Computer Internet and Technology Articles.

In this day and age where “iPod” is synonymous with “mp3 player,” could Apple possibly be dethroned by another company? And if so, what company could accomplish such a feat?

Microsoft is, of course, the logical answer. They have brand recognition, loads of cash, plenty of manpower, and a relationship with Apple that rivals Boston’s feelings toward the Yankees. However, Microsoft just does not do much for our emotional side. It is certainly rare when a PC user sings the praises of the latest Windows release.

Fortunately for Microsoft, the new Zune player is a little more fun than their previous releases. If you have not heard, the Zune is Microsoft’s direct attack on the iPod and iTunes. It was dubbed by many to be the “iPod Killer,” but early reviews have been mixed.

On paper the Zune sounds like a very nice device. It looks pretty good and comes in a range of color combinations. It has a large 3-inch screen. It even offers Wi-Fi capability and song and playlist sharing. On top of that, the Zune Marketplace allows you to buy individual songs or choose a monthly subscription which offers unlimited downloads. Couple that with a $100 million marketing campaign and Microsoft may capture some serious market share.

That sounds great, but in reality, the Zune is simply a Toshiba Gigabeat Portable Media Player that has been tainted by Microsoft’s evil ways. In typical Microsoft fashion, the Zune is incompatible with all other hardware and software. It even excludes Windows Media Player and the PlaysForSure audio file format developed by none other than Microsoft itself.

Listing all of the problems of the Zune would take forever (keep in mind that this is Microsoft we are talking about,) so here are a few key problems. First up is the storage space. While other hard drive based MP3 players can double as external storage, the Zune lacks this capability. Then think about the controls - the Zune’s scroll wheel is a fake. There are actually four buttons there, covered up with a circular piece of plastic to look more iPod-ish. While the buttons work fine, it makes you wonder what Microsoft is up to.

Finally, the Wi-Fi capability leaves something to be desired. One would think that the Zune would readily connect to a normal Wi-Fi network, or at least connect to the Zune Marketplace to download new tunes wirelessly. That is not the case at all. Zune devices can only connect to one another for activities such as song sharing. This allows you to send a song to a friend, who can listen to it a whopping three times before the song deletes itself.

Until Microsoft can overcome all of those problems and offer a number of features not available on the iPod, Apple should remain on top. The Zune is not bad, but it has a long way to go to be the best. Only time will tell.

People may be digging a grave, but it is certainly not for the iPod.

Levi Bloom is a Business & Technology columnist for thebostonvoice.com The Boston Voice and also writes for mp3-player-guide.com mp3-player-guide.com and pcbackupreview.com pcbackupreview.com.

LONDON - An optical transistor, successfully crafted from a single molecule, brings researchers a step closer to an optical computer , which would be much faster and more powerful than existing counterparts.

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Researchers edge closer to optical computer

Internet Restrictions In China

By: John Thompson

Internet restriction has always been a sensitive issue for free-speech activists and advocates of net neutrality. These issues center on the policies of China in actively blocking websites, banning IP addresses, and examining online content that have critical opinions against the government. Chinese users respond by finding ways to bypass China firewall.

Humorously described as the Great Firewall of China, Internet restriction policies were highlighted during the 2008 Beijing Olympics when international journalists were not able to access websites blocked by Chinese authorities. Censorship is strongly implemented in China through state run Internet service providers with directives from local government units.

These restrictions put a severe strain on the online experience of average Chinese users. Unlike other users in the world, Chinese home users have limited access to international news websites, blogs, online message boards, chat rooms, and instant messaging services. The Chinese government is especially sensitive against content that they deem dangerous propaganda like anti-pollution and anti-corruption campaigns. Chinese officials are also wary of online content that is positive toward Taiwanese and Tibetan independence sentiments.

There are reliable Internet services that allow people to bypass China firewall. These solutions have been developed so users can go through the firewall and access sites with full liberty. The most promising solution today is called VPN solutions.

VPN stands for virtual private network. This technology creates a tunnel over the restricted public network. This tunnel serves as a safeguard for totally anonymous Internet usage, helping users keep their online activities private and secure. VPN connections are useful for people who are constantly concerned with their Internet privacy and security.

VPN is similar to online proxies, but unlike online proxies, VPN connections are more advanced. VPN connections can protect you even if you are using an unsecure Wi-Fi network. It prevents your ISP from keeping logs of your online activity, unblocks previously inaccessible websites, and gives users access to other protocols. You can also use VPN connections for instant messaging programs like Skype, Windows Live, or Yahoo Messenger. VPN options come at different monthly prices and packages, but you will quickly find that having a secure connection that will help you bypass China firewall or any other firewall will provide more value for you.

Another crucial application of VPN connections is access to VOIP in countries or regions where it is restricted. VOIP or “voice over Internet protocol” is the cheapest method for making local and international calls. Some countries block VOIP programs at the request of large telecommunications companies to force the end user to pay high calling rates. With VPN, you can significantly cut your phone bills, especially if you are a business that needs to call international business contacts.

VPN is simply the best solution against Internet restriction policies. China’s police infrastructure to enforce Internet restriction in the country is the most aggressive and the most organized in the world. However, a good VPN connection plan can get you through all these restrictions and grant you the liberty to use the Internet just as it should be used.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/computers_and_internet/article_4471.shtml

So I went on a splurge and bought large amounts of X-Men graphic novels but after reading most of them, I’ve picked a couple that I want to keep and I’m just going to resell the rest. All read once (or not at all, as I ended up with 2 …

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the_comic_trade: X-Men graphic novels for sale

In that Slide I explane how many parts of computer .

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Computer Parts | Bukisa.com

Computer Graphics For Java Programmers Book Description A great many varied and interesting visual effects can be achieved with computer graphics, for.

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Download free Computer Graphics For Java Programmers | Computer …

This effect can be used in many applications such as web and graphic design to make your work stand out and give you a more professional look, I have also included a download of the sample PSD file at the end of the tutorial. Enjoy! …

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Online trading is gaining popularity because of its efficiency and ease of use. If you are on the trading business, it is important to know the right tools of the trade. Doing trade at home should not pose any problem as long as you have the right hardware and software to assist you in your online trading. One should invest in a sound computer with suitable hardware specifications and software.

To get you started with online trading, here area the minimum requirements that your personal computer should have:

Hardware specification

A Pentium computer with a processor speed of 1 gigahertz (GHZ) or a Mac OS 9 is good enough. If you can afford one with a higher processor speed then so much the better. Random access memory (RAM) should be 1024 MB at a minimum. Your hard drive, where you would store all your files, should have 100 GB. Operating system should be Windows XP or similar software. Of course for connecting online you need to have a modem and a network card. For better viewing of web pages, a high-standard video card and a 19-inch monitor would work best.

Internet connection

The last thing you want to happen is to wait for several minutes before you can do online transactions like ordering, confirming orders or answering emails. You also need the Internet to get updates on trading news and the current market data trend. It would be quite frustrating to wait long for web pages to load and lose precious seconds. Online trading is in such a fast-paced world that you need to adapt with, else, you would be left behind. A cable or a broadband (DSL phone line) connection would be sufficient. In case there may be problems with your Internet service provider, you should always have your 56k modem ready as a dial-up connection for back up.

Software for online transactions

One could opt to use online order execution provided by internet-based discount brokers like Waterhouse Securities and E-trade. This kind of brokers may differ on how long they accept and review orders, confirm trades and execute them. Some of these brokers sometimes route customers to a third party or a similar broker for execution, which can be a cause of delay.

If you want faster transaction and can pay a slightly higher fee another alternative is to use an Electric Direct Access Trading also simply referred to as EDAT. It is an online system that would direct your customers to an online exchange through a dedicated phone and modem. The EDAT system provides direct communication with a specialist and ordering is directly done in the market, which results to an efficient and faster trade.

Other Software for Trading

There are several software that you can buy that can help you with online trading. These software offer real-time information on market index, stock quotes, market updates and news, price alerts and much more.

Investing on a good computer and the proper tools for trading is surely worth your money. But of course, what good are these things without an excellent trading skill. On top of these hardware and software, invest in valuable information and knowledge to help you succeed with online trading.

James Lee is a full-time day trader specializing in the mini-sized Dow futures. His core trading strategy is based on pivot point clusters and Market Profile. Find out how to identify high probability trading opportunities at traderslaboratory.com traderslaboratory.com.

Eset Nod32 is a computer virus removal software which can efficiently remove computer virus and other malware especially in safe mode. It is a security tool that consists of anti virus and anti spyware

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Computer Virus Removal With Eset Anti Virus Tool

Back with more news for you today.

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Latest computer security news - Computer security industry grows …