Computers

First of all, some people are worried that they will not be able to use Linux hosting because they run Windows on their PCs. However, what operating system you run on your own PC is irrelevant to which web hosting environment you can use, because the latter is run remotely on a web server, where your website files will be uploaded.

Linux and Microsoft Windows are two different operating systems. Windows is a well-known household name and does not require much introduction. Linux is a new version of the Unix operating system. Both these operating systems make excellent environments for web hosting. However, there are some differences between them.

To help you decide whether Linux or Windows hosting is better for you, we look at the following elements:

Cost

Linux is known as an "open source" operating system. i.e. there is no licensing fees to pay. Therefore, compared to Windows, Linux is very cheap. Starting with Windows XP, Microsoft has begun enforcing software activation. This means that a single copy of Windows can only be installed on one computer. With Linux, once you own a copy, you are free to install it as many times as you wish on any number of computers.

Reliability

Linux is reputed to be very stable and reliable. This means that a Linux server is much less likely to crash than a Windows server. Subsequently, a Linux server will mean more 'up time' for your website.

Experience

Linux has many more years of experience than Windows in hosting.

Speed

There is no real difference in speed between Linux and Windows, but Linux is slightly faster in processing basic web pages.

Functionality

Windows support ASP (Active Server Pages), a Microsoft programming/scripting language, which allows you to build dynamically database-driven web pages by connecting to a Microsoft database such as SQL Server or Access. Linux does not support ASP nor Microsoft databases, but uses MySQL database instead.

If you use Microsoft Frontpage to create your website, it doesn't mean that you have to choose Windows hosting. All Linux accounts come free with Frontpage extensions, which allow you to upload your Frontpage website to your web space on a Linux server.

Scripts

There are many CGI programs available on the Internet. The majority of these are Perl scripts and have been developed on Linux / Unix web servers. So they tend to install more smoothly and operate more reliably on a Linux server. Moreover, many Perl scripts are downloadable from the Internet free of charge.

To summarise, most users find that Linux hosting is easier to use, more reliable, provides free, open source software and is much cheaper than Windows hosting. So unless you particularly need to use Windows specific features such as ASP and an Access database, it is probably a better choice to choose Linux over Windows. For more information on Linux hosting, visit .

Hard Disk Wiping and the Secure Removal of Data
It is important for businesses to recycle their computers, but have you thought about what happens to the data on your computer when it is collected?

How sensitive is the data stored on your hard disk?
If you are donating equipment to a recycler, you need to ensure that their data removal procedures operate to a high standard.

A recycler needs to honour the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, in summary:

To treat all data obtained from a donation as confidential
To use appropriate methods to securely destroy all data
Notify the donor as soon as possible if any unauthorised use or disclosure of the data is made

How Do You Securely Remove Data?
If a hard disk is formatted, this is not a secure way to wipe data!
This method has inherent limitations, as only the file allocation tables and the pointers to the data (that render the data inaccessible) are destroyed. The data on the remainder of the drive is not destroyed, and the inaccessible data is easily retrievable. There are many free programs available on the internet to recover data from a formatted drive.

Best Practice:
A Recycler should use a piece of software which will:

run from a bootable floppy
report the actual hard disk capacity (the same reading as the BIOS and label on the HD)
overwrite a single character pattern to the entire HD
produce a report that all areas have been overwritten
report any bad or unusable sectors that cannot be overwritten
verify successful erasure
The key point here is that the hard disk is actually overwritten with new data – ie. 10101010
This ensures that your old data cannot be retrieved.

The Security Levels:
In order for a disk to be wiped to High Security Standards, such as Military Of Defense standard, the hard disk is overwritten several times, for instance:

Perform 3 overwrite cycles to all areas (where each cycle will be a single pattern, followed by its complement), and a final overwrite with a random character pattern (ie. A total of 7 overwrites) – verification of successful erasure should then be carried out for all Hard Disks.

How Do You Erase Data From A Hard Disk That No Longer Works?
The simplest way to ensure this is to destroy the Hard Disk. Recyclers have many different methods for this, but an example is to drill a hole through the disk, just off centre.

Summary
Before you allow your computer equipment to be collected, ensure you check the recyclers’ procedures for the secure removal of data from your hard disks. Most recyclers will also provide some form of report after the collection to guarantee the data from your hard disks was securely removed.

Generally the products offered by appliance producers are rather conservative in design. But every now and then something unusual appears on the market.

Right now it is the internet refrigerator. A refrigerator that you hook up to your telephone line so it can do its magic.

One of the first to introduce this concept to the public was LG Electronics. A Korean based company now distributing appliances all over the world. They have been the innovators of many changes to the appliance industry.

They have recently introduced a refrigerator with a television in the door. It allows you to watch your favourite programs while getting supper ready. Also, messages can be left on the screen for family members to see later.

The Future -----------------------------------------------

Other manufacturers have been contemplating an internet refrigerator that has a bar code scanner built into the door. So every time a package is added to, or removed from the refrigerator it keeps track of it. That means that you would know what is inside the refrigerator with the simple touch of a button. The refrigerator would never lie.

I can see the scenario now: “Mommy where did you hide the Popsicles? The refrigerator says there are two left”.

Perhaps, the question should be, ”do you really need an inventory of what is inside your refrigerator”? Generally I would say no. But, I can see situations where it would be advantageous.

“The frig says we need more milk “ -------------

Perhaps you are disabled and cannot access the refrigerator interior. Wouldn’t it be advantageous to know you only have one quart of milk left? You would access this information via a computer screen on the outside of the door that says it’s time to buy more.

What if the same person is able to push a touch pad on the computer screen and get a read out (or a printout) of all the contents? It would certainly make their shopping easier.

Or, what if the refrigerator were hooked into a service that delivers food to the home. If the refrigerator can keep track of the contents, it will also know when you have run out of something. So every week it could total your contents, connects itself to the Internet, and places an order with the grocery store.

Later that day the delivery truck arrives with what you require. All you have to do is put it into the refrigerator and pay the bill.

No grocery store parking, no lineups, no trying to remember what you did with your grocery list.

Ah, the joys of the modern age.

Not there yet --------------------------------------------

Well we’re not there quite yet. The Internet refrigerators we have today can be connected to the web, but mainly for service. Perhaps it starts making funny noises and you want to know why. Connect it to the telephone outlet, dial a service centre number, and the refrigerator will self-diagnose, offering you suggestions as to the cause of the problem.

So the question we all have to ask ourselves is, “is it worth the extra cost”. Would an internet refrigerator be helpful – or is it only marketing hype. As usual the consumer will make the final decision regarding that query.

Customers I have mentioned this refrigerator to are generally intrigued by the idea – at first. Then they usually tell me they think the world is already too fast paced. Many people work with computers all day and just want to get away from them at home. They already feel computers are ruling their office, so they don’t want them ruling their kitchens.

The feedback I get from customers is this type of product is only one more thing that would add to their stress level. So unless you have a specific need for an Internet refrigerator I think it is something that the general public is not yet ready to embrace.

Preventive Maintenance (PM) is defined as scheduled work done on a system to identify and fix any occurring issues before they become problems. The concept of preventive maintenance applies to many different industries. PM is often done on buildings, various types of machines, computers, institutions, as well as personal assets, including finances and property.

A common example of preventive maintenance is a car getting its oil changed. Usually, this is done when the car is in good working order to prevent any future problems resulting from the car running on old oil.

In the past, preventive maintenance was formed solely by personnel, but now computers manage much of the process. Computer programs can schedule the maintenance and send alerts to employees when work is needed. Another name for preventive maintenance software is computer maintenance management software (CMMS). These are software programs that allow users to identify and fix potential problems. Some common uses for preventive maintenance are healthcare facilities, computer hardware, correctional facilities, and personal assets.

Preventive maintenance software works in several ways, depending on what is being maintained, but most types of preventive maintenance software operate on the same principles. The main difference between types of preventive maintenance software for different industries is the asset or equipment being maintained. The core concept behind preventive maintenance for an automobile and a healthcare facility is generally the same. The difference is that an automobile’s engine must be kept in running order, while a healthcare facility’s equipment must be kept sterile.

The price range for preventive maintenance software varies depending on its use. Programs can cost about $60 for some personal asset software to several thousand for software used in correctional institutions. Although much of the scheduling of preventive maintenance is automatic and computerized, it is still important that people keep up with the physical aspects of the maintenance, such as replacing old parts and following the software’s recommendations.

When spyware invades a computer system it monitors, records and sends out to intruders information on your computer usage and internet habits and it can possibly detect private banking and security information which could result in identity theft. Computers are easily infected with spyware while users click around online or download freeware.
The Norton Internet Security Professional software is one of the top rated computer security tools for its ability to detect and fix viruses, Trojan Horses, spyware, joke programs and other malicious codes that can end up in security risks. The capabilities of all types of spyware are numerous, ranging from annoying consequences such as pop up to detrimental occurrences such as identity theft and complete computer failure.

Using the Norton security tool you can also screen incoming emails so as to avoid any that are linked with malicious viruses. However well the Norton Security Professional tool works, it is unlikely the program will catch all threats, especially spyware because of its widespread possibilities.

To more thoroughly guard yourself and your computer from spyware threats, use more than one spyware security tool, such as Ad-Aware by LavaSoft or Spybot search and destroy. Both of these programs are free for download and they work by scanning specifically for known and defined spyware threats. Using more than one internet security tool is necessary for catching both virus and spyware threats.

Have you priced a laptop computer lately? Buying a new laptop is a big investment; and just how big of an investment you want to make is entirely up to you. Look in your Sunday newspaper flyers to see countless models on sale each week. Initially selections were made by looking at the specifications and the general appearance. However that’s not the sole criteria any longer. Everyday more and more people are now stepping inside the mobile world. With so many models of laptops now available, how can you be sure about the choice you make? Below are several factors you should consider: CPU (Central Processing Unit), Video Card, hard disk, noise, battery life and RAM (Random Access Memory).

CPU is the main component which determines the performance of your computer and also the heating and the battery life. There is a trade-off between the CPU performance and the battery-life and power consumption (heating). If you want a laptop which would replace a desktop and if you are not planning to travel with it a lot then there are several different offers with desktop CPUs integrated in the laptop main board (such as a P4).

If you are fond of mobility and are going to use your new laptop for your business purposes or school, then you should consider buying a laptop with more suitable CPUs. AMD Athlon can be a solution: Athlon processors are designed for users who are looking for economical solutions, both purchase and usage. Older models of Athlon are no where near Intel Pentium products from the point of performance, and yet new models like 2800+ are potent enough to compete with P4 2.8 GHz.

There is one more model of CPU that many of the customers prefer: Centrino. Centrino is the new attempt of Intel to balance the tradeoff between the performance and mobility issues. With the 2 MB second level cash, the Pentium CPU is modified for the laptop which eases the burden of the CPU and implicitly pulls down the levels of heating and power consumption.

RAM and the graphic card are also two important factors for the quality of the laptop. There are two kinds of RAM on the market: SD RAM and DD RAM. In any case, there is no tradeoff, no comparison: DD RAM is better, and yet, you still have to be careful about the clock specification of the RAM. If you buy a RAM with 3.0 MHz clock speed, you will see the performance improvement it supplies to the whole system. Another thing to consider is that some computers have 512 MB RAM with two slots (256 x 2) which is not very good for the new laptop you are going to buy. Overall, if you want a good laptop, you should consider one equipped with a 3.0 MHz, 512 MB, DD RAM.

There are various video cards on the market today. The first thing you should check is the “ON-Board” specification in the video card. These cards are integrated into the main board and generally use your main RAM as for the video memory. If you are going to use your laptop for general purposes, not for gaming or 3-D design which would require 3D hardware acceleration, these laptops with onboard video card are for you. However, if you are a professional Counter Strike player, you would be disappointed with the screen delays and freezes.

The last technical detail is the hard disk. While buying a hard disk there is a detail which is much more important then the capacity: RPM. Rotation Per Minute determines how fast the data transfer rate is to the CPU to be processed so this specification also plays a huge role while dealing with multimedia stuff.

So if you’re in the market for a new laptop computer, one suggestion is to consider buying a Centrino laptop with an onboard video card with a big RAM if you are planning to use it for school or business purposes and also randomly for movies and music. Nevertheless, Pentium computers with AGP or PCI Express video off-board video cards would give you the performance of a desktop if you don’t mind the weight, noise and the heating of the laptop.

With so many decisions to make, take your time; do your homework and invest wisely.

About Indoor Air Pollution At The Workplace And At Home.
Workplace Air Pollution

When we think about pollution, we generally think in terms of outdoor air pollution. However, we spend many hours each day indoors, be it at home or in our work place. Yes, air pollution isn't only an outdoor issue. The air indoors, at our home and in our workplace can also be polluted and we can suffer because of it. Indoor air pollution can and does affect the quality of our life. In fact, levels of some types of air pollution can be higher indoors than outdoors. On average, people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, so the quality of indoor air is very important to ones wellbeing and health. We need to breathe whether it is indoors or outdoors so we have to make the air we live in as pollution free as possible.

Air Pollution at our work place and the indoor air quality is an important health issue and demands our attention. Complaints abound related to indoor air quality due to more tightly sealed buildings, energy conservation measures, designed to re-circulate air within the building, which reduces the amount of outside air supply, that is allowed to come indoors. Adding to this problem is the use of synthetic and chemical materials used within the workplace environment, such as the modern office equipment, comprising photocopiers, laser printers and computers. Offices use plenty of cleaning products that can give out vapors that add to this pollution problem and to indoor air contamination.

Home- Indoor Air Pollution
A very harmful contaminant of indoor air is cigarette tobacco smoke. Then there is mould, mildew and dampness caused by condensation problems, improperly maintained combustion equipment, gasses from chemicals, dust mites and their by-products that lead to indoor pollution and cause a number of health related problems.

Mould is a common problem in a home and this brings about the release of mould spores, toxins, and moldy odors which lead to allergy and asthma reactions. Chemicals used in our house cleaning can release harmful vapors and synthetic fabrics, furnishings and other household products also bring about unseen contaminants. We have also increased the use of candles which is a source of indoor air pollutants. We must ensure that we maintain properly vented combustion devices, such as wood stoves, fireplaces,gas or propane cooking stoves, furnaces, water heaters etc. to enjoy a living space that is free from indoor pollution.
Health Hazards Due To Indoor air pollution
The health symptoms usually attributed to indoor air quality problems include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, cough, sneezing, skin irritation, dizziness, nausea, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Some individuals may be particularly susceptible to the effects of indoor air contaminants such as those people with existing allergies or asthma, people with respiratory disease, people whose immune systems are suppressed due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, disease, and those that wear contact lenses.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Indoor Air Pollution
Avoid smoking while inside the home.

Keep door and windows open whenever possible to ensure fresh air flow and air exchange which will help control humidity and eliminate gaseous chemicals which may be present indoors.

Fix any water damage from leaks, infiltration, or flood. Clean any mould and keep the place dry and moisture free.

Avoid excessive humidity (not more than 50% RH (relative humidity) in summer and 30% in winter)

Combustion devices such as a furnace, water heater, gas stove or fireplace should be inspected by a specialist at regular intervals and must be well vented.

Chemical such as varnish, paint, cleaning products should be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations and heed any warnings on the product labels and used with proper ventilation to reduce exposure to fumes or vapors.

We all know we have to backup regularly, but those backups files can get huge. Add that to your existing your files and your notebook computer hard drive seems to have shrunk overnight. No matter what size hard drive you have on your notebook computer, space is a premium. Besides, it's not exactly a good idea to store your backups on the same hard drive since you can't retrieve it -- rather defeats the purpose of backing up don't you think? So what do you do, what are your options?

Backup to an external hard drive. This is probably the quickest, most cost effective option. You can often get a removable drive on sale or with rebate for a low price too. You can get one with hundreds of Gigabytes of space too. They can be easy to hookup to your notebook computer. However, do remember that they are hard drives and hard drives can fail. You may find the external backup fails before your notebook computer does.

Online backup. This is actually a good idea because physical disasters can happen to your home. And when that happens, you will always have a copy in a place not affected by the disaster. This is why businesses usually have one backup in the premises and one (or more) off premises. The good thing about online backup is, it's accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. So if your notebook fails when you're away from home, you can still retrieve your data.

Many of these services are reasonably priced and they provide you with everything you need to get the backups safely transfered. But because your data will be on someone else's system, choose a reputable company, one who is not only established but takes customer data confidentiality very seriously.

Network attached storage. This would make more sense if you have several computers. They allow you to not only backup several computers' data into one location but also ability to share or retrieve files from that central area. You can also achieve a similar effect equipping an older computer with a large hard drive and use it just for storage or backup.

Backup to CD or DVD. This is considered the safest for long term data integrity. External drives and network storage can still crash and prone to virusses. CD's and DVD's are also inexpensive. But backing up to disks daily is chore as you'll find yourself having to manually pop in the disks. It becomes even more hard work when you have a lot of files and your backup spans several disks. The other problem with this method is, backup utilities that come with your operating system cannot backup to a CD or DVD drive. So you'll have to fork out extra cash to buy a third party backup software that will.

No backup solution is one hundred percent and what you choose of course will depend on how you work. If your data is really important to you, try not rely on one backup source. Create two separate sources if you can afford to, just in case.

It seems like technology is headed for a massive telephone change over. The traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is looking to be replaced by VoIP. VoIP is short for Voice over IP. VoIP is the routing of conversations over an IP network or the Internet. VoIP uses a packet-switched network instead of the circuit-switched voice transmission lines used by traditional telephone networks. VoIP does not need an Internet connection to work. A company that has a LAN connection with all of its computers can utilize VoIP technology.

VoIP is a great technology, but has a variety of issues with implementation. VoIP may face problems with latency because IPs do not provide Quality of Service guarantees, nor do they provide their packets of information in sequential order. High-speed Internet connections are required for VoIP and firewalls often prove tricky for VoIP technology. To combat this, many people use Session Border Controllers (SBC).

VoIP technology has many advantages. There are more new features with VoIP because of the lack of an International Telecommunications Union. VoIP is still very much an open market for developers, so the technology is constantly being improved. VoIP also has a lower cost than traditional sources because of the monopolies that exist or traditional phone companies being controlled by the government. Some users even see VoIP phone calls as free because they do not have to pay extra for the service. The user only pays the Internet service provider, and therefore the usage of VoIP seems to be free. You can also take your VoIP phone wherever you go because all you need is a network connection to make it work. VoIP technology will also benefit network agents who work for call centers. Agents can help callers from anywhere in the country with an Internet connection. Finally, because VoIP is on the computer, there is increased functionality. Conference calls can be held, information can be sent, and things like address books can be updated and shared over VoIP.

While VoIP has many advantages, there are a few drawbacks to the service. One of the biggest drawbacks is reliability. Telephone lines have back up generators in case of power outages, so phones can keep working. Because VoIP is connected to the Internet, a power outage will end a VoIP call when the computer shuts down. To combat this, users must buy an expensive uninterruptible power supply or a generator that must then be installed on the premises. Internet connections are also subject to disconnection, depending on crowded networks, and the quality of the ISP. If the Internet connection drops, then the VoIP call will be dropped. VoIP is also a problem for emergency calls. Because of the nature of the Internet and VoIP systems, emergency workers cannot trace calls. In the event that someone with an emergency has a problem but is unable to give an address, the emergency worker will not be able to trace the call and find the person. VoIP carriers are already attempting to fix this problem by implementing a technical work-around. Finally, it will be very difficult to integrate VoIP on a massive scale, because while the standard Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) has a common standard, VoIP does not.

VoIP has many advantages as well as some large drawbacks. The main roadblock in the way of global VoIP adoption is reliability. When VoIP proves that it can be just as reliable as traditional telephone services have been over many years, then it will start to be adopted. VoIP technology is always improving, so the problems with VoIP today are likely to be solved sooner than many people expect. VoIP can truly revolutionize both the business world and home life.

Hackers, phishers, viruses, worms…simply having your computer online can expose your data and personal information to all kinds of malicious and worrisome problems. If you’re somewhat new to the 'net' or to computers in general, these four tips could help protect you from identity theft, credit card fraud, or a complete computer takeover – all of which can happen without you even knowing about it!

1. What’s in Your Inbox? – If your e-mail program allows you to preview the entire message before or while it is being downloaded, turn this setting off. Some e-mails can contain dangerous code that could unknowingly compromise your computer and leave you vulnerable to viruses, worms or worse! Check the options in your e-mail program for a way to disable the message preview pane.

2. Scrutinize Your Messages – Don’t ever respond to messages claiming to be from your bank, credit card company, or other financial institution, which ask for personally identifiable information such as card or account numbers, passwords, or other private information – even if the e-mail looks to have come from the actual company. It may be a hoax designed to get you to unknowingly part with crucial financial or private contact information, leaving you vulnerable to credit card fraud, identity theft or credit card theft. Contact the institution or company that claims to be sending the e-mail and verify the contents of the message with them. Chances are – they never sent it. Only use the number on your statement though, and not the number that appears in the e-mail message. It may direct you right to the scammer, who will do everything they can to assure you that nothing is wrong!

3. If it’s From a Friend, it must be Safe, Right? – It’s logical to assume that a message from your friend or colleague is safe, but that isn’t always the case! If you receive an email from a friend or colleague which contains an attachment (could be a media clip, a screensaver, a picture or anything else), call them up to check and see if they really did send it. Many viruses and worms can hijack your computer and blast out a virus-ridden email to everyone in your address book, making it appear that it came from you and therefore, making it appear trustworthy.

4. Read Your Messages in Plain Text – Some e-mails written in HTML (the coding language that makes up many web pages) can be harmless. Others can contain malicious code that can hijack your e-mail program, browser, or your entire computer – and send your personal and financial information out to a hacker or scammer without you even knowing about it! Stay safe by setting your e-mail program to only show messages in plain text format (often in the options or settings section of the software). This will prevent threatening code from installing itself and compromising your system and private information.

Possibly one of the best ways to protect your e-mail is simply by exercising common sense. The Internet is a lot like a crowded plaza. Would your banker or credit card lender walk out into the middle of the throng of people and shout out to you to ask for your account information? Would you tell him where everyone could hear? Definitely not! The same caution should be exercised when checking your e-mail. These tips can help you stop scammers dead in their tracks while keeping you from becoming another victim of fraud or theft.

The majority of computers connected to the internet today are infected with some sort of spyware. The prevalence of internet use has made the growth of spybot, adware, spyware, Trojans, keyloggers and other malware fast and easy.

Each form of surveillance software invades users’ privacy through numerous methods so they can gather information about people’s internet and computer activities. Users must learn to deny spyware access or remove any current infestations in order to maintain a private internet experience.

The consequences of spyware can include identity theft, loss of system control, PC slow downs, pop up ads and browsers crashes. Without a spyware removal tool you are continuing to invite spyware in to invade your privacy. Your anti-virus and firewalls cannot catch most spyware applications because they are installed by piggybacking in on legitimate downloads that you approve such as freeware programs as well as music and game software.

Once on your computer the spyware works silently, beyond the user’s knowledge to gather private information. Spyware and adware software are stealthily embedded in your system, making them difficult to remove manually, which is why it is vital for internet users to find a spyware scanner. Spy scan tools search through the hard drive for spyware infected files. It then removes the detected files so your computer can be restored to it normal working capabilities. Several spyware tools
actively protect you from spyware infections while you are working online.

MODELS OF IAD

Clinical research on behavioral addictions has focused on compulsive gambling (8), overeating (11), and compulsive sexual behavior (12). Similar addiction models have been applied to technological overuse (24), computer dependency (25) and obsessive video game playing. These theories include psychodynamic and personality explanations, socio-cultural explanations, behavioral explanations, and biomedical explanations (26). Not all explain any addiction perfectly and some are better than others at explaining Internet addiction.

Diathesis-stress model

A dispositional model or diathesis-stress model of addiction might help in understanding IAD. Certain people, due to a variety of factors, may be predisposed (diathesis) to developing an addiction to something, be it alcohol, heroin, gambling, sex, shopping, or on-line computer services. If the right stressor, or combination of stressors, affects the person at a critical time, the person may be more inclined to develop an addiction.

Behavioral explanations

These explanations are based on B.F. Skinner's studies on operant conditioning (27). The person performs a behavior and gets either rewarded or punished for the behavior. Behaviour that is rewarded is reinforced and the person intends to indulge in that behaviour more frequently. This again becomes reinforcing, and the cycle continues.

Biomedical explanations

According to this perspective, this would make someone susceptible to addiction (27). There is definitive research that shows that some drugs act to fill in the synaptic gaps of the neurons in the brain, fooling the brain into sending out faulty information. This, it is thought, is one reason for the "high” one gets from engaging in activities such as running, drug use, and gambling. This might apply to Internet addiction, since many opportunities on the Internet are fun and exciting.

What To Do If Addicted To The 'Net?

Dealing with Internet Addiction is no different than dealing with any other type of addiction. All people who are addicted (to anything) have some degree of denial. Without denial, most addictions would not have become established in the first place. First, acknowledge the problem instead of denying when pointed by others around you or yourself. Don’t panic if established.

Second, just because there is a debate about the validity of this diagnostic category amongst professionals doesn't mean there isn't help for it. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Addiction should never be viewed as a problem in and of itself. Addictions are much better viewed as a symptom of other underlying problems and deficiencies. One must look beyond the addiction itself and deal with underlying deficiencies in coping and life management skills that have given rise to it. If you have a life problem, or are grappling with a disorder such as depression, seek professional treatment for it. Once you admit and address the problem, other pieces of your life will fall back into place. Psychologists have studied compulsive behaviors and their treatments for years now, and nearly any well-trained mental health professional will be able to help you learn to slowly curve the time spent online, and address the problems or concerns in your life that may have contributed to your online overuse, or were caused by it.

It's not the technology that is important or addicting -- it's the behavior. And behaviors are easily treatable by traditional cognitive-behavior techniques in psychotherapy (28).

Once you take on the challenge of dealing with any addiction, you will need to marshal your ability to successfully deal with temptation. If you don’t have a sense that you have this power to succeed, you can use your addiction as an opportunity to discover that you really do have this important capability.

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http://www.urz.uni-heidelberg.de/Netzdienste/anleitung/wwwtips/8/addict.html. Accessed June 2, 2005.
19. Graphics, Visualization, and Usability Center. Online Access, March Issue, 1995: 51-52.
20. Grohol JM. Internet Addiction guide. From Dr. Grohol’s Psych Central – Internet Addiction and Online Addiction, February, 1999. Available at http://psychcentral.com/netaddiction/. Accessed June2, 2005.
21. Harmon A, Researchers Find Sad, Lonely World In Cyberspace. From The New York Times Company, August, 1998. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/08/biztech/articles/30depression.html. Accessed May 28, 2005.
22. Griffiths, M. Technological addictions. Clinical Psychology Forum. 1996:161-162.
23. Shotton, M. The costs and benefits of “computer addiction.” Behavior and Information Technology, 1991: 219-230.
24. Ferris JR. Internet Addiction Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Consequences. From Psychology Virginia Tech. Available at http://www.chem.vt.edu/chem-dept/dessy/honors/papers/ferris.html. Accessed May 25, 2005.
25. Sue, D, Sue, D & Sue, S. Understanding Abnormal Behavior, 1994. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
26. Orman MC. What To Do If You Are (Or Fear That You May Become) Addicted To The ‘Net, From Internet Addiction Survey, 1996. Available at http://www.stresscure.com/hrn/iaddict.html. Accessed May 28, 2005.

Internet Explorer is the browser used by most computer user and because the browser was designed to have third party functionality spyware distributors have taken advantage of the opportunity to spread their surveillance software. Creators of spyware are very aware that many users now have spyware removers up and running on their computers.

To counter this, spyware producers have designed browser help objects (BHO’s) that do not begin running until the user connects to the internet using
Internet Explorer. This type of dormant BHO also keeps users from identifying spyware by viewing what applications run with computer start-up.

To remove stubborn browser hijack objects the highest recommended program is Hijack This. The program was originally used to destroy homepage hijackers but it has evolved into an all around removal tool.

Begin by downloading Hijack This and then running a system scan. Once the scan is complete scroll to the detected files named 02-BHO and remove any suspicious looking
material.

Look at the path the BHO is using as well as the name and you should be able to decipher between the legitimate title and those that need removing. Files with random naming are most likely unwanted and should be selected for deletion. If a good file is removed accidentally you can use the restore function Hijack This offers.

When you think of software and personal computers (PCs),
you think Microsoft.

The global software giant dominates the PC market in both
penetration and pocketbook.

It seems you can't go a single day without seeing at least
one news story and several advertisements for Microsoft or
a Microsoft product.

But that doesn't mean Microsoft dominates in every corner
of the market; in fact, as the software behemoth gets
bigger, numerous niche software offerings spring up to fill
in the gaps left in Microsoft's wake.

As you'll see, a couple of these niche software programs
have managed to either beat Microsoft to the punch, or even
steal market share away from the seemingly invincible
company.

** FeedDemon **

FeedDemon software ($29.95) enables you to subscribe to and
read RSS Feeds (Real Simple Syndication).

RSS has emerged as the preferred way to share news and
other content with subscribers across the Internet without
the use of email.

The advantage to subscribers: as news, blogs, or other
content updates somewhere online, subscribers receive
virtually instant notification just by opening up their
reader.

This represents a huge time savings since subscribers can
receive updates without surfing individual sites to chase
down stories or wading through piles of spam to find the
content they actually want.

The advantage to publishers: no worrying about whether
email notifications, news releases, or blog updates made it
past the spam filters or unreliable mail servers.

Though many free RSS reader software packages exist (just
do a search on Google.com for "free rss reader"), FeedDemon
offers an unmatched suite of tools that enable serious RSS
subscribers the power and flexibility to mix and match
feeds, including the new "POD Casting" craze where content
providers syndicate audio content (MP3) over the web.

Available from www.bradsoft.com/feeddemon/, FeedDemon sets
the standard for RSS readers in a market that Microsoft has
yet to even address with any of its software products.

I'll make a daring prediction here: watch for Microsoft or
another large player to purchase FeedDemon rather than try
to reinvent the wheel and build a product brand themselves.

** FireFox Web Browser **

Security problems always seem to plague the Microsoft
Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser.

In fact, last year the problem got so bad, it forced
Microsoft to release one of the largest free software
upgrades (Service Pack 2) in the history of computing.

According to both OneStat.com and Webside Story, two of the
Web's leading Web analytics companies, Microsoft's IE
market share has dipped below 90%.

See actual stats from WebSide Story Here:
http://www.websidestory.com/services-solutions/datainsights/spotlight.html

In response to serious security threats to Internet
Explorer, an upstart browser named FireFox from Mozilla.org
took off like a rocket ship in late 2004.

Available free from www.Mozilla.org, FireFox offers not
only a full-featured Web browser without the security
problems, but also a number of features not available on
Internet Explorer.

Probably the most popular feature Firefox offers over IE is
"Tabbed Browsing," which enables you to open multiple Web
pages without opening multiple windows.

Firefox also limits harmful Active-X controls and pop-up
windows.

Firefox tends towards a less forgiving attitude on HTML
coding and may display some Web pages awkwardly, where IE
displays most pages as the designer intended.

Despite this, Firefox makes an excellent browser and
Microsoft should take heed that market dominance doesn't
last forever once consumers see a viable alternative.

And the lesson in all of this for all you would-be
entrepreneurs out there with the next great idea?

It doesn't matter how big or small your organization, it
always comes back to a simple formula: Meet the needs and
solve the problems of a specific niche audience better than
the next guy and you'll be the winner!

St.Petersburg , August 22, 2005 - CEZEO Software announces the release of LanTalk.NET instant messaging software.

You need an instant messaging system, but you want to avoid the risks of information theft and unauthorized access to a corporate network? The thing is that all public IM-services are controlled by third-hand firms. Therefore, nobody can guarantee invulnerability of such services, and that is why intruders are sometimes able to get your information. Moreover, even your employees, using public IM-services, can send important (and secret) information to strangers. Our solution is exactly what you need. LanTalk.NET is a service, which can be completely isolated in your network (by disabling necessary ports in the corporate firewall). The application possesses all features essential for easy messaging within an enterprise local network.

Bringing great ideas to the marketplace requires the best communication tools, tools that navigate quickly around obstacles like busy signals or spam, and which give you instant acknowledgment that you have been understood. Instant messaging is becoming the slickest and most versatile means of communication in business, and CEZEO Software has designed LanTalk.NET to focus on efficiency in keeping people in touch.

For most mid-size companies with networks linking up to 1000 computers, LanTalk.NET is the optimum solution for messaging and file transfer via attachment, practically replacing corporate e-mail. And because LanTalk.NET is a serverless application, administrative tasks and costs disappear. The highly configurable interface and Help systems get even novice users messaging with a minimal learning curve.

CEZEO has a variety of site licensing packages for LanTalk.NET based on volume, the details of which are located at CEZEO software website. Customizing of LanTalk.NET is an option for an additional fee. CEZEO offers a 30-day trial period with the fully-functional program, which runs on Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 operating systems.

CEZEO Software specializes in network communication and security software with a focus on IM serverless technologies that is simple to install and use.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Pavel Sokolov
CEZEO Software
http://www.cezeo.com

# # #

More information about LanTalk.NET:
http://www.cezeo.com/products/lantalk-net/

Direct evaluation download URL:
http://www.cezeo.com/downloads/lantalk-net.exe

Screenshot URL:
http://www.cezeo.com/products/lantalk-net/lantalk-net.gif

300dpi Screenshot URL:
http://www.cezeo.com/products/lantalk-net/media-kit/lantalk-net.tif

As the threats of spyware continue to spread the means computer users must take to protect themselves and their computers from spyware infections become more difficult. A legitimate attitude among many computer uses is that the spyware should not have been installed on their computer without permission in the first place, therefore why should internet users be forced to pay for its removal. Although understandable, this way of thinking can cause users’ computers to crash while spyware applications steal away with your private information, unless you take thorough action to remove spyware through free downloadable removal tools.

Purchasing anti-spyware software will provide the surest protection from future spyware invasions, but if the time and effort is put forth using free spyware removal tools, computer users can actively protect their computers on their own. Three of the top free spyware removal tools include Ad-Aware by Lavasoft, Spybot Search and Destroy and Hijack This, the latter being the least user friendly. Combining the efforts of several free spyware scan and removal tools and running the updates and scans regularly on each will provide the ultimate defense against spyware infections.

Try running the spyware scans once you have rebooted your computer and set it to safe mode. After the scan and removal tasks are complete, restart the computer to test if the spyware tools removed spyware causing any functional problems. When using Hijack This you should have a knowledge of what applications run at start up along with which browser help objects you need according to the software you use. If you are unsure of either, try using the program under the watch of a more technically educated person.

Spyware has boomed into the top internet threat in no time and it continues to affect more computer users each day. Spyware is best described as a rogue application that latches to your system so it can record personal information and monitor internet usage. As spyware has grown it has become much easier to be infected with it.

In some instance computer can be infected with spyware just by visiting the wrong web site. Most spyware is installed without the user’s knowledge.

The most serious form of spyware comes as keyloggers which record each keystroke made on an infected computer. Each account number, password, email address, chat or email message or social security number you key into your computer is being duplicated and sent back to the intruder. Keyloggers are often responsible for identity theft and its spread.

Adware is thought to be a form of spyware because it still records and submits to intruders your personal and computer usage information. The information adware gathers about a person is used by companies to target you with advertisement they have dubbed appropriate for your interests. Spyware in the form of adware and other less harmful spyware usually finds its way into your computer by being bundled in with freeware and shareware downloads. To avoid spyware and adware you must proceed
with caution when considering a freeware download.

Computers can be infected by visiting the wrong web sites because at insecure sites, hackers are able to take advantage of security vulnerabilities through the browser. This happens most often through Internet Explorer, however Microsoft tries to release patches to these security vulnerabilities once they have been found but users are still at risk until then. Users
also remain at risk because once the patch is released they either do not know about the vulnerability or about the fix.

Law makers are striving to find regulations for these spyware privacy invasions but until then users must protect themselves.

To secure your computer now you can download several free and purchasable programs that will scan and remove spyware
infections. Many of the new versions of spyware tools also offer “always on” protection that blocks spyware from downloading while you surf the internet.

Spyware and Adware infest over 90 percent of computers in use today. Internet linked computers has made it easy for spybots, adware, and trojans to infiltrate and compromise online privacy. Installed toolbars can also contribute to browser hijacking and spyware related problems.
Spyware, malware, scumware, and trojans gather information about people and online activities. It is important to deny these “Internet Pests” the opportunity to infiltrate computers, so that computer privacy is intact. Everybody is entitled to enjoy online privacy and security.
There are serious consequences pertaining to unidentified spyware, which include identity theft, computer corruption, slow down of pc system, privacy issues, and annoying pop-up ads. Neglecting to stop spyware is a surefire way to invite computer infestations. Spyware removal software is a “must” for Internet privacy and security.
Spyware slips by anti-virus and firewall protection by piggybacking on seemingly legitimate downloads. These spyware files are stealthily installed on computer systems without anyone ever knowing it.  Infestations often occur when people download freeware, shareware, file sharing or through email and instant messaging.
Spyware and adware are applications that intertwine with core computer functions and make manual removal, without system disruption, very difficult for most computer users. That is why it is important to have anti-spyware software installed.
A spyware scanner is a useful tool that protects computers at all times, so that people can enjoy surfing the net, without compromising privacy. Personal surfing habits, online chats and Internet activities are protected from those prying Internet eyes. Online identity theft is of great concern these days. Hence, it is a good idea to install spyware removal software, for online privacy. Protect yourself, from Internet snooping and stealing of personal information, for peace of mind.

Rack mount computers are essentially computer servers. Computer servers are not the ones you play games on or send emails to your friends with.

Servers perform a small number of specialized operations, some as little as a single operation, but they have the ability to perform it millions of times over and over again, quickly and flawlessly. And when one server is no longer adequate to handle the volume of transactions that a business may require, other, bigger, more powerful servers are needed. When the new servers arrive, they are networked into the system and to save space, are mounted on racks.

When the business with the servers is a steel company, or an automobile manufacturer, industrial rac mount computers are the standard. Stored in rugged steel frames, stackable in standard 19-inch racks, industrial rack mount computers are used for database servers, web servers and networks. Furthermore they are also quite commonly used in laboratory and workshop environments.

Linux is a special operating system that is basically a version of Unix, which has become the foundation of the Internet. When ISP’s like AOL and others came into existence, the amount of servers they needed to accommodate millions of customers eager to surf the web was staggering. In order to make space for that amount of computers, a special rack mounted unit was created to hold the Linux servers. Dubbed the Linux Rack mount Computer system, it became the choice for all of the new Internet businesses all over the world. Soon after, manufacturers of the Linux Rack mount Computer racks where inundated with orders and quickly fell behind schedule.

It took a while for Intel to catch up with it’s rivals, but once they did, the Xeon Rack mount Computers quickly overtook everyone else in the field and became the gold standard among all of the rack mounted computers being installed.

Spam, as defined in the context of computers, the Internet and electronic messaging, is a term used to designate unsolicited bulk electronic messaging and communication. In particular, spam is unsolicited bulk mailings that are commercially oriented. It is most commonly used in advertising, but it is also used to perpetrate religious, political or other types of messages. Spam is, often times, considered the electronic equivalent of junk postal mail, telemarketing or broadcast faxing. Spam got its bad name and reputation from the advertisement of ill reputable and questionable products, such as pornography, pyramid schemes, fad products, pump-and-dump stocks, etc.

Spam is delivered via several mediums, to include:
·E-mail messages
·Search engines
·Instant messaging
·Web blogs
·Usenet newsgroups
·Text messaging mobile phones
·Internet telephony

The growth of spam is a result of the cost benefit to initiators, who need only devise and develop distribution lists. The other associated costs of spam, such as bandwidth, message management and loss of productivity, become the responsibility of recipients of the messages, ISPs or other public and private entities.

In 2003, the US passed the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act of 2003, which establishes standards for sending commercial e-mail. More specifically, the act is intended “to regulate interstate commerce by imposing limitations and penalties on the transmission of unsolicited, commercial electronic mail via the Internet”. The act establishes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as the overseer of its provisions.

The act establishes electronic mail as extremely important in communication since it “provides an opportunity for the development and growth of frictionless commerce”, which is being threatened by unsolicited commercial email. The act establishes the following as criminal behaviors when used in connection with foreign or interstate electronic mail:

·Knowingly accessing a protected computer without authorization
·Intentionally deceiving or misleading the origin of messages
·Falsifying header information
·Falsifying registration information for 5 or more e-mail accounts or 2 or more domain names
·Falsely representing one's self as the registrant of 5 or more IP addresses
·Obtaining e-mail addresses through improper means
·Perpetrating fraud, identity theft, child pornography, obscenity and the sexual exploitation of children.

Criminal penalties include a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years dependent upon:
·The volume of electronic transmissions
·The amount of falsified information
·Losses incurred by others
·Monetary gains from the act
·Whether the act was committed in furtherance of an felony
·Prior offenses.

Civil penalties are dependent upon the jurisdiction placing the charges and may range from hundreds of dollars to millions of dollars, dependent upon the severity of the crimes and losses involved. Also, property traceable to proceeds from monetary gains and equipment used to commit an offense may be forfeited to the US government.

As critics of the law argue, the legislation fails to dictate to marketers and advertisers, not to spam. In fact, the act does not make reference to the term, “spam”, except as used in the name, CAN-SPAM. The act makes reference to the phrase, commercial electronic mail message, and defines it to be “any electronic mail message, the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service (including content on an Internet website operated for a commercial purpose)”.

Legislation is intended to curb practices inherent in spamming, such as e-mail harvesting, dictionary attacks and using viruses and Trojans to perpetrate messages. The act establishes the following with respect to commercial electronic mail messages:

·A message must contain a legitimate return address.

·A message must include and specify a method to opt-out of receiving further messages. The ability to opt-out must be available for 30 days.

·The sender may not initiate messages after 10 days of receipt of an opt-out.

·The sender may not sell, lease, exchange or transfer the opt-out e-mail address to an affiliate.

·The sender may offer a menu of options that allow the recipient to either opt-out or opt-in to future messages*.

·A message must include an identifier that specifies the message as an advertisement or solicitation.

·Messages containing sexually oriented material must contain clearly identifiable markings or notices

·A message must include a valid, physical, postal address by which the sender may be contacted.

·The sender may not send messages to addresses that were knowingly acquired from proprietary websites and ISPs, through automated methods. Particularly, when the site or ISP provides notice of their refusal to give, sell or transfer addresses for the purpose of initiating electronic mail messages.

·The sender may not create automated scripting and other means to gain multiple email addresses for the purpose of transmitting illegal messages.

·The sender may not transmit messages from a computer or email address obtained without authorization.
*Unlike opt-out advertising, which allows the recipients of advertisement to discontinue any unwanted advertisements from the sender, opt-in advertising allows the advertiser to request to have specific advertisement sent. The recipient may allow or deny permission to have further advertisement sent. If allowed, the advertiser immediately includes that e-mail address to its distribution list. Another option is, double opt-in advertising, which is similar to opt-in advertising except that once the recipient grants permission to send advertisements, a confirmation request is sent to the recipient to verify that they did, indeed, allow the permission. The e-mail address is added to the distribution list only after the recipient has positively responded to the confirmation request.

CAN-SPAM is not intended to provide cause for the general public to sue spammers, individually or in class action suits. It is designed to allow enforcement by the FTC and other federal agencies for the benefit of the general public. Individuals remain privy to the state laws and regulations of their particular jurisdictions.

Before you upgrade your PC hardware it’s best to search all options and ask for advice. Only after this you can go and buy a new component. It’s also useful to check if you really need an upgrade.

Do not upgrade your very old PC because it would cost a lot of money. It’s cheaper to buy a new computer in such cases because they are easier to upgrade later.

Upgrading the hard drive:

The majority of people do not really need to upgrade their hard disk, unless they use it for playing a lot of music, movies, and games. A 20 GB hard drive is sufficient to keep new office and internet applications, and all your files and data.

A medium sized hard drive would be around 40 GB and the maximum would be around 60 – 80 GB.

Before upgrading your hard disk it’s best to do a complete disk checkup including disk scan, defragmentation, etc. If you happen to be an average user and need more storage you can add an additional drive to the existing one. Before an upgrade, be sure to back up your files.

Upgrading the RAM:

RAM or Random Access Memory is the short-term memory of the PC. It keeps data that is being worked on now and may or may not be transferred to the hard drive that represents the long-term memory of the computer.

Current processors can perform an enormous number of operations per second. The hard drive, on the other hand, is significantly slower to handle so much information. This is where a high-speed RAM memory comes in. RAM needs a power supply to keep data. Once the power is turned off the data is lost.

Almost all PCs have 64 MB RAM and often 128 MB. If you want to run newer applications on your PC then you must upgrade to 128/256 MB RAM.

A lot of people who upgrade from 98 to Win 2000 discover that their computers lock up very often. This is because they don't have enough RAM.

CPU upgrade:

If you choose this upgrade, you will have faster execution of instructions but it leaves the RAM and hard drive capacity unchanged.

This sis the most cost effective upgrade and can increase the efficiency of your computer
considerably. Seek a professional help before you take a decision.

Motherboard:

Upgrading motherboard is not such a good proposition unless you replace the CPU and the RAM as well to achieve greater performance levels. You upgrade the motherboard either because the current one doesn’t support a faster CPU or the CPU requires a different socket. It could be very expensive. Think about buying a new PC.

Ports:

Ports are sockets at the back of your computer where you plug in external devices. Older PCs work on “parallel” ports. If you need to work a lot on peripherals such as digital cameras, digital camcorders, CD burners, and scanners then you need to upgrade to USB and Firewire ports if you are not using them already.

Both tend to be cheaper than the “parallel” and SCSI devices they replace. Always make sure that there are no compatibility problems with other devices in your PC when you plan to upgrade any hardware on your machine.