Tuesday, March 16, 2010

How to Install Xp From Dos

January 31, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Install Windows XP from the hard drive with Windows 98 already installed:

Boot Windows 98
Insert the XP CD into your CD
Explore Windows XP through My Computer
Copy i386 folder to C:
Go into C:i386 folder and double click on winnt32.exe to launch the setup from the hard drive

Install Windows XP from DOS (ie. no OS on a new hard drive):

Boot with a Windows 98 Start Up disk
Insert the Windows 98 CD
Run smartdrv.exe from the Win98 directory on the windows 98 CD
Type cd.
Insert Windows XP CD
Copy the i386 folder to C:
Go into C:i386 folder on C: and type winnt.exe to launch the setup from the hard drive.

Children and Online Chat Rooms: The Dangers That Lurk

January 26, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Are you the parent of a child or a teenager who wants to use internet chat rooms? Or, is your child already using them? If so, it is important that both you and your child know the dangers that often lurk around online chat rooms.

For starters, it is important to know that the computer and internet makes it easy for someone to be anyone they want to. In fact, an internet user can claim to be someone famous, a superhero, or another teenager. There is nothing out there that can stop them. If your child is using a chat room for teenagers or younger children, they need to know the dangers of exchanging personal information with strangers or online friends. Because, anyone can be at the other end of the computer.

Another common danger of using online chat rooms is the screen names. Screen names are what is used to identity your child and differentiate them from other chat room users. If you allow your child to use an online chat room, there is one internet safety step that must be taken. Have your child create a separate screen name that will not be used elsewhere. If they use part of their email address, a screen name that appears on other websites or online message boards, or part of their full name, a standard internet search could lead internet predators to your child’s real identity.

It is also important to know that anyone can get into a chat room. Unfortunately, this is an important internet safety fact that many parents do not realize. Just because your teenager is in an online chat room that is designed for kids between the ages of 14 to 17, it doesn’t mean that everyone is the same age in the room. No age verification is required to get into most online chat rooms. As it was previously stated, the internet makes it easy for anyone to create a false identity. This false identity can be used to lure in your child and other young internet users.

One of the reasons why children and teenagers like to use internet chat rooms is because it automatically connects them with a number of other internet users. In fact, an online chat room could have as many as one hundred or more internet users talking in it. Unfortunately, many parents do not realize that some chat rooms have private messaging programs available. This means that a person, who may actually be a 50 or 60 years old man or woman, could send a private message and communicate directly with your child. This is actually how many teenagers and children get into trouble with online predators.

As you can see, there are a number of dangers that lurk around internet chat rooms. Does this mean that your child shouldn’t use them? In all honesty, the decision is yours to make, as you are the parent. With that said, a number of factors should be taken into consideration, such as your child’s age and maturity level. Do you trust your child to follow the rules that you set in place concerning internet use and the use of online chat rooms?

Speaking of rules, be sure to have them if you let or know that your son or daughter is using internet chat rooms. Do not let them visit chat rooms that are designed for adults only. This makes them an easy target. Also, be sure they know that just because someone claims to be a 15 year old boy or girl, it doesn’t mean that they are. They should also never send out pictures or videos of themselves, even when asked, and no other personal information should be exchanged.

If internet chat rooms concern you, which they should, you may want to point your child in the direction of online message boards instead. Online message boards, also commonly referred to as online forums, are different as the information appears as separate posts, as opposed to live chats. While there are no guarantees, you will find that most online message boards, especially those that are designed for children and teenagers are monitored by a trusted adult. This means that offensive posts should be removed in a timely matter.

The Results Of A Hacker Finding Your Personal Information

January 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Everyone has heard of the latest scandal regarding the Monster.com site being hacked and vital information for over one million people being stolen. Now what would a hacker want with the information some would wonder? The though behind a hackers motives in most cases, is to just be able to hack the site that says it is  hack proof. In other cases involving fraud, it is to obtain your personal information and either uses it for spamming or to sell it to scam artists. In any case, a site that is hacked has legal responsibilities one would think.

Credit Card Theft
Image by d70focus via Flickr

The latest Monster.com scare is more than likely just the theft of work history and name along with references. Now if the information also included Social Security information or annual salary requirements as well as cell phone numbers and credit card or bank information, people are going to have major problems. This type of activity happens all the time, but we only hear about the big news companies such as Monster.com or others in the spotlight. Now if a pet product site that is just starting out and is not a well-known name, they are not going to divulge that information and if they do, it will not make the news headlines.

Everyone uses the Internet for one reason or another and if you are like most people, you may shop, look for work, play games or just browse. In any cases, you need to be careful how you supply your information. A secure site to display your information needs to contain encryption to protect your information if it is for buying and gaming as well. Anytime you give out personal information about yourself, you want to know your information is protected. With the latest scare with Monster.com, people have to wonder, what will they do with that information?

As hackers become more devious in their endeavor to hack into websites and steal the information, more IT technicians will work harder to make the sites and products to secure the sites even better. All the scares that we encounter with our Internet experiences are just another form of criminal activity, unfortunately, it can cause problems for the entire world. Protecting yourself and your computer from a hack attack is top priority and every day, businesses are upgrading their systems and infrastructures to protect vital information.

The best way to protect yourself some had said is, never give out personal information. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. If you want to shop, look for work, do some gaming or sign up for important newsletters and promotions, you have to supply the pertinent information. Therefore, using a little caution as to what sites you use is great, but as it was proved with Monster, even the best of sites can endure problems. This however, is no reason to stop using the Internet.

You just need to be aware of the treat and use good judgment when you visit a website. Some day we will see a system to track and stop hackers from stealing vital information. Companies who make the software and other software for security measures work hard every day to find new ways to stop a hacker. As the hacker gains more strength, software developers gain more security knowledge to stop them in their tracks.

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The Future of Computer Programming

January 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

When it comes to the world of computer programming, it would be safe to say that the future is bright. And why is that so? Gone are the days when only the rich and powerful have the tools to educate themselves. Nowadays, a single household possesses at least one computer. There are a lot of brilliant minds out there who are constantly on their toes to bring about the latest developments in computer programming.

Parse tree of Python code with inset tokenization
Image via Wikipedia

To make their dream a reality, it is necessary to begin where all computer programmers begin�at grade school. Computer programming is now being introduced to the youngest minds. Educational materials that are targeting languages in programming and also development tools are now being introduced in most schools� curriculums.

But this is still an ongoing vision. Somewhere in the near future, computer programming (not just computer usage) will be just another ordinary subject such as writing, reading or arithmetic. A study shows that this vision is slowly unfolding as teenagers are responding positively to programming exercises and are even able to control several virtual worlds in just a few days.

Mass computer programming literacy is a work in progress. When even the most simple citizen is able to explain the designs of software with ease, then creativity will abound and so with productivity. But what is computer programming in the future? Is it more on art or engineering? Or both?

One renowned computer architect named Gordon Morrison states that computer programming is recently in a form of art. When this is so, it means that the current knowledge in programming is disorganized and changeable. He proposes further that in changing programming into engineering (which is a more precise form) then the future of programming will become more stable.

Perhaps, one good way to predict the future of programming is by looking at the available jobs for computer programmers these days. Consider these career options: a single system programmer is able to install and maintain mainframe ops systems, management software for databases, and also networks for communications. They can also become compilers or utility programmers.

Another good way to foretell what is in store for computer programming is to look at the television and some science fiction films that are being produced lately. In the past, the TV series called The New Adventures of Wonder Woman showed talking computers and robots which were causes of awe. Today, those are not impossibilities.

The use of hardware has progressed tremendously over the past years and software development is tailing behind. Software processes are still on the if-and-then phase and users are wondering whether this will really change. Although there are predictions that programming languages would soon be on its fifth generation (where the recent languages would become obsolete), still, this visualization still hasn�t pushed through. Which leads others to ask, has software development reached its peak? Will there be no more developments? Is this as far as it could go?

Sure, there are modernizations here and there when it comes to new languages but they remain at a certain phase. It doesn�t go a notch higher. Perhaps, software would be the technological limit that would cap computer programming advancement. But only perhaps.

There are always minds out there that constantly grind to provide the latest in programming innovation. We can only watch and predict for now. And yes, we could only wonder.

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The New Age Of Communications For Businesses And Individuals

January 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

The new way for individuals and businesses to conduct phone conversations and conference calls is with Voip communications. The idea of finding a company that allows you to communicate over the internet has allowed many people to conduct business meetings and to keep in touch with family and friends. You no longer need a landline with a local phone company to talk around the world. When you add the video option to the package, you can conduct conference calls with business partners and associates as well as friends and family while seeing the person or persons you are talking too. This feature is for both phone and computers.

An illustration based on :Image:Voip HowItWork...
Image via Wikipedia

Vonage has gained popularity with people looking for the Voip option. You have a box that that hooks up to your phone line and it has a broadband connection. With this company, you can have unlimited international and local calls for a set amount a month. Many other companies offer the service as well, with different plans and options. The Voice over IP system helps people who need to work at home or you have a need for a lower phone bill other than what their local phone company has to offer.

The only drawback to having the Voip phone system is that you also have to sign up for a 911 service. Since you have the ability to select an area code other than the one you reside in, this can cause problems if you have to use the system. Many people do not realize this and have encountered problems. You are also going to pay an additional charge for the 911 service. This is a great way to save money if you already have a broadband connection. There are other options to the Voip telephony system as well.

One thing to keep in mind about using the Voip calling system is that depending on the type of service you have, you may need a different phone to use with the new phone system, it will have a USB plug, but they are relatively cheap. This is the only downfall to the Voip telephony because if you lose power you will lose your phone service.

Video conferencing is also hitting the top of the hot computer topics list because of the convenience and affordability that it offers. You can do this via computer or through a Voip line. You will more than likely need a software program for the computer, but this also depends on the system, you have to use. If you use the computer software, you can hook up every computer in your business that is connected to the network. This is becoming more popular because employees can remain at their desks and still participate in conferencing meetings.

This is the hottest thing since the computer or the internet. Businesses everywhere are switching to this type of communication within the company as well as outside the company communications. Because of this communication, businesses and individuals have more options for communicating rather than a landline with a local phone company or a cell phone. Look for more upgrades in this type of technology as more and more people start to rely on this as a sole means of communication in the very near future.

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Recycling Old Computers

January 13, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Many cities, towns and townships are now thinking about computer recycling as well as TV recycling methods to protect the environment and avoid possible soil contamination. Because computers contain many parts that could release toxins into the soil, city governments are seeking alternative ways to dispose of your old computers as well as all your old electronic equipment. This eventually will become a normal practice as more city governments become aware of the potential danger of dumping computers and all electronic products into a landfill. Many groups are also spreading the word about computer recycling and want to find better ways to dispose of the equipment.

Recycle your electronics responsibly!
Image by frankfarm via Flickr

In many cities, there are local electronic stores or recycling centers that will take your old computers and other electronics, dismantle them, and place the right parts in the right containers for disposal. This method of disposal will soon become a necessity because of the computer industries continued upgrading and making more computers that are newer more affordable for the average person to buy. If the computers make it into landfills as they have in the past, it could eventually cause environmental issues that would then need to be addressed by the federal government.

The issue of recycling computers and other electronics has become a hot computer topic and will continue to be addressed by conservatives and government officials in order to protect the land. Because the monitors as well as televisions have gases and other toxins that if placed in landfill sites could sooner or later release these gases into the atmosphere as well. This is a concern for all who have the ozone and air quality in mind. The gases inside a monitor need to be released safely as you do with a refrigerator or air-conditioner. Without proper release, the air can become filled with these toxic gases.

When recycling computers, monitors and any printers, people need to take the equipment to a place that is accredited for safely disposing of the equipment in a safe and proper way rather than dumping the equipment in a pile somewhere and hope for the best. It is vital that everyone disposes of their computer equipment properly and take it to a participating recycler in the area. You may have to pay a small fee to drop off your old electronic equipment, but you will also be spending the money wisely to protect the environment.

One of the issues surrounding computer disposal is the already thousands if not millions of computers, printers and monitors as well as other electronics that are already in landfills all over the world. Many people express concern about ways to clean up landfill sites that already have the electronics dumped there, but the cost would be in the millions to do such a huge project of this sort. Besides the fact that electronics that have been in landfills for some time now have probably already done what harm they could do already.

Printers just need the ink cartridges and toner cartridges removed before dismantling them. Many stores such as Office Max and other retail electronic stores have barrels for disposing of your old cartridges. Many ink and toner manufactures that sell to stores, supply pre-paid envelopes for sending the old cartridges back for recycling. These practices have been around for quite a while now. This has cut down on ink cartridges and toner cartridges from being pull in landfills. If everyone would learn to recycle computer and electronic equipment, then it will save millions of dollars for future clean up of these landfill sites.

Recycling old computers to save the environment is necessary and everyone has a responsibility to abide by this practice to protect and preserve land and air quality. With the newer computer systems becoming available for an affordable price and the way technology changes daily, people are going to need new computers and other electronic equipment to keep up with the changing world. Recycling is needed to accommodate all the old equipment that will double if not triple over the next few years.

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