Gadgets Category Archive

Can you recondition an old computer?

Leave a reply Alan

There are many ways to deal with old computers. One popular way is to get rid of it. This is because old computers have no value, are slow and take lots of physical space.

The other way to deal with them is to sell them for a super low price so that you can buy a new one without paying too much. However, second hand electronic stuff does not really have any value. For instance, you probably ended up selling a graphic card for $50 that you bought for $200-$300 originally.

So why not keep your old computer and make good use of it.

How to rebuild an old PC

1. Format your hard disk to ensure you have completely remove all the data in it – remember that even formatting your disk might not remove all your data.

2. Install an new Operating System. If you are looking at Windows, XP might be a good choice for an old PC, however 7 also handles low spec hardware pretty well, so is also worth considering. There are several reasons why I think Windows XP is no longer the best choice:

  • License rarity – Windows XP is 3 versions behind the current Windows operating system, meaning few firms still stock XP licenses
  • Support has ended – Microsoft have officially announced the termination of the support for Windows XP in 2014
  • Malware issues – Windows XP is prone to more security risks than more current operating systems, simply because it has been around longer; this means you are likely to need a better antivirus software to keep the PC safe

If you don’t want to go down the Windows route, I highly recommend is the Ubuntu, which is a free Linux OS. There are several free Linux operating systems out there but so far, I think Ubuntu is one of the popular Linux distribution and probably easiest to use.

What is the requirement to run Ubuntu? According to the official site, these are the requirements.

  • 700 MHz processor
  • 512MB of RAM
  • 5GB of hard disc space
  • VGA capable of 1024×768 screen resolution
  • Either a CD/DVD drive or a USB port – or both

I bet you have a better PC than Ubuntu requires 😉 Ubuntu

Uses for an old computer running Ubuntu

No matter how old the computer, it always has uses. Here are some of my suggestions:

  1. Use it for regular web browsing. With a lightweight operating system (which won’t suck up your RAM and CPU usage) your old computer can still perform pretty well for simple web browsing
  2. Use it for data backup. You can always transfer all your important stuff into an old computer, and use it as a backup machine, so you can keep your files safe and access them easily
  3. Home surveillance system. If you buy a webcam or two and install them into your house you could use your old computer to run your own home surveillance system!

So now, if you have an old computer lying around or burred in your storeroom why not dig it out and start making good use of it?

If you have any good idea on how to re-use your old computer, why not share with us below?

A basic guide to digital cameras

Leave a reply Camille Mitchell

The future is officially in our present when it comes to technology and the advancements just keep rolling in. Videography, photography and everything in between aren’t forgotten when it comes to today’s continuous advancements. With DSLR cameras in households of professionals and amateur photographers all around the world and high speed imagery devices in several different genres of professions, designers and engineers behind the mechanics of these devices are on full speed development.

A photographer and DSLR cameraHere is a little more need to know information to help you get a little more insight on the ins and outs of the devises you may use at home. Digital single-lens reflex cameras are uniquely designed advanced digital cameras. The DSLR camera combines parts of a SLR camera and a digital camera back, this specialized design is the featured difference between a DSLR and any other digital cameras and recording devices. Frame rate or frame frequency essentially is the frequency rate where an imaging tool (such as a DSLR camera or a high speed imagery device) accurately produces consecutive images (frames). This general term is used when describing film and video cameras, motion capture systems, and even computer animation and/or graphics.

The standard for video is 24p (23.976 frames per second) which is standard for DSLR video recording devices. To ensure proper visual appearance there is a general rule of thumb when recording video with a DSLR video device, the shutter speed should be double the frame rate. That may seem like a mouthful of information, but it helps to know how a device really works to ensure adequate usability.

Advanced high speed cameras record details of fast mechanical movements and play them back in slow motion for adequate and relevant analysis. Just a regular high speed camera typically records over 1,000 frames per second into DRAM then reverses to slow motion playback for adequate studying purposes. There is a company called AOS Technologies which produces high speed imagery cameras and devices that are used for a wide range of purposes from crash testing all the way to defence application. Biomechanical analysis is just one of the top leading, and interesting, areas of expertise where high speed cameras are significantly making an impact. Movement sequences can be precisely recorded for analysis for training on body movement for medical purposes, video animation and or graphics, physical therapy and science. It’s safe to say that high speed imagery has and continues to assist in much of our world’s advancements in a vast spectrum of areas especially scientific purposes.

Technology is growing day by day and there are engineers eager and up for the challenge. We are extremely lucky to have such amazing tools readily available for everyday use.

Is updating Java really important?

8 Replies Christopher Roberts

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What do you know about Java? If the answer is not much, then you are not alone. In this article I am going to explore exactly what Java is, and why it is so important that you keep it up to date.

Java or JavaScript?

Java and JavaScript are completely different things, however many people confuse them as one and the same.

JavaScript
JavaScript is a scripting language (like PHP and HTML) that is used in browsers to help render websites, and is also now used to create [relatively simple] desktop games.

We use JavaScript on our blog. One example can be found in our comment form; if you don’t tick the box to confirm you have read the comment policy and click Post Comment, a box comes up reminding you that you have to tick it to proceed – that works via JavaScript.

You can disable JavaScript, but so many websites use it nowadays, your browsing experience would be significantly affected.

Java
Java is a programming language, which is capable of doing far more than JavaScript. Java can be used to create new programs and applications that run virtually on their own, or via a browser.

Most computers come pre-loaded with Java, as do many other devices, including some cars, printers, parking machines, ATMs and more. A printer doesn’t use JavaScript, as it is a browser based language.

Malicious Java

It is possible for someone to gain access to your computer via Java. All you would need to do is visit a website with malicious Java code on it, and unknowingly to you, you could be being hacked. Some websites allow you to add your own code to their site, (like forum’s for example) so it might not even be a malicious website you are visiting, just one page which contains malicious code.

Oracle's Java logoWhen you visit a page with a malicious Java application, your browser will usually start to run the code, which will open up a direct link between your PC and the hacker – remember browsing the net is a two way process, every time you request data from a server, the server can request something back.

On face value, a page with malicious Java could look completely normal and trustworthy, as you wouldn’t be able to see the code – your browser would render it for you.

Malicious code can give a hacker almost complete access to your machine, via the internet. They could potentially browse through your files and open applications, and even receive feedback from input devices like a webcam and microphone.

Java Update

When Sun Microsystems (who are now owned by Oracle) developed Java, they didn’t plan for it to be used maliciously, and still don’t. Like with most code, hackers exploit loopholes and flaws in the language, to enable them to perform malicious activity.

Oracle's logoLike with any software, to combat malicious activity, when flaws are discovered, developers create patches and launch new versions to protect uses against their installation being misused.

Many of the know ways Java can be used to gain access to your computer are preventable, if you have the latest version installed.

It is important that you not only keep your computers version of Java up to date, but also your browser’s version. Many browsers come with a Java plugin, and this can become outdated, even if your system version of Java is up to date.

You should check to see if your browser’s extensions and plugins are up to date ideally once every week. If you have Premier IT Support, or your computer is updated by an external provider, you shouldn’t need to update Java, as that should be taken of care for you.