer with Spyware. Even confirmed virus free music files, films and computer programs can have Spyware stowaways. Once inside your computer, they will hide, monitor all your actions and promptly start telling your secrets to anyone willing to listen.
Contrary to most viruses the Spywares actually make an effort not to be observed. Since they won’t cause obvious harm such as deleting important files or shutting down your computer, they can thrive in your PC for years without you noticing, sending out massive amounts of information about all your online habits.
At a first glance, you might find this annoying but essentially harmless. Why not let the companies send me promotional material about things I am actually interested in? Spyware is however far from harmless, since the infiltration by Spyware not only let the companies know about your latest online search, but also much more private matters such as credit card details, online purchases of medicine and your private e-mail correspondence with family, friends and business partners. There are even examples of how this massive gathering of personal information has led to an overall loss of privacy and stolen identities. In the computerized world of today it is not hard to imagine the amount of damage and personal suffering the fraudulent use of a persons’ identity can cause.
Spywares are known by many names such as adware, trojans, malware, browser hijackers etc. The thing they all have in common is that they will transmit your personal information to companies and individuals who have an interest in knowing about your surfing habits, online purchases, credit worthiness, interests, web searchs, chats, birth date and even your credit card number. The list goes on and on, since Spywares are constructed by promotional companies who need to know as much as possible about the online consumers to target them effectively. By ewes dropping on you online, these companies hope to be more successful when sending out promotional materials.
Spyware usually enter your PC by piggybacking on other software downloads. Every time you use downloaded or otherwise shared files, including Freeware, Shareware or p2p sharing programs, you stand the risk of unknowingly infecting your computer with Spyware. Even confirmed virus free music files, films and computer programs can have Spyware stowaways. Once inside your computer, they will hide, monitor all your actions and promptly start telling your secrets to anyone willing to listen.
Contrary to most viruses the Spywares actually make an effort not to be observed. Since they won’t cause obvious harm such as deleting important files or shutting down your computer, they can thrive in your PC for years without you noticing, sending out massive amounts of information about all your online habits.
At a first glance, you might find this annoying but essentially harmless. Why not let the companies send me promotional material about things I am actually interested in? Spyware is however far from harmless, since the infiltration by Spyware not only let the companies know about your latest online search, but also much more private matters such as credit card details, online purchases of medicine and your private e-mail correspondence with family, friends and business partners. There are even examples of how this massive gathering of personal information has led to an overall loss of privacy and stolen identities. In the computerized world of today it is not hard to imagine the amount of damage and personal suffering the fraudulent use of a persons’ identity can cause.
Posted by
AlcE
kommentzz (0)
If you are thinking you have developed a truly great keyword-rich-unique-content fully optimized website for the search engines and an attracting site for the visitors - that's fine, but do you know you are missing something? A robots.txt file. Did you include it? By the way do you know what's the importance of a robots.txt file?
Success of big companies lies in keeping their confidential data a secret, hidden from all. They tell the world something and do something. This enables them to execute their future course of action easily and change plans according to the situation. Job of robots.txt file is the same. It can or cannot allow a search engine to visit some or all of your web pages. Of course a human visitor is free to visit these pages. That being the case, for the search engines your website may be different than what a visitor is seeing. If you think one or some of the pages/files aren't good enough to be visited by a particular search engine or engines you can do it. Although this is not recommended - your website should be made in such a way it should not shy away from the search engines. Nevertheless its always better to know the basics of writing robots.txt file. It will help you. We will discuss farther down - robots.txt file is important. I repeat again - don't make pages you think should be hidden from the search engines. If any search engine think you are up to some tricks, it may panelize your site causing a no-rank - in the worst case for ever!
Every search engine has a "robot" (a software program) that does the job of visiting a website. Their purpose is to "know" the website, what it is all about, gather all information about it etc. Search engine robots gather this information and bring them back to their databases to show them in their search results. So, if your site is not there in their database it never shows up in the search results.
Web Robots are sometimes referred to as Web Crawlers, or Spiders. Therefore the process of a robot visiting your website is called "Spidering" or "Crawling". When somebody says "the search engines have spidered my website," it means the search engine robots have visited their website. This robot is known by a name and has an independent IP address. This IP address is of no importance to us, but knowing their names will help since this name will be used when we create a robots.txt file. This is why the file is called "robots.txt." Given below is the list of the robots of some of the very popular search engines:
Search Engine - Robot
Alexa.com - ia_archiver
Altavista.com - Scooter (Bought by Yahoo)
UK.Altavista.com - AltaVista-Intranet (Bought by Yahoo)
Alltheweb.com - FAST-WebCrawler (Bought by Yahoo)
Excite.com - ArchitextSpider
Euroseek.net - Arachnoidea
Gendoor.com (Genealogical Search Engine) - GenCrawler
Google.com - Googlebot (http://www.google.com/bot.html)
Hotbot.com (uses Inktomi's robot) - Slurp
Inktomi.com Slurp - (slurp@inktomi.com) (Bought by Yahoo)
Infoseek.com - UltraSeek
Looksmart.com - MantraAgent
Lycos.com - Lycos_Spider_(T-Rex)
Northernlight.com - Gulliver
Nationaldirectory.com - NationalDirectory-SuperSpider
UKSearcher.co.uk - UK Searcher Spider
Writing Robots.txt:
Let's learn to write robots command. Note that there are two ways to write robots command. One is to include all the commands in a text file called "robots.txt" and another is to write robots command in the meta tag.
We will learn both ways of writing robots command.
Writing robots command in Meta tag:
There are 4 things you can tell a search engine robot when it requests (visits) your page:
1) Do not index this page - the search engines will not index the page.
2) Do not follow any links on this page - the search engines will not follow the links included in the page, i.e. they will not index any page that this page links to.
3) Do index this page - the search engines will index the page.
4) Do follow the links - the search engines will index the pages that this page links to.
Note that "index" is different than "spider". A search engine first spiders a page and then indexes it. Indexing is giving a certain importance to the page on the basis of its content, information, meta tags, link popularity with respect to the searched keyword. All this is decided at run time. When you tell search engines not to index a page, it means they know that "certain" page exists but do not rank them. That is, a no-index page will never be shown in their search results. This in any case does not mean a no-index page will not get visitors, it might get visitors indirectly from a page which links to it. Yes, no direct visitors from the search engines.
Suppose you want the search engines to index and also index (follow) its linked pages then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Suppose you want the search engines to index a page but not follow its links then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Suppose you do not want the search engines to index a page but follow its links then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Suppose you do not want the search engines to either index or follow links of a particular page then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Note:
Google makes a "Cached" of every file it spiders. It's a small snap shot of the page. Want to stop Google from doing so? Include the following Meta Tag:
Like any meta tag the above written tags should be placed in the HEAD section of an HTML page:
your title
Creating robots.txt file:
A robots.txt file is an independent file and should be written in a plain text editor like Notepad. Do not use MS-Word or any other text editor to create robots.txt. The bottom line is this file should have the extension ".txt" else it will be useless.
Let's begin. Open Notepad (it comes free with Microsoft Windows) and save the file with the name "robots.txt". Make sure that the extension is .txt.
By the way, did you note we did not use name of any robot in the meta tag! What does it indicate? Simple - by using meta you direct all the search engines to do something or not do something on a page. You do not have control over any one search engine. The solution is robots.txt.
It can always happen you do not want a particular search engine to index a page for certain reasons. In that case using a robots.txt file will help. Even though I do not recommend such a thing. The search engines get you traffic, why hate them. Stop them from doing their job and they hate you. I again repeat keep your pages smart for the search engines and welcome them. Fine, then why take the trouble to learn robots.txt? Why should you include a robots.txt file at all?
Let's suppose yours is a dynamic database site containing information of your newsletter subscribers, customers, their address, phone numbers etc. All these confidential information is kept in a separate directory called "admin". (It is recommended to keep such information in a separate directory. Handling data will be easier for you and so will be easy to keep the search engines away. We will just know how.) I am sure you would never want any unauthorized person to visit this area leave alone the search engines. It does not help the search engines either since they have nothing to do with the data or files there. Here comes the role of a robots.txt file. Write the following in the robots.txt file: (Ignore the horizontal row - they are included only to separate the commands from rest of the text.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: *
Disallow: /admin/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This does not allow the spiders to index anything in the admin directory also including sub-directories if any.
The asterisk (*) mark indicates all the search engines. How do you stop a particular search engine from spidering your files or directory?
Suppose you want to stop Excite from spidering this directory:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /admin/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suppose you want to stop Excite and Google from spidering this directory:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /admin/
User-agent: Googlebot
Disallow: /admin/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Files are no different. Suppose you want a file datafile.html not to be spidered by Excite:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-Agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Similarly, you do not want it to be spidered by Google too:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile.html
User-agent: Googlebot
Disallow: /datafile.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suppose you want two files datafile1.html and datafile2.html not to be spidered by Excite:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-Agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile1.html
Disallow: /datafile2.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you guess what does the following mean?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile1.html
Disallow: /datafile2.html
User-agent: Googlebot
Disallow: /datafile1.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excite will not spider datafile1.html and datafile2.html, but Google will not spider only datafile1.html. It will spider datafile2.html and the rest of the files in the directory.
Imagine you have a file kept in a sub-directory that you wouldn't like to be spidered. What do you do? Lets suppose the sub-directory is "official" and the file is "confidential.html".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: *
Disallow: /official/confidential.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope that's enough. A little practice is of course required. If the syntax of your robots.txt file is not written correctly, the search engines will ignore that particular command. Before uploading the robots.txt file double check for any possible errors. You should upload robots.txt file in the ROOT Directory of your server. The search engines look for robots.txt file only in the root directory else they totally ignore it. Mostly root directory is the directory where the index page is kept. In that case keep the robots.txt file in the same directory as the index file.
I know a user-friendly software that will write robots command for you (the software is introduced at the beginning of this article). It can make error-free robots.txt file very easily. This software RoboGen is a great tool. Never bother ever again to check the syntax of your robots.txt file or even write a robots.txt file yourself. RoboGen is a visual editor for Robot Exclusion Files and is easy to use. Just select files you want to be visited or not to be visited by the search engines, and it creates the robots.txt file. You can also select the search engines of your choice. RoboGen maintains a database of over 180 search engine user-agents, which are selectable from a drop down menu. It is the BEST and ONLY software on the Internet to write robots.txt file correctly and effectively. This great tool is cheaper than you expect. CLICK HERE NOW to know more!
Note: You should be able to see robots.txt file if you type the following in the address bar of your Internet browser.
http://www.your-domain.com/robots.txt
(Where your-domain is the domain name of your website. If yours is not a .com site, replace .com with the respective extension your website. For e.g. .net, .us, .org etc.)
You must be wondering whether to use Meta tag or Robots.txt or which of these is more effective!
A robots.txt correctly written is more effective than the meta tag. All search engines support robots.txt, but not all search engines support robots command written in the meta tags. I recommend that you use both so that you cover your site in both the scenarios. RoboGen will help you to write both!
One last thing - You can look in your web server log files to see what search engine robots have visited. They all leave signatures that can be detected. These signatures are nothing but name of their robots. For instance if Google has spidered your site it will leave a log file called Googlebot. This is how you know which search engine has spidered your pages and when!
Success of big companies lies in keeping their confidential data a secret, hidden from all. They tell the world something and do something. This enables them to execute their future course of action easily and change plans according to the situation. Job of robots.txt file is the same. It can or cannot allow a search engine to visit some or all of your web pages. Of course a human visitor is free to visit these pages. That being the case, for the search engines your website may be different than what a visitor is seeing. If you think one or some of the pages/files aren't good enough to be visited by a particular search engine or engines you can do it. Although this is not recommended - your website should be made in such a way it should not shy away from the search engines. Nevertheless its always better to know the basics of writing robots.txt file. It will help you. We will discuss farther down - robots.txt file is important. I repeat again - don't make pages you think should be hidden from the search engines. If any search engine think you are up to some tricks, it may panelize your site causing a no-rank - in the worst case for ever!
Every search engine has a "robot" (a software program) that does the job of visiting a website. Their purpose is to "know" the website, what it is all about, gather all information about it etc. Search engine robots gather this information and bring them back to their databases to show them in their search results. So, if your site is not there in their database it never shows up in the search results.
Web Robots are sometimes referred to as Web Crawlers, or Spiders. Therefore the process of a robot visiting your website is called "Spidering" or "Crawling". When somebody says "the search engines have spidered my website," it means the search engine robots have visited their website. This robot is known by a name and has an independent IP address. This IP address is of no importance to us, but knowing their names will help since this name will be used when we create a robots.txt file. This is why the file is called "robots.txt." Given below is the list of the robots of some of the very popular search engines:
Search Engine - Robot
Alexa.com - ia_archiver
Altavista.com - Scooter (Bought by Yahoo)
UK.Altavista.com - AltaVista-Intranet (Bought by Yahoo)
Alltheweb.com - FAST-WebCrawler (Bought by Yahoo)
Excite.com - ArchitextSpider
Euroseek.net - Arachnoidea
Gendoor.com (Genealogical Search Engine) - GenCrawler
Google.com - Googlebot (http://www.google.com/bot.html)
Hotbot.com (uses Inktomi's robot) - Slurp
Inktomi.com Slurp - (slurp@inktomi.com) (Bought by Yahoo)
Infoseek.com - UltraSeek
Looksmart.com - MantraAgent
Lycos.com - Lycos_Spider_(T-Rex)
Northernlight.com - Gulliver
Nationaldirectory.com - NationalDirectory-SuperSpider
UKSearcher.co.uk - UK Searcher Spider
Writing Robots.txt:
Let's learn to write robots command. Note that there are two ways to write robots command. One is to include all the commands in a text file called "robots.txt" and another is to write robots command in the meta tag.
We will learn both ways of writing robots command.
Writing robots command in Meta tag:
There are 4 things you can tell a search engine robot when it requests (visits) your page:
1) Do not index this page - the search engines will not index the page.
2) Do not follow any links on this page - the search engines will not follow the links included in the page, i.e. they will not index any page that this page links to.
3) Do index this page - the search engines will index the page.
4) Do follow the links - the search engines will index the pages that this page links to.
Note that "index" is different than "spider". A search engine first spiders a page and then indexes it. Indexing is giving a certain importance to the page on the basis of its content, information, meta tags, link popularity with respect to the searched keyword. All this is decided at run time. When you tell search engines not to index a page, it means they know that "certain" page exists but do not rank them. That is, a no-index page will never be shown in their search results. This in any case does not mean a no-index page will not get visitors, it might get visitors indirectly from a page which links to it. Yes, no direct visitors from the search engines.
Suppose you want the search engines to index and also index (follow) its linked pages then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Suppose you want the search engines to index a page but not follow its links then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Suppose you do not want the search engines to index a page but follow its links then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Suppose you do not want the search engines to either index or follow links of a particular page then include the following command in the Meta Tag:
Note:
Google makes a "Cached" of every file it spiders. It's a small snap shot of the page. Want to stop Google from doing so? Include the following Meta Tag:
Like any meta tag the above written tags should be placed in the HEAD section of an HTML page:
your title
Creating robots.txt file:
A robots.txt file is an independent file and should be written in a plain text editor like Notepad. Do not use MS-Word or any other text editor to create robots.txt. The bottom line is this file should have the extension ".txt" else it will be useless.
Let's begin. Open Notepad (it comes free with Microsoft Windows) and save the file with the name "robots.txt". Make sure that the extension is .txt.
By the way, did you note we did not use name of any robot in the meta tag! What does it indicate? Simple - by using meta you direct all the search engines to do something or not do something on a page. You do not have control over any one search engine. The solution is robots.txt.
It can always happen you do not want a particular search engine to index a page for certain reasons. In that case using a robots.txt file will help. Even though I do not recommend such a thing. The search engines get you traffic, why hate them. Stop them from doing their job and they hate you. I again repeat keep your pages smart for the search engines and welcome them. Fine, then why take the trouble to learn robots.txt? Why should you include a robots.txt file at all?
Let's suppose yours is a dynamic database site containing information of your newsletter subscribers, customers, their address, phone numbers etc. All these confidential information is kept in a separate directory called "admin". (It is recommended to keep such information in a separate directory. Handling data will be easier for you and so will be easy to keep the search engines away. We will just know how.) I am sure you would never want any unauthorized person to visit this area leave alone the search engines. It does not help the search engines either since they have nothing to do with the data or files there. Here comes the role of a robots.txt file. Write the following in the robots.txt file: (Ignore the horizontal row - they are included only to separate the commands from rest of the text.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: *
Disallow: /admin/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This does not allow the spiders to index anything in the admin directory also including sub-directories if any.
The asterisk (*) mark indicates all the search engines. How do you stop a particular search engine from spidering your files or directory?
Suppose you want to stop Excite from spidering this directory:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /admin/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suppose you want to stop Excite and Google from spidering this directory:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /admin/
User-agent: Googlebot
Disallow: /admin/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Files are no different. Suppose you want a file datafile.html not to be spidered by Excite:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-Agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Similarly, you do not want it to be spidered by Google too:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile.html
User-agent: Googlebot
Disallow: /datafile.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suppose you want two files datafile1.html and datafile2.html not to be spidered by Excite:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-Agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile1.html
Disallow: /datafile2.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you guess what does the following mean?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: ArchitextSpider
Disallow: /datafile1.html
Disallow: /datafile2.html
User-agent: Googlebot
Disallow: /datafile1.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excite will not spider datafile1.html and datafile2.html, but Google will not spider only datafile1.html. It will spider datafile2.html and the rest of the files in the directory.
Imagine you have a file kept in a sub-directory that you wouldn't like to be spidered. What do you do? Lets suppose the sub-directory is "official" and the file is "confidential.html".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User-agent: *
Disallow: /official/confidential.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope that's enough. A little practice is of course required. If the syntax of your robots.txt file is not written correctly, the search engines will ignore that particular command. Before uploading the robots.txt file double check for any possible errors. You should upload robots.txt file in the ROOT Directory of your server. The search engines look for robots.txt file only in the root directory else they totally ignore it. Mostly root directory is the directory where the index page is kept. In that case keep the robots.txt file in the same directory as the index file.
I know a user-friendly software that will write robots command for you (the software is introduced at the beginning of this article). It can make error-free robots.txt file very easily. This software RoboGen is a great tool. Never bother ever again to check the syntax of your robots.txt file or even write a robots.txt file yourself. RoboGen is a visual editor for Robot Exclusion Files and is easy to use. Just select files you want to be visited or not to be visited by the search engines, and it creates the robots.txt file. You can also select the search engines of your choice. RoboGen maintains a database of over 180 search engine user-agents, which are selectable from a drop down menu. It is the BEST and ONLY software on the Internet to write robots.txt file correctly and effectively. This great tool is cheaper than you expect. CLICK HERE NOW to know more!
Note: You should be able to see robots.txt file if you type the following in the address bar of your Internet browser.
http://www.your-domain.com/robots.txt
(Where your-domain is the domain name of your website. If yours is not a .com site, replace .com with the respective extension your website. For e.g. .net, .us, .org etc.)
You must be wondering whether to use Meta tag or Robots.txt or which of these is more effective!
A robots.txt correctly written is more effective than the meta tag. All search engines support robots.txt, but not all search engines support robots command written in the meta tags. I recommend that you use both so that you cover your site in both the scenarios. RoboGen will help you to write both!
One last thing - You can look in your web server log files to see what search engine robots have visited. They all leave signatures that can be detected. These signatures are nothing but name of their robots. For instance if Google has spidered your site it will leave a log file called Googlebot. This is how you know which search engine has spidered your pages and when!
Posted by
AlcE
kommentzz (1)
Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures are only a few examples of what could destroy the data on a hard drive, including all documents, pictures, emails and other files!
Most home computer users don't need an expensive backup solution; as they only need to burn the folders with important documents and pictures to a CD-RW from time to time; this ensuring that in case of a disaster they can easily get them back. Together with documents and pictures, it's a critical operation to save the emails, attachments, address book and other important data from within the email client; otherwise in case of a computer problem the user will find himself in the impossibility to get them back, and this can be a really unwanted situation especially for webmasters or people who rely on their emails. Unfortunately many people actually start to do backup copies only after they lose data.
I will explain how to create a Outlook Express Backup copy ( as Outlook Express lacks a backup function ) This email program is usually installed with the Windows operating system and is probably among the most commonly used email programs today. While using Outlook Express is fairly easy, finding and backing up the emails can be a little more complicated. Since there are a large number of files and folders on a computer running Windows, the first problem is to find the files containing the emails. Outlook Express stores emails in .dbx files and there might be several different dbx files depending on how many email folders you have created in Outlook Express. If you are using Windows 98, you can probably locate your emails somewhere in the Windows directory. In Windows 2000 and XP, emails are usually stored somewhere in the user data or application data folder.
The easiest way to find out exactly where your emails are stored is to start Outlook Express, go to the Tools menu, and open the Options dialog box. In the Options dialog box, select the Maintenance page and click the Store Folder button. . Here you can find the path to the folder containing your emails. To open the folder, copy the path and paste in the address field of the Windows File Manager. You should see a number of .dbx files and possibly some other files, too.
After locating the email folder, you can simply select all the files and press Ctrl-C. Then open the folder where you want to keep the backup copies (on another hard disk, a DVD or a network drive, for example) in Windows Explorer, and press Ctrl-V. To backup the Address Book, you can follow these steps:
1.. Select Tools | Address Book... from the menu in Outlook Express.
2.. Choose File | Export | Other Address Book...from the address book's menu.
3.. Select Text File (Comma Separated Values) as the export format.
4.. Click Export.
5.. Select the location you want to export your address book to using the Browse... button.
6. Give your backup copy a meaningful name.
7.. Click Next.
8.. Select the fields you want to include in your backup.
9. Finally, select Finish.
10.. Click OK.
11.. Click Close to end the process (successfully, Ihope). ^_^
Additionally, there are several email backup utilities which can make the backup operation much easier. Outlook Express Backup Genie is one piece of software that can offer peace of mind by creating compact backup copies of emails, attachments, address book, signatures, blockedlist, mail rules and settings periodically.
The difference between using a automatic email backup utility and manual backups, is that the first can be scheduled to create backups quiet in the background at specified time intervals, and that it will include all email information ( signatures, blocked list, etc ) which otherwise would be more difficult to save. Also if ever the backup is needed, the application will ensure that the restore process is made smoothly. And, it works with top 9 popular email clients.
Most home computer users don't need an expensive backup solution; as they only need to burn the folders with important documents and pictures to a CD-RW from time to time; this ensuring that in case of a disaster they can easily get them back. Together with documents and pictures, it's a critical operation to save the emails, attachments, address book and other important data from within the email client; otherwise in case of a computer problem the user will find himself in the impossibility to get them back, and this can be a really unwanted situation especially for webmasters or people who rely on their emails. Unfortunately many people actually start to do backup copies only after they lose data.
I will explain how to create a Outlook Express Backup copy ( as Outlook Express lacks a backup function ) This email program is usually installed with the Windows operating system and is probably among the most commonly used email programs today. While using Outlook Express is fairly easy, finding and backing up the emails can be a little more complicated. Since there are a large number of files and folders on a computer running Windows, the first problem is to find the files containing the emails. Outlook Express stores emails in .dbx files and there might be several different dbx files depending on how many email folders you have created in Outlook Express. If you are using Windows 98, you can probably locate your emails somewhere in the Windows directory. In Windows 2000 and XP, emails are usually stored somewhere in the user data or application data folder.
The easiest way to find out exactly where your emails are stored is to start Outlook Express, go to the Tools menu, and open the Options dialog box. In the Options dialog box, select the Maintenance page and click the Store Folder button. . Here you can find the path to the folder containing your emails. To open the folder, copy the path and paste in the address field of the Windows File Manager. You should see a number of .dbx files and possibly some other files, too.
After locating the email folder, you can simply select all the files and press Ctrl-C. Then open the folder where you want to keep the backup copies (on another hard disk, a DVD or a network drive, for example) in Windows Explorer, and press Ctrl-V. To backup the Address Book, you can follow these steps:
1.. Select Tools | Address Book... from the menu in Outlook Express.
2.. Choose File | Export | Other Address Book...from the address book's menu.
3.. Select Text File (Comma Separated Values) as the export format.
4.. Click Export.
5.. Select the location you want to export your address book to using the Browse... button.
6. Give your backup copy a meaningful name.
7.. Click Next.
8.. Select the fields you want to include in your backup.
9. Finally, select Finish.
10.. Click OK.
11.. Click Close to end the process (successfully, Ihope). ^_^
Additionally, there are several email backup utilities which can make the backup operation much easier. Outlook Express Backup Genie is one piece of software that can offer peace of mind by creating compact backup copies of emails, attachments, address book, signatures, blockedlist, mail rules and settings periodically.
The difference between using a automatic email backup utility and manual backups, is that the first can be scheduled to create backups quiet in the background at specified time intervals, and that it will include all email information ( signatures, blocked list, etc ) which otherwise would be more difficult to save. Also if ever the backup is needed, the application will ensure that the restore process is made smoothly. And, it works with top 9 popular email clients.
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AlcE
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There are several things that you can do which will protect your Mac from viruses and hackers. Macs are already very difficult to hack, but don’t let that fact allow you to become lenient with your security.
1. Download all of the software updates available. This seems like a no-brainer, but some Mac users forget to download the newest updates. You can even set your computer to automatically download new updates. However, some dial-up users encounter trouble when trying to downloaded updates. If you are a dial-up user, the best suggestion is to leave your Mac on overnight and let it download. Apple releases many programs that fix bugs in iLife applications, and in Mac OS X. Probably the most important of these updates are the security updates. Apple periodically offers security updates for its operating systems (Panther and Tiger).
2. Be careful what you download. Some people use P2P downloads for Macintosh (I.E. Poisoned). Be careful when downloading using a P2P because you do not know where the music or file is coming from. Some P2P users specifically make corrupted files to send via music downloading programs. Generally, it is a good idea to stick to iTunes, because those files are ACC Protected and offered through Apple so they certainly won’t have viruses.
3. Choose the best and safest Internet Browser. Safari comes standard on all new Macs as part of iLife. However, some people do not enjoy Safari as much as others. Some say that Safari is not as safe from hackers as other browsers. Safari can also be a problem if you are going to a web page that requires a version of Internet Explorer or Netscape to view it. You can download Internet Explorer and Netscape for Mac, but again, some believe that these browsers are not as safe from hackers. Many people believe that Mozilla Firefox (my personal favorite) is the safest browser to use because of its customizable features. Firefox is available for downloading on the Macintosh.
4. Don’t be afraid to buy anti-virus software. If you have to download files from the internet as part of a job or hobby, then it is probably a good idea to have some sort of anti-virus software on your Macintosh. Apple provides a wide-variety of anti-virus software that is constantly updated.
5. Finally, keep an eye on those e-mail attachments and instant messages. Some hackers have programmed viruses to IM you from one of your friends’ screen names. Don’t click on any link without knowing what it is first. Most e-mail providers use virus scans automatically, but you should always be extra careful when downloading an attachment. If it is from someone you do not know, don’t trust it.
Apple computers are very safe from hackers, but they can always be improved. Keeping a computer safe, and running well requires a great amount of time and energy. Just remember that if your computer is safe, your Apple experience will be much more rewarding.
1. Download all of the software updates available. This seems like a no-brainer, but some Mac users forget to download the newest updates. You can even set your computer to automatically download new updates. However, some dial-up users encounter trouble when trying to downloaded updates. If you are a dial-up user, the best suggestion is to leave your Mac on overnight and let it download. Apple releases many programs that fix bugs in iLife applications, and in Mac OS X. Probably the most important of these updates are the security updates. Apple periodically offers security updates for its operating systems (Panther and Tiger).
2. Be careful what you download. Some people use P2P downloads for Macintosh (I.E. Poisoned). Be careful when downloading using a P2P because you do not know where the music or file is coming from. Some P2P users specifically make corrupted files to send via music downloading programs. Generally, it is a good idea to stick to iTunes, because those files are ACC Protected and offered through Apple so they certainly won’t have viruses.
3. Choose the best and safest Internet Browser. Safari comes standard on all new Macs as part of iLife. However, some people do not enjoy Safari as much as others. Some say that Safari is not as safe from hackers as other browsers. Safari can also be a problem if you are going to a web page that requires a version of Internet Explorer or Netscape to view it. You can download Internet Explorer and Netscape for Mac, but again, some believe that these browsers are not as safe from hackers. Many people believe that Mozilla Firefox (my personal favorite) is the safest browser to use because of its customizable features. Firefox is available for downloading on the Macintosh.
4. Don’t be afraid to buy anti-virus software. If you have to download files from the internet as part of a job or hobby, then it is probably a good idea to have some sort of anti-virus software on your Macintosh. Apple provides a wide-variety of anti-virus software that is constantly updated.
5. Finally, keep an eye on those e-mail attachments and instant messages. Some hackers have programmed viruses to IM you from one of your friends’ screen names. Don’t click on any link without knowing what it is first. Most e-mail providers use virus scans automatically, but you should always be extra careful when downloading an attachment. If it is from someone you do not know, don’t trust it.
Apple computers are very safe from hackers, but they can always be improved. Keeping a computer safe, and running well requires a great amount of time and energy. Just remember that if your computer is safe, your Apple experience will be much more rewarding.
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AlcE
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It’s not a secret that table RPG games are not so popular as they used to be. However a certain number of amateurs are still fond of them. What is so particular about a pasteboard box or a book with rules? It seems that all the advantages have their ” younger computer brothers”: no manual calculations, no bricks ( the number of which is from one to almost 20). In general, no additional efforts are needed- just relax, play and don’t worry. But nothing of the kind- groups of maniacs with burning eyes run to the special shop( if there is any), buy another book, and having met in some dark place in the evening, start to crunch with pens and tinkle the dice.
Why are these poor things so attracted by this desperately ancient way of entertainment?
Let’s try to answer this question by displaying the most similar and different features of table and computer RPG.
Firstly, any RPG is a Role Paying Game, which is supposed to have a character, and a system of his development. This feature is typical for both the “brothers”. The character as the player’s realization in the created RPG world is very important. Your playing capabilities depend on his features.
Secondly, any decent RPG is based on some world (sometimes, realistic but more often-fantastic one). The depth of the world ( The card details, atmosphere entirety, detailed development of the world components) and , so to say, the mood (optimistic and colorful or destructive and gloomy, funny or extremely rigid, strict),- all this taken together defines the audience of the game.
These two points have a great meaning, they allow the player to associate himself with a certain character and being in his shoes to go through the situations which are impossible in ordinary life.
All this is very good but let’s return to our muttons: to the difference between computer and table RPG.
Probably, trite comparison of books and films will be to the place here. The former make us use our brains and imagination, the latter give us everything ready-made. The peculiarity of table RPG, its strong and at the same time weak point is hope for player’s imagination.. In the classical table RPG you’ll find a text, some illustrations and… all the rest you should imagine yourself. It’s true, that during the gaming process everything depends on the leader (Dungeon Master, Game Master, etc.) and on the players. The leader explains the situation, describes the characters and the events orally (yes, he does it with the help of words!!!) and the players perceive this information judging from their abilities. What are the advantages of such a game play? They are quite evident: everyone perceives the game in his own way (with the help of his imagination), but at the same time, if the game is rather good, a special “field” of common perception and mood is formed. It’s not an allegation as the author has great experience of playing table RPG and so he knows all ins and outs. When the game has a success, the players seem to be in the same “information field” and sometimes they don’t even perceive the events in real life. It’s just like reading a thrilling book. But sometimes such beauty turns into a terrible thing. What is so horrible about it? The trouble is, the game may be a complete failure if it’s leaded by a talentless and not very experienced master, or if the players turn out to be so-so (that is less critical). In such a case the game fails no matter how beautiful the original RPG world is. Everything gets wrong when after each word the master utters: ”well, eh, oh…” and it takes the players 10 minutes to think over each further act. The game reaches a deadlock, a perfect illusion is breaking into the small pieces of separate sentences.
I must admit, sometimes it’s all RPG developers ‘fault that such failures take place, especially when the rules of the game aren’t logical or overcharged with unnecessary details. May the fans forgive me, but the last time the author had to play AD&D, there was such a situation:
-Player:” I want to kill that Gobline!”
-Master: ”throw the dice for marksmanship. Uph, you shoot in the darkness-that means, the fine should be taken into account. Well.. have you got the bonus? Aha…I’ll find it, wait a bit… Oh…
throw these three bricks on D-20,…Hmmm…where is that table? OK, we are going to count all the damages and take into account his armor and the spell and that’s all!”
I don’t say everything was exactly so, but on the whole-just the way I described. What absorption into fantastic world can we talk about if you have to remember 20 figures and throw the dice dozen times for each act! But not all the table games have such a disadvantage. Besides, we may ignore too “hard” rules.
Now let’s analyze what we have in computer RPG.
From the first look everyt5hing is just the same-the game system, characters, the game world. But all these things are already made, you can see the picture with your eyes. Is it good or bad?
It depends. By all means, it’s pleasant to see “visual” character, a charming landscape, fire from shots, etc. But your own brains don’t work any longer since there’s no necessity in it. Besides, we won’t see “our own world”. We perceive things as they should be from the game developers’ point of view. Their way of perception becomes ours as well. You will never be able to see the world with your own eyes and make the character really yours, no matter how hard the developers tried to improve the game. Such a situation has two consequences:
1) Tragic one: your imagination is completely blocked and you don’t like the others’ vision.( such a situation is typical for the most of projects).
2) Pleasant one: some painters and designers create real masterpieces and we can’t but admire their world vision ( here you perfectly understand the difference between your plain brains and a talented professional’s work).
But are there many games like that in the second point? Frankly speaking, I know only one-Fallout. And I appreciate not the graphics but amazing style, exact place of every button, picture, character.
Let’s also mention incontestable advantage of computer RPG. It deals with those calculations which make so many table RPG boring. Computer will calculate all the fines, bonuses and character’s features in a flash. Strange as it may seem but computer games are based just on the table systems and the developers of the former ones don’t aim to overcharge machines with numerous correlations and parameters.
At last we’ve come to a very sensitive problem of the computer RPG- opportunities provided in the game. Sometimes playing RPG on the computer you may suddenly want to act the way not offered by the plot of the game. ( to look into the hatch which is pictured on the background or to take the car you are not allowed to). I am sure that such things are familiar to every gamer. It’s great if the plot and the locations are well considered. And what if they are not ( as it happens more often)? We must admit that the developers of computer games are constantly improving the gamer’s opportunities in the installed worlds. But if the direction is not perfect, the game turns into hard work and it makes the player take advantage of all the improvements (even if he is not willing to).
Table RPG is another matter: the action there is equal to one word, no talks linearity ( you can communicate with the leader the way you like), no plot linearity ( you can do what you like until you are killed). Full freedom of the decisions and actions provided by table RPG will never be substituted by any perfect program. Here you can act as you like.
Besides, the standard of the game can be easily changed. For example, I can tell you from my own experience that once I started the game as a guard (pure RPG adventure) and finished as an emperor (RPG+tactics+strategy). That’s it.
It’s for you to judge what is better. What and how to play is also for you. But I’d like to say (from my own experience again) that table RPG develop our brains while computer ones don’t.
Why are these poor things so attracted by this desperately ancient way of entertainment?
Let’s try to answer this question by displaying the most similar and different features of table and computer RPG.
Firstly, any RPG is a Role Paying Game, which is supposed to have a character, and a system of his development. This feature is typical for both the “brothers”. The character as the player’s realization in the created RPG world is very important. Your playing capabilities depend on his features.
Secondly, any decent RPG is based on some world (sometimes, realistic but more often-fantastic one). The depth of the world ( The card details, atmosphere entirety, detailed development of the world components) and , so to say, the mood (optimistic and colorful or destructive and gloomy, funny or extremely rigid, strict),- all this taken together defines the audience of the game.
These two points have a great meaning, they allow the player to associate himself with a certain character and being in his shoes to go through the situations which are impossible in ordinary life.
All this is very good but let’s return to our muttons: to the difference between computer and table RPG.
Probably, trite comparison of books and films will be to the place here. The former make us use our brains and imagination, the latter give us everything ready-made. The peculiarity of table RPG, its strong and at the same time weak point is hope for player’s imagination.. In the classical table RPG you’ll find a text, some illustrations and… all the rest you should imagine yourself. It’s true, that during the gaming process everything depends on the leader (Dungeon Master, Game Master, etc.) and on the players. The leader explains the situation, describes the characters and the events orally (yes, he does it with the help of words!!!) and the players perceive this information judging from their abilities. What are the advantages of such a game play? They are quite evident: everyone perceives the game in his own way (with the help of his imagination), but at the same time, if the game is rather good, a special “field” of common perception and mood is formed. It’s not an allegation as the author has great experience of playing table RPG and so he knows all ins and outs. When the game has a success, the players seem to be in the same “information field” and sometimes they don’t even perceive the events in real life. It’s just like reading a thrilling book. But sometimes such beauty turns into a terrible thing. What is so horrible about it? The trouble is, the game may be a complete failure if it’s leaded by a talentless and not very experienced master, or if the players turn out to be so-so (that is less critical). In such a case the game fails no matter how beautiful the original RPG world is. Everything gets wrong when after each word the master utters: ”well, eh, oh…” and it takes the players 10 minutes to think over each further act. The game reaches a deadlock, a perfect illusion is breaking into the small pieces of separate sentences.
I must admit, sometimes it’s all RPG developers ‘fault that such failures take place, especially when the rules of the game aren’t logical or overcharged with unnecessary details. May the fans forgive me, but the last time the author had to play AD&D, there was such a situation:
-Player:” I want to kill that Gobline!”
-Master: ”throw the dice for marksmanship. Uph, you shoot in the darkness-that means, the fine should be taken into account. Well.. have you got the bonus? Aha…I’ll find it, wait a bit… Oh…
throw these three bricks on D-20,…Hmmm…where is that table? OK, we are going to count all the damages and take into account his armor and the spell and that’s all!”
I don’t say everything was exactly so, but on the whole-just the way I described. What absorption into fantastic world can we talk about if you have to remember 20 figures and throw the dice dozen times for each act! But not all the table games have such a disadvantage. Besides, we may ignore too “hard” rules.
Now let’s analyze what we have in computer RPG.
From the first look everyt5hing is just the same-the game system, characters, the game world. But all these things are already made, you can see the picture with your eyes. Is it good or bad?
It depends. By all means, it’s pleasant to see “visual” character, a charming landscape, fire from shots, etc. But your own brains don’t work any longer since there’s no necessity in it. Besides, we won’t see “our own world”. We perceive things as they should be from the game developers’ point of view. Their way of perception becomes ours as well. You will never be able to see the world with your own eyes and make the character really yours, no matter how hard the developers tried to improve the game. Such a situation has two consequences:
1) Tragic one: your imagination is completely blocked and you don’t like the others’ vision.( such a situation is typical for the most of projects).
2) Pleasant one: some painters and designers create real masterpieces and we can’t but admire their world vision ( here you perfectly understand the difference between your plain brains and a talented professional’s work).
But are there many games like that in the second point? Frankly speaking, I know only one-Fallout. And I appreciate not the graphics but amazing style, exact place of every button, picture, character.
Let’s also mention incontestable advantage of computer RPG. It deals with those calculations which make so many table RPG boring. Computer will calculate all the fines, bonuses and character’s features in a flash. Strange as it may seem but computer games are based just on the table systems and the developers of the former ones don’t aim to overcharge machines with numerous correlations and parameters.
At last we’ve come to a very sensitive problem of the computer RPG- opportunities provided in the game. Sometimes playing RPG on the computer you may suddenly want to act the way not offered by the plot of the game. ( to look into the hatch which is pictured on the background or to take the car you are not allowed to). I am sure that such things are familiar to every gamer. It’s great if the plot and the locations are well considered. And what if they are not ( as it happens more often)? We must admit that the developers of computer games are constantly improving the gamer’s opportunities in the installed worlds. But if the direction is not perfect, the game turns into hard work and it makes the player take advantage of all the improvements (even if he is not willing to).
Table RPG is another matter: the action there is equal to one word, no talks linearity ( you can communicate with the leader the way you like), no plot linearity ( you can do what you like until you are killed). Full freedom of the decisions and actions provided by table RPG will never be substituted by any perfect program. Here you can act as you like.
Besides, the standard of the game can be easily changed. For example, I can tell you from my own experience that once I started the game as a guard (pure RPG adventure) and finished as an emperor (RPG+tactics+strategy). That’s it.
It’s for you to judge what is better. What and how to play is also for you. But I’d like to say (from my own experience again) that table RPG develop our brains while computer ones don’t.
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AlcE
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Information Assurance (IA) consists of "measures that protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation. This includes providing for the restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities."
Secure communications have evolved through three very distinct stages over the past 50 years: Communications Security (COMSEC), Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) and Information Assurance (IA). After WWII and the Korean War, COMSEC efforts focused primarily on cryptography. The introduction and widespread use of computers created new demands to protect information exchanges between interconnected computer systems. This demand created the Computer Security (COMPUSEC) discipline. With the introduction of COMPUSEC came the recognition that stand-alone COMSEC and stand-alone COMPUSEC could not protect information during storage, processing or transfer between systems. This recognition gave rise to the term INFOSEC and the information protection mission took on a broader perspective. IA emerged and focused on the need to protect information during transit, processing, or storage within complex and/or widely dispersed computers and communication system networks. There needs to be an assurance that the information sent is the same information that is received.
Availability is the state where information is in the place needed by the user, at the time the user needs it, and in the form needed by the user. The issues that most directly affect availability are information system reliability (is it up and running?), the informational level of importance (some information is more critical than others), and timely information delivery (delay of some information has a greater impact than other information).
Integrity is sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition. This includes system integrity and data integrity.
Authentication verifies the identity of the user, device, or other entity in a computer system, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in a system, and to verify the integrity of data that have been stored, transmitted, or otherwise exposed to possible unauthorized modification. Authentication ensures that you have the right to see the information, and that you are who you say you are. The two elements most often associated with authentication are logins and passwords.
Confidentiality is the concept of holding sensitive data in confidence, limited to an appropriate set of individuals or organizations. Confidentiality is often referred to as information security. Here we deal with two issues: clearances and data security. In the military, there is a distinction between having a security clearance and having a need to know. Just because someone has a Top Secret security clearance doesn’t entitle him or her to read every Top Secret document in the world. They can only access those that pertain to their job.
Non-repudiation is a service that provides proof of the integrity and origin of data, which can be verified by any third party at any time. Two of the services that support non-repudiation are digital signatures and encryption. Biometric and retinal scans are right around the corner and are being used by some organizations.
Secure communications have evolved through three very distinct stages over the past 50 years: Communications Security (COMSEC), Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) and Information Assurance (IA). After WWII and the Korean War, COMSEC efforts focused primarily on cryptography. The introduction and widespread use of computers created new demands to protect information exchanges between interconnected computer systems. This demand created the Computer Security (COMPUSEC) discipline. With the introduction of COMPUSEC came the recognition that stand-alone COMSEC and stand-alone COMPUSEC could not protect information during storage, processing or transfer between systems. This recognition gave rise to the term INFOSEC and the information protection mission took on a broader perspective. IA emerged and focused on the need to protect information during transit, processing, or storage within complex and/or widely dispersed computers and communication system networks. There needs to be an assurance that the information sent is the same information that is received.
Availability is the state where information is in the place needed by the user, at the time the user needs it, and in the form needed by the user. The issues that most directly affect availability are information system reliability (is it up and running?), the informational level of importance (some information is more critical than others), and timely information delivery (delay of some information has a greater impact than other information).
Integrity is sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition. This includes system integrity and data integrity.
Authentication verifies the identity of the user, device, or other entity in a computer system, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in a system, and to verify the integrity of data that have been stored, transmitted, or otherwise exposed to possible unauthorized modification. Authentication ensures that you have the right to see the information, and that you are who you say you are. The two elements most often associated with authentication are logins and passwords.
Confidentiality is the concept of holding sensitive data in confidence, limited to an appropriate set of individuals or organizations. Confidentiality is often referred to as information security. Here we deal with two issues: clearances and data security. In the military, there is a distinction between having a security clearance and having a need to know. Just because someone has a Top Secret security clearance doesn’t entitle him or her to read every Top Secret document in the world. They can only access those that pertain to their job.
Non-repudiation is a service that provides proof of the integrity and origin of data, which can be verified by any third party at any time. Two of the services that support non-repudiation are digital signatures and encryption. Biometric and retinal scans are right around the corner and are being used by some organizations.
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AlcE
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One day, you suddenly realize that your computer started to worknoticeably slower than it used to. You decide to run de-fragmentation of your hard drive and add more virtual memory to the system. No luck! May be, it’s probably some viruses, you reckon turning on your virus scanning software. Even after running the anti-virus program you notice that the problem won’t resolve. Not understanding what’s happening frustrated you pick up the phone. It’s time to call your tech-support. Sounds familiar? You are not alone! Each day, thousands of users are facing similar problems caused by malicious software called Spyware. According to Dell technical support, nowadays 12 percent of their support calls involve problems related to some kinds of Spyware. Microsoft reports that fifty percent of all computer crushes are caused by Spyware, viruses and Trojans.
What is a Spyware?
Spyware – also named Malware or Adware – are malicious software programs, which most of the time get installed on your computer without your knowledge. These programs are capable of doing many outrageous, sinister things to your computer such as changing computer settings, tracking your online behavior, monitoring andcontrolling your computer, recording your keystrokes, displaying unwanted advertisement and reporting needed information back to the person behind it.
The main types of Spyware are:
Key loggers: This type of Spyware copies everything you type to a file and send it to the hacker. The more sophisticated type, which is used for identity theft, copies the information you provide when you are connected to a secure website.
Browser hijacker: It modifies browser settings without your permission. This Spyware is capable of changing your start page, search page, search tool bar and redirect your url to specific pages.
Email redirector: Surreptitiously copies all your incoming and outgoing emails and sends to the hacker.
Dialers: This spyware install themselves to your dial-up settingsand dials numbers without your knowledge, often to out of countrynumbers.
Collectware: The purpose of this Spyware is to track your surfinghabit and transmitting the statistical data to the hacker. This information later gets sold to advertisement companies.
Adware: This Spyware downloads all sorts of banner advertisementsevery time you take some action such as typing a word on your search tool.
Why my antivirus program does not block a Spyware?
Although, Spyware uses same tactics like “Trojan” virus, technically it is not a virus. A virus is a program written to create trouble or possibly harm your computer system. Viruses arecapable of replicate, evolve and cause severe damages to your computer files, registry or even hardware. Spyware, on the other hand, does not harm your computer intentionally. Any nuisance like system slow down is the collateral damage, which occurs while the Spyware serves its mission of monitoring your activities and making unwanted changes to your user experience.
People rarely read the fine prints of the user agreements while downloading a file, a program, a game or other free stuffs from the Internet. Unethical sites use this to their advantage and add tiny Spyware with the file you are downloading.
The anti-virus programs can not be sure, whether this program is installed deliberately by you or it’s a malicious Spyware. This makes identifying and blocking a Spyware difficult for an Anti-virus program. However, things are started to change! Major anti-virus companies are planning to integrate anti-spyware programs to their existing products very soon.
How did I get infected with a Spyware?
There are numerous ways how you might end up with having a Spyware on your system.
- When you download and install programs, games, smilies, pictures, screensavers from dubious sites, there is a big chance that you might install a sneaky Spyware along the way.
- Some websites and pop-up windows try to download and install Spyware while you are there. According a recent analysis of sex-based websites, up to 80 percent of these sites are now being used to upload Spyware, worms and Trojans to unsuspecting visitors.
- Some add-ons to you browser that is supposed to enhance your browser experience may secretively install Spyware.
- The most cynical method of infecting you with Spyware is when you receive a sudden pop-up ad, which claims that your computer is contaminated and you have to run certain program to cure your system. If you are credulous enough to run this program, it just installs a Spyware instead of eliminating any.
How to fight back?
If you carefully follow the instructions outlined below, your chancesof getting infected with Spyware are pretty slim.
Update your Windows
Allow your version of Windows to update it automatically. Ensure thatyou have all the latest security patches installed.
Use Firefox as your default browser
Since Internet Explorer is the main target for many Spyware, you willbe better of with Mozilla Firefox. Moreover, it is a better browser than IE in many aspects.
Be extremely careful with your downloads
Try not to download anything from a unknown site. If you still feel like getting a shareware or freeware program check it out on one of these online Spyware database. Spychecker (http://www.spychecker.com/)is one such service, and Camtech 2000's Spy Chaser(http://camtech2000.net/Pages/SpyChaser.html)is a nifty downloadable database of nearly1000 spyware-infested programs.
Use an Anti-Spyware application
Download and install one of the following anti-spyware programs:
Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/),Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html)and Microsoft AntiSpyware. Although, Microsoft’s Anti-Spyware
(http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)is still at beta stage, I am using it and very happy with its performance.
Get a Firewall
If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you are probably fine! In other cases, if your computer is connected to the Internet directly you should get a firewall and install it. Zone alarm
(http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp) is a great firewall you can download for free.
A recently conducted survey of the Top Network Security threats in 2005 reveals that two-thirds of IT managers and administrators believe that Spyware will be the number one threat to network security. So don’t take any chance! Make sure that you are protected!
