Computer Diagnostics

The diagnostics that are associated with computers can help to identify any problem or failure that computers show when they are having problems. Diagnostics are used to test out the computer system, which includes both the BIOS and memory, software, and even the hardware that is attached to the computer.

The most common types of problems will occur when your computer is down to very low resources, which can either be a low amount of RAM, or a low disk space. These conditions are very common, and generally result in your computer running very slow. This can easily be fixed, all you have to do is defrag your hard drive, and get rid of some programs and files that you no longer use or need.

Almost all types of computer diagnostic software can find and fix just about any problem that you are having. It normally starts off with a BIOS examination, and goes on from there. PC diagnostics software can determine a lot from the BIOS, from the common settings to those that have a major impact on both boot up and performance.

No matter what you do, you should never modify or tamper with the BIOS settings, as it can lead to serious problems. If you do plan to modify or mess with your BIOS, you should always create a backup first, just in case something goes wrong. The BIOS settings can be very tricky, although they are responsible for a lot to do with your computer. If you have never been in the BIOS before, you really shouldn’t be modifying anything inside of it.

Depending on the diagnostics program that you are using, there will be several different features available. Right now, two of the most popular are Norton Systemworks and PC Doctor. Both of these programs offer full diagnostics software, good for fixing just about any software related computer program you can imagine.  

Once you run the program, you’ll be able to select the diagnostic test that you are planning to run. Some offer you a full system scan, which will scan your entire computer and then display any problems that you having. After displaying any problems, the software will normally give you an option to go ahead and fix it. As long as the problem is nothing serious, the diagnostic software can generally fix it.

The more complicated problems, such as hardware failures or hard drive crashes, are a totally different story. They will require a technician who is very experienced, that can rebuild the hardware. Diagnostic software can report hardware problems to you, although most of the time it is unable to fix it.

There are other computer diagnostic software that you run after starting the computer or rebooting, that will check everything from BIOS. These types are great, although the types such as Norton and PC Doctor are by far superior. They offer far more features, including defragment, cache cleaner, and the option to delete your temporary Internet files. These features are great to have, especially if you aren’t the technical type.

For more reasons than one, computer diagnostic software is the ideal way to find and prevent problems with your computer. Norton Systemworks offers you Ghost as well, which is the perfect way to back up your data. You can back up certain files, or just go ahead and back up your entire hard drive. Systemworks and Ghost are very easy to use, even if you are completely new to computers. For everything they offer you - computer diagnostic programs are the ideal way to prevent problems before they happen.

The Real Secret To Saving Money On Inkjet Cartridges

Anyone who has ever had to buy a cartridge for an inkjet printer, or any inkjet printer products for their business knows that they are not cheap at all.  And Businesses need to be able to print a host of paperwork throughout the day like invoices, announcements, and reports.

Ink cartridges in printers used at a place of business wind up needing to be changed more often, since they are also used day after day, constantly.  Buying ink cartridges from an office supply store in the area can become extremely expensive.  Ordering ink cartridges for your business's printers online can turn out to be a much cheaper solution.

Buying printer ink, or any inkjet printer products on the Internet can save you money for two big reasons.  Since online stores that sell ink have a lower overhead, they are able to offer much lower prices than other shops or manufacturers who use their own special brand of ink. An online ink retailer hopes to sell enough to make up for the savings they offer their customers.

Recycled or remanufactured ink cartridges sold under a generic brand name, are another option to lower the cost of your business's printing.

Remanufactured ink cartridges are original manufacturer cartridges that, after having been used up, were thoroughly cleaned, refilled with generic ink, and tested to insure quality.  They are at the same quality level as the original cartridges.

In recent years the remanufacturing process has improved greatly over the way it was once conducted.  The grand majority of individuals who use remanufactured ink cartridges claim that their results are equal to if not better than results with the original ink cartridges.

One USA Today article said that the price of remanufactured ink cartridges is 85% less than that of their original counterparts.  Just imagine the savings that could build up by using remanufactured cartridges for several months or years!

Businesses, especially offices, need to be able to print countless documents.  To do so, they need lots of printer ink.  Saving money on ink cartridges is a great way to reduce the total operating cost of your business.

Printer Ink - Choose Carefully

Ink cartridges made by the printer manufactures are expensive.  One can't argue that the lower priced generic brands or the refill kits are appealing.  There are a few things to be considered, however, before making the switch to save money.

There are two sides to the debate. On one hand, the printer companies all claim these discount ink cartridges can cause your print quality to suffer or even damage the printer. Some go as far as to say they will void your warranty.

On the other hand, the companies that sell the remanufactured cartridges and refill kits claim that these stories are just hype to make you buy the original cartridges.

The truth is somewhere in the middle. Yes, it's true that the original brand of printer ink cartridge will give you the best possible print quality, but that doesn't mean you can't get the same kind of results with a cheaper option.

The deciding factor is the ink quality.  All companies use different types of ink in their cartridges.  The ink is what will determine what type of quality prints you get.

Each printer is manufactured to use a certain type of ink.  If you do not use the type of ink required by your particular printer you could harm your printer and you will sacrifice the quality.  Also certain inks are made to be used with certain paper.  The wrong combination there will also affect your print quality.

The key when buying a discount printer ink cartridge or a refill kit is to be sure the ink is compatible with your particular brand and model of printer.

Avoid buying from cartridge manufactures that put the same kind of ink in all of their cartridges.  They are clearly not concerned with giving a quality product and their cartridges will most likely not work well on any printer type.

When choosing your ink, make sure the company uses the correct type of ink that will work properly with your printer. And be sure they offer a money-back guarantee in case you have any problems.

With careful shopping you will be able to find cartridges that are compatible with your printer, you will not sacrifice the quality of your prints and you will save money.

All About Data Recovery

At some point in time, everyone who owns a computer will experience the trials and tribulations of hard drive failure. The reasons behind it vary, and could include everything from a human error to damages resulting from flood or water. Viruses can play a role as well, along with many other factors. For many years, the need to recover data that has been lost or destroyed has made data recovery such a very valuable asset.

Almost all hard drives can be recovered. Normally, if the drive is making a ticking or a scratching noise, you can use certain software programs to recover the data. Sometimes, due to age or bad parts, the aperture arm in the hard drive can fail, or the platters can become damaged and lose the data that they hold. If you can’t recover the information with software, you’ll need to send the hard drive off and have it either rebuilt or have technicians recover your data.

Data recovery is always an option, from hard drives that are 2 GB in size to the largest of over 300  GB or more of data. No matter what size hard drive you have, the data can generally be recovered. Keep in mind that if you’ve had a computer crash, you’ll need to send the hard drive off to have the data recovered by technicians.

One of the key benefits of data recovery is the fact that information can also be retrieved from the recycle bin as well. Partition recovery, and even information that has been lost somewhere on the disk can be retrieved as well. Even though it may seem like your data is gone forever - the technicians that specialize in data recovery can retrieve it.

From Windows to Mac, everything can be recovered. There are different filing structures and formats, including NTFS and FAT32. These are common Windows filing structures, and hold all of the information for your hard. 

Those of you who have multiple hard drives in your computer, can rest assured that RAID configurations can also be recovered. If a single hard drive on the RAID configuration fails, the RAID setup will absorb the blow and there won’t be a loss of data. On the other hand, if the entire RAID configuration crashes, it will crash big time. Whenever this happens, you’ll need to send it off and have technicians restore both the RAID hardware and software

Anytime your hard drive happens to crash or malfunction, data recovery is there to help you get back your files. Whether they are personally files or very important files that are need for business - you can put your trust in data recovery and know that you’ll get everything the back the way it was.

Things to consider when buying a computer

How To Buy A Computer

Buying a Computer

What To Do And Why  

It isn't fair, but buying a computer is just plain easier for some than it is for others. Those who've purchased and used a computer in the past usually have an idea of what they want to shop for a new computer. But those who are new to the computer world could get lost in the myriad of choices available.

The short answer to "What should I buy?" is "The best." Of course that answer is extremely subjective because "the best" to one person is certainly different to another. T`he fastest and the biggest is our definition of "the best" , but even that leaves the computer newbie confused. Here's a quick rundown of what the computer novice should do and why.

 1. Buy a computer that includes basic peripherals. Every computer can be broken down into four major components: CPU unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. For the novice, it's best to buy a computer that has all of these components included so that when it's taken home, assembling the computer is a simple matter of plugging things in where they belong. Save the individual purchases of these components for those who have more experience.

2. You'll have to decide what you'll use the computer for. A computer with the basic components that we just described should suffice If you want to use your computer for cruising the web, sending email, or performing simple word-processing or spreadsheet tasks. If you want to use a computer to help with a career in multimedia however, you're going to need to accessorize your system with a scanner, printer, digital camera, tablet, or digicam for example. If you want a computer to help with a career in music, you will need a quality microphone and set of speakers. 

3. Create a budget and stick to it. How much can you afford to spend on a new computer? Although the prices of computers are decreasing, they can still create a hefty expense especially if you need additional peripherals described above. You'll also need to figure in costs for maintenance, servicing, and insuring.

4. Start comparison shopping and look for the "fastest and biggest." By "fastest and biggest," we mean the computer with the fastest processor, the fastest modem, the biggest memory, and the biggest hard drive capacity. It's important to have in the event that you truly do need that much in the future even if you think that you'll never need the amount of speed or space available on the market today. Having such a large reserve will cut down on costs when the time comes to upgrade for more than what you may settle for in a computer that offers less.

Computer & Software Technology

5. Stick with the better-known brands. Venturing off the beaten path with lessor-known brands is again, an adventure for those who have more experience with computers. The computer novice will appreciate the comfort in purchasing a computer from a business that has a long record of building quality products, and that has the funds available for fulfilling returns, trades, servicing, and warranties Although those better-known brands may be a tad bit more expensive.

6. Select a computer store. Having an idea of what you want in a computer and what kind of computer that you want, your only task left is to select the place in which you want to buy it. There are a number of places available including computer store outlets, online stores, auction sites, used computer stores, or your friendly neighborhood yard sale. For the computer novice, we recommend buying a computer from a physical store. In  a physical store, you have the opportunity to see the computer of interest in person and ask questions. Access to store warranties, returns, trades, and services is one of the advantages new computer buyers also have. 

These suggestions should give the computer newbie a great start in selecting a quality computer for the first time and they apply to either Windows computers or Apple Macintosh computers. After making these decisions and finally selecting one that fits your needs, you can then venture into the fascinating world of software - a world that is just as grand as the world of hardware!

Find more news on computer hardware and software

Using Free Data Backup Program Trials

There are a couple of ways to find the best free data backup program for you.  The first is to limit yourself to finding free data backup programs.  There are a lot of them and many are safe and easy to use.  However, they don’t have many of the advantages of a paid back up service, which is why they are free to begin with.  In order to get the service, many people use free trial periods of paid backup software.

For Only A Couple Of Computers

Free data backup programs are only recommended for personal use or for very small businesses that have up to three computers.  They aren’t equipped to handle the great volume of data storage needed for businesses or organizations.  If you are running a non-profit, then let the makers of a paid data backup service know.  Oftentimes, you can get a discounted rate for that or you can at least get some tax credit.

Determining Computer Time

Many free data backup programs offer a thirty day trail run.  However, that doesn’t mean you can use the program as often as you like for a month.  Computer programs judge days differently than people do.  We are used to a day being twenty-four hours.  For a computer program, a "day" is the time you log on and log off of the program.  You may sign up for a free data backup program thirty day trial to discover that it only works for two weeks.

Disadvantages

For the most part, hopping from one thirty trial to another winds up not being a bargain.  You have to pay close attention to where the data is actually being stored.  Is it being stored on your computer for you to make storage discs or is the data being stored on a website?  If it's being stored on a website, then you're out of luck when the trial is up.  Yo will have to take all of your data with you when you go for another free data backup program trail offer.

Advantages

The advantages are in free data backup programs that move your files to discs or store the data on your computer.  This way, you get to use technical support.  You can also see how well their customer service works without having to pay for it.  In this way you don’t have to marry any particular program.  But often, it's much easier to just pay for such a program rather than having to learn another program every two weeks.

Is it Time for a New Ink Cartridge in Your Epson Printer?

It is hard to find a better quality printer than an Epson.  You are almost guaranteed good prints with Epson products.  Knowing when to change your ink cartridge will help you maintain that good quality.

Epson makes it easy to know when it is time to replace your cartridge.  They put a light on the printer that flashes when the ink is running low, which means that you need to buy a new ink cartridge.

Second, with any Epson printer made in the last several years, the status monitor software that runs on your computer will also warn you when your ink is getting low.

The only thing is that at times these warnings do not come at exactly the right time.  Sometimes the warning is premature and sometimes it comes late.

Sometimes you get the warning in the middle of a big print job and it is to late to interrupt printing.  If you get the warning when the cartridge is about 75% empty you will most likely not have enough to finish a big print job.

If the warning occurs and you change your cartridge right away you could be wasting ink.  Usually when the indicator light flashes or the computer gives you the warning that you are running low on ink your cartridge is still ? full. 

The fact is, you can run the printer right until the ink cartridges are completely empty. Once they run out of ink entirely, you can replace them then with a new ink cartridge. This lets you get the maximum use from the cartridges, without wasting any ink.

However, if you are going to do a big print job or you need to print photos it may be better to start with a new cartridge.  Yes you may still have some ink left in your old cartridge.  But it may be better to go ahead and loose that little bit of ink than to mess up your print job.

A Premier GPS System – Garmin Nuvi 660

The Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System has just about every option you could ask for when you are traveling. The system is prepared with the capacity to store two-gigs of data, an anti-glare display, and wireless technology.

Standard Features

The readout of the Garmin Nuvi 660 is easy to read at 4 inches wide, with a backlit and no-glare screen that allows you to view your Nuvi 660 even in the dark or in intense sunlight. Additionally, you will get a CD user’s guide to examine which will teach you about the different features of the Nuvi 660 before you use it.

You may power up your unit with either a cigarette lighter adaptor or a normal plug-in adaptor, both of which are included in your package. You can even load music, audio books, and images to your Nuvi 660 via the included USB jack.

As if that wasn’t enough, you will also receive a leather carrying case for your Garmin Nuvi 660 in the package you purchase.

Entering Destinations

The touch screen helps make the Nuvi 660 simple to run. You can enter your destination according to city name, zip code, or latitude and longitude. All you have to know is the most basic information about your precise destination, such as the city name and street address in order to create driving instructions on the Garmin Nuvi 660.

You will also be able to keep your home address in the system so that all you have to do is put in a destination when you start your journey. Your Nuvi 660 is guaranteed to come graced with an FM radio and an MP3 system. The system is a great way to play music as you use your Nuvi 660, since the directions will interrupt your music, to make it feasible for you to clearly understand the directions.

Traffic In Real Time

The evening and morning rushes can easily be avoided once you have the Nuvi 660's real time traffic updater. The only requirement is to place your Garmin Nuvi 660 Automotive GPS Navigation System in your automobile and begin utilizing the real-time traffic updater. The tool will tell you which road directions to use to steer clear of the worst of city traffic.

The information is easy to see by using the FM radio that is included in your Nuvi 660 package. The roads will be coded with signs that use green, red, or yellow to indicate where the best route can be found in your location.

Safety Features

The Garmin Nuvi 660 GPS Navigator System offers the use of a PIN number so that your unit may only be accessed by you and your relatives. Taking the Nuvi 660 is not an attractive option since a thief would not get to use the unit unless one had the PIN number.

The Garmin Nuvi 660 also includes a default feature that does not allow you to key in any destination while the car is in motion, although you have the chance to get rid of this feature later on.

Three Kinds of Inexpensive Ink Cartridges

The quality of the pages you print is greatly affected by the paper and the ink cartridge that you choose to use.  Cheap paper can reduce your printer's quality, and even though it is not always true, cheap ink cartridges can also cause your printer to produce images of a lesser caliber.  There are pros and cons when it comes to using each of the three different kinds of inexpensive ink cartridges.

Refill Ink

The first option for cheap ink is to refill your empty cartridges. This is generally the cheapest of all the alternatives, but it is also tends to wind up with the lowest quality prints.

It'll depend on what brand and model of printer you have, but many of the newer printers are difficult to refill. It can also be quite messy because you're dealing with bottled ink, trying to inject it back into the empty cartridge.

Recycled Cartridges

Many companies clean used cartridges, refill them with ink, test them for quality, and then sell them as recycled cartridges.

Results from this option are better than those that refill ink tends to offer, but there is also a greater cost involved since you have to pay for the labor involved in the recycling process.

These companies have refilling and cleaning equipment that can do a much better job of remanufacturing your empty cartridge. They also generally offer a guarantee on their work, so if the cartridge doesn't work properly you can either get a replacement or get your money back.

Generic Cartridges

Due to patents on ink cartridges held by their manufacturers that make their reproduction illegal by other companies, use of generic cartridges is less widespread than that of the other alternatives.

There are some cartridges that you can find brand new generic replacement ink for. These generic cartridge are not recycled, they are new but they aren't made by the printer companies themselves.

These cartridges tend to be the highest priced of the three options, but they are still cheaper than the original cartridges, and work just as well.

Which option will be best for you is going to depend a lot on how much printing you do, and what you're printing. If you're printing photos that you want to be able to keep for a lifetime, you'll have different needs than if you're just printing copies of web pages for future reference.

The GPS & Fitness Fusion: Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Watch

The Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Watch is far more than a wonderful personal trainer, as it also doubles up as a heart rate monitor. This wonderful device is just right for you if you like to spend time dabbling in multiple things, like biking and running as well as other types of sports. This is because it has the multiple profile settings. It is apt for sportspersons as well as the common man like you and me, who just want to up the workout rate and monitor the heart rate. 0f course, the ultimate goal is gaining excellent health.

The Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS Watch is extremely useful because it gives the trainer information on whether or not he or she is doing enough exercise. Your heart rate will tell you how hard you are exercising. The heart rate zone is quite helpful in learning about the effectiveness of your workout regimen. You can adjust your exercise methods if you are not thrilled with your workout level. This watch displays your heart rate prior to your workout session. Once you begin training, it tracks the change in the heart rate by using the AutoLearn function of the Forerunner 301. It is constantly adjusting the heart rate zone with the rigidity of your workout sessions.

The Forerunner 301 Fitness Watch has three distinct profiles for recording your running rate, biking rate, and performance in other activities. The only thing you need to do is to press on the Mode switch to change between the separate profiles. This option helps you to go for triathlon and dualthlon activities. You will be encouraged to work out in a variety of ways and keep an eye on results by looking at the intensity through the Forerunner 301.

You can begin learning about the usefulness of your exercise activities with the Forerunner 301. This device is compatible with the software known as the Garmin training center. With graphs and clear-cut charts, keeping a constant check on your speed, heart rate, the time consumed, and distance traveled is rendered easy. You can see the workout records in a map and consider whether your exercise regimen is working or not. MotionBased is a website where you have the capability to load your exercise records. You will have the ability to check on your records with several web components by Garmin. Professional athletes can benefit from the website TrainingPeaks, which gives them extra extras to keep track of your workouts.

The high quality of the Forerunner 301 screen is the added advantage. It is not more than 78 grams. You can get up to 15 years of life out of the battery. Being resistant to water and offers GPS, it is one gadget that is a must-have these days. It offers you the ability to keep the lap history of 5000 laps. You can maintain 100 waypoints in the Forerunner 301. Ten routes are available in the 301. The screen may be individualized and you can get pace alerts when you are working hard. You can customize the interval and workout timings, also.

Keeping you Files Photos and Data Safe - How to Backup Computer Files

I'd say that everyone knows you should be doing a backup of your PC.If you've been lucky enough to never have a computer crash on you then realize that you're a lucky fella and there's never been a better time then right now to start backing up your important data.

Before you rush out to buy a piece of software to backup your files there are a few things you need to educate yourself on.Ensuring you keep the process simple and having an idea of how much data you want backed up are just a couple of the things you need to remember when selecting your backup software or service.

What Data and Files Need to be Backed Up

Before you rush out to buy an expensive piece of software to backup your system you need to know what it is you want backed up.Some of the backup programs are designed to create complete system backups, how ever this is often more then the average computer user needs.

Most personal computer owners require their my documents, photos, and any videos backed up, how ever the rest of the stuff can be skipped. This is just a bit to technical to get into for the average computer user.

Keep it simple to be consistent

Just because a backup service or program offers more features then another doesn't make it better.Trust me when I tell you to avoid buying a service or program that is very feature rich. Get the features you need but to many features slows down the backup process, this will in turn make it difficult for you to stick to a regular backup routine.

Instead opt for a simple program, more specifically one that backups up your files all on it's own and only requires a one time setup. A couple of good programs to consider are Carbonite or Mozy online backup.

Research Before you Buy

Before you swipe the credit card or decide on how you're going to backup your data take a bit of time look for online backup reviews. This just confirms that the software or service you've chosen is every bit as good as it claims to be.

Spending just a few minutes before you buy a program or service will ensure that you will easily be able to restore files and also that files are backed up properly.

How To Undelete A Deleted File

If you've just accidentally pressed "delete" and deleted a file on your PC, your first port of call should be to go to the Recycle Bin. If you deleted the file from the "right" place, there's a reasonable probability that your file will be showing there and you can just right click your mouse and select "Restore".

But if you didn't delete the file in such a way that it shows in your recycle bin, what next? Does that mean that it's been lost forever? It's almost never unimportant, backed-up files that get deleted by accident. What a pain!

Forunately it's almost always, it's perfectly possible to get back a deleted file. Even if your recycle bin thinks otherwise. This is because the Windows filing system doesn't delete the file but rather it flags the space occupied as something it can use again when it needs to.

The bad news is that the more you do on your computer, the higher the risk that Windows will overwrite some or all of the lost file, which will make recovering it expensive or maybe not even possible.

So you need to stop what you're doing on your computer. That means stop everything. Including browsing the internet, scanning your iTunes library, whatever. The more time you take to stop, the bigger the probability Windows will think it can re-use the space you've created by deleting the file.

If you've got access to another computer, use it to download a program like this one to undelete files. If you haven't got the use of a second PC then it's possible that you'll be OK using your only computer (the chance increases if there is a large amount of disk space left unused) but only do this as a last resort.

Once you've downloaded a file undelete software program, it's just a matter of following the simple prompts on screen and there's a very high chance your file will be recovered for you.

Get your file undelete software here now. It's even got a free trial, so you'll know that it works for you.

Web Software Testing: Guarantee that the Web Software is purposeful and safe

The software development life cycle (SDLC) is composed of various stages. Software testing is one of the significant phases within the software development cycle (SDCL). There are different testing types and they are useful at different stages of the software development cycle. These methods are employed during various stages of the SDLC. Moreover there are different varieties of the software that needs to be tested before it is released to the costumer.

There are many different classes of software and software for web applications is one of them. With the advent of the Internet web software has significantly increased in importance, as the Internet has had a substantial impact on our daily lives.  Because of the high impact Internet has on our daily lives any web software is carefully tested before launching in order to reduce the associated security risks that originate from the use of the Internet.

Even though the testing of web software is vital, there is at all times rush in building and testing those application due to time constraints.There are different methods that the test engineers use to test this software. They are code testing, [load testing], compatibility testing, functional testing and regression testing.

The web software is usually released using a pattern of software release known as alpha/beta testing.Alpha testing is a replicated or real ready testing by would-be users/customers or a separate testing team on the developers' location. The software is incomplete at this point and testing is done only for small modules of the software. When of-the-self software is employed, alpha testing is often used as an internal acceptance test. Software that passed the alpha test will not be released till all the major functionalities of the software are built and tested.

After the alpha testing stage is finished, the software advances to the beta phase of testing. The web software should be fully completed by now. The software is released to a restricted number of users for testing before it is officially released. In case of website design it is easy to put together the various pages as the website design uses HTML. So the alpha/beta technique is generally not used for website development. This is because HTML coding makes it very easy to design independent web pages that can afterwards being easily integrated so the design team can code and test each page independently.

In code testing the software testing or development engineer examines the codes for software bugs. It’s essential for the software to be free of bugs because the web development process is very quick. Paired-programming is one of the popular methods used by highly qualified technicians to achieve error free coding .

The Paired programming is a method in software development where two programmers work simultaneously at one keyboard. The developer typing the code is called the driver while the programmer that checks every line of code as it is produced is called the observer or the navigator. The judgment behind taking up this method is the following. The Economist proclaims that, "Laurie Williams of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City has shown that paired programmers are only 15% slower than two independent individual programmers, but produce 15% fewer bugs.”

The testing process continues through out the software development cycle so that at the time of final release it is free of bugs. Load testing is used to check if a web-site/application will fail or loss performance under the added pressure of heavy loads or imputs from multiple users log-in, mail servers, etc. This type of testing will help to arrive at statistics such as how many users the site will sustain at the same time, the quantity of communication it will hold and the reaction time under various circumstances.

The testing done to estimate the compatibility of the application with the different interacting hardware of software is the Compatibility testing. This method tests how good the software is in interactions with operating system, peripherals, database, browser etc. It also tests the computing capacity of the hardware platform and the peripherals.

Functional testing asses the alignment between the application and its specifications checking that it provides all the required functions. To do that an extense range of both normal and erronous data will be imput to validate the behaviour caused by each of the software features Regression testing is carried out to check that any changes made to the code in order to enhance it or to fix defects has not affected any functionality.

Regression testing is an important testing method when the software development method is iterative. Iterative software development is a method in which new functionality is added to existing software. In this case one should make sure that the new addition has not affected any of the existing functionality. All the types of test mentioned above are necessary to provide complete web software testing.

Ink Cartridges - Should You Buy Refills?

Ink cartridges are something that must be purchased frequently and can be quite expensive.  There can be big savings in buying refills rather than new cartridges.

Before deciding to go with a refill rather than a new cartridge, there are some factors that you may want to consider. 

Printers are quite specific as to the type of ink that must be used for the printer to function property.  Refills that say they can be used for all types of printers may not be trustworthy.

You need to be sure to get a refill that is specifically compatible with your brand and model of printer, to get the best results.

Also you want to factor in what you are getting for your money.  You want to be aware of how many refills you are actually getting in a cartridge refill kit. 

A well-matched ink is not the only thing that has to be considered.  Cartridges do not function well forever.  If you continue to refill them after a while they will begin to perform poorly.  After a few refills the cartridges need to be replaced.

Most refill kits come with enough ink for filling a cartridge more than one time.  So when you have to replace your cartridge you can hold on to your remaining refill ink and when your new cartridge runs out you will be ready to refill it. You may also be able to save by buying refurbished cartridges. 

Refill kits usually have a longer shelf life than cartridges do, often as much as 2 years. If you don't do enough printing in that time to use up the refill, it may not be the best option since you'll probably end up wasting part of it anyway.

The other common problem with cartridge refill kits is that they can be quite messy if you aren't careful when refilling them. Companies that refill empty cartridges have specialized equipment that makes it quite simple.

When you're doing it yourself, ink can leak or spill and it can make a real mess if you're not careful. Be sure to read through the refill kit instructions thoroughly before attempting the refill - probably a couple of times.

You may be able to find additional instructions online at the manufactures website.  If they have step by step directions with illustrations or demonstrations this could be very helpful. 

Give yourself plenty of time on your first attempt to refill a cartridge.  It is a learning process and you don't want to be in a hurry.  If you have to get something out right away you don't want to be worrying about refilling your cartridge.  Set aside some time to learn to do it correctly.

The Review of a Masterpiece the Hdtv Reviews

The television has dominated the society that the people of the United States of America live in today. While many people such as naturists or outdoorsman will argue this statement like they were fighting Armageddon, the truth is the truth. It only goes to prove this fact when everyone needs more and more of it by going out and seeing a movie in the theatre. While other people will surely argue that there can be some form of exercise needed to go to the movie theatre, the shear effort is non-existent when a person is just sitting there and taking it while the movie is playing right in front of them. The television system has changed astronomically over the years first beginning with a regular black and white TV set that later became color. This eventually changed and the picture got a little bit clearer but not as clear as people would eventually change to like. These people however would not know there was an actual difference. Over the years the TV became bigger and these were known as Big Screen TV’s. The hdtv reviews will make the other TV’s of the generation look very bad and ugly. It is wonder how any review of any other TV was not made instantly when the big hdtv reviews came out

The hdtv reviews is showing the past and present and comparing each TV. Before the HDTV came out the only comparable device could possibly and arguably be the

projection screen which had higher resolution levels and is the obvious choice of all movie theatres. However IMAX and others can surely use a different system. hdtv reviews shows that these TVs are the most popular item out on the market today for TV’s and that the people will go out and get them to be up in up with the latest technology. It is a fad as of now as to how many people feel they need them to keep up with their neighbors or the people buying them actually want a better experience. The hdtv reviews is much clearer as to what exactly a person is getting for their money.

Before You Buy an HDTV

Before a person goes out a buys an HDTV the person should read the current hdtv reviews out there. The person may find deficiencies in the TV or the hdtv reviews may be completely off by a long shot. Either way an hdtv reviews is recommended otherwise a person will buy something that he or she wishes he or she did not buy.

We also recommend that you take a look at Gadget Reviews, especially the Display Reviews section to find out mor about the best gadgets on the market today

Better Tracking & Fitness: Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS is a cool little tool that comes in the shape of a watch. It performs the dual role of a heart rate monitor along with that of an exercise planner. This very useful unit is very well-liked nowadays because an increasing number of people are hitting the gym. This swath of people is anxious to maintain their level of overall healthiness as well as their waistlines; people in this group are prepared to go to any length to achieve their desired appearance. The Forerunner 305 is the kind of system that has made it easier for health nuts to manage their workouts.

It has been noticed that at times people put forth too much effort when they are working out. This might prove to be detrimental for one's health. To be confident that you are not overworking yourself, you should use a gadget like the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch. The Forerunner 305 will let you know about your heart rate as you are sprinting on the treadmill or jogging in the tracks. Even if you enjoy taking a long walk in the afternoon with your dog, you can use this GPS-enabled watch to give you the details of your pulse speed. And if you happen to get lost during your walk or while jogging, the extra feature of the GPS will help you get to a familiar place.

The portable size of the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch makes it easy for you to keep it with you no matter where you go. Of all the heart rate monitors that can be bought, the Forerunner 305 has been enjoyed and liked the most. If you want a heart rate monitor that is of excellent craftsmanship, you have to shell out some extra bucks. After using this watch, you will know that the Forerunner 305 is a great value for money. If it must be held up against other brands, the Forerunner 305 ranks higher, because it is accurate and also includes GPS. You can’t buy a nicer device within this price bracket.

Garmin has a wide selection of heart rate monitors, but the 305 is considered the best among them. Garmin has marketed the Forerunner 305 as a fitness trainer. This is due to the fact that it remembers the direction along which you exercise by jogging or running. The creative design causes it to be a nice-looking unit to carry around. The Forerunner 305 is slightly larger than similar heart rate monitoring systems, but that only improves the look of the piece.

You can upload your workout records into your computer or laptop through special software available with the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch. In terms of time, distance, and speed, you can compare your regular achievements with high quality charts and graphs. You can consider the progress as the Forerunner 305 stores all the session details for quite a while. The Forerunner 305 is compatible with a couple of websites which offer help in analyzing your workout plan to perfection.

How to Make My Computer Faster

Tune-up your old PC

You have had your computer now for a few months or even years and now it seems to take forever to boot up and moving around is slow.  If you suffer from a slow computer don’t worry.With our help you will have a good understanding of how to speed your computer up.

One of the first and probably the most helpful thing you can do is to get a computer tune-up.  Just like cars computers need maintenance.  You would never consider waiting years to change your car’s oil.  If you did then your car won’t last that long.If you use your computer just a few times a week then it should be tuned up at least once a year, if it's every day then every six months should do the trick. While there are several online tools you can purchase to repair your registry and optimize your computer nothing beats a real expert taking a look at your computer.No software will ever give you the full picture and that is why going with a pro is always a better way.  Only a real pro will be able to look at the broader picture and let you know all the things you may need to consider.  Even if that news is to buy a new computer. Places like this remote computer repair Company do a great job at repairing computer right online.  This is a California based company and it’s like having the tech right in your home.This is really cool sutff, they remote into your computer and you can watch them as if they were there.  They will also walk through installing memory into your computer if need be.  It’s not hard at all with a service like this.  It’s also cheaper then you think so check them out first.

If you know your way around computers then we have a little treat for you.  If this is you then consider a free 30 day trial of JV16 power tools.  Just Google that name and you will see them pop up first.  These guys offer a free fully functional trial for 30 days.  It’s well worth the download.This program is easy to use but not for people who do not have good computer skills, you may find it to do more harm then good in the wrong hands.

Another thing to consider is to max out your computer memory.As software gets more complicated your computer needs more RAM (Memory) to stay current.  Google memory configurator and plug in your computer model into any memory configurator program and you will be able to see how much memory and what type your computer can use.  This is one of the cheaper ways to get a little more life out of your computer.

If it comes down to it and you do need a new computer then consider checking out this XP to Vista Data Transfer site.  Its good stuff and they have many guides on how to transfer files from XP to Vista and any computer to computer data transfer.

Three easy steps for buying a digital camera

A Guide to Digital Camera Buying In Three Easy Steps

You feel like its time to switch to a digital camera, so how do you choose one? The amount of makes and models are huge and can fill a shops aisles. Having different features and model ranges mean different digital cameras have a vast range of prices.  The thought can be demoralizing. Following are the three most important things you can do to make the decision easier.

Do an Investigation

Information on digital camera can be found by asking your friends who already have one. Find out if they like there choice and how good there digital camera is. Which of the many features do they use all the time and which ones are extras they never use. One of the best places to get advice is online at the digital camera review sites. View the best reviews and list the cameras with the best scores.

Money Decisions

Next, decide how much money you have available to spend on a camera. There is no sense in going over budget if the camera is only for point and click holiday snap. The decision has to be made as to where your camera will be used. Also decide the amount of times your camera will be used and who else you will allow to use it. If your budget is tight how much you can reasonably spare? Hone down your options by using this information.

Experience and Requirements

What is your camera experience level and try to evaluate your needs. Do you have experience or is this your very first camera? Will your inexperience mean you have to do a lot of learning or will a basic point and click model be enough for you. Are you looking for plenty of extra features because you have the plenty digital camera experience. New photographers may only want to use the camera for snaps but you may also want photography to be a sauce of income. If it is the latter then a digital SLR camera may be your choice so it can be added onto and grow with you.

Leave stress behind and enjoy buying your digital camera. Stick with your decision after doing your homework and know what you are looking for. The best guide you have is yourself so trust your own judgement. Narrow your choices with the steps we have given and the final decision will be easier to make so that you can have a very pleasant introduction to the world of digital photography.

Technologies For Harnessing Solar Energy

Click Here To Learn How To Install Your Own Renewable Energy Energy System. Harnessing the sun’s energy efficiently is not an easy feat. The sunlight is so widespread that finding the most effective way of capturing it requires advanced knowledge and technology. There are several technologies for utilizing solar energy and all are unique and are dedicated for specific applications.

First up are the photovoltaic cells or commonly known as solar cells. These are probably the best known way of harnessing the energy’s sun. Whenever one talk about solar power, the first things that come to mind include having panels and panels of photovoltaic cells or PV. These cells contain semi-conductors, commonly are made from silicon, which absorbs the light from the sun. When sunlight hit the surface of the silicon, new free electrons are created. As the electrons are channeled out of the silicon, electric current is created.

The second solar power technology is the concentrating solar power systems. This one involves using mirrors to reflect sunlight to one area. Some systems incorporate high tech devices to track the movement of the sun and adjust the mirrors to maximize the amount of sunlight the system receives. The sunlight reflected from the mirrors is used to heat or power a conventional power plant. Other systems channel the light from the mirrors to an area filled with photovoltaic cells.

There are several kinds of concentrated solar power systems, the most popular ones are the solar trough, parabolic dish and solar power tower. The solar trough uses large, U-shaped (parabolic) reflectors to point the sunlight to a tower at the center of the mirrors. At the center tower, hot oil is heated by the sun’s energy and help boil water to create steam which is then used to power convention plants.

The power tower system uses the same concept as solar troughs. Mirrors are used to reflect sunlight to a center tower where a liquid is heated and utilized for the creation of steam which will power a power. The parabolic dish system uses mirrored dishes to focus and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver. The size of the dish varies but it is commonly 10 times bigger than an ordinary cable satellite dish.

Another solar power technology used today is the solar water heating systems. This is a simple one. The process involves collecting the energy directly from the sun to heat water or liquids which in turn heats up the water. This is more common in households are ideal for family use.

In order to capture the sunlight, solar panels have to be installed in your home or in the place where you will be needing hot water like a swimming pool area (look at home owner insurance quote to see if this can help you save even more). You will need a big space for this but in the long ru, you will be able to save lots of money from your electric bill.

For commercial establishments, an ideal solar power technology is the transpired solar collector or otherwise known as the solar wall. It involves using perforated solar collectors where outside air passes before it enters the building.

These are but a few of the technologies around which can be used for utilizing the power of the sun. The technologies for harnessing solar energy continue to evolve as new technologies and discoveries are being accomplished. Everything might change in a few years time. Plus, the whole solar power technologies will become more price competitive which will benefit the general consumers.This may lead to cars being able to run on them, but since they don't exisit yet you can still save money by looking at auto insurance coverage quote online.

High Definition DVR - You Need One For Your Home Entertainment Center

The High Definition DVR technological science is so unbelievable as it has give movies and television shows a brand new fresh appearance. But, there is still one small problem: much of the stuff that's on television is still awful! A stupid sit-com will insult your intelligence in high definition just as easily as it will in standard def, if not more and this is where DVRs come in.

The DVR is the short form of digital VCR which is also called a personal VCR or PVR which essentially is same as a Video Cassette Recorder, which records content from a television program. The DVR is however capable of doing much more than the old VCR, in the sense that it makes TV viewing more crisp where you do not have to waste time watching trash. Plus it is always recording what you are viewing, so you'll be able to pause a live transmission as if it were a recording, then come back to it later without missing a thing.

The general models are available from way back in 1999 but the latest models are prepared to handle high def materials. The technical storage is impressive, the High Definition DVR is run by a hard drive, which holds more than your desktop computer and can store thirty five hours of high def content or three hundred hours of standard material. of course the new models have improved in other areas, too - for example the TiVo Series 3, for instance, can up scale standard definition content to give it better quality, and can record 2 channels simultaneously while you watch a third.

The shortest and simplest way to obtain a High Definition DVR is to take one on rent from the cable company, by paying six to ten dollars per month as rentals, but users usually are not too happy with the shortened memory storage (eight to ten hours of high def content) as well as the difficulty in handling the accompanying hardware. The most feasible answer to this problem is to buy a TiVo Series 3 HD-DVR, which right now costs about $500 but you would be amazed at its quality of transmission, storage storage and comfort of use.

The positive effects of using this type of recording device are huge. This device can be set to record all the programs where you have a special interest even if you do not know that these are broadcast - for example, program your TiVo to record all movies starring Keanu Reeves whenever it is shown on any channel. You no longer have to surf through the endless channels for equally endless hours and the best part is that you could view your favorite shows without the both of commercials, and this itself is such a smart way to watch TV.

The affect is so great that nearly 70% of television advertisers confirmed in a recent study that with High Definition DVR  encroachment in the market, the thirty second spots would become defunct. This also included a comment by one one-quarter of advertisers who said that they would reduce their Television advertising budget and use it in some other avenue. With a Blu-Ray DVD player and an HD-DVR connected to your HDTV, you can finally fight the good fight against the tyranny of mindless television ads.

For more great information on High Definition DVRs, HD-TVs, and more click on one of the links in the article.

Canon Ixus 870

Admittedly, appearance should be one of the last factors considered by prospective camera buyers but there is no doubt that the Canon 870 is a fairly attractive piece of technical equipment. The "gold" finished version is like a piece of jewellery. In terms of size, it's about the same as a pack of playing cards, which means it fits easily into a pocket or handbag.

Underneath the aesthetics, the Canon 870 contains some serious camera technology. The lens is the equivalent of a 28 millimetre-112 millimetre, which provides a much wider angle of view than most of its competitors. Previously only available on high-end models is Canon's image-stabilization technology. Now also a feature of the Canon Ixus 870 IS, his means that with a bit of effort you can produce acceptably sharp images without a tripod down to about 1/25 of a second.

Also available in the Canon 870 is automatic face detection. This works well and also is able to detect faces in partial profile. There is even a gimmicky Face Self-Timer function that will wait for you to rejoin the group before it photographs the group. Nineteen scene modes have been added, including a 30fps VGA movie mode and a nifty macro setting.

The Canon Ixus 870 IS boasts Canon's DIGIC 4 processing technology that promises less noise at higher ISO settings but still there is much noise at 1600 ISO which is not-bad considering the class of camera.

Featuring an 28mm wide-angel lens, the Canon Ixus 870 IS takes great photos of beautiful landscapes and great group shots. Viewing your favorite photos has never been so good with the awesome 3.0 inch PureColor LCD screen.

It's not a "serious" Canon Digital camera in the usual sense and no one is going to mistake the Canon 870 for one. For example, you won't find an optical viewfinder or manual mode. If that's not a big deal to you then you can expect to be rewarded by some fabulous photographs from this little beauty.

The Basics Of CNC Programming

CNC Programming is one of the most effective ways that people are using today in order to cut metal and do other processes in manufacturing. There is a huge number of people who are doing CNC programing to make metals, foam and woodworking objects for a hobby. With the help of a CNC, we can easily produce or manufacture parts in a short time.

Computer numerical control is what is behind CNC, and it represents the computer usage for certain operations that need to be done. This is a process that can be applied to lathe, router, foam cutters and laser machines; it can also be applied to mini versions of these types of machines.

Actually, there are two main categories in which the CNC program will be placed, a continuous path positioning category or a point to point category. Depending on the sophistication of the software we are using, we can make computer to execute first and second type of programming. In order to run the machine properly, the operator has to understand both of these processes completely.

Now you will have a chance to understand a bit more about these categories:

Point to point positioning - this category is mostly used when drilling, boring, punching or tapping is needed. We use this kind of process so we can position from one point to another while the machine process si being done. To tell it more bluntly, it will be instructed that it has to work through all positions continuously, and will stop only when the process is completed.

Continuous path positioning - this category is generally used when a lathe or milling machine is being used and is used for contouring. It's just a different name that we use for the same category. Since the cutting tool will move constantly through all points, without stopping, the piece will be completed in one move. In order for machine to work on several different axes simultaneously, the operator must know how to program the machine.

Any individual will be more successful at its work if it understands both processes.

CNC Machinist/CNC Operator

CNC

A CNC Machinist also known as a CNC operator is the individual who is able to run the CNC machine. They are involved with the understanding of the process of their type of machining and are capable of looking at blueprints of the drawings of parts to be created and setting the machine up in order to produce the part.

A CNC machinist must understand various software programs including CAD and CAM and understand the intricacies of the CNC machine they are in charge of operating. Depending on the industry the individual operator works within, they may be knowledgeable about milling, cutting, drilling and other types of machining.

There are several skills that a CNC machinist must have which include:

§ They must be a problem solver to be able to troubleshoot the machine if something goes wrong.
The CNC Machine has limits and capabilities and its important to have a person that knows how to do this.
§ They must understand the CNC process and how it works overall with the machining type they need to produce.
§ They have to be able to identify and use various codes.
The various projects need the workers to be able to get the right tool, find the right tool and load it correctly on the machine.
§ They should also have mechanical aptitude in working with a variety of machines.

Some CNC Machinist are also capable of programming machines but the job could require a separate person to do the programming. If they are a programmer they would also understand how to organize and plan, would be able to read blueprints and have strong math skills.

Another type of CNC Machinist actually does both operating and programming. This individual may have a background in Tool and Dye making or Mold Making or they may be a General Machinist. In this case they would have an extensive background in programming with CNC and machining and planning; the other requirement is that they would have entered into an apprenticeship to learn these skills that would have lasted three to four years, which means that some of their training would have been on the job.

As CNC Machinist continue working with CNC machines they must continually keep up their skills by taking new training so that they can edit CNC programs where necessary. As technology gets better we all know that various software will get upgraded and its important that when the shop they are working in upgrades they can process the info for these upgrades.

Most CNC machinists have some education but it is usually in the way of a certificate or an apprenticeship program. Since this is a trade, they are able to get experience on the job in some situations. This could be through an apprenticeship or through an entry level position at a company.

Because a CNC machinist is able to do so many things they are generally compensated well. The average salary for a CNC machinist who generalizes is $14.37 to $23.08 an hour. An inexperienced CNC machinist will earn less than one who has lots of experience.

CNC Information is a new community website all about CNC and DIY CNC. Come by CNC Information today and join the site for free and you get a free Basics CNC EBook just for signing up! Come by CNC Informatoin Today for your free Ebook on CNC Basics.

Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier - Japanese Break-through Technology Against Bird Flu

Sharp Corporation issued a seemingly ordinary press release on 27 August 2008. But I believe the information therein will one day gain global prominence! Incorporated in its ionic air purifier, the Plasmacluster Ion Technology (more on this in a later post) has just been scientifically proven to be 99.9% effective in destroying the bird flu virus known as H5N1.

As we have been constantly reminded by the press, bird flu is the prime suspect to cause mankind's next pandemic. Pandemic does not just sound terrifying. It is. That’s when a highly contagious and deadly virus goes global, in a very negative sense. The worst pandemic on record was the Spanish flu in 1918 which is believed to have killed 50 million people worldwide! That deadly killer flu was confirmed on 5 October 2005 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be caused by H1N1, a bird flu virus.

Do I have your attention now? Is it time to PANIC?

Not just yet. WHO statistics (updated up to 10 Sep 2008) tracing back to 1996 when the H5N1 virus first surfaced in China shows a relatively low death toll of 245. So what’s the fuss? The greatest nightmare for scientists monitoring the bird flu virus is to see it attain human-to-human transmission capability. Currently, there has been only one probable case of human-to-human transmission recorded in Thailand in September 2004. But if (it seems the virus has not reached the “when” stage) the dreaded virus mutation takes place, you can expect pandemonium on a global scale.

Quietly but conscientiously, many countries are preparing for the worse (more on this in a later post). As protectors of our families and loved ones, we should start doing some homework too.

Ok, so what has the Sharp ionic air purifier to do with all this. Is it not just another ionic air purifier? It is ordinary in that it performs the usual functions of the run-of-the-mill air purifier by getting rid of dust, dirt, smoke, dander, pollen, cuisine and pet odours, pollutants, allergens etc. If there is really a tested defence shield against a deadly virus, why not? The complete package is promised in Sharp's Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier.

If you’re value-conscious like me, the obvious question would be “yes, that makes a whole lot of sense but at what cost”? No extra cost, Sharp claims! Sharp contends that it is cheaper than any other competing ionic air purifier when measured over 5 years. A case of over-delivering by Sharp? How is it possible in this nothing-is-for-free world?

With the Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier Model FP-N40CX as the basis, Sharp contends that it is great value for money as there is no filter replacement costs for the first 5 years. At first sight, the typical competitor's upfront cost of US$160 looks cheap compared to Sharp's US$399. But add in the annual replacement filter replacement costs of US$100 and the total outlay for the competing ionic air purifier comes to US$560.

Feedback on relevant data on Sharp or its competitors will be very much appreciated. Feel free to drop me a note if you have actual numbers.

In the meantime, I will study the Sharp Plasmacluster Ion Technology more closely. Now is the time to research, while bird flu is still not quite at pandemic proportions.

Don't procrastinate. I have been there. Recall the last disaster movie when you saw people with terror in their eyes, many with the famed N95 face mask covering their noses as they commute to work. But it was no movie but real life in motion in many Asian cities. Those who could not find the scarce N95 face mask could only pray that they were not the next victim of the near-pandemic scenario that swept across Asia. It was the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus. Originating in Asia in 2003, it eventually infected 8,096 people around the world and resulted in 774 fatalities. We all know that being well prepared is half the battle won.

Watch this space as we track exciting developments in our pursuit of safe, pure and clean air with nothing more than an ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

Machining Information and CNC Machining Information

CNC

CNC Machining refers to any process that uses a CNC machine. This could be for routing, milling, drilling, or other types of work that is done with metal, wood or other materials. This is a manufacturing process that uses the automatic opportunity from the computer to create shapes or forms that must be precise.

Raw materials are used and they are put into a CNC machine that uses cutting tools to make these shapes. The CNC machining process involves computers that have at least one microprocessor and several units for storage. With CAD or CAM software systems added to CNC the computer can be programmed to produce the precise movements that are able to create the part.

In CNC machining the process is automated which saves the operator time and saves the business money. The operator is able to load the materials, program the machine and then the machine can work without attention when set up properly; the amount of time it is run without attention is also programmed in.

An important aspect of any CNC Machining is for the operator to know the machine well. CNC is an addition to the general aspects of the machine. As an example, if you are doing routing, adding CNC to the process only automates it. However, for the operator, it means that they must understand the machine, how to put in codes or use CAD or CAM and how to operate the machine; they must also understand how basic routing works.

Another area that is important in order to understand CNC Machining is the basic components of the machine. You are going to always want someone working with the machine who knows how to put it all together so if something breaks they know how to fix the machine. You will need this so the operator can really udnerstand the capabilities and limitations of the machine so he or she can get the most out of it.

There are five areas that will eventually come up when an operator is working on a CNC Maching Project. They will first think about the project they want to design and plan it out. It will be worth your time to sit down and really draw out some plans in this instance.

The next area is to understand CAD to translate the drawing into the computer and then an understanding of CAM to translate the CAD information into machine language. In the final area the individual must understand the Controlling function in order to make the machine do what is required. When all these areas are fulfilled properly they allow the individual to create the project in the way they saw it in their drawing.

CNC machining was traditionally only done in commercial settings with very large CNC machines. Today, there are mini-CNC machines that allow the process to be done on a smaller scale in a home workshop. This has allowed the smaller business to be able to take advantage of building a variety of parts and products that were not previously available except on a larger scale.

CNC machining can produce both simple and complex designs and can be used on a variety of materials including aluminum, foam, wood and other metals.

CNC Information is a new community website all about CNC and DIY CNC. Come by CNC Information today and join the site for free and you get a free Basics CNC EBook just for signing up! Come by CNC Informatoin Today for your free Ebook on CNC Basics.

Learn about DIY CNC Machine Info

CNC

If you want to build your own CNC Machine you are lucky because there are plenty of websites out there today that you can get tons of information from. The only thing you will have to decide is what type of CNC machine you want to make.

You can start by thinking about what you want the machine to do. As an example, you can build a small or large machine, it can do milling, routing, cutting or lathing, you can build it for a variety of different materials and you can use it for developing just about anything.

Most do it yourself information gives you pictures and step by step instructions as to how to start and complete your DIY CNC machine. Although many people want to build a CNC machine from the bottom up you also have the option of using kits or modifying a regular machine you have to the CNC. As an example, you may have a lathe machine that you want to convert to CNC and all you will need to do is make a few extra steps.

Parts for making your own DIY CNC machine are readily available from a variety of manufacturers. You also can find parts that are from other things. As an example, if you are building a milling machine you can use the motor from an old dot matrix computer if you can find it. You can scavenge parts from a lot of different places in order to make a functional CNC machine.

Also, there are blogs, forums and other information geared specifically toward the individual who wants to build their CNC machine. If you are a more hands on learner there are also a variety of videos that show you how to create a DIY CNC machine.

In order to build your own CNC you will need to acquire the components that are right for your machine. As an example, the parts you need to build a milling machine will be different than those to build a foam cutter. Its very important to determine what you want out of your machine and which machine you want before you begin looking.

The person who builds their own machine needs to know about circuitry, computers, programs and how to put machines together. If you have already had some experience with working wtih CNC Machines all of this information may be something that you actually already know.

Many DIYers are people who are hobbyist. If you look around on some of the CNC Websites you may be able to find someone who will seel you their plans or give you free plans with pictures and step by step instructions. Usually the cost of the plans is under $40 and this includes detailed pictures.

Really your imagination is the only thing that is going to limit what type of CNC Machine you can build. Most people concentrate on milling machines and router tables but you can also find plans for plasma cutters, foam cutters and lathes all with CNC adaptations. If you are a hobbyist you may consider the mini CNC machine because it is small enough to fit on a workbench or table top and runs through the use of your PC.

CNC Information is a new community website all about CNC and DIY CNC. Come by CNC Information today and join the site for free and you get a free Basics CNC EBook just for signing up! Come by CNC Informatoin Today for your free Ebook on CNC Basics.

CNC Programming General Information

CNC

CNC Programming is one of the most effective ways that people are using today in order to cut metal and do other processes in manufacturing. There are a variety of different CNC Hobbyist that are using CNC Programming today to make metal, foam, or wood objects. CNC has created a way for many people to manufacture or fabricate parts quickly and effortlessly.

CNC stands for computer numerical control and is basically the use of a computer to do certain types of operations. This is a process that can be applied to lathe, router, foam cutters and laser machines; it can also be applied to mini versions of these types of machines.

There are basically two types of categories that G Code Programming will fall into point to point positioning or continuous path positioning. If you are using very advanced software programs then your computer may not be able to execute both types but usually a computer can handle executing both types of programs. This means that the operator must understand both processes in order to run the machine.

Here is a simple explanation of these two categories:

Point to point positioning -- this category is mostly used when drilling, boring, punching or tapping is needed. This is a process used to position from one point to another when the machine process is being done. The program will work going to as many positions as it needs to in order to get the process finished whether that is from the X to the Y position or not.

Continuous Path Positioning -- Contouring is really another name for this category and its used when you have a milling machine or lathe being used for contouring. This means that the cutting tool moves in a continuous motion from one point to another until the piece is completed. This means that the operator has to be able to program the machine so that it continues on several axes at a time and simultaneously.

Continuous path positioning also uses a series of processes called interpolation which is the way in which the machine is programmed to go. Interpolation can be helical, parabolic, cubic, circular and more.  The basic function of this interpolation is to keep the programmed information stored and to monitor and direct the axes in how it should go.

What needs to happen first is that we really are going to need a design of what is actually suppose to be made and then we can move into the programming stage. This must be studied to make sure that the operator understands the intricacies of the drawing so they can translate the information into the computer software they are using.

This means that the operator must be skilled enough to understand how the paper drawing will translate to the computer, and then be able to program this information into the computer so that the machine will perform the cuts or the processes accordingly.

When you think about this process, it is a good idea to think about what you would do if you were producing the work manually because anything you would do manually, you will depend on the machine to do automatically. By understanding G Code Programming the individual will be more successful.

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How Safe Is Your Data? Choosing A Reputable Data Recovery Provider

No matter if you have taken all the required precautions, when a server or a hard drive fails you can guarantee that the search for a company to sort out the problem will be the foremost thing on most peoples minds, but how do you choose the best comapny to do the job for you?

Choosing the right data recovery company is vital to ensure your data has the maximum chance of being successfully restored.

The company that gets your vote should have dedicated Data recovery staff that are professionally trained for the required task

Data recovery and file restoration should be the main focus of their day to day activities and not a task that they undertake every once in a while when they get a job in.

A true data recovery lab will be able to successfully recover data from Servers, Laptop’s, Desktop’s, CD/DVD’s and all other types of storage media, not simply just from a failed hard drive

Top tier data recovery companies will be at the cutting edge and will be carrying out their own research and developments Changes to hard drive specifications or new tools are often unavailable so companies need to self develop.

If they are leaders in data solutions they should also be able to offer a full gamut of data recovery services including full server and raid recovery capabilities. If the company are an industry leader they will also offer a call out service as this is often a key requirement for server and raid data recovery.

Top tier recovery specialist companies will also have there own onsite or country based lab facility for use if drive stripping is required. This should be at the latest recommended certified ISO class 3 environment.

In the event of your drive needing to be stripped down you need to know who is actually handling your data and is it secure? Having to send your drive to another country for assessment should not be a requirement in this day and age.

In summary your data has a huge value both on a personal and business basis so don’t rush in and make sure you ask the right questions to give you the best chance of getting your data back.

Why you need a Small Business Data Backup Solution

If you are a small business owner then chances are at least once you have thought about what would happen if you loss all your data.  The fact is most small companies do nothing to backup their data.  If you were to loose your data today would you be able to recover from such a loss.  Many companies go out of business for such a simple but costly mistake.

We found a great guide on this business data backup page.  The article is simple and blunt.  Basically this article gives you great options and tips on how to backup your data and what the cheaper and simplest methods are.  Don’t get caught losing your data now that you know better.

Data backup solutions are not just for people that own a business.No computer user should be without a data backup solution.  When selecting a client to backup your data you don’t just want one that will backup your personal and business files.  You need a solution that will backup your entire computer using an image.  That way if your hard drive fails you can use the backup to get your computer fully back to what it used to look like.This is a great way to go because your computer will not know the difference.  Saving time reloading software is worth the cost.  Once again we will refer you over to this small business backup solutions page.  Don’t worry the cost is very low considering what you are getting in return.

You should also consider getting software to protect your computer online as well.  Many people think that just because they only go to safe sites that they are free from viruses.  While we normally don’t recommend products you should check out this Vista spyware guide that talks about solutions to help protect your computer and remove any threats found.This may be a site for Vista but they encompass XP as well.

CNC Software Info and CNC Control Software Basics

CNC

CNC Software is what any CNC machine uses to create the operations within the machine. Generally it is considered to be the "intelligence" that governs the type of operation performance or the overall capacities of the machine.  The software will be how the machine designs, cuts and operates the work that the operator programs into the computer.

CNC Control Software also uses electronic memory modules where information is automatically stored inside the CNC machine. In some case this information cannot be changed and in others, through the use of temporary memory, it can be changed.

Generally speaking the computer is very important to the process of the CNC software because the computer numerical controls are usually outside the machine on a small or large keyboard. The computer is offline when it is performing the programming of parts and the computer controls the other parts that are necessary to create the product, depending on the type of CNC in use.

There are four basic software types that CNC uses:

Manual G Code Programming 
Many of the larger commercial machines use and it is used for simple machine processes. The drawbacks of this type is that it takes a long time for someone to learn how to program G Codes and if you want to use more complicated machines, it is time consuming to learn how to use it. Because if these issues, many operators would rather not learn how to do this and

Offline CAM Programming
This type of programming can be done using a local PC and generally is available for larger machines as well as some of the smaller desktop CNC machines. Its important to realize that you can't use this software without a computer that is attached to the machine. One thing about this software is that it is difficult to learn and will take a lot longer time for some people to understand.

Conversational Programming
This type of programming is a better type of software program for the use of CNC because it is intuitive, which means it is simple to learn by the average computer person and it is similar to the programming in regular PCs. The reason this type was developed was so that it could do both simple and complex parts without having to take so long to learn.

Windows Based Programming
Many CNC Software programs are now Windows based which means it works through Windows XP or Windows VISTA. The operator can import CAM and CAD programs and it can import other types of software like dxf files depending on the type of machine being used.

Today all CNC programs go by a variety of names including MSHAK-CNC, ProtoTRAK or TRAK, and OpenCNC all with their unique way of approaching a CNC system.

Also the purpose of each software program is to make life easier for the operator and make the machine do what is required. Remember that the easier a software is for someone to use to program then you will use the machine more. The particular software has also been used with CAD and CAM systems which makes this easier for many operators.

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CNC Foam Cutting Overview

CNC

A CNC Foam cutter is a machine that cuts blocks of foam into a variety of different shapes and sizes through the use of a computer that fully automates the process. This sometimes is referred to as a hot wire foam cutter because a hot wire is used to make the cut in a block of foam.

Usually the wire is made from stainless steel, nichrome and the wire can be very thick. Some people don't know this, but the foam and the wire never meet because the foam is vaporized because the wire is heated up so much. What happens because of this process is a smoother cut and you can product a variety of shapes and sizes.

Depending on the length of the wire, the process will cut a shallow or deep cut. As you can imagine it is not good when the wire sags so there are machines that are keeping this wire very tight when it makes the cuts. On many CNC Foam Cutter machines this wire is held vertically so that it doesn’t create the problem with sagging.

These shapes are cut by the cutting wire that is attached to the machine. They will cut either polystyrene or polyurethane blocks. The types of foam that a CNC foam cutter can cut include anything that is thermofusible and expanded. What this basically means is that the foam has to be able to melt at one of the lower temperatures. Some of them include:

§ Polystyrene -- these are blocks of balls that are expanded.
§ Polystyrene -- this is extruded foam and comes in a variety of colors that include green, pink, purple or gray and these are usually plates that are smooth.
§ Polymethacrylimide -- a very expensive material and it is rigid foam with a low density.
§ Polypropylene -- which is flexible and expanded and can be a solution to protection from shock.
§ Polyethylene -- these are foams that are tear resistant and flexible.

With the CNC Foam you can form a more prism like or tapered shape in the block of foam. A hot-wire that is under a high tension to cut the foam. There are two different types of components one is called a race that controls the tensin of the wire and the other are the stepper motors that work on precision and accuracy.

Some CNC foam cutters also offer different attachments like a lathe and this allows the machine to use either preformed or stretched wire. Also the machine is able to cut a variety of shapes including spirals or blocks of ornamental structure like balusters for stairways or planters.

There are a variety of uses for foam cutters that include making signage, model airplanes, protyping, lost foam cutting and more. The CNC Foam Cutter is a flexible machine and is only limited by the imagination.
Although many people prefer to purchase a CNC foam cutter there are also plans on the Internet that show how to make them inexpensively for hobbyists and others who are interested in working with foam.

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Basics of CNC Plasma Cutter

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The CNC Plasma Cutter process has been in existence for over 50 years and was created during World War II. At that time the government needed a welding process that would weld together aircraft parts in a better way than what they were using. This process used inert gas that acted as a barrier to protect an electric arc that stopped oxidation from forming on the weld.

As this process was improved over time, people experimented with the openings in the arc to see how they could create the best way for the process to be done. It was also found that if the opening where the inert gas passed through was restricted it would make a hotter flame. On the other hand, if the opening was made smaller, they could also speed up the flow.

It wasn't until the early 1960s where the recently developed plasma-arc cutting process was starting to be used in the commercial industry. What a lot of businesses found out what that this was a very expensive process to take into their company.

Today, the process has improved dramatically and there are even CNC Plasma Cutter that are portable; some models even have air compressors build in for a fuller portability. Many are smaller and are able to cut sheet metal as their primary work but others can output a lot more in voltage and in work. Also as the CNC plasma cutter was created the process could be totally automated; all an operator has to do is key in how they want the plasma cutter to cut and it does the cut perfectly every time.

CNC plasma cutters come in a variety of sizes but they all basically work the same way. The process sends a gas that is pressurized through a channel. The gas could be argon, oxygen or nitrogen that is sent through this channel. Inside the channel is an electrode that is negatively charged.  When power is applied to the electrode and the tip of the plasma cutter is touch to the metal, it creates a full circuit.

At this point this circuit makes a high powered spark that goes through the channel; the gas is heated to a very high heat called the fourth state of matter. You will get metal that turns into molten slag when you apply a direct stream of plasma to the metal. What this means is that you have a very high heat and a very fast moving beam of light that hits the metal.

The plasma is what makes the electrical current and this power supply keeps working until the circuit between the electrode and the power supply is broken. Also the cutter nozzle has channels in it so that it can continue to create a consistent flow of shielding gas. This also allows the plasma beam to stay consistent on the metal to be melted.

Some CNC Plasma Cutter have robotic arms that do the work. The point to having this in the CNC mode is that the process is totally automated and it will continue to work to cut with precision as long as the information is programmed correctly into the computer.

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