TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Archive for January, 2010

When you first buy your computer, it often comes with a few things already installed. Check out your all programs list, or even better, go to Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs (a.k.a. Programs and Features on Windows Vista and 7). From here you can not only see all your installed programs, you can also remove unused programs. Any program like a messenger, toolbar, security program, or installation software for a dial-up should probably be removed if you aren’t going to use it. First of all, it’s taking up space on your hard drive that can be used for the programs you actually want, and secondly, these programs are probably starting themselves up every time you turn on your computer. This means that they are using your system resources and possibly even your bandwidth, both unnecessarily.

You may have received a free trial of a security suite, like Norton Antivirus or McAfee. You can certainly use them, at least until you install other security software, but if you don’t upgrade it when the trial runs out, you would definitely want to uninstall it. Programs like these are constantly running and performing maintenance tasks. Again, they are using up your system resources, so try to uninstall any antivirus or anti-spyware programs you don’t want to use. Even if it has “run out” and asking you to upgrade, it’s still using your system resources-not to mention being an annoyance with constant reminders to “renew now!”

Check your system tray for programs that are running on your computer every time it is turned on. It’s in the lower right corner of the screen, just beside your clock. You may see an arrow button that will show you more icons if there are more than 3 or 4 programs running. Each icon in the system tray will tell you what it does if you hover over them with your mouse. You will probably see a volume icon to adjust your sound, an Internet connection icon, and an icon for your antivirus program. You probably have other icons, depending on the type of computer you have and what you have downloaded on your computer.

Graphics cards have came a long way since they first stepped on to the scene. They started out in 8 bit characters that were flat and boring and in what seems like only a few years it has grown in to CGI that will blow you away. The gaming world today involves realistic strategies, enough that it is even used for real life training for many situations.

In the current world we live in, high definition and real life scenes dominate. We demand products that offer us realistic experiences through animation on our computer screens. With so many different things to choose from, though, it’s hard to figure out what will serve you best and wont be out of date in just a couple of months.

The first thing you need to figure out is what exactly you are going to be using your computer for primarily. Many of the games on the market require extremely high processing speeds, dependable graphics cards and ample memory. Otherwise, they just won’t run properly.

A graphics card is measured by frames per second, commonly shortened to FPS, with the average game requiring about sixty. The minimum the card you choose needs to handle is this. Of course, games are not the only thing that the card will deal with.

Any type of program that involves creating images through software will also require one. However, this is typically done through 3D so the abilities of the graphics card will not be so important. What you will need to do is ensure it can handle the images efficiently, otherwise your computer will start to lag as a result.

As a former home automation installer and former manufactures rep, I have observed many trends. The following points are definitely the hottest trends this year in home technology.

VoIP (pronounced “Voice over IP) refers to the phone with your high speed internet access. This technology is gaining ground very fast, because new users find that it is 50-75% cheaper equivalent standard telephone service, and Congress is behind the technology now, that no taxes or regulatory mess it up – yet … On a catch? Several more variables to lose your dial tone: a power failure, Internet outages and equipment failure are some problems that may occur with the help of VoIP. Also, if you jump on the standard phone line, and you have a security system, you need a cellular or radio back-up for safety.

Renovation home theater. With the cost of movie tickets is approaching $ 10, it becomes quite expensive for families to enjoy movies and snacks at the theater. There are new technologies and processes to install a home theater in your existing home. Many of the processes that exist for noise reduction, so you Don’t have harmonic vibration in the home, or annoy your neighbors. Live in a townhouse, townhouses, or other multiplex home, you can now”to pump up the volume”interferes with others!

Security Cameras. Many cities now require visual inspection prior to dispatch emergency services. Approximately 9 out of 10 alarms are false. Cameras in the home can quickly verify that the alarm is actually triggered by a burglar. In addition, many new parents are now installing cameras to check on their children when they are away to ensure safety.

There are various kinds of gaming options available online. There are ones where the player has to complete a certain mission and the game is filled with action and thrill. Then there are the other games which include modes like puzzles and car racing. There are various kinds of play free games online and the other PC Games (http://www.playedonline.com/download/ ).

Amongst these games the most popular game options are Tetris, Pacman, Super Flash Mario Bros, Real Pool and the Easy Chess. Each game has different story lines and bases. The Tetris is a game which requires more of the puzzle skills and needs the setting up of an arcade. The Pacman is available as a video game and also on the PC and is one of the not so serious games online. These games are simple to play and easy to learn but certainly very difficult to complete.