Livelihood Of Your Computer

STOP THE SPAM

2007-09-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

7 Ways to stay safe on the internet

2007-09-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

You can minimize the chance of an Internet mishap by adopting these practices:

1. Protect your personal information. It's valuable.
2. Know who you're dealing with.
3. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly.
4. Make sure your operating system and Web browser are set up properly and update them regularly.
5. Protect your passwords.
6. Back up important files.
7. Learn who to contact if something goes wrong online.

Paypal stay secure

2007-09-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

When you signup for PayPal, you can start accepting credit card payments instantly. As the world's number one online payment service, PayPal is the fastest way to open your doors to over 150 million member accounts worldwide.
Best of all, it's completely free to sign up!
To sign up or learn more, click here: https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=KC7HNSKZ2YSV4

Spam Free Account

2007-09-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

For those that hate spam like me try this free account, it filters out spam. If you need a online spam checker try http://computervillageusa.com

Spam Free Account

How to buy a digital camera

2007-08-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

How to Purchase Digital Cameras

Purchasing a Digital Camera can seem like a daunting task. All those numbers, 6.0 mega pixels, 640 x 480, 64 MB Flash memory , who can understand or convert between different cameras? This tutorial will help you understand what all those terms mean, which aspects of a digital camera you may be interested in while shopping, and be able to compare different cameras with seemingly different descriptive terms. Digital cameras allow for instant access to your pictures. Most cameras on the market have an LCD screen to view the pictures immediately. You can then choose which pictures to keep and which to delete. Using different methods, you can then send the pictures to your computer to email them, print, or store them for future use. Important Characteristics of Digital Cameras Depending on what you want to use the camera for, different characteristics will interest you over others. As your features increase, so does the price. Resolution The resolution of your digital camera tells you how sharp the pictures will come out. The resolution is measured in dpi, or dots per inch. It is an expressed in pixels, each pixel is a dot of color. For example, 640 x 480 has 480 lines from top to bottom and 640 pixels that make up each of those lines. A typical inexpensive camera will be 640 x 480, which is suitable for web or emailing, but if you want to print pictures, anything below 1280 x 1024 is probably unacceptable. When a camera has more than a million pixels, it is commonly referred to as a "mega pixel" camera. For example, a description of a camera may say "Digital Zoom Camera, 1.5 mega pixel, 1280 x 1024 resolution." This camera has over 1 million pixels, which means it is a high quality camera. Storage Space The storage space on digital camera varies from model to model. Generally, the feature is expressed in MB (megabytes) of RAM of storage. Sometimes, a manufacturer will express the storage space in the number of pictures the camera will hold in low or high resolution. Typically, a 16 MB card can hold 20 pictures at high resolution, though this will vary from camera to camera (depending on the number of mega pixels the camera can take). When purchasing a camera, 64 MB is the minimum recommended amount of memory to fulfill the average needs. If you camera doesn't have this memory standard, you should take into account an extra card purchase cost. We currently use a 512MB card in our 5 mega pixel camera - anything less just won't hold enough pictures for our needs. Method of Storage There are several methods by which a camera can store the pictures you take. These range from regular old floppy disks to removable media that can be plugged into laptops or card readers. Floppy Disks allow for an easy removable media which can be plugged into your Macintosh or PC and read directly. There are very few (if any) floppy disk cameras left on the market. Compact Flash and Smart Media are removable types of media that are popular in older cameras. Compact Flash cards are more durable than Smart Media, so those should be preferred over Smart Media cards. When purchasing, ensure the camera comes with a memory disk, or you may be stuck purchasing cards to hold your pictures. Fuji cameras have a standard called XD which is about the size of a stamp. Sony cameras use Memory Stick as their standard memory type, but most cameras use Smart media or Compact Flash. Some cameras have nonremoveable storage, which once you run out of memory, you will have to delete pictures or transfer them to your computer before you can take more pictures. This is the least wanted kind of storage, though most of the cheaper digital cameras save pictures this way. Transfer Method The transfer method is the method which you can get pictures back into your computer . Most cameras include a USB or serial cable to transfer pictures from your camera into your computer. With PCMCIA compatible storage cards, you can also access them via a PCMCIA slot or PCMCIA drive. A lot of cameras also have video out ports, so you can show your family, friends, or business associates pictures on the TV. Exposure The more expensive cameras let you switch between manual and auto focus modes, like a regular SLR camera. This allows you a greater control over the outcome of your picture, from focus to aperture settings. Digital cameras are also increasingly featuring other functions, like zoom, metering, and multiple flash modes to help set your picture how you want it. Picking the right digital camera for you may seem like a daunting task, but with enough research, you should be able to find a great camera for you.

Computer Village USA: Is your Network Safe?

2007-08-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

You may think that your home computer internet network is as safe but it is? After all your
Linksys or D-Link brand or another popular brand offers state of the art security features.
Perhaps you have the standard WEP 64, or the “safe as the banks “WEP 128 encryption
format. Perhaps you have even gone one step further to the ultra newer safe WPA router
data security formats or even to greater security heights.
Your computer network is ultra secure. Or so you think and have beer reassured. Perhaps
you have even had a “computer security professional “do the setup and maintenance,

And yet your personal data or banking information may be stolen. Your children may be
directed to “bad “internet sites or worse. Your windows security updates may be
compromised leaving your computer and network open to wide and wider scale attacks on
your computer. Your confidential passwords – whether they are for email, medical, airline
or even banking may be compromised or stolen. Finally your computer may be utilized as a
“zombie” in large scale denial of service attacks on the internet. Your computer and many
thousands of other may be set, waiting patiently for long periods of time, to be activated as
a sleeper agent. Which along with many thousand of other remote computers are set on
secret activation to altogether overwhelm some target whether it be government
computers, the CNN online news network or whatever?

How are all of these threats possible? Computer security is always a case of cat and
mouse with human ingenuity always at the root of the game. The hackers do this,
The computer security network react to fix the security hole it issue – whether it be
Microsoft, Apple Computer or the Computer Hardware of Computer Hardware accessories
manufacturers . And then the computer hackers think of an alternate means of attack.

In this case, even though it apparently seems that even though your wireless or simple
cabled non wireless computer network has another gaping security hole. Home routers
are at risk of being compromised by remote hackers. As a result of innocently or
inadvertently visiting web pages malicious standard java script type software can access
the controls of your home router and reset the controls inside the router to cause you big
trouble.

Your router can be set to visit certain sites instead of where you wish to go. This may be
simply to redirect you to sites containing advertising of the villain’s daily choice. You may be
taken inadvertently to websites which in a flash download further viscous and mean
software, on a regular basis. Or even worse you may be taken to fake sites which are not
what they represent. For example you may well type in the bank of America bankofamerica.
com website. You may even have searched the name by Google. You will think you are
being directed to this banking website where you enter your account name and password
only to discover you cannot access your account because you are a bogus copy of the front
page of that website whose purpose is to steal your banking account and passwords.

The answer to this security problem is simple. Simply change the administration
password in your router from the default out of the box, out of the manual and factory to
anything else.

As a result the malicious java script will not be able to unlock and enter your router and do
its damage. The simple answer to these router security issues and securing your router
firmly is to easily and simply change the administration password on your router – whether
it is wireless or a wired router. Now your home computer network and router will be safe
from this threat.

If you found this helpful check out:http://computervillageusa.com

Livelihood Of Your Computer: How to Choose Virus-Protection Software

2007-08-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

Livelihood Of Your Computer: How to Choose Virus-Protection Software

How to Choose Virus-Protection Software

2007-08-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

Most new consumer model and major brand mail-order computers include good anti-virus programs. But if you use the Internet or share files and you don't have one, you definitely need one. Buy one of the leading anti-virus programs, such as Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee VirusScan, Quarterdeck ViruSweep, or Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus. The major developers can be relied upon to release timely periodic updates that deal with new viruses.
Check reviews and ratings on the Internet and in computer magazines to narrow your buying decision. Download a shareware anti-virus program if you cannot afford an effective commercial anti-virus program. Spend no more than $50 for a commercial anti-virus program. Evaluate the terms for frequent upgrades to your program before buying. Most manufacturers offer free upgrades that detect newly created viruses. Anti-virus programs are often bundled with other utilities and applications, offering a discount from buying the programs separately. Keep your anti-virus program current to prevent your computer from becoming infected by newly created viruses. Criminals are constantly devising ways to damage computers with viruses.

Computer Village USA:Thumb Drives,Hubs,and more

2007-08-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

A webcam is basically a digital camera connected to a computer. A webcam has the capability of taking photo's, recording video and recording sound. Webcam's have become very popular in modern time as connection speeds have increased therefore enabling streaming video from other sides of the world.

What is a thumb drive?

A USB thumb drive is a small device hence the name "thumb drive", that is able to hold data. Thumb drives are an excellent source for portable data. To use a thumb drive you simply plug it into the USB port in the computer and windows will automatically find the hardware and install it for you. A thumb drive is re-writeable and you will most likely find they hold 256MB, 512MB, 1GB or 2GB of data, depending on which one is efficient for you.

What is a router?

A router is the most intelligent device, it connects two networks together, for example a LAN to a WAN. It makes decisions about which Internet traffic will follow. Routers use headers and a forwarding table to determine where packets go and they use protocols such as ICMP to talk to each other and configure the best route between any two hosts. You are able to configure a router to block ports or allow ports, routers are also used as firewalls to protect your network.

What is a switch?

A switch is a lot like a hub, it is a device that connects multiple nodes (computers ) together with a few differences. A switch is a more intelligent device than a hub, unlike hubs switches are able to check packets being sent and recieved. Switches support 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1000Mbps. Switches utilize network bandwidth much more effectively than hubs ever did.

What is a hub?

A hub is a device that connects a number of devices or nodes (computers) together. It acts as a central unit. You would normally see a hub hidden away because there as usually so many Ethernet cables plugged into it. With a hub you do not need to configure anything, it is a very simple device you just plug the Ethernet cables from your nodes (computers) or other devices like another hub or switch

Windows Vista reviewed

2007-07-14T10:08:00.001-07:00

Windows Vista was known by its codename "Longhorn". The release of Windows Vista comes more than five years after the introduction of its predecessor, Windows XP. Windows Vista contains hundreds of new features, updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero. New multimedia creation tools, redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Microsoft's primary stated objective has been to improve the state of security in the Windows operating system. The new Windows shell is significantly different from Windows XP, offering a new range of organization, navigation, and search capabilities.

Windows Vista features a new way of searching called Instant Search, which is significantly faster and in-depth(content-based) than that of the search features found in any of the previous versions of Windows.Includes a backup and restore application that gives users the ability to schedule periodic backups of files on their computer, as well as recovery from previous backups. A replacement for Outlook Express that includes a new mail store that improves stability. Allows administrators to control which websites, programs, and games each standard user can use and install.

Overall I guess you have to decide whether it’s good for you or not. Not everyone is a fan but everyone is a critic. Please look around use any useful links and leave comments
and questions.

Elemental Truths: 26 Tips to Keep Your Computer Up and Functioning

2007-07-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Elemental Truths: 26 Tips to Keep Your Computer Up and Functioning

Setting Up A Network

2007-07-13T10:18:00.001-07:00

To try and keep it simple setting up a network there are two ways you could go. Wired and wireless either one will get the job done but each has it's own benefits. A wired network runs faster than a wireless and is more affordable. The only way a wired network could get costly is if you had to add more computers. Adding more computers to the network would require more cables in setting up your network. The wireless network has its benefits too. No wires to run, and a quicker set up of your network. Makes the process a whole lot easier.

If your wired you will need a network interface card (NIC) for each computer you are setting up and a router. If you are going wireless the same would apply except everything is design to be wireless. Again keep in mine this may be a little more costly. There is always the power-line or phone-line option of setting up your network. It works on the concepts of using the existing wires that run through the walls in your home. This project is something you can do yourself and most companies offer free set up support for first time users through their tech support numbers. Everything should have installation software to help walk you through it.

If you are unsure of trying this yourself always ask the store where you are purchasing if they do installations most do now a days. I would not recommend having a buddy who thinks he knows how to do it because he saw a special on networking and believes he is now qualified to rewire the world. That too could be costly always go with a expert. Please once again any questions you have feel free to ask. Any comments you have please post it will help with future postings. Feel free to check out any links on the side there under helpful links for resources you may need. Have a nice day.

Make Money Online for Beginners: How To Get Google Page Rank | BackLinks

2007-07-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

Make Money Online for Beginners: How To Get Google Page Rank | BackLinks

2007-07-11T18:25:00.001-07:00

Virus Scan

Virus scans are extremely important to the livelihood of your computer. You would avoid your computer being vulnerable to virus attacks by keeping an up to date virus protection program on your computer. There are a couple of virus programs that would do the job. I would recommend a program that has both anti-virus and firewall. Once you have the program installed you should let it run in the background that way the firewall keeps a watch on any attempted attacks. It will help block attacks while you are connected to the internet. I would run weekly updates to keep your virus definitions current and scan your computer weekly also just in case you accidentally down load a virus.

SPYWARE SCAN

Spyware is just annoying and can cause a lot of issues. Spyware is any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection. Without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. I would recommend a good spyware program that can run in the background so it can also keep you safe. When I refer to running in the background I mean you will not see it but it is still running while you continue to work on your computer.

I would also recommend keeping your computer up to date with updates to prevent any issues. File sharing is also another source for viruses and spyware so be careful. I will be posting additional information on maintaining your computer so you can keep repair cost to a minimum. Feel free to post any questions I am certified and I was a tech for a big computer retailer which will remain nameless to protect the innocent. Feel free to post comments I have posted some
helpful links.