Computer CD-R buying tips

Computer CD-R buying tips


Buying a CD-R or CD-RW drive can sometimes be a confusing task. Below we have listed important considerations to look at when considering purchasing a CD-R drive.

Technology

Before considering purchasing a CD-R or CD-RW drive, it is also good to consider the other available options.

CD-R - CD Recordable drives allow you to do everything that a standard CD-ROM is capable of doing with the added ability of creating CDs. An excellent solution for anyone that is in need of a CD-ROM and backup solution.

CD-RW - Like a CD-R drive, a CD-RW or CD Read/Write drive allows you to do everything that a standard CD-ROM is capable of doing with the ability to read and write CD-R and CD-RW discs. While more expensive, this is another great solution for backups.

DVD - DVD, or Digital Versatile (video) Disc, that allows a computer to read all discs including DVD discs and DVD movies. For users who plan on playing games or watching movies on their computers, this is an excellent addition. Tips on buying these drives can be found on our DVD buying tips page.

Interface

The first and foremost important consideration is the Interface that the CD-R and CD-RW drive uses. If you are an IBM user, you have a decision between an IDE, SCSI or USB interface. Macintosh users will want to consider between SCSI and a USB interface.

IDE Each IBM computer has the capability of having a total of four IDE devices connected to it. It is likely that one or two of these are already being used, one by the hard disk drive and one by the CD-ROM drive.

IDE devices are a great solution to consider when thinking about the interface you want to use as the drives are easy to install and are relatively fast.

SCSI Every Macintosh computer has a SCSI port built onto the Motherboard or has an Interface card for SCSI devices. Not all computers have a SCSI card, which means you need to purchase an interface card before installing a SCSI CD-R drive.

SCSI devices are one of the more difficult drives to install but are the fastest solution of the three available interfaces.

USB USB is a new interface available on newer IBM and Macintosh computers. USB is a fast solution but is the slower of the three interface possibilities. What makes USB a strong competitor is they are usually always easy to install and are a portable solution, meaning these drives will work with other computers with USB ports.

Software

The next important consideration to look at when purchasing a CD-R or CD-RW drive is the included software. The software is what allows the computer to interface with the CD-R or CD-RW drive and be able to copy files onto the blank CD. Poorly written software can hinder the ease of use of a CD-R or CD-RW drive and sometimes cause errors with the CDs that are created.

Speed

The speed of the CD-R drive can also be an important consideration, as this determines the amount of time this drive takes to create or read a CD. Users that expect to not burn many CDs may want to look at the slower, less expensive drives, while users that expect to burn several CDs may want to look at the faster, more expensive drives.
Other considerations

Some other important considerations to look at when purchasing a computer CD-R or CD-RW drive include:

Warranty How long is the warranty and what does it cover.
Support Is the technical support number a free number; is it open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Price range

For a CD-R and CD-RW drive, not to be confused with a CD-ROM or DVD drive, can vary depending upon the speed, the included software and the interface the CD-ROM drive uses.
Standard IDE/SCSI CD-R Drive: $100.00 - $200.00
Standard IDE/SCSI CD-RW Drive: $160.00 - $300.00+
USB CD-R and CD-RW Drive: $150.00 - $200.00+

Ready to buy

Once you have reviewed the appropriate information and believe that you are ready to make a purchase of a computer CD-R or CD-RW, ensure that the source that you plan on purchasing the CD-R or CD-RW from is a reputable source and you have reviewed our section on what to look out for when purchasing over the Internet.

To help support you can purchase directly through our well-known associate, Amazon. Click the below browse button to begin browsing through the CD-R or CD-RW section.

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Computer CD buying tips

Computer CD buying tips


Purchasing a CD-ROM drive is a relatively easy task but can involve some considerations when purchasing.
Technology

Before considering purchasing a CD-ROM, it is also good consider the other available options.

CD-R - CD-R, or CD Recordable, drives allow you to do everything that a standard CD-ROM is capable of doing with the added ability of creating CDs. An excellent solution for anyone that is in need of a CD-ROM and backup solution.

 Tips on buying these drives can be found on our CD-R and CD-RW buying tips 
page.

CD-RW - Like a CD-R drive, a CD-RW (CD Read/Write) drive allows you to read and write to a CD-RW disc thousands of times instead of once like a CD-R drive. While a little more expensive, this is another great solution for backups. Tips on buying these drives can be found on our CD-R and CD-RW buying tips page.
DVD - DVD, or Digital Versatile (video) Disc, allows a computer to not only do everything that a standard CD-ROM drive is capable of doing, but at the same time is capable of reading DVD Discs and DVD movies. For users who plan on playing games or watching movies on their computers, this is an excellent addition. Tips on buying these drives can be found on our DVD buying tips page.

Interface
The first and foremost important consideration when purchasing a CD-ROM is the interface that the CD-ROM utilizes, such as IDE, SCSI, USB, Parallel or PC-Card.

IDE/EIDE The most commonly used interface with IBM computers, IDE/EIDE/ATAPI interface is found on all IBM compatible motherboards. This interface allows for a total of four devices to be connected.

When considering purchasing an IDE/EIDE/ATAPI CD-ROM drive it is important to verify that you have the available connections for the device.

SCSI The only method with Apple computers and commonly used interface with IBM computers, the SCSI interface allows for a total of seven devices to be connected to the computer and is a faster solution than the IDE/EIDE interface.

If you are user of an IBM compatible computer, it is important that you ensure your computer has a SCSI interface already present in the computer. If not present, you need to install a SCSI card before being able to install a SCSI CD-ROM drive.

USB The USB interface allows a user to install a device and supports up to 127 devices.

Before you can install a USB CD-ROM drive, it is important for both IBM and Macintosh users to verify that a USB port is present on the computer. If not present, an interface card needs to be installed.

Parallel Solution available for PC computers, Parallel CD-ROM drives allow users that may not have the available resources or may have a portable computer to connect a CD-ROM drive.

PC-Card (PCMCIA) Excellent solution for users utilizing an older laptop that does not have a CD-ROM drive to connect a CD-ROM drive to their computer.

Transfer rates

Transfer rates can sometimes be a misleading when looking at purchasing a CD-ROM drive. The transfer rate of a CD-ROM drive is how fast a CD-ROM drive may be able to access the data from a CD. This speed is only going to be noticeable when installing a program or copying large amounts of data from a CD.

Price range

For a CD-ROM drive, not to be confused with a CD-R, CD-RW or DVD drive, the price can vary depending upon the speed and the interface the CD-ROM drive uses.
Standard IDE/SCSI CD-ROM Drive: $50.00 - $200.00
Parallel CD-ROM Drive: $150.00 - $300.00
PC Card and PCMCIA CD-ROM Drive: $100.00 - $300.00

Ready to buy

Once you have reviewed the appropriate information and believe that you are ready to make a purchase of a computer CD-ROM, ensure that the source that you plan on purchasing the CD-ROM from is a reputable source and you have reviewed our section on what to look out for when purchasing over the Internet.
 
To help support, you can purchase directly through our well-known associate, Amazon. Click the below browse button to begin browsing through the CD-ROM section.


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Computer sound card buying tips

When purchasing a sound card, there are several factors that can complicate and sometimes not allow you to install your sound card. Before purchasing a sound card, it is important to take the following into consideration.

Interface

Ensure that you have the available connection on the computer. Sound cards are available as both PCI and ISA.

PCI - Today, most cards available are PCI; if you plan on using your sound card for such things as playing games and watching DVD movies, it is recommended you at least get a PCI sound card.

ISA - Today, ISA cards are relatively cheap sound cards, which allow users that may not have as much money to have sound on the computer. In addition to being a cheap sound card, purchasing an ISA sound card will keep an additional free PCI slot available.

In addition to verifying your computer has the available connections, it is also important to look to see if your computer has a sound card that is built onto the Motherboard. Verify that this sound card can be disabled or will be disabled when the new sound card is installed. Additional information about on-board audio can be found in document CH000261.

Available connections
After determining the available connection on the sound card, it is also important to look at the available connections on the card. When purchasing a sound card it is important that it has the available connections on the card.

Available speaker connections - For computer gamers it may be important that the card has two available speaker connections. 

One connection for the front speakers and the other for the rear speakers. Users who do not plan on using four speakers or utilizing this technology only needs one speaker connection to connect the set of two speakers to.

Midi port and Game port - The midi port allows a user to connect a Midi keyboard; however, it is more commonly used as a game port, allowing users to connect game paddles and joysticks to the card.

Microphone connection - Today, a standard with all sound cards, it's important to verify your sound card includes a Microphone connection

Full-duplex

Today, included with most sound cards, FullDuplex allows for sound cards playing and recording sound at the same time. This feature is most commonly used to do voice communication over the Internet or speakerphone.

3-D acceleration

Today, 3-D Acceleration is used and found in computer games. Below is a listing of the three 3-D acceleration found today.

DirectSound 3D Microsoft's DirectSound3D software API included with DirectX. When compared to other available 3D standards.

EAX Creative Labs Environmental Audio Extensions that creates very realistic and believable sound effects based in the environment of a game.

A3D Originally developed by Aureal, A3D is a software API developed for additional 3D acceleration without using Microsofts API code. Unfortunately, on June 6, 2000, Aureal went off-line because of bankruptcy.

Other considerations

Some other important considerations to look at when purchasing a computer sound card include:

Warranty How long is the warranty and what does it cover.

Support Is the technical support number a free number; is it open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Price range

The price range can vary depending upon the sound card purchased and the available options with that sound card. Below is a listing of some examples of prices you are likely to see when purchasing a sound card.

Sound Card: $20 to $300

Ready to purchase

Once you have reviewed the appropriate information and believe that you are ready to make a purchase of a new sound card, ensure that the source that you plan on purchasing the sound card from is a reputable source and you have reviewed our section on what to look out for when purchasing over the Internet.


To help support you can purchase directly through our well-known associate, Amazon. Click the below browse button to begin browsing through the sound card section.

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Computer Buying Help and Tips

Buying a computer questions and answers

• Desktop computer buying tips and help.
• Laptop computer buying tips and help.
• Server buying tips and help.
• Mac vs. PC
• Manufacturers of computers and laptops.

Computer buying related questions and answers

• Should I upgrade or buy a new computer?
• How often should I buy a new computer?
• Common questions regarding refurbished computers and hardware.
• I bought a new computer, what should I do with the older one?
• Where can I get a free computer or laptop?
• Mac vs. PC

Purchasing computer software help and questions

• How to install software.
• Software applications buying help and tips.
• Computer game buying help and tips.
• Software utility buying tips and help.
• List of developers of computer software.

Buying computer hardware help and questions

• What hardware do you recommend or what is the best?
• Where can I buy computer hardware or other parts for my computer?
• What to look for when buying computer hardware and software.
• Help and information with installing new hardware
• Battery buying help and tips.
• Cases (chassis) buying help and tips.
• CD-ROM drive buying tips and help.
• CD-R and CD-RW drive buying help.
• DVD drive buying help and tips.
• Flat panel display buying tips and help.
• Hard drive buying help and tips.
• Memory (RAM) buying tips and help.
• Modem buying help and tips.
• Monitor buying help and tips.
• Motherboard buying help and tips.
• Network card buying tips and help.
• Printer buying tips and help.
• Processor (CPU) buying help and tips.
• Sound card buying help and tips.
• Speaker buying help and tips.
• USB devices buying help and tips.
• Video card buying tips and help.
• List of computer hardware manufacturers.

Other computer buying related questions and answers

• How to setup a new computer.
• Now that I've got a computer what can I do?
• How can I learn more about computers?
• How are computers used.
• How to use a computer.
• Computer training related questions and answers.

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Top 10 Twitter tips and tricks

Below is a listing of our top 10 favorite Twitter tips and tricks. 

These tips help make your Twitter experience more enjoyable and can help increase your followers.

Customize

• Change your profile picture. Use a picture of yourself to make it seem more personalized if this is your personal Twitter account.
• Utilize as much of the 160-character limit Twitter BIO space allows. 
• Include keywords your followers or potential followers may be trying to find.
• Create a background image. However, do not make the image too much like an ad or sales pitch. 
• The background image must be less than 800 k and we recommend a size of 1600x1200 for a large image or smaller if you plan on tiling the image or just having it on the left-hand side. 
• Finally, keep in mind that smaller resolutions and monitor sizes hide much of the background.

Third-party tools
Take advantage of the hundreds of different third-party online tools and services that enhance your Twitter experience. Below are a few of our favorites.
 
Manageflitter - Fantastic site for managing your followers and getting an overview of people not following you back, quiet users, and inactive users.
SocialOomph - Another great service with a collection of free Twitter tools including the ability to schedule when tweets gets posted.
Twitter Fan Wiki Apps - Finally, this wiki has a listing of several hundred different Twitter applications and tools for users wanting more.
 
Use Twitter search
Take full advantage of the Twitter search tool. Below are just a few tips that can help improve your search capabilities on Twitter.
 
Search for your website or blog URL and see if others are mentioning your page.
Search for anything near you by adding near:"city state". 

For example, typing near:"Salt lake city Utah" club would return current tweets that have happened in Salt Lake City, Utah with the keyword club in them.

Find people whom you may enjoy following by searching for keywords that interested you.

If you do not want tweets with links add ? -filter:links at the end of your search query.

Need more options, use the Advanced Twitter search.
 
Any time you get excellent results, click the "Save this search" button to save them.

For those with the old Twitter interface, these results can then be found under "Saved Searches" on the right-hand part of your profile. 

For those with the new interface, they are under the "Searches" tab next to your timeline.

Followers

• Twitter is not all about who can get the most followers. But there are many tips you can do to help get more followers and keep the followers you already have.
• Engage followers.
• Do not follow too many people. No one wants to follow someone following thousands of people with only 10 followers.
• Retweet interesting posts.
• Retweet and participate in conversations with people with lots of followers.
• Realize it is impossible for anyone to read every tweet.
• When first joining do not follow hundreds of people, doing this may mark you as a bot.

Create useful and interesting tweets

• Try to make all your tweets informative, useful, or funny.
• Do not post mundane posts, e.g. eating a bowl of cereal.
• Add hashtags to your tweets. For example, if your tweet is about computers, consider adding #computer in the tweet.
• Tweet frequently. No one is going to follow someone they do not know who has not tweeted in months. Try to tweet a few times a week or daily if you can manage.
• Do not whine or complain. Most people unfollow anyone who constantly whines or complains.
• Try to make your valuable tweets during the times people will most likely see them.
• Keep some space available in your tweet in case someone retweets your post.
• Use special characters in your tweets.

Know the lingo

Know the Twitter lingo, these are just a few examples: @reply, Direct Message (DM), follower, hashtag, retweet (RT), trending topics, and tweet. See the Twitter description for a complete listing of Twitter terms and lingo and related terms.

Follow the masters

Following a few of the masters of Twitter and Social Networking give you an understanding of how to tweet better, posts to RT, and can provide inspiration for your tweets. Below are the top ten Twitters we recommend following.
@GuyKawasaki
@Scobleizer
@jeffbullas
@briansolis
@tonyrobbins
@timoreilly
@donttrythis
@zappos
@brainpicker
@savedyouaclick

Create and use lists

Twitter lists are an excellent method of filtering filter through the people you follow. To create a list, click your Twitter profile icon on the computer or the gear icon on your phone and then click Lists. Once in Lists, click Create new list on a computer or the + icon on the phone. After creating a list, visit the Twitter page you want to add and on a PC click the three dots for More user actions or the gear icon on the phone and then click Add or remove from lists.

Go Mobile

Apple iPhones, BlackBerry phones, Android phones, Windows phone 7 phones, and most of the other smartphones have Twitter applications. Take full
advantage of these applications. 
For users who do not have smartphones Twitter also has extensive support for SMS, which can send tweets over a text message.
 
Advertise

Mention your Twitter page as many places as you can, e.g. your business card, e-mail signatures, web page, blog, and on Facebook.

Create a tweet button or at least your Twitter name on your pages, similar to the examples below.

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Safe online shopping

Online shopping is a convenient way to buy almost anything from the comfort of your home. And while there are some risks with shopping online, there are also many ways to protect yourself and your financial information.

Shop from home

To protect sensitive information like credit card numbers, you'll want to shop from your home Internet connection if possible. Try to avoid shopping when connected to a public Wi-Fi network or when using a public computer, such as a library computer. Public computers and Wi-Fi networks are at a slightly greater risk for hacking, which could put your information at risk.

Look for HTTPS

Many websites will display a lock symbol in the address bar. This is most commonly seen on the payment page of an online store. This means the website is using an HTTPS connection, which makes it safe to enter your information. 

You won't see this symbol on every page of an online store, and that's OK—not all pages really need this extra layer of security. However, you should avoid entering your credit card number or other financial information if you don't see this symbol.

Research the company or seller

Anyone can set up a shop online, so it's important to research a company or seller before buying from the site. Make sure the business has a physical address and phone number you can contact if there's a problem. You can also check for reviews on sites like Yelp and Google.

Use secure payment methods

Credit cards are generally the safest way to pay for items online. Avoid options like direct wire transfer, bank transfers, or sending cash or checks through the mail. And if you don't like the idea of giving your credit card information to different retailers, you could try an online payment service like PayPal or Google Wallet. Check out our What is PayPal? lesson to learn more.

Keep a record

Always save records of your online transactions, which should include the receipt, order number, product description, and price. You will also want to save any emails you send or receive from a seller, which may come in handy if there's a problem later on.

Trust your instincts

In the end, use your common sense and trust your instincts. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. And if anything seems suspicious, remember that you don't have make the purchase.

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How to update your software

Keeping your software up to date is a crucial practice in Internet safety. Most software updates automatically by default, but you should know how to check the updates and begin the process yourself. Knowing how to keep your software updated can improve your computer's stability and security and let you know about new features, helping you be an informed and empowered user.

Update your operating system

Keeping your operating system updated is one of the most important steps in protecting yourself from viruses, malware, and other Internet security threats.  

Windows

To update Windows, first open the Control Panel. If you don't know where the Control Panel is, check out this lesson in Windows Basics. In the search bar in the Control Panel, type update. Under Windows Update, click Check for updates

 

It may take a moment for Windows to search for updates. Once it does, if there are any updates available it will prompt you to install them.

It may take a while to install all the updates. It's safe to leave the computer and do something else while it finishes. Once it's done, Windows will probably prompt you to restart the computer. If you need to do anything else after this, Windows will prompt you; otherwise, you're up to date!

Mac OS X

To update Mac OS X, open the App Store, then click Updates at the top. OS X updates will be at the top of the list of available updates. On the right side of the screen, there are buttons to update individual apps or to apply all available updates.

Apple has an excellent support page on how to check for updates for OS X and apps.

Update your apps

For many apps, regular updates provide new features and stability rather than security patches, so it isn't necessary to update them as frequently. However, for more essential software like web browsers and antivirus software, security updates are just as critical as operating system updates.

Many apps in both OS X and Windows will automatically check for updates when you open them. If you installed them through the App Store or another distribution platform, the program will alert you about updates. For standalone programs, take time to explore the program's menus and learn how to run the update process.

For example, in Avast! Free Antivirus, there is an Update page on the Settings screen



 

 

However, in Firefox, the About Firefox screen in the Help menu also checks for updates.

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What is the cloud?

You may have heard people using terms like the cloud, cloud computing, or cloud storage. But what exactly is the cloud?
Simply put, the cloud is the Internet—more specifically, it's all of the things you can access remotely over the Internet. When something is in the cloud, it means it's stored on Internet servers instead of your computer's hard drive

Why use the cloud?

Some of the main reasons to use the cloud are convenience and reliability. For example, if you've ever used a web-based email service, such as Gmail or Yahoo! Mail, you've already used the cloud. All of the emails in a web-based service are stored on servers rather than on your computer's hard drive. This means you can access your email from any computer with an Internet connection. It also means you'll be able to recover your emails if something happens to your computer.

Let's look at some of the most common reasons to use the cloud. 

File storage: 

You can store all types of information in the cloud, including files and email. This means you can access these things from any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection, not just your home computer. Dropbox and Google Drive are some of the most popular cloud-based storage services.

File sharing: 

The cloud makes it easy to share files with several people at the same time. For example, you could upload several photos to a cloud-based photo service like Flickr or iCloud Photos, then quickly share them with friends and family.

Backing up data: 

You can also use the cloud to protect your files. Apps like Mozy and Carbonite automatically back up your data to the cloud. This way, if your computer ever is lost, stolen, or damaged, you'll still be able to recover these files from the cloud.

What is a web app?

Previously, we talked about how desktop applications allow you to perform tasks on your computer. But there are also web applications—or web apps—that run in the cloud and do not need to be installed on your computer. Many of the most popular sites on the Internet are actually web apps. You may have even used a web app without realizing it! Let's take a look at some popular web apps.

Facebook: 

Facebook lets you create an online profile and interact with your friends. Profiles and conversations can be updated at any time, so Facebook uses web app technologies to keep the information up to date.

Pixlr: 

Pixlr is an image editing application that runs in your web browser. Much like Adobe Photoshop, it includes many advanced features, like color correction and sharpening tools.

Google Docs: 

Google Docs is an office suite that runs in your browser. Much like Microsoft Office, you can use it to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. And because the files are stored in the cloud, it's easy to share them with others

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Backing up your files

As we become more dependent on technology to help accomplish our everyday tasks, we tend to forget how easily the information stored on our computers can be lost. Imagine what would happen if your computer was misplaced, damaged, or even stolen. Would you lose any important music, documents, photos, or other files?
 

While it may be possible to repair or recover your computer, the files could be lost forever. You can protect your files from accidental loss by creating a backup on an external hard drive or online backup service. Should anything happen to your computer, you can rest easy knowing your files are still safe and secure.

 External hard drives

One of the easiest ways to back up your files is to copy them to an external hard drive. You'll need to purchase an external drive to get started. Western Digital, Lenovo and Seagate produce some of the most popular external hard drives. Conduct some research on which product best suits your storage needs, or ask a computer sales representative for recommendations.

 
Keep in mind that an external hard drive is subject to the same risks as your computer, including fire, theft, and accidental damage. Thus, it is important to keep your drive in a secure location (away from your computer) when not in use—we recommend a small fireproof safe for greater protection.
 

Backing up files manually

If you only want to back up certain files, you can copy them directly to an external hard drive. This is an easy way to protect your most important files and folders, like certain documents or an important project.
 
To back up a file or folder, connect the external hard drive to your computer, then simply click and drag the desired items to the external drive. A copy will now exist on both the computer and the external drive.

Backing up files automatically

While it's easy to copy files and folders to an external hard drive, it's also easy to forget. You never know when you might need to access your files, so you'll want to back them up regularly to make sure you always have a copy of the most recent version. To simplify the process, most computers can automatically back up certain files or even your entire hard drive.

Using Windows

Windows Backup (also known as File History in Windows 8) allows you to create automatic copies of certain files or folders. You can also use Windows Backup to save a system image, which creates a backup of your entire hard drive, including your files and any applications you have installed. 
Check out Windows Backup and Restore from Microsoft to learn more.

Using Mac OS X

When active, Time Machine automatically creates a backup of your entire hard drive, including your files and applications. If something goes wrong, it's easy to restore your computer to a previous date and pick up right where you left off. Visit Mac 101: Time Machine from Apple to learn more.

If you choose to back up your entire hard drive, the initial backup could take several hours. Select a time when you do not need to access your computer—overnight usually works best. Additional backups should be scheduled on a regular basis, but these will usually take less time because the drive will only need to copy your most recent files.

Backing up your files online

Even if you back up your files regularly on an external hard drive, it's still possible to lose your data. For added security, you can also back up your files in the cloud. When you store something in the cloud, it's saved online to servers instead of a hard drive. The main advantage of cloud-based storage is that your files are much less vulnerable to risks like theft or accidental damage.
 
Visit Web Apps and the Cloud in our Computer Basics tutorial to learn more about cloud storage.

Backing up files manually

If you want to back up a few files or folders online, you'll need to sign up for an account with a cloud-based storage service. Most services will give you a small amount of free storage, which should be enough to store your most important files. You can also buy additional storage for a monthly fee.

Best of all, you'll also be able to access your files from any device with an Internet connection and share files with your family, friends, and coworkers. Learn more about some of the most popular cloud-based storage services below:

Dropbox

Dropbox is a simple way to back up your most important files online. Dropbox offers 2GB (gigabytes) of free storage and allows you to share files and even entire folders with anyone you choose.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service from Google, offering 15GB of free storage. From Drive, you can also access Google Docs, which allows you to create, share, and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. Visit our Google Drive and Docs tutorial to learn more.

OneDrive

OneDrive (previously called SkyDrive) is a cloud-based storage service from Microsoft, offering 15GB of free storage. You'll also have access to Office Online, a free online version of Microsoft Office that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Visit our OneDrive and Office Online tutorial to learn more.

Backing up files automatically

While simple cloud-based services are great for backing up your most important files, it can be easy to forget to back up your files regularly. If you want to automatically back up a lot of files or even your entire computer, you'll need to purchase storage from an online backup service.

The amount of storage provided by these services varies, and you will have to pay a monthly or annual fee for adequate space. While these options may seem expensive, they often cost the same as an external hard drive while offering the added security of storing your files in the cloud. Learn about some of the most popular online backup services below: 

Carbonite

If you don't want to think about backing up your files, Carbonite's automatic backup service ensures that all of your files are always up-to-date. Carbonite has no limits on the amount of storage you can use, beginning with basic service for $59.99 per year.

Mozy

If you want more control over when your files are backed up, Mozy offers both automatic and scheduled backups. It has a variety of monthly pricing plans to suit your storage needs, offering 2GB of free storage and additional space starting at 125GB for $9.99 per month.

iCloud

Unlike Mozy and Carbonite, iCloud is specifically designed to back up Apple apps, including documents created with iWork applications (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote), as well as content downloaded from iTunes and the App Store. Any apps, music, movies, or TV shows you purchase are automatically backed up if your computer is lost, damaged, or stolen. You can also use iCloud to back up your content and settings for any iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads.

One drawback to online backup services is that the initial backup can be very slow—it may take days, weeks, or even longer to upload all of your files. However, subsequent backups should take much less time.

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How to avoid malware

Malware is one of the most common hazards to your computer when you're online, but it's easy to avoid. Developing safe and smart browsing habits can protect you from malware and other threats, like viruses. Securing your computer and learning how to identify and avoid suspicious links are the fundamentals of safe browsing habits.
 

Secure your computer

Limiting your computer's vulnerability to malware is a crucial safe browsing habit. You can protect your computer by running antivirus and antimalware software like Bitdefender, Norton, or Kaspersky. 

These programs can block malware from being installed and can remove it if it does get onto your computer. Even if you don't see signs of malware on your computer, running regular scans can catch any malware that has escaped notice.




 

 Learn more in our lesson on How to update your software.

Many malware programs take advantage of security flaws in Windows and other software. Keeping your OS, browser, and other programs updated is an important step in protecting your computer. The security patches in these updates make your computer immune to many threats. 

Back up your files

Some malware can delete or corrupt data on your drives. Preparing for the possibility of data loss is much easier and cheaper than attempting to recover data after a malware attack. The two most common ways of doing this are copying your data to an external drive and using an online backup service.

Learn more in our lesson on Backing Up Your Files.

Avoid suspicious links

Most malware requires you to click something to download and install it. These links are often disguised as something they are not. If you are aware of what suspicious links can look like, you can avoid them. Here are some examples of misleading links concealing malware downloads.

Ads on websites can look like system messages or diagnostics warning you that something is wrong with your computer, like the image below.

Ads can look like messages saying you have won a prize and instructing you to click to claim it.

Pop-up windows frequently contain malware or attempt to lead you to a less secure site. Most reputable sites don't use pop-up windows. Many browsers block pop-up windows by default.

If you are prompted to download something you weren't expecting—or if it seems to be unrelated to the page you were on—it's probably malware.

Headlines that are ambiguous and sensational that encourage you to click to read more are called clickbait. Sites that use lots of clickbait headlines are more likely to contain links to malware. 

Identify suspicious sites

If you're ever unsure whether a website or download is safe, close it and investigate the site before returning to it. It's always a good idea to be cautious when browsing unfamiliar sites.

Ask your friends if the site is reputable or if they have any experiences with the site.

Search for information about the site. Use a search engine to find news about the organization that runs the site, or look for posts on forums about other people's experiences with that site.
Check the address bar in your browser. Some malicious websites are designed to look like other well-known sites, but your address bar will tell you which site you're actually on. If you are no longer on the site you expected to be, it's suspicious.

Run a Google safe browsing diagnostic on the site. Copy and paste the URL of a site into the search box on the diagnostic page, then click the search button. This will display a site safety report.

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Your browser's security features

Your computer faces different threats whenever you browse the Web, including viruses, malware, and spyware. The good news is your web browser has a lot of built-in security features to help protect your computer. Let's take a look at some of the most important features you should know about, as well as some simple tips you can use to stay safe online.

Check the web address

Malicious websites often use deceptive web addresses to trick users. For example, www.wellfargo.com looks similar to www.wellsfargo.com, but it's missing the s in the middle.

Double-checking the domain name is a good way to ensure you're going to the real, trusted site—not a phony site with a similar web address. Some web browsers will even try to make the domain name easier to read. In the example below, you can see that wellsfargo.com uses a darker color in the address bar.

Look at the security symbol

Some websites will display a lock symbol in the address bar. This is most commonly seen with certain types of websites, like online stores and banking sites. This means the website is using an HTTPS connection, which makes it safe to enter your personal information.

You won't see this symbol on all websites, and that's OK—not all websites need this extra layer of security. However, you should avoid entering any sensitive information, such as your credit card number, if you don't see this symbol in the address bar.

Update your browser regularly

New viruses and malware are created all the time, so it's important to update your browser regularly. Your browser will usually notify you when it has an update available, but you always have the option to update manually. In this example, we're updating Google Chrome to the most recent version, but the exact update procedure will vary depending on your browser. 

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Computer - Number System

When we type some letters or words, the computer translates them in numbers as computers can understand only numbers. A computer can understand the positional number system where there are only a few symbols called digits and these symbols represent different values depending on the position they occupy in the number.

The value of each digit in a number can be determined using −

• The digit
• The position of the digit in the number
• The base of the number system (where the base is defined as the total number of digits available in the number system)

Decimal Number System

The number system that we use in our day-to-day life is the decimal number system. Decimal number system has base 10 as it uses 10 digits from 0 to 9. In decimal number system, the successive positions to the left of the decimal point represent units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on.

Each position represents a specific power of the base (10). For example, the decimal number 1234 consists of the digit 4 in the units position, 3 in the tens position, 2 in the hundreds position, and 1 in the thousands position. Its value can be written as

(1 x 1000)+ (2 x 100)+ (3 x 10)+ (4 x l)
(1 x 103)+ (2 x 102)+ (3 x 101)+ (4 x l00)
1000 + 200 + 30 + 4
1234
 
As a computer programmer or an IT professional, you should understand the following number systems which are frequently used in computers.

S.No.                           Number System and Description
1                      Binary Number System Base 2. Digits used : 0, 1

2                      Octal Number System Base 8. Digits used : 0 to 7

3                      Hexa Decimal Number System  
                        Base 16. Digits used: 0 to 9, Letters used : A- F

Binary Number System

Characteristics of the binary number system are as follows −

• Uses two digits, 0 and 1
• Also called as base 2 number system
• Each position in a binary number represents a 0 power of the base (2). Example 20
• Last position in a binary number represents a x power of the base (2). Example 2x where x represents the last position - 1.

Example
Binary Number: 101012

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step                      Binary Number                     Decimal Number
Step 1                        101012                       ((1 x 24) + (0 x 23) + (1 x 22) 

                                                                    + (0 x 21) + (1 x 20))10
Step 2                        101012                       (16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1)10
Step 3                         101012                                       2110
Note − 101012 is normally written as 10101.

Octal Number System

Characteristics of the octal number system are as follows −

• Uses eight digits, 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7
• Also called as base 8 number system
• Each position in an octal number represents a 0 power of the base (8). Example 80
• Last position in an octal number represents a x power of the base (8). Example 8x where x represents the last position - 1

Example
Octal Number: 125708

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step                     Octal Number                     Decimal Number
Step 1                     125708                       ((1 x 84) + (2 x 83) + (5 x 82)
                                                                 +(7 x 81) + (0 x 80))10
Step 2                      125708                (4096 + 1024 + 320 + 56 + 0)10
Step 3                       125708                               549610

Note − 125708 is normally written as 12570.

Hexadecimal Number System

Characteristics of hexadecimal number system are as follows −

• Uses 10 digits and 6 letters, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F
• Letters represent the numbers starting from 10. A = 10. B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15
• Also called as base 16 number system
• Each position in a hexadecimal number represents a 0 power of the base (16). Example, 160
• Last position in a hexadecimal number represents a x power of the base (16). Example 16x where x represents the last position - 1

Example
Hexadecimal Number: 19FDE16

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step              Binary Number                         Decimal Number
Step 1            19FDE16                     ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + 
                                                       (F x 162) + (D x 161) + (E x 160))10
Step 2             19FDE16                     ((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (15 x 162)
                                                         + (13 x 161) + (14 x 160))10
Step 3             19FDE16                     (65536+ 36864 + 3840 + 208 + 14)10
Step 4              19FDE16                                       10646210

Note − 19FDE16 is normally written as 19FDE.

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Computer Fundamentals - Computer Applications

In this chapter, we will discuss the application of computers in various fields.

Business

A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence, accuracy, reliability, or versatility which has made it an integrated part in all business organizations.

Computer is used in business organizations for −

• Payroll calculations
• Budgeting
• Sales analysis
• Financial forecasting
• Managing employee database
• Maintenance of stocks, etc.

Banking

Today, banking is almost totally dependent on computers.

 

Banks provide the following facilities −

Online accounting facility, which includes checking current balance, making deposits and overdrafts, checking interest charges, shares, and trustee records.

ATM machines which are completely automated are making it even easier for customers to deal with banks.

Insurance

 

Insurance companies are keeping all records up-to-date with the help of computers. Insurance companies, finance houses, and stock broking firms are widely using computers for their concerns.

Insurance companies are maintaining a database of all clients with information showing −

Procedure to continue with policies
Starting date of the policies
Next due installment of a policy
Maturity date
Interests due
Survival benefits
Bonus

Education

The computer helps in providing a lot of facilities in the education system.

The computer provides a tool in the education system known as CBE (Computer Based Education).

CBE involves control, delivery, and evaluation of learning.

Computer education is rapidly increasing the graph of number of computer students.

There are a number of methods in which educational institutions can use a computer to educate the students.

It is used to prepare a database about performance of a student and analysis is carried out on this basis.

Marketing

 

In marketing, uses of the computer are following −

Advertising − With computers, advertising professionals create art and graphics, write and revise copy, and print and disseminate ads with the goal of selling more products.

Home Shopping − Home shopping has been made possible through the use of computerized catalogues that provide access to product information and permit direct entry of orders to be filled by the customers.

Healthcare

Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs, and dispensaries. They are being used in hospitals to keep the record of patients and medicines. It is also used in scanning and diagnosing different diseases. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc. are also done by computerized machines.

Following are some major fields of health care in which computers are used.

Diagnostic System − Computers are used to collect data and identify the cause of illness.

Lab-diagnostic System − All tests can be done and the reports are prepared by computer.

Patient Monitoring System − These are used to check the patient's signs for abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG, etc.

Pharma Information System − Computer is used to check drug labels, expiry dates, harmful side effects, etc.

Surgery − Nowadays, computers are also used in performing surgery.

Engineering Design

Computers are widely used for Engineering purpose.

One of the major areas is CAD (Computer Aided Design) that provides creation and modification of images. Some of the fields are −

 

Structural Engineering − Requires stress and strain analysis for design of ships, buildings, budgets, airplanes, etc.

Industrial Engineering − Computers deal with design, implementation, and improvement of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment.

Architectural Engineering − Computers help in planning towns, designing buildings, determining a range of buildings on a site using both 2D and 3D drawings.

Military

Computers are largely used in defence. Modern tanks, missiles, weapons, etc. Military also employs computerized control systems. Some military areas where a computer has been used are −




 

Missile Control
Military Communication
Military Operation and Planning
Smart Weapons

Communication

Communication is a way to convey a message, an idea, a picture, or speech that is received and understood clearly and correctly by the person for whom it is meant. Some main areas in this category are −





 

E-mail
Chatting
Usenet
FTP
Telnet
Video-conferencing
 

Government

Computers play an important role in government services. Some major fields in this category are −

 

Budgets
Sales tax department
Income tax department
Computation of male/female ratio
Computerization of voters lists
Computerization of PAN card
Weather forecasting

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