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Computer Maintenance

We all are aware of how production can matter depending on the speed and performance of your computer. It is irritating to see when your new laptop or a desktop underperforms and works at a sluggish pace. Is it related to a Hardware issue? You are wrong, the problem is not related to the hardware it is related to computer maintenance.

It is common amongst various users across the world to have faced with such similar problems and the best way to handle them is to follow a routine computer maintenance checklist. This will not only help you with fewer headaches of working on a sluggish computer, but you can manage to have a healthy hardware with a speedy software support.

The best way to start building a computer maintenance checklist is to have periodic hardware and software maintenance checks, a comprehensive backup plan, Protection against malicious exploits, and Maintaining a general system tidiness.

Computer Maintenance Checklist

Keeping the System Clean and Dust Free

When it comes to Dust it is the biggest enemy, leading to many problems that affect your computer. To keep your computer environment dust free see to it that the property is well enclosed. This will not allow entry of dust on your premises. A clean room will lead to fewer systems from being harmed. Apart from this if you are using Desktops periodically open the CPU cabinets and clean off any dust using a portable vacuum cleaner, especially look out for the fan vents. Similarly check for dust in RAM, processor, and the motherboard. In case there is dirt clean it off, avoid using hands instead use a dedicated computer cleaning kit for cleaning.

Reassemble Your PC

In case you are using a branded Desktop try not to do this, Users with assembled Desktops can go ahead. Before you start you should have a basic idea about how to set up a computer or best leave it to an expert. In case you choose to go ahead you can go ahead and try to reassemble your PC. Unplug all the wires connected to the Hard Disk, DVD Rom, and Graphic Card. During the process of assembling also make sure to clean up any dust accumulation.

Check The Flow of Electricity

Fluctuation in the flow of Electricity can cause issues like hardware outage. Generally in case if Laptop adapters, they come with an inbuilt option for power optimization. Whereas in the case of Desktops this is not present, hence you need to check the wiring and power output. You can use a surge suppressor and related equipment to safeguard you against such power fluctuations.

Keep your Laptop Cool

In case you are a using your laptop for tasks which utilize a lot of its resources, it is sure to produce a lot of heat. Especially if you are keeping the laptop on a desk, it is not able to circulate the heat generated. This may cause a laptop failure and it best to keep it cool … Read More

What Are The IT Degree Programs Offered By NTU and SMU?

When considering pursuing an IT degree in Singapore, you will most definitely need to look at the IT degree programs offered by NUS (National Universities of Singapore), NTU (Nanyang Technological University) and SMU (Singapore Management University). This article will take you through the various IT degrees offered by NTU and SMU.

NTU is one of the largest public universities in Singapore that is internationally reputed for its research-intensive tertiary education. It is one of the fastest-growing research universities and the largest engineering college in the world. The School of Computer Engineering in NTU currently offers two IT degrees; namely, Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) and Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science).

The Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) (NTU) degree is a four year program that aims to produce engineers trained in the range of expertise that make use of microelectronics and computer science to design computer systems for real-time applications in industry and commerce, combining knowledge from both computer science and electronics engineering. This degree program will be suitable for those with a good foundation in electronics and interest in IT hardware.

Another option is the Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science) (NTU) degree. It is also a four year program that is more focused on the efficient application of computer technology in the industry. There is also an emphasis on the practical design of efficient and reliable software to meet given specifications. This will suit those who are interested in software utilization and design.

SMU was Singapore’s first private university funded by the government. Incorporated in early 2000, SMU is now an autonomous, government funded university similar to NUS and NTU. The School of Information Systems in SMU currently offers one Bachelor of Science (Information Systems Management) degree.

The Bachelor of Science (Information Systems Management) (SMU) degree is not about making computer hardware or fixing IT equipment. It is about designing, building, deploying and managing software applications that solve business problems and challenges. The program is heavily influenced by industry and academic leaders who understand the forces of global change and the important use of IT in business settings.

From computer science to computer engineering and computational biology, the local universities in Singapore offer a wide range of IT degree programs for you to choose from. Whether or not you intend to pursue an IT career in the future, an IT degree will definitely open up a whole new world of opportunities for you. So be sure to visit the universities’ open houses to find out more and enrol in your preferred program today.… Read More

Breast Cancer: Fancy Gadget and Half A Million Ringgit Failed to Cure Her – What Now?

May (not real name) is a 39-year-old-female. In mid-2008 she delivered her child. Two months before delivery, she noticed the hardening of her left breast. Ultrasonography did not show anything wrong. The doctor suggested it could be due to the breast being engorged with her milk. Although she breast fed her baby the breast remained hard. There was no problem with her right breast. She went to consult order doctors and all of them came to the same conclusion – no problem!

Ultrasound of her breasts on December 1, 2008 indicated diffused inflammatory process. The left nipple was retracted. Conclusion: probably diffuse mastitis. A biopsy is possible. Subsequent needle biopsy done did not show any malignancy. Not satisfied, a tru-cut biopsy was done on 29 January 2009. The result showed atypical proliferation of cells suggestive of an intra ductal carcinoma. An open biopsy of the breast lump confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma with high grade intra-ductal carcinoma.

May sought a second opinion from a doctor in a private hospital in Singapore. The histology slide was restudied. It was concluded that it was a ductal carcinoma in-situ, intermediate grade with comedonecrosis and infiltrative ductal carcinoma.

CT scan done on 31 January 2009 showed: a) no metastatic deposits in the liver, b) several rounded sclerotic lesions seen in the thoracic and upper lumbar spine suspicious of metastatic lesions, c) a tiny nodule in the upper lobe of the right lung – probably a solitary pulmonary metastatic nodule. A bone scan confirmed bony metastases at the left scapula, left third rib and sites along the spine.

Histopathology report showed carcinoma cells are immunopositive for estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors. HER2 oncoprotein is overexpressed.

May was advised to start chemotherapy immediately. The first chemo-treatment started on 2 February 2009. A pump was fitted to continuously deliver 5-FU. May also received two doses of Navelbine for each 5-FU cycle. In addition, May was given Zometa for the bone. In total May received 13 cycles of chemotherapy from February 2009 to October 2009.

At this point I asked two questions:

1. What did the oncologist say about the chances of a cure? The answer was: The doctor said there would be no cure. The treatment was only to control the problem.

2. You must have spent a lot for this treatment? The answer: Yes, approximately RM 500,000. That is half a million ringgit – right? Yes it is.

A CT scan on 27 April 2009 showed: a) a solitary pulmonary nodule in the right middle lobe. These measures less than 5 mm. It shows no change from previous examination, b) multiple sclerotic bony lesions. These were already noted in the previous CT scan.

May went to China for another opinion in May 2009. A PET /CT scan was done. The doctors in China concluded that May’s condition had stabilized and there was no need for treatment.

A CT scan done on October 12, 2009 showed the cancer had stabilized. However, throughout the whole month of October 2009, … Read More

Compaq Computer – Joseph R. "Rod" Canon’s Success Story

Beginnings

Born in Texas, Joseph R. “Rod” Canion spent his youth working on hot rods. This interest in mechanics led him to study engineering at University. Canion was hired out of school in 1968, with a master’s degree in electrical engineering, and went to work for Texas Instrument. After thirteen years at the company, Canion and two of his co-workers, Jim Harris and Bill Mutro, chose to leave Texas Instruments and start their own disk drive and computer peripherals business.

At the advice of venture capitalist Benjamin J. Rosen, the three men opted to get into computer manufacturing and begin making computers based around a portable IBM-compatible PC clone that Canion had devised. Rosen helped Canion, Harris, and Mutro secure $1.5 million to start the business toward the production of the twenty-eight pound portable Psketch C.

Starting The Business

Compaq computers Corp. began in 1982. Its plan was to produce machines that were compatible with IBM PCs, but offered more power and available features to its users. Aware that dueling with IBM was going to be a monumental task, Canion went about devising a way Compaq could rise above the glut of clones that had sprung onto the market. Canion sought after more money so that they could have a large foundation of capital and therefore provide dealers with the assurance that Compaq would be stable in the years to come.

Canion chose to sell only through dealers – unlike IBM and other clone companies, selling both through dealers and through the company itself. He learned the needs and expectations of the dealers and observed what other companies were trying, then strategiced as to how best to present the Compaq product. The computers were released and a wide gap was kept between the suggested retail price and the wholesale price so that dealers could offer ‘discounts’ to buyers or choose to take a higher profit. Consequently, the machines found a place next to the IBM PC. Compaq was also designed an effective ad campaign that helped contribute to the dealers’ profits.

Building An Empire

In its first year of operation, Compaq did an unprecedented amount of business for an infant start-up. More than 53,000 PCs were sold and sales reached $111 million. After Compaq went public in 1983 and $67 million taken in, its first line of desktops were developed. Because of Intel’s new 8086 chip installed in Compaq’s DeskPro, the new line of desktops proved to be more powerful than the contemporary IBM PCs. A few months later a new Compaq computer with Intel’s 80286 processor powering the machines hit the streets and again broke records as sales hit $329 million with 150,000 PCs sold. Five years after its formation, Compaq became the youngest company ever to become a member of the Fortune 500.

With regard to his managing style, Canion came to be known as an employer skilled at motivating his workers and for listening to the ideas and opinions of his employees. This atmosphere brought intelligent and … Read More

The Newest Home Electronics and the Latest Travel Gadgets of 2010

It is only the first of the year, 2010, and already another enormous array of electronic innovations is being introduced at the 2010 CES EXPO. It never fails to exhilarate me to know I am about to plunge into a gathering of all of the latest and greatest electronic gadgets man has produced over the past 12 months, since the 2009 CES. One can never be completely prepared for the insurmountable number of products that were presented at this global event. There were over 2800 companies represented and over 20,000 new products, with over 120,000 new products.

The Jan 13, 2010 edition of CEA published the following article, New Rules of Business: Women in Business. Here is an excerpt from that article:

“With 40% of the nation’s businesses owned by women, representing 16% of jobs in the US, these firms have a major impact our economy – approximately $3 trillion. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, these firms grew at twice the rate of other segments between 1997 and 2002, and have continued to keep pace. And I can only see continued growth in their contribution, especially as many women are starting “side businesses” to bring in extra income during the recession. Still, they can face more obstacles to success – including access to capital and markets and managing work-life integration – than many of their male counterparts. They invite you to join them February 17-18, 2010, in Houston on a discussion on “The New Rules of Business for Women Entrepreneurs”.

Featured were all of the up to date traveling gadgets, as well as anything that the mobile business exec or vacationer could utilize in their quest to remain in touch with friends and families, associates and customers. From easing the work load to cutting costs on communication and production. From cell phones to VOIP internet access, smart computers to tablet computers, mini storage devices, mobile chargers and an abundance of new games and equipment.

We reported last year on several inexpensive ways to communicate around the world for pennies, including Skype and Magic jack. Now Panasonic and LG are producing TV’s with built in internet and Skype, a camera and a microphone. From the comfort of your own couch you will be able to have video calls to family and friends on large TV’s while munching on your favorite snacks.

Netbooks are being replaced with Smartbooks, mini-computers, and Tablets, with faster and longer battery life being the key to this new stylish and efficient computer. Lenovo has a 10″ Smartbook with 3G and a 10 hour battery for $499. Many other prices are down though, with a full computer inside a keyboard form $99.00 to an array of small computers from $150 and up. And don’t forget the most important item, backup. DataJack has unlimited nationwide 3G internet access available via a USB modem ofr $39.95 with no contacts or activation fees.

Worried about data loss or computer crash? “Crashplan” will back up your entire computer, programs … Read More