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Saturday, April 28, 2007

 

Computer Buying Tips

Today computer has become a necessity rather than luxury. It is a commonplace device. Once considered as a luxury or equipment only for business use, today the home computer can be used to carry out many regular tasks that have taken out tedium from our daily lives. Along with an Internet connection, the home computer provides a fast and effective means of communication between family and friends, organizes finances and helps the organization and education.

But it is important for people with a limited budget to select the computer system that offers them value for money. While purchasing a computer system, do not be swayed by all the unnecessary glitzy stuff offered by the marketers. Take the following points into consideration before buying one.

Functionality: Determine the primary reason for buying a computer. Depending on the purpose, the selected platform can make a significant difference. The teachers and administration may select one specific platform over another due to advanced functionality for drawing graphs and flowcharts, presentations for overhead projection, and spreadsheets for charting grades. The graphic artist needs platform supporting advanced graphics software. A writer can go for a particular platform that can easily transfer documents for reading by editors, agents and publishers. Whatever the purpose you have in mind, it makes sense to get advice from experts in the field to select the right platform meeting your needs.

Speed: Calculate how frequently you plan on using a computer. If you are using it to prepare the bills, you will use it once a month. For checking emails, you will use it few times a week. For business purpose, you should leave it on all throughout. If you are transferring across large files to and from clients, you’ll need a powerful Internet connection. In this case, find out if regular dial-up is right for you. Few people may prefer faster connection as they are heavy Web users who want to download sites without worrying about the time. But high-speed modems and plenty of memory may not be suitable for all, especially if they surf the Net occasionally. Calculate the amount of time spent on the computer and on the Internet in the day and then go for the connection and memory package that is near this calculation. If necessary, go easy while buying.

Software: Find out the software required. For daily correspondence and reports, a word processor is necessary. Graphics software will help you edit photos and images. Buy an accounting software if you want to do bookkeeping. Certain platforms and speeds support some software programs properly. Hence if you are planning to buy a computer for a specific purpose, it is best to consult an expert. Do not let salesmen sell you unwanted things. Shop around for the things you actually need. If you are a teacher or student, go for discounted or specialized software that fits your needs.

Be alert when buying a home computer. Find out how every system works and how effectively it operates the programs. Get expert help for your specific requirement and consider all payment options before finalizing the decision. Since you are going to spend few years with that computer, ensure it is a good one.

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What You Need To Look For When Buying A Boat?

For a first timer buying a new boat could be a major problem. Because there are many technicalities when it comes to buying a boat. Given below are a few valuable tips for the buyer.

Who will use the boat? Are you going to use the boat for yourself or for family use? Primarily we use fishing boats for own use and cruising boats for family use. So first of all check how many members are willing to take rides on the boat. Otherwise it can be a sad story if the boat is small for the whole family. How frequent will the boat be used? If you use the boat on weekends in various locations, then ensure the size, because it should fit into the trailer. Larger boats mean larger operating costs and maintenance. Today many boats come with galleys. In the galleys we get cooking facility and staying area. So it can be used as a second home. So if you can get permission from the local authority, the boat can be a wonderful vacation home.

Where will you use your boat? If you have a plan to spend overnight in the boat, then a 25 feet long boat would be suitable for you. A smaller boat would be small for your family. Away from the shore you can expect rough waters. For that purpose a boat with hull design would be perfect.

What type of boat would suit your needs? There are five types of boat we see. Power Boats, Fishing Boats, Sail Boats, Personal Watercraft and Self-Propelled Boats. Lets find out the types in detail and their usage.

Fishing Boats: Fishing boats are suitable for inland waters and shallow waters. These are not suitable for deep seas or large lakes. The boats are designed only for fishing nothing else. Usually fishing boats are equipped with fishing poles, bait, tackle, and specially designed tanks to hold live fish. An open platform is provided for the angler to catch the fish from all sides of the boat. Power Boats: This is the most popular type of boat. It comes in different designs according to use. The boat can be used for rafting also. In many boats you can enjoy fishing too. So enjoy a speedy ride and fishing. Sailboats: Sailboats float using wind power only. It is one of the most difficult skills in sport.

Personal Watercraft: Sportive and adventurous men and women prefer this type of boat. Up to four riders can ride this boat. A skier also can be added to it. Personal watercraft's come in different designs, from single sit to multiple sit. There are two varieties sit-on and stand-on.

Self-Propelled Boat: This is the oldest category of boats. In this category one to multiple riders can sit. The boat moves when we row and in pedal boats, the boat moves by pedaling.

After selecting the right category of boat you need to inspect the boat. Take an experienced person, someone who has purchased a boat along with you. Do some survey work. Get information regarding the brand. Check out the engine and other mechanical parts. Read the purchase agreement thoroughly. Get insurance done. And then finalize the deal.

Hope this article would assist you in your boat-buying endeavor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com

Sunday, April 22, 2007

 

Selecting the Best PDAs

With plenty of mobile computing choices flooding the market today, it has become quite confusing to make the appropriate choice without spending a lot of time researching. Very few people can actually do it. Mobile solutions normally include a laptop or a portable digital assistant, or PDA. It is easier to select laptops, as you normally know what you want to use it for. But PDA's are a different ballgame altogether. There are various types of PDA's, each having different features. Here we give you a lowdown of the 2 leading PDA's in the market today.

The Palm TX comes from the initiator of portable digital assistants, Palm. They have been in the market for long and have come up with a user-friendly winning package, full of exclusive features. Its first major feature is wireless connectivity and provides both WiFi and Bluetooth interfaces from which you can select. It does not rank in the top 2 just for its mobile features. At the time of purchasing a PDA, it’s vital you consider the pocket PC software that is provided with the device. The Palm TX has a remarkable range of software, such as Palm OS 5.4, an excellent operating system, the capacity to read and edit Microsoft office documents, and VersaMail to fulfill all your emailing requirements. Besides, it has an mp3 player with up to 2 GB of space to store all your songs. It is an excellent PDA to think about when you want to buy one. But it can leave you poorer by nearly $300.

Another PDA is the Dell Axim X51v. Its best feature is the 3.7 inch VGA screen with a resolution of up to 640x480. As a result, the images are sharp and pleasant to view. Besides, this PDA supports all your mobile computing needs with in-built Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interfaces. The Axim has latest PDA software development including Windows mobile 5, with the typical Microsoft look, an mp3 player and new Microsoft Office Mobile Suite, to let you edit Word documents and Power Point presentations. Its battery life is slightly longer and is costlier at nearly $370.

These PDAs can meet all your business and personal needs, starting from designing your mobile workforce solutions, to listening to music.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

 

Digital Camera Buying Tips

For the beginners wanting to take digital photographs, selecting the right camera can be an onerous task. The market is flooded with wide range of cameras of different shapes and sizes and host of features. The massive amounts of technical information can confound a layman due to various terms dealing with camera’s different aspects. But in the initial stage, it is advisable not to complicate the matters and understand the basics of the things you should be aware of.

The novices should simply go for simplicity, just point and shoot and then transfer the results to their computer or printer. Most local printing stores take digital cameras or media cards. Many have self-service booths or machines, making it easier for you to obtain quality prints from your camera.

Look out for these 5 main things while buying an entry level digital camera.

1. Megapixels: The most important feature, it plays a vital role in deciding the quality of your photographs. Megapixels is the resolution capacity of your camera. Higher the megapixel, superior the quality of photographs. Today the cameras have range starting from less than 2 - 10 Megapixel. Since the higher megapixels mean better quality, it also implies higher price of the camera. Try to get at least 3 Megapixels for reasonable 4 X 6 or 8 X 10 photographs.

2. Storage: Many cameras have inbuilt storage in the form of a memory card expansion slot or both. It is important to have good amount of storage as you need a place to store the photos before transferring them to your computer or getting them printed. With an expansion slot and memory cards, storage becomes easy. The memory cards should be easily available and there should be a method of transferring the contents of your memory card to your PC, either through a card reader or a dedicated slot in your PC.

3. Simplicity of Transferring Pictures: Find out the process of transferring pictures to your PC or printer. Modern Digital cameras will dock with compatible printers or connect them to your PC via USB. Check out whether the camera has any software to simplify the process.

4. Features: Modern cameras come with huge range of features, a few of which can help you. Check out if the camera has a zoom function, and whether it is optical or digital. Optical gives better pictures. Find out if the camera can shoot movies. Determine if it is possible to physically adjust settings like exposure. Hence think how you plan to use the camera and the features useful to you, prior to purchasing a camera.

5. Power/Battery Life: As the camera will use batteries for their power, find out how many you need. Also find out the type and life of the battery when it is completely charged. Determine whether switching off the LCD screen and other features will help in saving the power. Most entry level cameras require lot of power. Buy a battery with long life and keep a few as spare.

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