Windows Vista Ultimate Review

Windows Vista is Microsoft's first new operating system in more than five years and the successor to Windows XP. However, it is not worth rushing out to purchase. If you desperately need to buy a new PC (if your old one died or you've been waiting and waiting for Vista to be released), then by all means do so; there's nothing wrong with Windows Vista. But there's no one compelling feature within Windows Vista that cries out to switch over, neither the enhanced graphic capabilities (Aero) nor the improved system performance features (truthfully, our Windows XP doesn't crash). As for security, Microsoft's biggest improvements in Windows Vista are within the Enterprise or 64-bit editions, editions most home users will not be running. Windows Vista is not the Apple Mac OS X 10.4 killer one hoped for (or feared). Nor are there specific big-name software packages written exclusively for Windows Vista--most software available today is compatible with both Windows XP and Windows V ista. But the extensive tie-ins to Microsoft.com and Live.com, and the many, many interdependences upon Internet Explorer 7 left us desperately wanting more (and often best-of-breed) alternatives. Hard core Microsofties who live and breathe within the MSN, Live.com, and Microsoft desktop software ecosystem will rejoice with the release of Windows Vista, but for the rest of us who are product agnostic, who use Firefox, Google Desktop, ZoneAlarm, GMail, and Corel WordPerfect, Windows XP SP2 will suffice nicely until some killer program necessitates that we all upgrade to Windows Vista.

There are six major editions of Windows Vista; we're reviewing four. We chose not to review Windows Vista Enterprise (available only to volume license customers) and Windows Vista Starter (available only outside the United States). Windows Vista Ultimate includes everything, and this is the edition getting the most promotion from Microsoft. It is not the edition most people will find packaged on their shiny new PCs or will end up with after an upgrade of existing hardware. See our feature comparison chart to know which edition is right for your specific needs, and check the following individual reviews for more details:

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Setup and installation

The Windows Vista DVD disc includes a Windows Imaging (WIM) format of the code, so whether you buy the Home Basic edition or the Ultimate edition, the code remains the same; only the product key unlocks your specific set of features. This means users who opt for the lesser editions can always upgrade (assuming they have the proper hardware) by downloading some additional code and securing a new product key online. However, all features--even if you paid for them--are dependent on specific hardware configurations being present; if you don't have the proper graphics hardware, for example, you'll simply never see the Aero graphic effects on that old Dell computer in your basement.

Hardware requirements for Windows Vista should not be taken lightly. In a controversial move to garner positive reviews, Microsoft sent hundreds of bloggers (not including CNET) free copies of Windows Vista Ultimate; Microsoft did not send boxed copies, rather the software giant sent top-of-the-line Acer Ferrari laptops with the operating system preinstalled. So even Microsoft seems to admit that the best performance is only available on top-of-the-line machines manufactured within the last year or so.

That said, many people will still want to upgrade their current Windows XP SP2. This will keep all your current data and applications, importing them directly into the new operating system. To see which edition(s) of Windows Vista your current computer can handle, visit the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to find specific hardware recommendations so you don't buy the wrong edition. Most people will find either Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium to be their best choice. While Windows Vista does make a backup of your previous operating system before installing, it is always recommended that you backup your current Windows XP system yourself, just in case.

Rather than upgrade, we recommend you perform a clean installation. With a clean installation, you keep all your current on the Windows XP drive and install only the data and applications you want to run on Windows Vista. A clean install can be accomplished by buying a new PC with Windows Vista already installed, partitioning an existing Windows XP machine to dual-boot into Windows Vista, or adding a new hard drive to an existing Windows XP machine.

Our clean installations took anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the hardware in the system. It's pretty much an automated process, with the installer first copying the WIM image onto the new hard drive or partition then expanding that image. Once again, we experienced an uncomfortably long plateau at "Expanding: 27 percent"; as with previous builds, we waited between two and five minutes before the expansion continued. About halfway through, the installer reboots and continues the installation in Windows Vista.

During the installation, Windows Vista will load the drivers included within the installation image, but it will also download additional drivers from a much larger database at Microsoft. This assumes, however, that one has an always-on Internet connection; dial-up users may find that upon completion of the installation process some drivers are missing.

Once fully installed, Windows Vista first asks for your country or region, then time and currency, and, finally, the desired keyboard layout. Next, you'll choose a username, a user icon, and a password. Then select your desktop wallpaper and security settings: Automatic, Install Important Updates Only, or Ask Me Later. After reviewing the computer's time and date settings, there's one more message: "Please wait while Windows checks your computer's performance." Here, Microsoft grades your computer on a five-point scale, with the overall rating based on your system's lowest score (in our case, that was for the video card).

Windows Vista includes new musical tones written by veteran musician Robert Fripp. Compared to the familiar start-up tones of Windows XP, Windows Vista's are lighter, almost spritely. The sounds for User Account Control and Log Off are also perkier than those found in similar security warnings within Windows XP.

New on the Windows Vista desktop is a Welcome Center which contains links to frequently asked questions such as, "How do you configure your printer?" and "How do you connect to your Internet service?" There is also room for some sales opportunities, either with manufacturer specials or online offers from Microsoft, such as the Windows Live OneCare service. Frankly, we think it is better for you to look beyond the Windows ecosystem for e-mail, Internet browsers, and security applications.

After closing the Welcome Center, you'll notice to the far right there is a shaded sidebar populated with three example Gadgets ("widgets" to everyone else), tiny desktop applets that display content, such as RSS feeds. In one Gadget, a slide show of images from the sample photo library display; in the next, the current time; finally, there's a Gadget for subscribed RSS feeds. We downloaded and installed Firefox 2, made Firefox our default browser, and quickly set up a few RSS feed subscriptions. Guess what? The Windows Vista Gadget was unresponsive to our efforts, displaying only the default MSN feeds from Microsoft. Microsoft says the default RSS Gadget feeds off a common store of RSS feeds within Windows Vista, and firefox hasn't yet adopted the API for that store. You have to use Internet Explorer 7 or choose a Firefox-friendly Gadget instead. By clicking the + symbol atop the sidebar, you'll see a panel of available Gadgets, with a link out to the Web to find even mo re. The Gadgets are not fixed to the sidebar; they can be dragged across the desktop. And even the sidebar itself can be disabled to allow for a full desktop view. An icon located within the taskbar will restore the sidebar at any time.

The familiar Start menu features some cosmetic changes for Windows Vista. Aside from the distinctive rounded icon, the Start menu now includes a built-in Search function. We would have preferred to have access to Search directly from the desktop rather than digging down a level or two. The All Programs list now displays as an expandable/collapsible directory tree, something Windows should have offered years ago. The new Start menu is divided in half, with access to documents, pictures, music, games, recent items, My Computer, network, Control Panel, default programs, and Help along the right-hand side.

Also new within Start is an Instant Off button. This button caches all your open files and processes, allowing you to turn off your laptop or desktop quickly without all the "cleaning up files" messages you see in previous versions. We like the feature, but on our Acer Travelmate 8200, Instant Off and closing the lid to hibernate sometimes produced limbo states where the laptop simply wouldn't wake up again, forcing us to reboot.

In Windows Vista, files become unmoored from the traditional directory tree structure--kind of. The more ambitious plan of including a whole new file system was scrapped early on; instead, Windows Vista relies on metatags, which are keywords linked to files to make them searchable. With metatags, you can create virtual file folders based on a variety of search terms. Say you're doing a report on mountains, any file that is keyword-enabled to include "mountains" will be grouped into a virtual folder without physically dragging that file to a new location. The downside is that older files (say you upgraded your system from Windows XP or imported data from an earlier version of Windows) will have to be retroactively metataged in order to be searched. Also different is the file path displayed within Windows Explorer. Gone are the backslashes, replaced with arrows that offer drop-down menus of alternative folders. We liked this efficient feature.

Finally, there's a compatibility wizard buried deep within Windows Vista. Most Windows XP applications we loaded performed just fine. Operating under the hood, Windows Vista convinces native Windows XP applications that they're running on Windows XP. Should you need to run an older application, say from Windows 95, the compatibility wizard allows you to tweak the display resolution and emulate Windows 95 for that program. For example, we were able to run a Windows 95-optimized game demo on our Windows Vista test system.

Features

There are too many individual features within Windows Vista Ultimate Edition to call out--seriously. However, our gut feeling is that most of the significant bells and whistles are designed for the Enterprise-level customers, not the home user. Having a large number of features should not be confused with actually providing significant value to all users across the board. We would have preferred fewer features executed extremely well rather than an uneven mix of this and that, a one-size-fits-all operating system. And we disagree with Microsoft's seemingly arbitrary division of features within individual editions.

Common to all editions of Windows Vista are ad hoc backup and recovery, instant Search, Internet Explorer 7 browser, Windows Media Player 11, Windows Mail e-mail client, Windows Calendar, Windows Photo Gallery, performance tuning and self-diagnostics, Internet protocol IPv6 and IPv4 support, Windows ReadyDrive, a maximum of 4GB RAM support on 32-bit editions (up to 128GB RAM on some 64-bit editions), Windows Sync Center for mobile devices, Windows Mobility Center for presentations on the road, User Account Control security protection, Windows Security Center, Windows Defender antispyware, Windows Firewall, Windows Meeting Space for ad hoc wireless meetings, Remote Desktop for working from home, XPS document support for PDF-like files, improved peer-to-peer networking, improved VPN support, and improved power management. Included within certain editions (and thus also included within the Ultimate edition) are Windows Media Center, Windows Tablet PC, Windows Movie Maker, Wi ndows DVD Maker, Parental Controls, Windows SideShow for remote gadgets, domain join for Windows Small Business Server, Group Policy support, Client-side file caching, Roaming User Profiles for remote server access, Windows Fax and Scan, Windows ShadowCopy to create file backups, Windows Rights Management Services to protect documents, Windows BitLocker hard drive encryption, integrated smart card management, and various Windows Ultimate Extras to be named later. Despite many feature changes within Windows Vista, Microsoft has held onto its original marketing promise of providing users with Clear, Confident, and Connected solutions.

For Clear, Microsoft cites its new Aero graphics. Aero is part of the Windows Presentation Foundation, a subgroup of the .Net Foundation Framework, an underlying foundation for developers to build new applications. One applet is the New York Times Times Reader, the first of many products written exclusively for Windows Vista but hardly a compelling reason by itself to upgrade. Though video playback and, yes, even the tiny icons on Windows Vista are now crisp and colorful with Aero, unless you watch YouTube videos all day, you won't really need Aero, nor will you miss the tiny preview windows enabled on your desktop display. Also new is Microsoft's Adobe PDF-like file format called XPS (Extensible Page System); however, any Windows XP SP2 machine can view XPS-created pages with downloads of the .Net 3 Framework Foundation and the Internet Explorer 7 browser.

For Confident, Microsoft touts new security enhancements within Windows Vista. You shouldn't encounter User Account Control (UAC) except when changing system configurations or installing new software, and even then, wouldn't you--in this age of downloadable spyware--prefer to know when an executable file is about to run? While UAC notifies you of pending system changes, it doesn't always require a password. Microsoft's more controversial method to lock down the system kernel, PatchGuard, is only available in the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista; most home users will not run these editions. Another celebrated security feature works only within Windows Mail, which most people are unlikely to use. And finally, the jury is still out on whether Internet Explorer 7 is more secure than, say, Firefox 2. Windows Vista also includes a built-in but limited two-way firewall and free Windows Defender antispyware, which ranked poor in competitive testing done by Download.com.

For Connected, Microsoft points to the new peer-to-peer possibilities, some of which are the result of its acquisition of Groove several years ago. From within Windows Explorer (which displays different toolbar options for exploring documents, photos, or music) you can move any file into a Public Folder and then mark the file or folder for sharing on a network. Within the Business and Ultimate editions you can further mark individual files for remote access.

Performance

Upon installation, Windows Vista rates each system's overall hardware performance, with the final score reflecting your system's lowest individual score. This is handy. For example, if you suspect that everything's running a little slow, you might find that your hard drive is returning the lowest score. Windows Vista will then recommend a faster hard drive or a drive with larger compatibility. Mostly, though, the video card will be the sore spot for most users. There's also an event log viewer to show, for example, after a specific software install your system performance started to degrade, and that uninstalling the software may restore your overall performance.

Under the hood, Microsoft has moved device drivers for DVD burners and printers out of the system kernel; Microsoft says that a majority of system crashes can be traced to improperly installed third-party device drivers. Thus Windows Vista hopes to vanquish the dreaded Blue Screen of Death common to earlier releases of Windows. Indeed, after testing several early builds, we found Windows Vista to be remarkably stable and robust.

Support

Along with the performance monitors, Microsoft has improved the Help section considerably. There is a static FAQ, but it also links to Microsoft online and allows outreach to other users for help, either via a forum or direct PC-to-PC help. Of these, we really like a feature available on some, not all, FAQs that allows you to automate the solution by executing a script. This method doesn't teach you how to do it in the future, but it will accomplish the task at hand. For example, if you choose to update a device driver, Windows Vista will darken the desktop; highlight and open the Start menu, the Control Panel, and the Device Manager; then pause to ask you what device you want to update. It's like having a technician at your desktop, walking you though the process. There's an increasing reliance on user-generated support forums, which leads us to believe that Microsoft is shying away from its own live technical support. At press time, Microsoft's final support policy was unavailable.

Conclusion

Perhaps we're spoiled, but after more than five years of development, there's a definite "Is that all?" feeling about Windows Vista. Like cramming an info-dump into a book report the night before it's due, there certainly are a lot of individual features within the operating system, but the real value lies in their execution--how the user experiences (or doesn't experience) these--and like the info-dump, we came away shaking our heads, disappointed. Compared with Mac OS X 10.4, Windows Vista feels clunky and not very intuitive, almost as though it's still based on DOS (or at least the internal logic that made up DOS). Despite the addition of a system-wide, built-in Search, and various efforts to break away from staidly old directory trees, you still need to drill down one level to even access Search. And there are far too many dependencies on Microsoft products; this is not a very objective operating system, as preference is always given to Microsoft products (of which th ere are many), from MSN Search to RSS feeds only from Internet Explorer. But is Windows Vista a bad operating system? No. It's just a disappointment for PC users who hoped that Microsoft would deliver something truly exciting to finally leapfrog ahead of Apple. They failed. But stick around; this is just Windows Vista 1.0. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is due out sometime before the end of the year. Windows Vista SP1 promises to fix what's known to be wrong within Windows Vista and should offer a few concrete reasons to switch.

6 Excellent Tips to Check Out When Featuring Valuable Baseball Cards - Shopping - Appliances

If you want to store and show your valuable baseball cards, you can select which cards you would like to put on display, put cards in binders, use tough plastic sleeves, exhibit your most priceless baseball cards in plastic-type cases, organise your cards practically, and consider positioning your cards in glass display cases.

A bunch of valuable baseball cards is something which an avid card collector could be proud of and will definitely take the opportunity to show for some individuals to see. Yet, you must also remember that it's important to protect your cards against harm, especially when they might often be exposed to wetness, heat, and dirt. The following are some strategies on ways to exhibit your precious baseball cards and guard them from potential destruction:

Choose which cards you desire to put on display

Collectors usually show their most valuable cards for other card enthusiasts or individuals to view. So it may not be necessary to exhibit all your cards, even those which are not valuable. Organize your cards and properly pick ones that are of great value to you.

Place cards in binders

Get binders and plastic sleeves for cards having openings that fit the rings of your own binders. All these materials can be purchased in any hobby stores within your area or through the Internet. Make sure that you choose ones which are not very large for your baseball cards. Fit all your not too expensive cards into the plastic sleeves and organize them appropriately. This will make searching easier for you and your visitors.

Make use of tough plastic sleeves

You can use hard plastic-type sleeves to display your more expensive baseball cards. You should also put the cards inside the soft plastic-type sleeves before putting them in tough plastic-type sleeves for double protection. All that you should do is to purchase soft plastic sleeves that are exactly the ideal size for your cards, and insert the cards into them. Then, place the soft plastic sleeves directly into bigger tough plastic sleeves before you'll place them on display.

Display your most priceless baseball cards inside plastic cases

For your not too expensive baseball cards, organize them in plastic-type cases using a screw-shut pattern. These plastic-type cases are efficient at keeping your cards from any destruction. The card will be put in the center of two thick plastic-type sheets that will be screwed together tightly. Most of these plastic cases have holders or can be put up on the walls for display.

Manage you cards properly

Baseball cards are best showcased if they are set up neatly. People will also consider well-arranged card collection more fascinating to see compared to a display that doesn't make sense at all. You could try arranging them by player, team, or from the newest to oldest player.

Consider placing your cards in glass displays

Placing your baseball cards in glass display cabinets is also a good method to display your cards to your visitors. You can place these cases inside your a special room or living room in your home especially for your collection. Glass displays also assure that your cards will be properly protected from moisture and dirt.

Even the smallest deterioration in the collection reduces its worth. So it is best to store and display your cards in the best way possible so that it won't be hard for you to sell them if you have any plans to auction them in the future.

6 Guidelines For Exhibiting Your Baseball Cards - Family

If you want to put your own baseball cards on display, you must organize your cards appropriately, place your least precious baseball cards inside binders, place semi-valuable cards in hard plastic-type sleeves, utilize lucite block or screw-shut cases to store your most precious cards, and put you collection inside a case or table for everyone to view.

If you're a baseball card collector, wouldn't it be pleasant to put your collection on display for other people to view? Don't just let them sit in job ticket holders as well as storage containers in the dark. Here is the way to show your baseball trading cards:

Arrange your cards accordingly

Arrange your baseball cards based on your choice. You can group together cards according to their launch dates, marketers, teams or player. You can also separate them according to their worth or value to ensure you and your guests can simply differentiate the ones that are priceless and those that are less valuable. When collectors group their cards according to their value, they separate them into 3 classes. The most costly baseball cards, which are worth hundreds or even thousands, and also the rarest belong in the most valuable class. Semi-valuable types are those cards that are worth one dollar or even more. The rest of the cards that do not fall under the first 2 classes signify the least valuable ones.

Set your least valuable baseball cards inside binders

Buy adequate vinyl binder sleeves to hold all of your least precious cards. The particular sleeves are made of plastic and are clear to allow a clear display of your own collection. Every sleeve features three rows with three pockets each, which can accommodate about nine cards in all. Collect all the sleeves, arrange them properly and then put them together in a binder. By binding all of them together, it'll be a lot easier for you to carry all your cards and also showcase your own collection to fellow card enthusiasts or buddies. Additionally, you can organize your cards whatever you want and you don't worry about picking your cards one by one from the storage box if you use a binder.

Place semi-valuable cards inside hard plastic sleeves

For semi-valuable baseball cards, it is advisable to utilize hard plastic sleeves instead of soft binder sleeves. Because they are tougher, you can be assured that your cards are protected from folding or perhaps creasing. However, you could only include a single card in each compartment. In addition, you can add an extra layer of protection to your baseball cards through inserting them into soft plastic sleeves before placing them in hard plastic sleeves.

Utilize lucite block or screw-shut cases to keep your most valuable cards

A lucite block or perhaps screw-shut case refers to a box composed of two plastic sheets screwed together. It is probably one of the best ways to save and display your most valuable baseball cards. Through sealing the card between the tough plastics, the card stays secured and also protected from harmful exterior factors.

Put your collection in a case or even table for everybody to view

Select a place where you can put your collection on showcase for everyone to view. It can be a long table in one corner of your living room or a glass case inside the trophy room. Wherever you like it, be sure that your buddies and fellow card lovers could easily view them when they pay a visit to. Also be sure that your collection is stored far from humidity and high temperature because they can cause damage to your own baseball cards.

Having a big collection of trading cards is actually an achievement. It would be a waste if you only keep them to yourself and did not share them with other people.

FLV to MP4 converter on MAC OS X - Computers - Software

Apple has never failed to improve its operating systems that are fully loaded with essential features that will surely be a hit to the consumers. This new software can be used by those who are using PCs that are supported by the Mac OS X (Snow Leopard, Lion). This flv to mp4 mac converter can not only convert FLV to MP4 but also FLV to MPEG-4 MP4 (.mp4), MPEG AVC(.mp4), and H.264(.mp4). But what is really good about it is that it can convert back from MP4 to FLV on Mac. The FLV stands for "Flash Video" format which is designed for the purpose of web video playback offering a offers high rates of compression and also produces high quality videos. This format is becoming popular because it can be easily embedded in a webpage which means you can place it on a blog or a website easily and that it is supported by main operating systems by the Adobe Flash Player. This type of format is also used by popular website such as the YouTube, Google Video, Myspace, etc. If you want a po werful tool for converting files and yet an easy-to-use tool also, then the FLV to MP4 Mac is the right product for you to use. Aside from its wonderful features, it is created to support converting almost any format to any other format available plus with a high quality output. This software is known to provide both Inter version and PowerPC version of personal computers. Users need not worry because they can also utilize this converter since this software us supported by the Apple OS including MAC OS X 10.4, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Mac OS X 10.5.7, MAC OS X Tiger, Mac OS X 10.5.8, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and Mac OS Lion. The files that are converted can be played on Mac Pro, Unibody Macbook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, MacBook, iMac and PC with Mac OS X since these devices are also supported by the Apple OS. Alongside it other magnificent features, it has the capacity to convert several FLV files to MP$ formats at a time because it supports a drag-drop and batch conversion feature which allows you to import as much video files that you wish to convert. If you wish to convert back from MP4 to FLV, then you can do so by just following the instructions on the manual. By just simply following the instructions provided in there, then you can go on relax and do your thing while the FLV to MP4 Converter for Mac software will do your thing. After the process, you can now watch your favorite videos anytime. Also, if you desire to edit your converted video or simply any video, this software will be your favorite assistant surely because you can trip, crop, add more effects on your video, merge several video clips into one file and extract audio and image from your FLV files. With this product, all can do.

Mac OS X - how it compares to Windows - Computers

User-friendliness is the ultimate benchmark for any operating system. After all, a system must look and feel right, and provide precisely what you need. Therefore a comparison between Apple's Mac OS X and Microsoft's Windows should consider basic, user-oriented questions.

Does the operating system look good?

Screen layout, icon design and colours are important. They help improve your experience of using a computer. In this respect, however, there's a difficulty making any judgement between Mac OS X and Windows Vista. This is partly because what looks good to one person may not impress another; and partly because familiarity with one system's appearance can create an automatic feeling of satisfaction with it.

The answer, if you're a long-term Windows user, is to take time to view Mac OS X whenever you can. Apple gives a great deal of thought to design, not just of its hardware but of everything that appears on the computer screen. The icons are distinctive; the colours are bright; and the layouts are simple and consistent. You might soon decide you could enjoy working with these.

Does the operating system act discretely and leave you to get on with your work?

Windows is forever reminding you of its presence. If you attach a peripheral to your computer, for instance, it tells you what you've done. Mac OS X, on the other hand, doesn't give you any such message - unless there's a problem and you need to take remedial action. With Mac OS X, you can go about your business without unnecessary interruptions.

One of the principle functions of an operating system is to do what you want quickly and easily. If you run a simple test between Mac OS X and Windows to reach a similar goal on comparable software from the moment you switch on, you'll find Mac OS X usually requires fewer actions. You could argue this isn't entirely fair because Mac Computers have a different style mouse and, on some models, a trackpad. But aren't these features part of the process of making your life as easy as possible?

Putting this point to one side, you can still make a reasonable comparison by assessing how long it takes to find what you're looking for. In Windows Vista, for example, the "Display" function lies in "Personalization", which is not the most obvious place to track it down. On the other hand, Mac OS X presents "Display" clearly and without fuss.

Is the operating system consistent?

A consistent operating system avoids potential confusion. On Windows, for instance, you sometimes have to look around to confirm your active window. With Mac OS X, the active window is always easy to spot.

Mac OS X has also kept the same basic style of window controls for the past few years. This helps when you upgrade to the next Mac OS X version. Windows Vista, however, uses different window controls compared to Windows XP without any apparent improvement.

Is the operating system secure?

Most Windows users are aware of the vulnerability of their operating system to viruses and spyware. Both retailers and experts urge anyone who buys a Windows computer to install security software and update it at least annually.

Mac OS X has built in security features. You don't have to buy additional software. Apple also makes free security upgrades available to each Mac OS X user. The result is an operating system that is notably free of the virus problems that afflict Windows.

Is the operating system reliable?

Windows has become the butt of jokes about frozen screens and crashes. These problems may have different causes; but from a user's point of view they're a time-consuming nuisance.

Mac OS X is far more reliable. It rarely crashes or freezes because Apple ensures that the software complements the operating system.

Does the operating system support all the software I use, including games?

There was a time when Windows led the field with a varied range of compatible software and games titles. In recent years, however, the position has changed. You can now obtain most software and games titles in Mac formats - Microsoft Office 2008, for example, and The Sims.

You can also transfer Windows files to Mac OS X thanks to Boot Camp software (available as part of the operating system on all Mac computers). It's even possible to go one step further and install Windows XP or Vista on your Mac alongside Mac OS X by using either VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop software.

Does the operating system have a long and successful history behind it?

Mac OS X and Windows are established systems, although this doesn't mean they've developed in the same way. Apple releases major operating system updates every 12 - 18 months and proceeds in a uniform fashion. By contrast, Microsoft uses a far more irregular approach.

An example of Microsoft's upgrade delays is the six year gap between XP and Vista. XP did have an update with Service Pack 2, but during those six years Apple offered a steady series of operating system releases, improvements and innovations.

What's the support like?

Microsoft makes its own software, but other companies manufacture the computers that use it. This approach has helped Windows achieve the largest share of the operating system market. Nonetheless, the drawback for consumers is that Microsoft can only provide support for Windows as long as the hardware isn't causing a problem or making it worse.

Apple makes its own software and hardware, and therefore takes full responsibility for any issue that affects Mac OS X. The result is that Mac OS X has few problems because it's in Apple's interest and direct control to resolve them. This means that Apple's support for Mac OS X and Mac computers amounts to the same thing, and is both thorough and comprehensive.

In conclusion

Ask Mac users about the best feature of Mac OS X and they'll respond along the lines of "Apple has designed Mac OS X for the benefit of the user". This sums up the purpose of an operating system. With Windows you have to work harder, and the system lacks the uncluttered, dependable and stylish ease of use that Mac OS X achieves.

Mac OS X - Business

history br main article history of x br x is based upon the mach kernel certain parts from freebsd s and netbsd s implementation of unix were incorporated in nextstep the core of x nextstep was the object oriented operating system developed by steve jobs company next after he left apple in 1985 while jobs was away from apple apple tried to create a next generation os through the taligent copland and gershwin projects with little success br eventually next s os then called openstep was selected to be the basis for apple s next os and apple purchased next outright steve jobs returned to apple as interim ceo and later became ceo shepherding the transformation of the programmer friendly openstep into a system that would be adopted by apple s primary market of home users and creative professionals the project was first known as rhapsody and was later renamed to x br x server 1 x was incompatible with software designed for the original and had no support for apple s own ieee 139 4 interface firewire x 10 x included more backward compatibility and functionality by including the carbon api as well as firewire support as the operating system evolved it moved away from the legacy to an emphasis on new digital lifestyle applications such as the ilife suite enhanced business applications iwork and integrated home entertainment the front row media center each version also included modifications to the general interface such as the brushed metal appearance added in version 10 3 the non pinstriped titlebar appearance in version 10 4 and in 10 5 the removal of the previous brushed metal styles in favor of the unified gradient window style br description br box artwork for x left to right cheetah puma 1 jaguar 2 panther 3 tiger 4 leopard 5 and snow leopard 6 br x is the tenth major version of apple s operating system for macintosh computers previous macintosh operating systems were named using arabic numerals e g 8 and 9 the letter x in x s name refers to the number 10 a roman numeral it is therefore correctly pronounced ten tn in this context though x ks is also a common pronunciation br x s core is a posix compliant operating system os built on top of the xnu kernel with standard unix facilities available from the command line interface apple released this family of software as a free and open source operating system named darwin but it later became partially proprietary on top of darwin apple layered a number of components including the aqua interface and the finder to complete the gui based operating system which is x br x introduced a number of new capabilities to provide a more stable and reliable platform than its predecessor 9 for example pre emptive multitasking and memory protection improved the system s ability to run multiple applications simultaneously without them interrupting or corrupting each other many aspects of x s architecture are derived from openstep which was designed to be portable to ease the transition from one platform to another for example nextstep was ported from the original 68k based next workstations to x86 and other architectures before next was purchased by apple and openstep was later ported to the powerpc architecture as part of the rhapsody project br the most visible change was the aqua theme the use of soft edges translucent colors and pinstripes similar to the hardware design of the first imacs brought more texture and color to the user interface when compared to what os 9 and os x server 1 0 s platinum appearance had offered according to john siracusa an editor of ars technica the introduction of aqua and its departure from the then conventional look hit like a ton of bricks however bruce tognazzini who founded the original apple human interface group said that the aqua interface in x v10 0 represented a step backwards in usability compared with the original interface despite the controversial new interface third party developers started producing skins for customizable applications for mac and other operating systems which mimicked the aqua appearance to some extent apple has used the successful transition to this new design as leverage at various times threatening legal action against people who make or distribute software with an interface the company claims is derived from its copyrighted design br x architecture implements a layered framework the layered framework aids rapid development of applications by providing existing code for common tasks br x includes its own software development tools most prominently an integrated development environment called xcode xcode provides interfaces to compilers that support several programming languages including c c objective c and java for the applentel transition it was modified so that developers could build their applications as a universal binary which provides compatibility with both the intel based and powerpc based macintosh lines br the darwin sub system in x is in charge of managing the filesystem which includes the unix permissions layer in 2003 and 2005 two macworld editors expressed criticism of the permission scheme ted landau called misconfigured permissions the most common frustration in x while rob griffiths suggested that some users may even have to reset permissions every day a process which can take up to 15 minutes more recently another macworld editor dan frakes called the procedure of repairing permissions vastly overused he argues that x typically handles permissions properly without user interference and resetting permissions should be tried only when problems emerge br as of 2009 x is the second most popular general purpose operating system in use for the internet after microsoft windows with a 4 5 market share according to statistics compiled by net applications in contrast it is the most successful unix like desktop operating system on the internet estimated at over 4 times the penetration of the free linux x is available in a variety of languages including english japanese french german spanish portuguese and italian br compatibility br software br the apis that x inherited from openstep are not backward compatible with earlier versions of these apis were created as the result of a 1993 collaboration between next computer and sun microsystems and are now referred to by apple as cocoa this heritage is highly visible for cocoa developers since the ns prefix is ubiquitous in the framework standing variously for nextstep or next sun the official openstep api published in september 1994 was the first to split the api between foundation and application kit and the first to use the ns prefix apple s rhapsody project would have required all new development to use these apis causing much outcry among existing mac developers all mac software that did not receive a complete rewrite to the new framework would run in the equivalent of the classic environment to permit a smooth transition from 9 to x the car bon application programming interface api was created applications written with carbon can be executed natively on both systems carbon was not included in the first product sold as mac os x mac os x server now known as mac os x server 1 x br mac os x used to support the java platform as a preferred software package in practice this means that applications written in java fit as neatly into the operating system as possible while still being cross platform compatible and that graphical user interfaces written in swing look almost exactly like native cocoa interfaces traditionally cocoa programs have been mostly written in objective c with java as an alternative however on july 11 2005 apple announced that features added to cocoa in mac os x versions later than 10 4 will not be added to the cocoa java programming interface br since mac os x is posix compliant many software packages written for the bsds or linux can be recompiled to run on it projects such as fink macports and p kgsrc provide pre compiled or pre formatted packages since version 10 3 mac os x has included x11 app apple s version of the x window system graphical interface for unix applications as an optional component during installation up to and including mac os x v10 4 tiger apple s implementation was based on the x11 licensed xfree86 4 3 and x11r6 6 all bundled versions of x11 feature a window manager which is similar to the mac os x look and feel and has fairly good integration with mac os x also using the native quartz rendering system earlier versions of mac os x in which x11 has not been bundled can also run x11 applications using xdarwin with the introduction of version 10 5 apple switched to the x org variant of x11 br hardware br for the early releases of mac os x the standard hardware platform supported was the full line of macintosh computers laptop desktop or server based on powerpc g3 g4 and g5 processors later versions discontinued support for some older hardware for e xample panther does not support beige g3s and tiger does not support systems that pre date apple s introduction of integrated firewire ports however the ports themselves are not a functional requirement mac os x v10 5 leopard introduced october 2007 has dropped support for all powerpc g3 processors and for powerpc g4 processors with clock rates below 867 160 mhz mac os x v10 6 snow leopard supports only macs with intel processors not powerpc br tools such as xpostfacto and patches applied to the installation disc have been developed by third parties to enable installation of newer versions of mac os x on systems not officially supported by apple this includes a number of pre g3 power macintosh systems that can be made to run up to and including mac os x 10 2 jaguar all g3 based macs which can run up to and including tiger and sub 867 160 mhz g4 macs can run leopard by removing the restriction from the installation dvd or entering a command in the mac s open firmware interfac e to tell the leopard installer that it has a clock rate of 867 160 mhz or greater except for features requiring specific hardware e g graphics acceleration dvd writing the operating system offers the same functionality on all supported hardware br powerpc versions of mac os x prior to leopard retain compatibility with older mac os applications by providing an emulation environment called classic which allows users to run mac os 9 as a process within mac os x so that most older applications run as they would under the older operating system classic is not supported on intel based macs or in mac os x v10 5 leopard although users still requiring classic applications on intel macs can use the sheepshaver emulator to run mac os 9 on top of leopard br applentel transition br main article applentel transition br in april 2002 eweek reported a rumor that apple had a version of mac os x code named marklar which ran on intel x86 processors the idea behind marklar was to keep mac os x running on an alternative platform should apple become dissatisfied with the progress of the powerpc platform these rumors subsided until late in may 2005 when various media outlets such as the wall street journal and cnet reported that apple would unveil marklar in the coming months br on june 6 2005 steve jobs confirmed these rumors when he announced in his keynote address at the annual apple worldwide developers conference that apple would be making the transition from powerpc to intel processors over the following two years and that mac os x would support both platforms during the transition jobs also confirmed rumors that apple has had versions of mac os x running on intel processors for most of its developmental life the last time that apple switched cpu familiesrom the motorola 68k cpu to the ibm motorola powerpcpple included a motorola 68k emulator in the new os that made almost all 68k software work automatically on the new hardware apple had supported the 68k emul ator for 11 years but stopped supporting it during the transition to intel cpus included in the new os for the intel based macs is rosetta a binary translation layer which enables software compiled for powerpc mac os x to run on intel mac os x machines however apple dropped support for classic mode on the new intel macs third party emulation software such as mini vmac basilisk ii and sheepshaver provides support for some early versions of mac os a new version of xcode and the underlying command line compilers support building universal binaries that will run on either architecture br software that is available only for powerpc is supported with rosetta though applications may have to be rewritten to run properly on the newer os x for intel apple encourages developers to produce universal binaries with support for both powerpc and x86 there is a performance penalty when powerpc binaries run on intel macs through rosetta moreover some powerpc software such as kernel extensions and system preferences plugins are not supported on intel macs some powerpc applications would not run on intel os x at all plugins for safari need to be compiled for the same platform as safari so when safari is running on intel it requires plug ins that have been compiled as intel only or universal binaries so powerpc only plug ins will not work while intel macs will be able to run powerpc x86 and universal binaries powerpc macs will support only universal and powerpc builds br support for the powerpc platform remains in mac os x version 10 5 such cross platform capability already existed in mac os x s lineage openstep was ported to many architectures including x86 and darwin included support for both powerpc and x86 although apple stated that mac os x would not run on intel based personal computers aside from its own a hacked

How to Find an Organic Food Delivery Company - Health

How to Find an Organic Food Delivery Company

Are you looking for any easy way to buy organic foods? If you are, you may be interested in buying your foods from an organic food delivery company. Unfortunately, many new organic food eaters do not even know that there is such a thing or even know how to find one. If that the case, please continue reading on, as a few of the many ways that you can go about finding organic food delivery companies are touched on below.

The internet is a great way to find organic food delivery companies. What is nice about using the internet is that online shopping can technically be considered arranging an organic food delivery. This is because the food that you order online is delivered right to your door. The delivery of food that is purchased online is often quick too, as organic food companies what to ensure that their food arrives to you fresh. That is why a large number of online organic food stores rely on next day or two day shipping.

If you decide to shop online for organic foods, you will find that you have a number of different options, in terms of purchase points. For example, there are organic food stores, which sell a number of different organic food brands. On the other hand, there are organic food manufacturers that choose only to sell their products online. Whichever method you choose to get your organic food delivered directly to your door, be sure to compare prices, shipping costs, and product selections. This can help to ensure that you get the largest selection of organic foods, but at affordable prices.

In addition to arranging an organic food delivery online, you can also do so locally. In fact, this is how many individuals prefer to have their organic foods delivered to them. When looking to do so locally, you will also have a number of different options. If you are shopping at a local organic food store, but if you are in a hurry or if you will be unable to go home right way, you may be able to have your purchases delivered to your home later in the day or even the following day. Many small organic food stores have this type of delivery service available to their customers.

There are also many local organic food stores that are starting to offer combination online and local delivery services. This means that you could visit the online website of one of your local organic food stores, shop, place your order, and then pay for your order. If a delivery service is available, your food can then be delivered, often within a few hours. This approach is similar to shopping online, but many local stores tend to limit the radius in which they are willing to provide delivery to. If your local natural food stores have online websites, visit them to see if a local delivery service is available. If not, you may want to consider suggesting it to store managers or owners.

As highlighted above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding an organic food delivery service. Having organic food delivered directly to your home is a great option for those who are disabled, do not have adequate transportation, or for those who are pressed for time.

Diane de Silva

How to Find an Organic Food Delivery Company - Health

How to Find an Organic Food Delivery Company

Are you looking for any easy way to buy organic foods? If you are, you may be interested in buying your foods from an organic food delivery company. Unfortunately, many new organic food eaters do not even know that there is such a thing or even know how to find one. If that the case, please continue reading on, as a few of the many ways that you can go about finding organic food delivery companies are touched on below.

The internet is a great way to find organic food delivery companies. What is nice about using the internet is that online shopping can technically be considered arranging an organic food delivery. This is because the food that you order online is delivered right to your door. The delivery of food that is purchased online is often quick too, as organic food companies what to ensure that their food arrives to you fresh. That is why a large number of online organic food stores rely on next day or two day shipping.

If you decide to shop online for organic foods, you will find that you have a number of different options, in terms of purchase points. For example, there are organic food stores, which sell a number of different organic food brands. On the other hand, there are organic food manufacturers that choose only to sell their products online. Whichever method you choose to get your organic food delivered directly to your door, be sure to compare prices, shipping costs, and product selections. This can help to ensure that you get the largest selection of organic foods, but at affordable prices.

In addition to arranging an organic food delivery online, you can also do so locally. In fact, this is how many individuals prefer to have their organic foods delivered to them. When looking to do so locally, you will also have a number of different options. If you are shopping at a local organic food store, but if you are in a hurry or if you will be unable to go home right way, you may be able to have your purchases delivered to your home later in the day or even the following day. Many small organic food stores have this type of delivery service available to their customers.

There are also many local organic food stores that are starting to offer combination online and local delivery services. This means that you could visit the online website of one of your local organic food stores, shop, place your order, and then pay for your order. If a delivery service is available, your food can then be delivered, often within a few hours. This approach is similar to shopping online, but many local stores tend to limit the radius in which they are willing to provide delivery to. If your local natural food stores have online websites, visit them to see if a local delivery service is available. If not, you may want to consider suggesting it to store managers or owners.

As highlighted above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding an organic food delivery service. Having organic food delivered directly to your home is a great option for those who are disabled, do not have adequate transportation, or for those who are pressed for time.

Diane de Silva

pros-and-cons-computer-forensics

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Forensics

Computer forensics has become an important of litigation. Computers have become an important part of your lives. This does not exclude criminals who have the technical know how of hacking into computer network systems. Electronic evidence has played a role in court but obtaining can be difficult.

There have been issues of authenticity concerned with this type of evidence. Nonetheless it still used today with the help of legal standards to make them admissible in court. Computer forensics is beneficial but it also has disadvantages.

Computers are the most dominant form of technology. It has been used in variety of purposes which has made digital and electronic evidence important. However there are still setbacks to this field.

Pros and Cons

The exchange of information is taking place everyday over the internet. Although this may be convenient for us, it can also pose as an opportunity for criminals. Phishing, corporate fraud, intellectual property disputes, theft, breach of contract and asset recovery are some of the situations wherein computer forensics can be used.

Apart from the technical aspect, legal issues are also involved. Computer forensic analysts make their investigation in such a way that the electronic evidence will be admissible in court.

There are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to computer forensics. This field is relatively new and criminal matters usually dealt with physical evidences. This makes electronic evidence something very new. Fortunately it has been a helpful tool wherein important data needed for a case that has been lost, deleted or damaged can be retrieved.

Computer forensics' main advantage is its ability to search and analyze a mountain of data quickly and efficiently. They can search keywords in a hard drive in different languages which is beneficial since cyber crimes can easily cross borders through the internet.

Valuable data that has been lost and deleted by offenders can be retrieved which becomes substantial evidence in court. Legal professionals are able to produce data in court that were previously impossible.

The first setback when using electronic or digital evidence is making it admissible in court. Data can be easily modified. Analyst must be bale to fully comply with standards of evidence required in the court of law. The computer forensic analyst must show that the data is tampered.

His or her own investigation must also be fully documented and accounted for. Computer forensics must also training of legal standard procedures when handling evidence.

The main disadvantage is the cost of when retrieving data. Computer forensic experts hire per hour. Analysis and reporting of data can take as long as 15 hours but it will also depend on the nature of the case. Another one is that when retrieving data, analyst may inadvertently disclose privilege documents.

Legal practitioners involved in the case must also have knowledge of computer forensics. If not they will not be able to cross examine an expert witness. This also applies to the judge, solicitors and barristers. Computer forensics is still fairly new and some may not understand it. The analyst must be able to communicate his findings in a way that everyone will understand.

Although computer forensics has its disadvantage, this can be solved by the party involved. Evidence on the other hand can only be captured once. The use of computers and the rise of cyber crimes also call for an equally high the method of stopping it.

computer-forensics

What is Computer Forensics?

Computers have radically changed the way we live your lives. Everyday living as become easier and technologically advanced decades ago. It has changed the way we work and the way we live in our houses. Children to day are sometimes even more technologically aware than their parents. Mobiles phones have gotten smaller and laptops have gotten slimmer.

With the launch of the Iphone that used the touch screen technology it will only be a matter of time when this idea permeates into other devices and appliances. Unfortunately, technology also makes it easier for criminals to their dirty job. However, computer forensics makes sure that technology is put to lawful use.

Everyone keeps up with the times, even the criminals. The internet is a public place which makes it vulnerable for fraud. Criminals often take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Law enforcement agencies have incorporated computer science in their investigation process to aid them with computer savvy criminals.

Crime and computers

We have seen a lot of Hollywood movies about hackers stealing from financial institutions. We have also seen two parties making their deals through bank transfers with a bunch of computers. Although these are not possible in real life, there are other ways that criminals can use computers.

Computer forensics is basically applying computer science to assist in the legal process. It entails the technological and systematic inspection of the contents of a computer system for evidence. Individuals in this field are called by different titles such as digital media analyst or computer forensics investigator. These people scanned a computer thoroughly to find out if they have used for a civil wrongdoing or criminal act.

The skills required are more than just normal data collection and using preservation techniques. Other definitions include the use of special tools to meet the Court's criteria and not just a thorough examination of a computer for potential evidence. This definition is similar to Electric Evidentiary Recovery or e-discovery.

Most of the time computer forensic investigators investigate hard drives, portable data devices and data storage devices. These devices include USB Drives, Micro Drives and external Drives.

The first task of the computer forensic investigator is to find sources of documentary or digital evidence. The next step would be to preserve the evidence so that it could be analyzed later on. When dealing with computer systems, important files or data can be quickly lost.

The investigator should take the necessary test because data retrieval can be time consuming and costly. The investigator would then analyze the collected data for potential and supportive evidence. The final step would be presenting the findings. The investigator will render his opinion based on the examination and make a report.

The process of using computer forensics must comply with the standards of evidence that are acceptable in court. This field is both technical and legal. The investigator should also have a complete understanding of the suspect's level of sophistication. If they don't the suspects are assumed to be experts.

Investigators then presume that the criminal have installed a countermeasure to render forensic techniques useless. The computer will then be shutdown completely to prohibit the machine from making further modifications to its drives.

Computer technology has changed the way we live, work, and for others - commit crime. Although the internet may seem like a very convenient place users should always be wary for seemingly innocent offers.

computer-forensics-problems

What Remains to be Today's Computer Forensics Problem?

Computer forensics is one the fields today which often gets updated. Many agencies have found the application of computer forensics very useful especially in the investigation of fraudulent actions and crimes. More so, computer forensics is the procedure that is applied when electronic devices such as the computer media is placed under careful investigation.

The process involves the discovery and analysis of any available data whether they have been hidden or deleted. These are among the evidences that will support the defense and claim of a particular individual or company as they file for any legal action.

Moreover, computer forensics specialists use the tools that recover both the accidentally and intentionally erased files and information. So whether the loss of the data is blamed to the untoward occurrences of hardware failure, there is a better chance of recuperating them. One of the biggest computer forensics problems though is how to retain the original data without the slightest alteration in them.

So much to say, even during the process of shutting down the computer system to transfer the data into another media may cause changes in them. It is important that the computer forensics expert has the skill to maintain the exact form of the data. Nobody can exactly say when the data may be altered but with the most apt tool and the specialist's skills, it can be possibly prevented.

Computer forensics attracted the attention of the public during the height of the Enron scandal which prompted the widest-ranging computer forensics investigation marked in the world's history. As computers these days are becoming an integral part of human life, big quantities of data are being stored in these electronic devices.

More so, crimes and other fraudulent acts are likewise increasing in intervals. Computer forensics investigations are also done in emails, websites visited, chat histories, and many other forms of electronic communications.

The advances in today's technology have shaped the improvement of computer forensics. The developers continually upgrade their tools to meet the increasing intensities of computer forensics problems. Modern software and tools are coming out into the market which nonetheless makes the task easier for the computer forensics experts. Thus, data is found and restored faster and with more preciseness.

These evidences need to be in their original format especially when they are to be used as evidences in the court. These proofs are often gathered from all kinds of computer media such as the discs, Pen drives, tapes, memory sticks, logs, emails, PDAs, handhelds, deleted information, and hidden documents.

The people's common notion is that when the data is deleted from its location, the file is already completely deleted and unfound. This makes you wrong though. Upon deletion, what is erased is only that of the data's reference location but the actual document remains intact in your computer system.

It is easiest to tell that the data have been deleted but the common computer forensics problem is where and how to find it and how to recover them without making traces of changes. Thus, the solution to the dilemma will entirely depend on the computer forensics professional's skills.

Computer data security is very important so it is also significant that they remain original. Part of the training of these professionals includes the molding of their skills to be careful when handling the recovery of the data at all times.

However, it is not for them to conclude when data may be altered or not. This remains as one of the top computer forensics problems to date.

computer-forensic-investigation-state-requirements

Computer Forensic Investigation State Requirements

By definition, computer forensics is the procedure wherein an expert sees through the files stored or recorded in a computer's system. These data may have been deleted, hidden, or saved. The search for the computer-related information uncovers the engagement in any crime or deception.

Computer forensics is nonetheless being widely used in the areas of intelligence, military, businesses, and law enforcement agencies. There is obviously a protocol that is followed in the course of the computer forensic investigation since the collected, analyzed, and examined data are presented before the courts of law in the effort of uncovering the malicious acts incurred by certain parties.

Moreover, as it is related to a legal action, it is but necessary that the computer forensic investigation state requirements are observed.

Computer forensics is an application which is not only confined to the recovery of any lost data. Such field is more so used in giving explanations and providing insights to any committed crime. Computer forensic investigation is often employed to collect the pertinent data in finding out the truth about a criminal or suspect to a crime.

With today's wide use of the Internet and the computer, it is very possible that clues may be traced from the electronic media sources. More so, the company employers are nowadays seeking for employees who are equipped with the rightful knowledge on the techniques and tools about computer forensic investigations.

It is necessary that the person is qualified to handle the task. Needless to say, a formal education on the said field is required. Among the instructions which the computer forensics training institutes tackle about are the enhancement of one's computer skills, important legal issues, and the needed computer forensic tools and techniques to be applied in different cases.

There are various computer forensic investigation state requirements and they vary from one state to another. However, we must touch on with the most common requisites which apply to all of them. The following discussion will provide you with the insights on the computer forensic state requirements for your perusal.

First of all, it is a must that the individual is a computer forensic professional. For one to attain this, a particular training course must be undertaken. Certificate programs in computer forensics are offered in a lot of institutions. The academic requirements differ too and it matters that one passes all of them.

Next, one must contain in him an all-embracing knowledge about the computer systems and how its applications and programs work. With these, one must also have the skill or the ability to restore any lost information from all types of electronic media but without the occurrence of any changes in them.

A forensic investigator must be knowledgeable of the computer software and hardware and must be capable of understanding the various operating systems in use these days.

An investigator should know the techniques to be used in uncovering the data from any type of file structure. There are different tools which need to be used in various cases.

Most importantly, a computer forensic investigator must be able to generate a refined report so that all of the input data are comprehensible enough even for those who don't understand the technicalities of the investigation.

These are just among the computer forensic investigation state requirements that must be strictly observed for a more precise result in the findings and conclusions in a particular case.

Palm Treo Getting Started With Your New Treo Smartphone

Copyright 2006 Christopher Meinck

Getting Started With a Palm Treo Smartphone

For many, adding a Palm Treo smartphone to their life is an exciting time. Most are coming from a traditional cellphone and the capabilities of a smartphone never seize to amaze. The Palm Treo features a large color LCD screen, full keyboard and software for syncing your personal data with your PC or Mac. Getting familiar with the capabilities of your new Treo smartphone can be overwhelming in the beginning. Once you get over the initial learning curve, owning a Treo can be a rewarding experience.

Protecting Your Treo

The Palm Treo is an expensive gadget, so you should make plans to protect your Treo. In the US, both Verizon and Sprint offer insurance on the Treo. For a fee of roughly $5, you can insure your Treo against loss or accidents. With insurance, youll have the piece of mind that your valuable Treo is protected. If your wireless provider does not offering insurance, another option is to sign up for the StuffBak protection program. Stuffbak is a loss prevention and recovery service. You purchase a Stuffbak label that gets applied to the back of your Treo. Should you lose your Treo, there is an 800# that allows the finder to collect a reward upon return.

Insurance and recovery services are both great options should something happen to your Treo. The best option is to protect your Treo smartphone with a good case and screen protector. There are many options when it comes to selecting a case for the Treo. When choosing a case, you can select from holster, pouch, skin, wallet and more. In most cases, its also a good idea to add a screen protector. Through the daily use of your Treo, you will find yourself touching the screen quite often. A screen protector will guard against scratches and its recommended even if youve opted for an enclosed case. Adding the correct Treo accessory can protect your smartphone for many years.

Treo Software

Out of the box, Palm OS based Treo smartphones comes bundled with all the software you need to sync with your PC or Mac. If you own a Mac, then you should avoid the Treo 700w. In order to sync the 700w with a Macintosh, you would have to use third party software such as Missing Sync by Mark/Space and they do not currently support the Treo 700w. If you are upgrading from a previous Palm device, youll still want to install the software that came with your new Treo. Follow the on-screen directions and youll be able to bring your data over to your new Treo. As a previous Palm owner, you should note that some applications might not work on your Treo. To be certain, locate and rename the Backup folder located in your User folder. Once youve completed the transfer of your PIM data, you can add one application at a time to insure compatibility with your Treo.

One of the great things about the Treo is vast catalog of available software applications. There are countless freeware and commercial applications. If you own a Palm OS based Treo, then be sure to look for software that supports your model. Owners of the Treo 700w should look for Pocket PC titles that support the Windows Mobile 5 operating system. In either case, its best to slowly add software. Adding incompatible software is the most common cause of an unstable Treo.

Get To Know Treo

The Treo is a remarkable device that offers robust software to help you manage your calendar, check email, browse the web, take photos, listen to MP3s and more. With any new technology, there is a slight learning curve and the Treo is no different. I encourage any new Treo owner to explore the features of their new smartphone. If you have questions, there are several good resources online or you can visit your local bookstore. Once youve mastered the basics, youll be left wondering how you ever managed without a Treo.

The death of the Technical Author? - Careers

Introduction

Technical Authors do not have high prominence in the workplace, and they don't have the best of images (as can be seen by the movie "The Technical Writer"). Today, there are a number of Technical Authors struggling to find new employment in the current IT sector, and one can find messages on Internet newsgroups questioning the future employment prospects for Technical Authors in North America and Europe. Some wonder whether the role of the Technical Author will disappear, like other careers have in the past. In this article we look at the problems faced by Technical Authors in defining their role, and make some recommendations for the future.

The problems

Let's first look at a number of issues that Technical Authors face :

1. Overlapping technologies means overlapping job roles

Technologies and software are developing in a way that means the boundaries between the programmer, the Technical Author, the Web Developer and the Trainer are becoming blurred. For example, the online Help that will ship with the next release of Windows (code name Longhorn) may look more like a Web site or a Web-based learning (CBT) system than the type of Help files we currently see. This means that some Technical Authors feel they are being "crowded out" and losing their jobs, as their work is taken on by others within the organisation.

2. The work can be done in other ways

From time to time new software or technology will come out that will lead some technology evangelists to claim you can away with the need for "man-made" user assistance. Common themes appear and reappear with each technology wave, with people claiming:

3. It's a specialist and lonely job

Many are in an environment where they are the only Technical Author in their organisation, and this can mean their career path is unclear.

4. Their contribution to the business can be uncertain.

Some people perceive what Technical Authors produce to be a necessary evil - something that needs to be provided, but not actually of any great value. So they look to keep costs, and consequently the quality, to a minimum.

So what do Technical Authors do that is of value to the organisation?We believe Technical Authors, as well as specialist documentation companies, are valuable to the organisation in:

We call this skill "information design". It is sometimes called (in Germany, for example) "information development". We believe these skills in information design have a wider application to the business than just the development of user manuals, procedures documents and Help files. These skills - organising information and providing the means by which people get that information - can help organisations fight and win the "information overload" battle.

Our recommendations

Technical Authors' skills need to be applied more widely across the organisation. In other words, create an Information Design department.

We suggest the role of the Technical Author should be redefined as "Information Designer" and the Technical Publications department should be redefined as the "Information Design" department. Doing this should help to make it clearer to everyone where their specialist skills - making large amounts of unstructured information more useful - can be applied elsewhere in the organisation.

IT departments don't have information design skills. Quality Managers don't have these, nor do marketing executives or Webmasters. The Technical Author (or Information Designer) does have these skills, and can offer these skills to anyone in the organisation that has to deal with large amounts of unstructured information.

Cherryleaf (along with other similar organisations) applies its skills to others outside of the technical authoring and software development community. For example, we work with people who are interested in improving their intranet, quality management systems, sales proposals or training courseware. So there's good reason to believe these newly named "Information Designers" could contribute in a similar way within their own organisations.

1. Carry out usability testing to measure the value of what technical authors produce

Some form of measurement needs to take place if you want to place a value on something. Jakob Nielsen () has described how meaningful usability studies can be carried out for a small amount of effort. So test to see what happens if users don't have any documentation, and how they react to different types of user assistance.

2. Get involved in the development of new software at an earlier stage

As online user assistance becomes more tightly integrated with the software, the Technical Author will need to be more tightly integrated with the development of the software, right from the beginning of the process.

3. Acquire the additional skills needed

The role today requires more than just writing. It requires skills in online information design and usability. In the future, it could require skills in writing JavaScript and developing e-learning content. However, some of the need to hack into code can probably be avoided if you use the most popular Help authoring tools. These developments in the role probably mean more training is required by Technical Authors.

4. Use the right tools for the job

The latest software from the main software vendors in this field provide more than just an authoring environment. Many tools now include content management, e-learning, scripting and support for output across a range of media. The vendors seem to have a good appreciation of the key issues surrounding the provision of user assistance and large documents.

Conclusion

The overlapping of technologies and the uncertainty of the contribution of the Technical Author does mean that the boundaries between this and other positions in the organisation are becoming blurred. Technical Authors have skills that organisations still need. Indeed, they can be applied to new areas. Cherryleaf applies its skills to other business areas and others can do the same.

This means taking a new perspective on the role. So maybe we need to say "The Technical Author is dead. Long live the Information Designer."

(c) Cherryleaf 2006

Technical Writer: Choosing the Best Technical Field - Other

Technical writer's main role is to break the language barrier between the experts and the users. The demand for good technical writers is gaining in fields where product development and research is made by people who are in the top levels of expertise in their technical background.

The technical writer acts as an interpreter of technical documentation to make it more understandable and more appealing for end users. A technical writer has to write, edit and have knowledge in technical skills to make it possible to interpret complicated technical information into simpler terms. The best technical writing fields are those that consistently have new discoveries, products and services that requires good materials to reach out its audience.

Best Technical Writing Fields

Computer Software or Applications

Development of computer programs and software leads to increase in demand of technical writers. In this field, technical writers are assigned to make the manuals, marketing materials and training guides for end users. The technical writers are also assigned to write down the manuals for troubleshooting that will be used by the technical support team that assists the end users in identifying and repairing the problems with their software or applications.

Computer Hardware or Equipment

Manufacturer of computer hardware, peripheral devices and systems needs the service of technical writers for the creation of installation and operating manuals and troubleshooting guidelines. A technical writer for computer hardware may write a document for the use of end-users or for those who will use the computer components to produce finished products.

Electronics

Electronics companies are those that produce cellular phone, television, stereos and other kinds of electronic items. A technical writer is often hired to write down the installation and operation manuals for a particular device. The writer also creates the documents needed by the sales department that are used in marketing the products.

Engineering

Engineering has different fields and all of these fields require the talent of a technical writer. Technical writers are often hired to make project presentation, make design specifications more understandable, and create step-by-step instructions for the technicians who are assigned to put into operation engineering plans. In this technical field, the writers are also expected to be involved in the illustration of technical procedures.

Science

Science also has a wide variety of fields, thus, a technical writer has a lot of opportunities in this field of expertise. A technical writer who has a strong background in medical and scientific terms is more likely to succeed in this field. The writer is often asked to write down reports that transform scientific reports and discoveries into a form that are understandable to majority.

It is important to have knowledge in some of the best technical writing fields in order to produce quality documents. For success of technical writers, engaging on technical writing requires to have the skill in the particular field their about to write.

Forex Trading For Beginners- What Is Forex And How It Works - Investment - Currency Trading

What is Forex and how do you make money with Forex? It's a question that many people want to know the answer to, and no wonder why! There are potential in Forex currency trading for making big sums of money in a matter of minuets.

For a beginner, Forex may seem like an impossible thing to understand. But, the truth is, Forex is actually quite easy to understand. When it comes to Forex, i am no expert by any means. I just know a little about Forex and how it works, mostly from research and readings i have done in the past couple of years. Since Forex is one of the least understood ways of making money online, and since i know there are a lot of beginners who want to learn Forex without having to pay somebody to teach them, or pay thousands of dollars to take a "Forex course", i have decided to write a series of 7 articles about Forex, to help those who are interested in Forex trading, learn the basics of it.

Forex is mad up of two words, Foreign and Exchange. It refers to exchanging foreign currencies, for a profit of course! How is that possible? Well, because of the economical and political happenings, rates of currencies change. It gives you an opportunity to make a profit by trading currencies based on their rates. That's how Forex traders make money. of course, this means that it is risky, and there is possibility that you may lose your money.

Forex Traders Can Trade With Any CountryIn many ways, Forex trading is a lot like stock exchange trading, but there are some game changing differences as well. One difference from stock exchange trading is that unlike stock traders, Forex traders are not limited to dealing in their own country. A Forex trader can trade any two currencies, at any time, any where. Which makes Forex market, an international market.

Forex Market Is Open 24 Hours A DayThat brings us to another major difference between stock exchange trading and foreign currency trading. As you know, there are different time zones in different parts of world, and since Forex market is an international market, to be possible for anyone from anywhere to trade at any time, forex market has to be open 24 hours a day.

In Forex Currencies Are Represented With 3 LettersJust like stock exchange market that each company is represented with certain letters, In Forex, currencies are represented that way also. But, unlike stock exchange market that a company can be represented by any number of letters, in Forex market, currencies are represented by only 3 letters: USD for the US dollar, GBP for the British pound, EUR for the Euro, JPY for the Japanese Yen, CHF for the Swiss franc, CAD for the Canadian dollar, AUD for the Australian dollar, and so on.

How Exchange Rates Are ExpressedAnother major thing about Forex is that, the exchange rate between two currencies, are expressed like this: USD/CHF 1.14. Which means to buy one US dollar you will have to spend 1.14 Swiss francs.

Trusted Forex BrokerTo start trading, you will need to find a trusted Forex broker or an investment management company. Don't take this step lightly. Scammers have been ripping off people for years. So, it is only wise to look around, and make sure you find someone who you can trust. Use forums and online groups to find out about how and where to find a trusted Forex broker.

Automated Forex Trading Software (Bot)Since Forex is an international market and there are trades going on at any moment, and obviously you cant watch it 24 hours a day, it is a good idea to use an Automated Forex Trading Software (a bot). It can trade 24 hours a day according to rules that you set for it. And they usually come with a demo option for you to test the system and get to know how it works, before you let it trade with real money.

The IP Security (IPsec) protocol - Business - Small Business

The IP Security protocol suite provides security at the IP (networking) layer (or Layer 3).

The IP Security protocol suite consists of two protocols:

IKE and IPsec were designed to be used between any two nodes in the Internet that want to protect traf?c at the IP networking layer, for both IPv4 and IPv6. For Mobile

IPv6, IKE and IPsec protect binding update and home link conguration information exchange between the wireless terminal and home network.

The following sections present overviews of the basic IP security architecture, the design of IKEv2 which is the latest version of IKE, and IPsec Encapsulating Security

Payload (ESP), and how they are used in Mobile IPv6. For IKE, the emphasis is on understanding the protocol semantics rather than the details of the message syntax.

For IPsec, the protocol semantics are simple, and so more emphasis is placed on the message syntax. In both cases, consult the relevant Internet RFCs for complete details, particularly if implementation is intended.

In addition to these services, anti-replay protection is provided if dynamic key provisioning is used. In Mobile IPv6, both services are supported, but ESP is expected to be more widely used because it supports both data origin authentication and con?dentiality protection in a single protocol and both are needed.

The overall effect is somewhat like a rewall, except the security services supported are more sophisticated because the processing may involve cryptographic operations in addition to simply keeping or dropping the packet.

IPsec requires that two nodes that are engaged in mutual security operations share a security association (SA). An IPsec SA is a collection of state that applies to the unidirectional trafc between nodes. Most protocol transactions consist of bidirectional , so there are typically two SAs between two nodes in most uses of IPsec, one for each direction. The opposite side has SAs that point in the opposite directions.

The IP Security protocol suite provides security at the IP (networking) layer (or Layer 3).

The IP Security protocol suite consists of two protocols:

IKE and IPsec were designed to be used between any two nodes in the Internet that want to protect traf?c at the IP networking layer, for both IPv4 and IPv6. For Mobile

IPv6, IKE and IPsec protect binding update and home link conguration information exchange between the wireless terminal and home network.

The following sections present overviews of the basic IP security architecture, the design of IKEv2 which is the latest version of IKE, and IPsec Encapsulating Security

Payload (ESP), and how they are used in Mobile IPv6. For IKE, the emphasis is on understanding the protocol semantics rather than the details of the message syntax.

For IPsec, the protocol semantics are simple, and so more emphasis is placed on the message syntax. In both cases, consult the relevant Internet RFCs for complete details, particularly if implementation is intended.

In addition to these services, anti-replay protection is provided if dynamic key provisioning is used. In Mobile IPv6, both services are supported, but ESP is expected to be more widely used because it supports both data origin authentication and con?dentiality protection in a single protocol and both are needed.

The overall effect is somewhat like a rewall, except the security services supported are more sophisticated because the processing may involve cryptographic operations in addition to simply keeping or dropping the packet.

IPsec requires that two nodes that are engaged in mutual security operations share a security association (SA). An IPsec SA is a collection of state that applies to the unidirectional trafc between nodes. Most protocol transactions consist of bidirectional , so there are typically two SAs between two nodes in most uses of IPsec, one for each direction. The opposite side has SAs that point in the opposite directions.

Schucks Auto Parts - Buy Parts Online! - Autos - Cars

Shopping online for just about anything is so convenient and easy that even car mechanics have moved from parts catalogs to online catalogs. It is such an easy process to finding exactly what you are looking for when you begin first with the internet. Customers who are looking for Schucks Auto Parts can easily find what they are needing by visiting the online website. Nearly every part is listed on the website and locating that part is even easier. Here are a few guidelines to consider when shopping for auto parts online.

One of the first things to consider is make sure you are knowledgeable about the website you are shopping from. There are a few online retailers who have a great reputation and you want to be sure you know who they are to minimize the risk of getting cheated. One way to know if you will be getting great service is to read the previous reviews of customers who have made purchases from them. On most websites they will list customer reviews.

Note: Looking for parts online is never easier than now...visit Schucks Auto Parts.

Take advantage of the vast online catalogs that most parts retailers include on their websites. These catalogs have literally every part imaginable as well as lots of other helpful resources. Many give guidance for mechanics who want to install their own parts. They have info that goes in detail about how certain parts are installed. There are also blogs that they share info with as well.

Another feature of shopping for parts online is the opportunity to compare prices with other online retailers. This is perhaps the greatest advantage to buying products via the internet because you can open up a few tabs on your browser and check out as many prices of products from various retailers to see what they are charging. This ensures that you are saving the most for your dollar and also discovering any deals.

What is the reason for Online Degrees in Nutrition in becoming so popular? - Education - Online Education

A lot of students in the high school are thinking about their future. They are usually looking through all the possible and available variants among the careers they would like to obtain. They do their choice according to their likings and possibilities. A lot of students make their choice quickly and without thinking and others cant manage to make a decision till the end of the school.There are a lot of professions which can be obtained and which are necessary and important nowadays. Some of students find themselves in teaching, and others in science, some of them would like to become an engineer and some of them would like to connect their lives with computer. And only some of them think about the life of a medical worker. This job is very important and necessary nowadays. Besides, this kind of job is very nervous and needs a lot of patience. There are few people who can stand this job and like it. As to speak about the nutritionist, then it can be said that this person is also very important in the lives of people, because he can give some valuable pieces of advice when a person has some problems with his or her health.

If you are a person who knows what is the health and diet and how they are interrelated, and also are willing to help people make wise choices on their diet, you should consider applying for online nutrition degrees. Degrees in nutrition provide you with detailed information about basic information about nutrition and how different nutrition techniques relate to a person's daily life. Nutrition degrees online train students in the field of personal health management, food nutrition basics, stress control and health improvement. As an example, people who pursue a sports nutrition degree will be able to join the sports management industry.

It is required for an individual to have basic knowledge of either chemistry, or biology or physiology and additional knowledge of cooking and food preservation in order to be ready to enroll in online nutrition degree programs of accredited online universities. Nowadays accredited online universities offer two major degrees in the field of nutrition science degrees. They are Online Nutrition Bachelor Degree and Online Nutrition Masters Degree.

The Important Role of Nutritionists

Recently, there has been an increased emphasis on diet effects on health and this has led to a growing number of people being interested in nutrition. Good nutrition is like maintaining a body's system in tip-top shape. By doing so, one can preserve and lower the risk of different diseases or medical illnesses by doing the right thing on a daily basis. Nutritionists have a very important role, as their specialized training and nutrition knowledge gives them the opportunity to help people in making the right decisions about what they eat and drink, and this can help prevent the appearing of a number of health issues such as:

Obesity- Due to the increasing popularity of fast foods and lack of proper dieting and exercise, there is a growing epidemic of obesity in the United States. Very often, obesity is driven by personal bad habits which a nutritionist can help address. Obesity in one of the most dangerous illnesses as it leads to the dangerous diseases of heart and other systems of persons body.

Diabetes- Like obesity, diabetes is on the incensement. Many people fail to watch the amount of sugar content intake in their diet and increased sugar intake can lead to diabetes. Diabetes is a very dangerous disease, but if to take into consideration all the requirements, then the treatment can be successful.

Heart disease- This is usually influenced and caused by the types of foods a person uses as part of his or her diet. For common people on the streets, it is not always obvious and seen which foods have some important hidden dangers. This is where nutritionists come in handy and have such an important role to play in advising what foods their patients should stay away from. Usually nutritionists are very competent in such questions and they are able to say what food is healthy for you and what is not good for you to eat.

As people nowadays are much interested in their health, the applying and achieving the education of nutritionist is becoming more and more popular. As a result the online degree in nutrition is gaining popularity too. And now it is very interesting to get to know why is the degree in nutrition so popular and what does it entail.

Nowadays food scientists and nutritionists usually work because of the demand from the side of the consumers to know about food products which are both healthy and convenient. This kind of job requires an analytical and inquisitive mind. It is required because you have to know how the food is accepted by the body and what their interrelation is. So if you are very interested in this process and besides you have the idea about the role of food and how the human body works, then the career in the field of food science and nutrition is one that is perfect for you.

Degree programs in food science and nutrition usually include performance training, culinary research, and holistic food practices. While studying by the online nutrition program, you can obtain such degrees as associates degree, bachelors degree or masters degree in food science and nutrition. In order to be ready for the degree program you have to earn the basic knowledge in such courses as chemistry, biology, and physiology. Techniques in cooking, canning, and preserving food types are also needed in this field of study.The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States released the information about the median earnings of the food scientists and nutritionists. In May 2004 this sum was approximately $50,840. Nowadays there is no program which can guarantee the particular position or a good salary, but graduates of food science and nutrition online degree programs can enjoy a positive employment outlook over the next decade. The popularity of this job is rising and grad uates of this degree can be sure that they will find a job in this field as nowadays more and more people are willing to be healthy.

When you are searching for the nutrition degree online you are to know some important things. First of all you have to check the educational level of the establishment which you would like to apply. It is required for the school to be accredited because it gives the knowledge of a high level. Then you have to get to know what the curriculum there is. You also should have the information about the materials. You have to know whether you should seek for information yourself or all the materials are provided online. You should know what sort of degree you will receive and is it accredited. Besides you can have the information about the date when you will complete your degree.

Another thing to think about is the schedule of classes and about the duration of the completeness of the course. If you have a job or you just dont have a lot of free time, it will be very inconvenient thing if in the program there are a lot of regular online lectures which are held live. It is much easier when these lectures are archived and available in the DVD format. It will give you the opportunity to watch lectures and to receive knowledge at any time you want and when you have a free time.

You should take into consideration that you will learn a lot of things while studying by the online degree in nutrition. You should understand that nutrition is the science which provides the nourishment to the body and it is much complicated than a common series of eating guidelines. You have to understand that it is required to study well and learn everything in order to be a specialist in this field. You should know that people will address to you in order to be given a good piece of advice concerning a diet. It is not an easy thing to recommend a proper treatment.

So, in this article you have got a lot of information about the nutrition degree online and about its offerings. If you decided to become a nutritionist or a specialist in the food industry, you have to know carefully all the subjects which are related to this field. This will give you an opportunity to have some basic knowledge. This will help you in your study further. When you decided to become a nutritionist, then be careful in the choice of the higher educational establishment. You should know that the school where you would like to apply is accredited, because it will give you better knowledge and bigger opportunities. With a diploma from the accredited school you can surely find a good job with a high salary. When you have chosen the school, then be ready to check a lot of things. One of the most important items to be checked is the curriculum. It is advisable for you to know whether the online courses are recorded. It is because, if you are not able to attend all t he online courses, which are led only on air, then you will have some problems. It is better when the lectures are recorded and you can listen them in every time you can or wish. All other things are not so urgent and you can get to know about them while studying.

If this kind of job is interesting for you and you would like to help people by giving them proper advices, then the online degree in nutrition is what you really need. Be sure in your choice and in your possibilities and your willing. If you are ready for that, then just find the school you want, the online degree you want and apply it. Strive to your dream and be patient!