Fouad Karameh Computers

Advantages of Notebook Computers Over Desktop Computers

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:57 +0000

In this era of technology almost every person are well aware of the importance of Computer. Nowadays Computer can be found in most of the houses; but considering the factors such as portability and mobility, the notebook computer is in great demand over the resent years.

Notebooks or laptop computers are small, compact, portable computers. Depending on the size, Laptop computers weight between two to eighteen pounds. An externally connected adapter is used for running Laptops or they run on a single battery. Notebook battery packs need to recharge after which they may be used for power back up for few hours.

Notebook computers have many advantages over personal computer. Notebook is an particularly lightweight as compare to personal computer. One major difference between the personal computer and notebook computer is the display. Different technologies and techniques is being used to produce display screens that are very lightweight.

Normally Notebook computers come with a built in keyboard and a touchpad, for input. An external keyboard or mouse may also be used instead of the built in components. Notebook computers normally have a LCD and use a different memory module from that of a desktop computer. The features of the screens vary from notebook to notebook. Most display screens for notebook computers have a VGA resolution which is 640×480 pixels with 16 or 256 colors.

Notebook computers or laptops are designed in such a way that they are capable of performing the same tasks as those of desktop computer. Generally notebook computers have the same components that are used in desktop computers, but components used in laptop are smaller and well optimized for mobility and efficient use of power.

One of the drawbacks of laptop or notebook computers is that they are less powerful then desktop computers of the same price. Notebook computers with very powerful specifications may cost a lot

A New Computer Virus Goes After Factories

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:35 +0000

Stuxnet is a new computer virus on the block. Actually, the block is pretty good too. It’s one of the first viruses seen that’s designed for computers on the factory floor. Car plants, paint plans, metal fabrication factories, you name it – computers that run the operations at these places have been quietly infiltrated and crippled by Stuxnet for months. The thing is, these viruses for the factory floor still aren’t very far removed from the Windows versus Mac debate that we usually hear about when we discuss viruses. Stuxnet lives on industrial automation equipment Siemens makes that run Windows. The one thing this proves is, that virus makers do find small targets attractive if they are novel enough.

Does Stuxnet just want to make a nuisance of itself? Or is there something more sinister that it may be after? There is in fact a larger agenda. It tries to copy industrial design blueprints to send to some unknown remote beneficiary. And then it tries to sabotage equipment by getting factory equipment to stop working. The virus is easily removed with any standard antivirus program available for your home PC. The interesting thing is, they believe that it might have been made by some government. The main target or victim intended appears to be factories in Iran. Considering all the commotion there is around the world to do with Iran’s nuclear program, this is quite understandable.

The only problem is, Stuxnet did not contain itself to Iran’s nuclear facilities. It’s spread around the world and plagued troubled factories everywhere, if not actually shut them down. Studies that experts have done on this new computer virus show that it’s a really large program and that it’s complex. It does come with the ability to make changes to the operating system of the computer it resides on too. Everyone’s first thought was that this was just a program to help someone steal industry secrets. It could conceivably make changes to factory automation that could lead to catastrophe – movie style excess speed to a machine that could be made to explode, turbines made to run higher than their design would allow to have them disintegrate – you get the photo.

Nobody knows what kind of sabotage the creators of the program had in mind. All that is known is, that whoever designed the program has complete knowledge of Siemens industrial automation systems to be able to attack them. They also have detailed knowledge of hardware manufactured by Realtek and J.Micron of Taiwan. What they do know is that this wasn’t a prank. And to think that our entire survival depends on the security of Windows.

We Take a Look at Windows XP, Vista, and 7

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:24 +0000

Looking back about ten years, buying a Windows Operating System was relatively easy because you basically had just 3 versions to choose from: the latest, the previous version, or an older one. Of course, every updated version seemed to be better, and fairly easy to adjust to. However, today the scenario is somewhat different. We now have operating systems that are different enough from each other that users of one absolutely refuse to use another. We decided to write about the 3 most popular Windows Operating Systems: XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Enjoy our take on this, and remember that comments are welcomed!

Windows XP was the first operating system Windows launched that was truly considered by almost everybody as “here to stay”. It is surprising the number of people that still prefer the “old” XP over Vista or Windows 7. So, what is so good about XP that people stick to it with such loyalty? Well, maybe it is partly due to the fact that we humans are creatures of habit. And, it is no secret many people feel Vista has a number of shortcomings. However, is Windows XP really so great it remains stiff competition for not just one newer OS, but two? And is Windows 7 just the old Vista in disguise? Or maybe Microsoft learned from its mistakes, little dent in the reputation, and bitter taste Windows Vista left in the mouths of so many, that they actually created and delivered a completely new and different OS with Windows 7?

Like many computer users, if you have an older computer (with an older and not so powerful processor), you might go for XP. As to why this is the rational choice – we have a perfectly simple explanation. In theory, the XP can run with only 64MB, so there is enough space left for some other basic applications you might want on your computer. For this reason, techies and gamers use newer or the newest operating systems, which give them more power and speed, necessary to fully enjoy the games and applications they want.

The boot time was as we expected – Windows 7 is the fastest, XP and Vista follow consecutively. Shut down time was as follows: XP, Windows 7, and Vista. Copying small files brought the same results as the boot time; however, when talking about 1GB files and larger, Windows 7 wins again. What about opening an Excel spreadsheet or a PDF file? You guessed Windows 7 is unbeatable.

In regards to security, Windows XP is not the best OS to consider, meaning, it is less secure than its predecessors. On the other hand we found XP to be more user friendly than Vista, who’s UAC (User Account Control) prompts you whenever you make system changes, which is annoying, but helpful. Windows 7 has multiple security levels, which means that you can choose how many alerts you see.

As far as reliability, Windows XP allocates its system memory for device drivers, file cache and other requirements. The biggest problem is, if you need more RAM later, you are in big trouble, because with XP no can do; whereas, Vista can manage its system memory by need, meaning it can take some RAM where it is not needed and use it where it is needed. Perhaps you are wondering about the chances of a driver-related crash happening. The possibility is small, and if it does happen, Vista helps you track down the exact cause of the crash.

So, are you a Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 person? XP is reliable when talking about the basics, and is still compatible with most hardware and software. Vista beats XP with security and error handling features. But our hands down winner? Windows 7! It is faster, friendlier, and just – better! Give it a shot, but remember the change will take getting used to. Although like in life, change is often good.