Xbox 360 Advances Beyond Mere Child's Play

Video gaming is a very big deal the world over. Whether games are played on computers, over consoles, via handheld devices or even over telephones, video games are taken seriously by those who love them. Offering challenges for the mind, hands and heart, games provide an escape from the everyday world and they simply can be a whole lot of fun. Microsoft's Xbox 360 may have launched with some bugs, but the console's popularity is incredible.

Next-gen consoles for gaming are different from their predecessors simply due to the hardware choices they offer. The 360, for example, offers some of the best graphic capabilities gamers have ever seen. Designed for fast-paced, beautiful play, this machine is more than just a gaming box. The next-gen features on the 360 include a hard drive in many of the consoles, online capability, information storage and more. They are meant to be used for gaming and a whole host of other things as well.

Thanks to some smart partnering, Microsoft's 360 can not only handle game play, but also television and movie downloads. The console easily doubles for an extra DVD player, has a remote and more. Pretty much the only thing the 360 doesn't do is windows. But, given time, Microsoft may come up with a way to make that possible as well.

The popularity of the next-gen machines is simply due to their superior graphic and playability features. Smooth and responsive, the machines are some of the best platforms going for game play.

Hot game types for the Xbox 360 include:

Sports games: A longstanding favorite of gamers, these include boxing, racing, football, hockey and more. Through 360 games, players can take on the persona of their favorite sports star or even head up and entire team. There's also the possibility of playing with or against friends in remote locations through Xbox's online service. This just adds to the fun.

Role playing games: These kinds of titles allow a player to create a new persona for themselves online or off. Typically heroes, players can get online and pal around with buddies from different parts of the country or the world as they take on challenges and bad guys together. Or, with a lot of titles, they have the option of going it alone, offline, as well.

Strategy: Ever wonder what it was like to be on a World War I battlefield. Gamers can get a safe taste of combat through these games. Or, if war games are to a player's liking, there are plenty of other strategy games, including chess, puzzle games and more.

First-person shooters: These are games that enable a player to become the hero with the gun. Titles like Doom and Quake have made this genre a favorite among players of all ages. In these games, players are expected to move through mazes, battlefields and what not, shooting their way to victory while solving problems along the way.

The Xbox 360 was the first next-gen console on the market. Backed by the biggest software and game making company going, the machine is expected to only get better over time.

Five Things To Do With Old Computer Equipment

By : Daniel Johansson
As with most electrical items computers have become totally disposable when it comes to buying a new model. If one breaks down it is often cheaper to buy a complete new set-up rather than have your equipment repaired. Or, if you simply need a go-faster, bigger-memory machine in some cases it may also be cheaper to buy new, than upgrade. So, what can you actually do with old computer equipment? Is it possible to recycle it or is your PC destined for the landfill?

1. Send them to a worthy charity - certain charities collect and either export older, but perfectly functioning computers to Africa and other under-developed economic countries, or upgrade them and distribute to schools around the UK. If you have a social conscience then this will be your preferred way of getting secondary use out of your old computer system.

2. Refurbish, upgrade and keep - in some cases, although definitely not all, it can prove cheaper to upgrade your equipment rather than purchase a completely new system. Adding more RAM, upgrading your motherboard and/or adding a faster processor to convert your current system to an all-singing, all-dancing high-spec computer may be the way forward. So, it is definitely worth costing up your options before considering other computer disposal methods.

3. Secure destruction - We've all heard of those cunning technical wizards who can find all the information that you thought you'd deleted from your machine, and use it for ill-gotten gain. So, if you, or your company, have sensitive information that should prove very damaging if it got into the wrong hands consider a specialist company to handle your PC disposal. They'll ensure that the hard drives are destroyed in such a way as to make data retrieval impossible.

4. Re-marketing - There are companies out there that will help you sell on your old computer equipment if it is in good cosmetic condition and working order. In return for a percentage of the price obtained, usually 20 - 30%, they will refurbish and sell on your equipment, either in the UK or abroad using their contacts or networks.

5. Rebuild the Enterprise Bridge - Be the envy of all your Trekkie mates and construct your own home-based Enterprise operations room. Strategically distribute your various computer components around your living room - the more monitors the better - add a few coloured lights and a lot of silver paper. For the final touch purchase a prestige leather chair such as a Lazyboy, and place it plum centre in front of a huge 72" plasma screen to recreate your own Starship Enterprise Bridge. In the words of Captain Picard: "Make it so!"

Author Resource:- Daniel Johansson is an Internet technologist whose main interests include Web Standards, XML and writing for the Web. Computer disposal companies offer a reliable means of securely disposing of, refurbishing and recycling old computer equipment. http://www.computerdisposals.co.uk/

For The Safety Of Your Laptop Batteries

By : Victor Epand
The laptop battery is an indispensable organ of the laptop. The battery is what gives your laptop the convenience of being portable. These batteries can be recharged over and over again.

Laptop batteries should be charged only when they fall below 80% in its capacity. These are usually manufactured for a long lifetime and can be used at least for 500 to 1200 cycles. The use of the laptop batteries can be optimized by handling them carefully and with caution. These batteries should be conditioned on a regular basis. and that should be at least once in a month. While charging the battery, the laptop should be turned off when possible. If kept on, the batteries won't acquire the required charging power. Also the metal connectors that connect the battery to the laptop should be cleaned. Any dust or moisture in this area can damage the battery.

When you wish to see a movie or listen to music on your laptop, it is better to write the
CD or DVD onto your had disc. Doing this will not require as much power as when you just play the CD or DVD on the laptop. In turn, this will help extend the overall life of the battery. A few cautions like these can help the battery to last a long time.

The performance of the battery is determined by its weight, cycle period and rate of discharge. There are three types of batteries available, Some are costly while others in comparison are quite reasonable. These batteries will have a long life if properly stored
and used. Hotter temperatures will have an affect on the battery as opposed to keeping the battery at room temperature. However, the terms for storage and usage of the battery vary from one brand to another. The newly manufactured batteries have certain rules
for charging them. The new chargers are designed in such a way that they don't need to be directed regarding the voltage, trickle charge, etc. Therefore, these batteries are said to be "smart batteries" which are smart enough to perform all their tasks own their own.

Theses batteries usually come with the laptop when purchased, and hardly ever need to be replaced because of damage. However, a reputed brand name should always be used to guarantee longer life and better performance. Also, most brand names will come with a warranty.

Laptop batteries can be purchased online also. However you should make sure that the site you are using will offer you quality products and service.

Fixing Computer Slowdowns and Stopping Them From Crashing

By : Ed Lathrop
Most people recognize it as "the blue screen of death." The computer crash screen can be a very frustrating experience. The sudden appearance of this screen is a terrifying, especially if you were about to finish something important and you forgot to save it.

All of your hard work is lost because your computer decided to give up and crash. Most people never expect their computer to crash, but they should understand everyone is prone to having computer failures.

The Early Signs

Prior to crashing, your computer will probably start to act differently. This can include things like going very slow and even freezing. This should be the first sign your computer is about to crash, or that there are problems with it. Your computer needs a little bit of fixing or tweaking so it can get back to proper working condition.

The first cause of a computer crash could be associated with recently installed hardware or programs. Check to make sure any new additions to your computer have been installed properly. Sometimes, your programs just need to be updated, especially if you are running a brand new operating system. Some older versions of hardware and software might not be compatible with your system at all, so do your research before you install anything.

The Registry

The registry can become corrupt and cause a lot of problems for your computer. The registry is what your Windows operating system is made of. If it gets too bloated and its files become unorganized, a crash is likely to occur. The registry files can be repaired, and better yet, kept in top condition by running a registry-cleaning program on a regular basis. This will in most cases prevent computer slow downs and crashes.

Your computer is able to perform several different types of tasks. It's not uncommon for it to get bogged down and tired. Crashing means serious problems are developing with your registry. This is something that can't be taken lightly. In fact, there could come a point when the registry gets so corrupted, only a complete hard drive reformat will help.

There is hope

On the other hand, I've seen it happen many times when somebody was advised it was time to reformat the hard drive and then re-install the operating system when this was not necessary. What really needed to be done was to have a technician scan for viruses and spyware from another computer.

Then when the computer got back up on its feet again, a registry cleaner finished the job of restoring the computer to excellent health. Of course, if the registry had been cleaned regularly in the first place, the computer may never have gotten to this critical stage of near death.

There was an old T.V. commercial where an automobile mechanic proclaimed, "You can pay me now or pay me later." He was referring to the fact you could pay a little more for a better oil filter now, or pay for a new engine later.

This axiom holds true for today's operating systems. You can spend a little time and incur a small expense now to keep your registry clean and organized, or you may lose all your files to a reformat later. If you ask me, it is an easy choice!

Author Resource:- The author, Ed Lathrop is a certified computer technician familiar with the repair PC's. His site, Free Use Registry Repair Compare Website, rates the latest registry programs and tells what works and what might actually be dangerous to your computer. Also, get up to date tips on your registry at: Registry Repair Tools.

How To Fix Your Ever-Increasing Windows Registry Problems

By : Alex Miller
Many are the problems that may occur while operating our personal computers. Viruses are somewhat popular as the main cause challenging the health of our computers, and also our patience. Yet, they are not the only ones to fear. Errors and slow operation can negatively affect the efficiency of our work and they stand for a serious source of trouble. Is there anything to do in order to remove those nuisances? In order to fix the problem, we first have to identify its cause. And the most often this cause has to do with the Windows registry.

Again, in order to cure the Windows registry one has to acquire a registry cleaner. Registry cleaners are programs designed to deal with the difficulties that the Windows registry has to face. The Best Registry Fix program is one of these registry cleaners that understand how the problems occur and consequently get rid of them. Any Registry Fix Review shows, like all others objective reviews, that this registry cleaner is appreciated as well as it is criticized. The fact that some users are extremely pleased with this program and others denigrate it makes you wander.

The Best Registry Fix program is designed to scan and inform the user about the presence of errors related to ActiveX controls, Windows explorer and Windows installer issues, Runtime errors, Svchost and EXE errors, and a lot of other issues. As great as it may be the Best Registry Fix program has some limits, and in order to be satisfied with it, one has to learn about them. It is only natural to be disappointed with anything if you expect it to perform beyond its actual limits.

Reading a Registry Fix Review may puzzle you a little. Some customers pretend they had to pay after the first fifty scans. Others do not mention something like that, but express their gratitude. Others claim the program is not Vista compatible, and others again state that the program is much more performing than any other similar program. Who to trust? And, above all, what should we understand from so many contradictory testimonials? Perhaps confronting any Registry Fix Review is not enough for gaining a proper understanding of this program. Reviews may encourage us to acquire the program, as well as they may dissuade us from doing so. In any case, the decision we make should not be entirely grounded on these reviews.

Choosing the Best Registry Fix program requires a prior study. One should learn about what this program is supposed to do. Errors linked to missing system fonts and DLL files, application paths and invalid device drivers, as well as to startup programs and missing file associations are on this programs agenda. Some testimonials prove that the program scans and identifies about six hundred errors. However, the result is a faster operation. Computers begin to respond much prompter; surfing on the Internet is much more rapid. Everything begins to work as it was supposed to be and, above all, our work developed on the computer is no longer at risk.

Using Registry Cleaners To Speed Up Your PC

By : Alex Miller
In case you have problems with your personal computer, the first thing to do is try to find the cause in order to eliminate it. Should you neglect those problems, your entire activity and work stored on that computer is at risk.

A large range of errors is due to the fact that the Windows registry is affected by several events, for instance, traces of information left after some uninstalling processes. Acquiring one of the best registry cleaners will solve your problems, but why do these problems occur from the first place?

The explanation is that if we uninstall certain programs, some items may resist to the process. Consequently, these items will interfere with our operating the personal computer. But an incomplete installation of programs may just as well trigger errors. Also, frequent installation and un-installation of programs and hardware can corrupt the Windows registry.
Infected drivers, spyware and viruses, malicious Internet sites and countless other circumstances have a negative impact on the Windows registry. All sorts of errors will pop up troubling our activity and endangering it as a result of the above mentioned causes. Employing one of the best registry cleaners will save us from that trouble and will allow us to focus on whatever it is that we work on the computer.

RegCure is an example of a registry cleaner. This software is engineered to cope with a large range of issues: application installer and uninstall errors; errors regarding Windows boot, start up and shutdown; errors linked to DLL, EXE and runtime; disabled drivers and spyware applications; partition and hard disk slowdown and Windows media player error. These are just a few of the many problems that have a negative impact on your personal computer.

Due to the fact that RegCure is designed on the most recent technologies in registry cleaning, it is highly rated with respect to effectiveness, speed, ease of use and support. It is designed to provide a series of services, such as: creating a backup file in order to assure no useful item is removed; the removing process can be set both on automatic and manual mode. RegCure also displays the scan process, can be scheduled to perform the scan whenever the user wants, deletes empty registry keys and checks the invalid class ones, removes duplicate files and so on.

Tests have been made and the results were at least impressive. Lots of so called registry cleaners were simply inefficient, some of them had a decent performance, but RegCure proved to be the best of all. It was able to identify most of the redundant items and corrupted files specially stored in some computers.

Laptop and Notebook Buying Guide

A laptop is the ideal replacement for your desktop computer. The greatest advantage of a laptop is its portability. Unlike desktop computers, you can easily move a laptop around your home, carry it to work or class and take it with you when you travel. Laptops are a big investment, so before buying one, you should consider many factors like the manufacturer, performance and features.

What kind of laptop user are you?
A home user wants all the features of a desktop PC in the form of a notebook. If you are a home user, then choose a notebook which is easy to carry and comes with the most basic computer applications. Students should opt for an affordable laptop which is light and durable. Frequent fliers need slim notebook models with long-lasting batteries. A business user should purchase a laptop with plenty of hard disk space and advanced security features while a gamer needs a fast processor and the latest graphics card.

What are the different kinds of laptop computers available?

Laptops for Entertainment:
Multimedia laptops are always more expensive and heavier than your standard model. These laptops come with a powerful processor, abundant memory and a large hard drive. You can use these laptops as a mobile DVD player, MP3 jukebox and a digital photo album. If you buy a TV tuner card, you can even use your multimedia notebook as a television set. These notebooks are ideal for PC gaming.

Laptops for Business:
Laptops especially designed for business use are ultra portable. These laptops are durable and more secure than the basic laptop. They are best suited for consumers who are always on the move. A good business laptop should offer a fingerprint reader or SmartCard support to prevent data theft. These notebooks usually have advanced computer applications and wireless capabilities, so you can work even when you are away from your desk.

Laptops for Home:
The home user typically uses a laptop for checking mail and browsing the web. These laptops perform general tasks. A high speed processor is an unnecessary luxury and tends to be wasted on most home users. Opt for a notebook with at least a 14-inch screen and a comfortable keyboard. These laptops are generally heavy, weighing more than 4 kg at times. Their average battery life is less than three hours.

What constitutes a good laptop?

Ergonomics:
If you are going to use your laptop extensively, then you need to be comfortable with the keys. Try a laptop with slightly larger keys to avoid straining your fingers from typing. Most laptops come with a touch pad or a tracking pointer instead of a mouse. If you are a PC gamer, buy a separate mouse which can keep up with the fast-paced action on screen.

Operating Systems:
The Windows XP Media Center Edition is a good operating system for entertainment laptops. It makes optimal use of multimedia features like TV tuners, radio tuners and media players. If you are a professional who prefers Apple notebooks but are concerned about compatibility, check out the dual boot models by Apple that allow you to install and run Windows as well as Mac OS X. If you prefer PCs, Microsoft Vista is an ideal alternative to Windows XP. Vista comes in several editions, including Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium for the home user, Vista Business for the professional and Vista Ultimate for the best of both worlds.

Memory and Storage:
All data and applications are stored in the RAM (random access memory). Many laptops commonly use 256 MB of RAM. Most business laptops and entertainment laptops come with 512 MB or more of RAM. The more RAM you buy, the more data you can store.

The hard drive stores all programs and files. For the average home user, a 20 GB hard drive will more than suffice. If you buy a laptop for entertainment or business purposes, a 60 GB hard drive will better serve your needs. Some entertainment laptops even have multiple hard drives for better performance. Hard drives come with different speeds. Most laptop hard drives have a speed of 5,400 rpm. However, faster hard drives go up to 7,200 rpm.

Display:
The size of a laptop is based on the size of the screen. Screen size starts as small as 10.6 inches and goes up to 20 inches diagonally. Most laptops have an LCD monitor. However, if you are using your laptop for CAD, a CRT monitor will serve you just as well, if not better. The screen resolution determines the crispness of your image. A 12.1 inch display uses WXGA resolutions (1,280 by 800). A 14 or 15 inch display typically uses WSXGA+ (1680 by 1,050), although a small number of notebook computers use WUXGA (1,920 by 1,200) instead.

Processor:
It is more difficult to upgrade a notebooks processor than it is to upgrade a desktop computer. For this reason, you should buy a processor with a speed that will best suit your use. Also, it is wise to choose a processor with less battery consumption. Processors with 1.4 to 1.6 Ghz are preferred by most users.

Battery:
Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in laptops. The average battery life is about 3 hours. It takes around 75 minutes to fully recharge a lithium ion battery.

Graphics Card:
A graphics card, sometimes referred to as a video adapter, is responsible for generating the images you see on a laptops display. For businessmen who need to do lot of presentations, a graphics card containing 32 or 64 MB of dedicated memory is the right choice. There are also specially designed cards for gaming. These cards are expensive and should be avoided unless you require excellent graphics.

USB Ports:
Laptop computers come with at least one USB port so that you can connect peripherals to the notebook. Recent models have a FireWire connection that lets you transfer digital information from camcorders or MP3 players.

Optical Drives:
Most laptops come with either a CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory), a CD-RW (compact disc, re-writeable) or a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc, read-only-memory). The DVD+RW/+R with CD-RW is a combination drive which will read a CD or a DVD and write data to a DVD as well.

Modem:
Laptops are available with integrated modems for dial-up connections, Ethernet ports for cable internet and DSL and wireless modems for Wi-Fi connections. Many business laptops also have a cellular wireless modem so you can browse at broadband speeds with just a mobile phone signal.

A Purchase Guide For Notebooks

By : Roberto Sedycias
The term Notebook computers and laptop computer is often used interchangeably. However notebook computers are smaller, lighter and costlier than laptop computers. You can carry this computer with you when you are away on a business trip, can watch movies and access internet also.

The first notebook computer which was launched in the market in 1981 was expensive and was not as versatile like present day computers .Portable versions of laptops were launched in the market by IBM and Epsom in 1983.

With introduction of Windows 95, the world of notebook computers took a giant leap forward and was now able to compete with other personal computers because of the operating system and the advancement of technology. Prices of these computers started falling, attracting more consumers. Life of battery improved and acids were no longer required. The notebook computers now consumed less power and could hold more data.

Notebook computers come in various sizes. For a quick reference, have a look at the following figures (without power adaptors and accessories): Tablet PC - it weighs less that 3 lbs; Ultra Portable - it weighs less than 4 lbs and less than 1.3 inches thick with size between 10 and 11 inches; Thin and Light - it is between 1 and 1.4 inches thick and weighs between 5 to 7 lbs with size from 11 to 14 inches; Desktop replacements (Largest) - it is 1.5 inches thick and heavier than 7 lbs. Size between 11 and 13 inches.

Some important points are listed here which may help you to have an informed purchasing decision:

Size and Weight: The point to remember that while choosing a very lightweight and small size, you may have to sacrifice some items such as drives. So you have to decide what you want.

Processor: Note book processors perform like desktop processors. Dual core processors carry multitasking and are common. Notebook processors directly impact the battery life and performance of the computers. For Intel premier processor, higher the number, the faster it will process. The rotational speed of the disk also affects the performance of these computers.

Memory (RAM): For Windows XP and Mac OS X, at least 256 MB is required. However the capacity of RAM is increasing with new varieties of notebook computer and in some machines it is 2 GB even!

Displays and Video: In a notebook computer video consists of video processor and display. Again the display consists of native resolution and screen size. But portability will be reduced with larger display. These days the popularity for the wide screen displays is increasing. Performance of PC gaming and 3D graphics will be determined by graphic processor.

Drives: Optical drives play an important role in notebook computers. These may be simple CD ROM drives to the high definition DVD burners. Most notebook computers these days are equipped with a dual layer DVD burner.

Connections: Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g, Fujitsu lifebook N6010 having trimode of 802.11a/b/g, etc are different wireless system available with notebook computers. Transferring rate of data depend on the type of wireless connection chosen.

Battery Life: Notebook computers come with four cell, 6 cell, and 8 cell batteries. Normal battery life is 2 to 3 hours. However 5 or 6 hours battery life is also available these days. Generally, the bigger the notebook computer, the lower is the battery life.

Warranty Plans: Make sure that you get at least one year warranty from the manufacturer while choosing your notebook computer. A system having a three year warranty will be a better choice if you are going to use your computer extensively.

It is suggested that you should update your knowledge periodically by logging onto the net keeping in mind the factors which need to be checked as stated above.

Author Resource:- This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/notebook.php

Notebook - Why Do Business Executives Like It?

By : Roberto Sedycias
Notebooks are light-weight and easy to carry anywhere you want. Notebook computers can also be used in the same fashion as desktop computers. Moreover, they are better than the bulky and difficult-to-port desktop computers. So, notebooks have now become more popular than any other gadgets available in the market. A person who travel quite extensively, notebook is the best option as it enables the user to stay connected to the internet anywhere. Hence, it helps you stay connected with your friends, relatives, business and the rest of the world through the internet. Notebooks relax your mind when stress and strain invade your mind.

Which One to Pick?

Today, notebooks come with various substantial features which are really essential for the modern man. We can`t ignore the benefits a notebook provides us with. Some buy a notebook for business, some for education, some for entertainment, some for the thrilling experience of games.

Before buying a notebook all that you need to do is just be clear about your needs, the purpose of using it and the features you really need your new friend should possess. Because various notebook models are available in the market for fulfilling the diversified needs of us. Initially, you have to make a study of the notebooks available in the market on your own, because a very wide range of models with different brands are available in the market .To mention, some of the most popular brands are DELL, ACER, HP, COMPAQ, etc. You have to select the right kind of notebook consulting an expert as per your requirement. Obviously, you have to go for the best and latest model in terms of quality, features, and price, too.

Standard Features of Laptop :

Laptop computers have different features such as: High-end processors like Intel Pentium M, Mobile AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Turion 64 Mobile and Low-end processors like Intel`s Celeron M and AMD`s Duron and Sempron. Screen Size varies from 12 to 19 inches. If you are an extensive user, then you can have a larger screen notebook. With the portable nature of notebooks, power and battery life are important points to consider.

Life of a battery has improved a lot with the introduction of Intel`s Pentium M processor. Battery life varies from 3 to 7 hours depending on use. The rechargeable Lithium Ion battery is the most popular battery available in the market. Removable media cards such as CompactFlash (CF), MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick, or Smart Media can be used in the card slots of latest notebooks.

Other features are Memory Size, Hard Drive Capacity, Wireless Technology, Network Interface Card, etc. Integrated network interface card helps you to get connected to the latest modems like high speed DSL and cable modems as well. You won`t have to buy or install a separate card. Notebooks are carried down to connect to the internet wherever you want and print without cables. The wireless technology is thus very beneficial for these features. You can stay connected or disconnect to internet because of this latest technology.

With adequate knowledge of notebook, one should feel confident of making the right buy according to his needs. However, the decision whether one should buy online or directly from the store is primarily personal. Gone are the days when consumers used to harbor doubt over the credibility of online sellers. The countless online transactions over the internet each and every day prove that you can safely buy online no matter how small or big is the product is. It not only saves your valuable time but also allows browsing through all the brands that are available in the market. Besides, notebook computers are also offered at a very competitive price and better service guarantee.

Backup Your Data On Your Computer Or Lose It Forever

By : Gregg Hall
Computers, though they are meant to make our lives generally easier, depending on the perception, usually are much like a double-edged sword. Any person, who has used a computer for a while, will have an understanding on just how safe their date is. More the fact, that safe date simply does not exist, when it comes to computers. It really does not matter what type of work you are doing you have experienced computer failure likely numerous times. Occasionally, as is expected, we will experience disruptions within the work we are doing on the computer rather we are laying out a business plan, writing a book, or simply surfing the internet.

Each piece of data you store upon your computer is in danger of a variety of threats. Because of this, regular computer users have integrated recovery of data directly into our knowledge of computers. While it is possible to recover data, it does not mean it is always a necessity. There are rules all computer users should know and apply; the following will help in preventing the need to use data recovery.

You should practice regular backups of:

Games you have Saved
Your System Settings
My Documents Folder
My Music Folder
My Pictures Folder
Drivers
Applications that you do not have copies of

It is important to back up the above; because doing so will help you prevent the need to use data recovery. When backing up these items you should use secondary method of storage such as tapes, disks, floppies, or zip drives, this allows you to ensure hard disk recovery.

Once you have performed the backup, you will want to keep the backup medium stored in a location away from your computer where it will be protected from contamination, heat, and dust, all of which may destroy the data contained on the storage medium. This helps in prevent data recovery from becoming necessary.

Data recovery is still possible, if you accidentally delete a much-needed file. However, before running out to buy the data recovery software, you will want to look into your recycle bin. The recycle bin is the holding folder before permanent deletion. If you have accidentally deleted an important file, first look there and data recovery could be as easy and just restoring the file. However, once it has been emptied, recovering in this manner is not longer available.

If you have ever suffered a crash you know how crucial it is to back up your computer, I have and I know the damage that can be done. Take the time to back up your computer before it is too late.

How To Protect Your Hard Disk Drive Against Electrostatic Shock

By : Ali Jamalan
If you've ever walked across a thick carpet and felt a shock after touching a grounded object (or shocked a friend on purpose) you know about the general effects of static electricity. But do you know how it works, or how damaging it can be to computer components? Although it may seem a bit silly and unimportant, "static shock" or Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can cause significant damage to your hard drive. Comparable to a lighting bolt damaging a tree, ESD can act like a bomb exploding in your drive, blowing apart parts of the circuit board. But don't worry - if you follow a few simple steps you can ensure you're well protected and avoid letting a minor thing like ESD cause major problems.

WHAT IS ESD?
ESD or "static shock" is a portion of an imbalanced high voltage field on a non-conductive surface (e.g. your hand, the carpet, a screwdriver) that has just moved to a conductive surface in a rapid, uncontrolled fashion. "Static electricity" is the same portion of an imbalanced high voltage field on a nonconductive surface, but it has not yet reached the point of releasing it's electrons to equalize the imbalance between a conductor with a greater positive charge than itself. This imbalanced high voltage field will not "discharge" until conditions are right, that is until the number of electrons the charge grabs from around its location builds to a point in which no more electrons can be sustained. When a conductive surface of some type gets within 'jumping" distance, the process of equalising the electrical field is experienced.

Imbalanced high voltage fields are everywhere, constantly flowing over and around us, and people feel them because we are good conductors. The shock you sometimes get when touching a door knob after shuffling across the carpet is made in the same way a thunderstorm makes a lightning bolt.

Some Examples of Voltage:

• 3,000 volts - the average human can't feel voltage below this threshold.
• 8,000 volts - yawning and stretching with clothes on.
• 15-20,000 volts - shoving a plastic-coated box across the carpet with foot.
• 18,000 volts - getting up from a foam cushion on a nylon-covered couch.
• 35,000 volts - walking across a typical carpet.5

WHAT CAN ESD DO?
While ESD won't kill you, it can definitely kill your computer components. While it takes an electrostatic discharge of 3,000 volts for you to feel a shock, much smaller charges, well below the threshold of human sensation, can and often do damage semiconductor devices. Many of the more sophisticated electronic components can be damaged by charges as low as 10 volts.

ESD damage occurs when a charge on a hand or tool finds a path of lesser resistance from itself to a drive. If the energy of that charge is larger than the amount of energy the drive can safely dissipate, damage may occur.

Especially sensitive to ESD are integrated circuits: processors, memory, cache chips and expansion cards. This damage can be immediate, resulting in melting, junction breakdown or oxidation. Even scarier, you could electrocute your drive and never even know it - the effects of ESD are difficult to trace and often do not affect the drive until several days to several months after the ESD occurrence.

PREVENTION TIPS
Luckily, a few simple steps can help you avoid ESD damage and promote long life for your disk drive.

• Keep your drive in an ESD bag until you handle it - an ESD bag is specially designed to prevent ESD.

• Always wear an ESD wrist strap grounded to an unpainted surface on the chassis of your computer.

• If a wrist strap is unavailable, touch an unpainted surface on the chassis of your computer before handling your drive.

• Only touch the connector pins on your drive with the proper cabling ends or jumpers. Never use a bare finger or non-insulated tool.

• Protect your drive from sources of high voltage power such as fans or vacuum cleaners.

• Never try to plug a power or data cable into a drive unless power to the box is completely off.

Finally, by controlling the temperature, you can also help limit ESD. By increasing the relative humidity of the room where the computer is located, you can greatly reduce build-up of ESD. Static builds up more readily in dry environments than in moist ones; this is why you get zapped much more often in the winter time in northern climates than in summer.

So what happens if by some freak accident your hard drive experiences ESD and your data is lost? Don't panic, because your best solution is only a phone call away. Many 'Data Recovery' companies have experience dealing with hard drives damaged by ESD and will apply the most advanced technology in the industry to perform data recovery. Contacting these immediately upon discovering ESD damage is the best option to keep you and your clients working and productive.

Knowing that ESD exists is the first step in prevention. By following ESD handling procedures and understanding the dynamics behind "static electricity," you can ensure that working with a hard drive is never a shocking experience.

When You Delete A File Or Lose Data, Where Does It Go? Can It Be Recovered?

By : Ali Jamalan
When a file appears lost where does it go? Contrary to what most people think, delete doesn't mean gone and the file doesn't disappear off the hard drive forever. It's best to think of the computer file as a page in a book. When the file is deleted, that page is not destroyed like it was torn out and put through a shredder. Instead, the table of contents that points out the location of that page is erased. The part that gets erased on your computer is the tiny bit of information that points to the location of the file on the hard drive. Eventually, the hard drive will write new data over the area where the old file is located.

The pointer, along with other pointers for every folder and file on the hard drive, is saved in a section near the beginning of the hard drive and is used by the operating system to create the directory tree structure. By erasing the pointer file, the actual file becomes invisible to the operating system, even though it is still there until the file system reuses the space.

The challenge in recovering data is finding the original table of contents which can tell where the files actually exist. Qualified data recovery companies have experienced engineers that can rebuild the file system structure and save those lost files from being overwritten. That said, it's a matter of reaching those hidden places to recover data that appears to be gone forever. Data Recovery providers are often able to recover 100% of the data, but how is it done?

Data recovery is the science of putting the file system back together so that the data files can be accessed. Every operating system has a file system, which is a unique method of indexing and keeping track of the files. Unfortunately for those that lose data, file systems can be very complex, which is why it can be so difficult to locate missing files. For instance, file systems that are used in business environments require security details and access transaction details. A good example is a transaction-based or journaling file system, whose goal is to log when each file is accessed, modified or saved - making the file system more complicated and harder to rebuild.

The best data recovery companies have developed proprietary tools to work with all of the main file systems in use today. Recovery engineers are internally trained to work on data recovery, working with computer hardware for a number of years and learning the low-level specifics of every type of file system. Rather than using third-party tools and employing an 'Auto-fix' on all of the file system errors to automatically fix the file system, recovery engineers are taught to discover the cause of the file system error and then to fix the file system in the best interests of the data and the client. Many jobs actually require the file system to be repaired by hand.

After the file system is repaired, it is often necessary to repair the internal structure of data files themselves. Like file systems, today's business software data files are incredibly complex as well. In fact, some of the most common files used every day by users are more intricate internally then the file system that is storing the file! This is why it is important that recovery companies have developed file repair software utilities for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and also database recoveries on Microsoft Exchange server and Microsoft SQL server.

There are two phases when a storage device arrives for data recovery. The first phase is the diagnosis. The goal of this phase is to produce a file listing showing all the files that can be recovered. The safest method is to always work on a copy of the client's drive, never working on the original drive. During this stage, recovery engineers can determine if the drive requires special attention from the cleanroom, which is an ultra-clean environment used when working with microscopic components. The cleanroom will work at an electronic and mechanical level to get the drive operational. This can include anything from physically cleaning the disk platters so they can spin properly to swapping out electrical components to power up the drive.

After the drive is operational and a copy of the drive can be made, data recovery engineers work to repair the file structures and produce a complete file listing that shows all of the files and directories on the volume. This file listing will also tell the customer if there are holes (or Input/Output errors) within the file itself. The final phase is the recovery phase. The goal of this phase is to copy out the data and backup that data on media that the customer requires. It is also during this phase that the client can request some of the files to be tested within the lab. For example, on drives that have sustained severe media damage, the customer could ask to have some of the more common files to be tested. The engineer that worked on the job will try to open some of the files and see if the data is present.

When looking at how data recovery works, it's important to understand that data recovery is a highly skilled discipline that takes years of practice to establish credentials. Recovering data is made possible by constant research and development, and proficiency with working on storage technology as it is developed. Knowledgeable engineers that are highly trained and tested have the skills and technical expertise to know how to handle every data recovery job - ensuring you have the means to protect your data and provide them with additional value.

Preventing And Reversing Data Loss

By : John Morris
One of the most stressful times that a simple student or employee may encounter is a loss of an important file on the computer. It can be a day of doom if you are due to submit your paper or make a presentation and at the worst possible moment your file is deleted. Thus, data recovery may be the answer you are looking for. Data recovery is technology that will help you to salvage lost data. First things first, you may want to take out your rolodex and try calling your tech-savvy friends to help you out. In case you have no more choice, you just might have to spend a little bit to get yourself a data recovery software or a specialist to help you out.

1. Determine What's Wrong:

- your computer will not start at all
- blue screen of death
- your computer boots up, but files are missing or are corrupted
- your computer opens up but you cannot seem to find some of your other drives

2. Weird Sounds

Before doing anything, try to hear if there are any sounds coming from your hard drive like a weird scratching, scraping or ticking. If you do hear something like it, then it is enough to conclude that your hardware may be physically damaged. The only possibility for you is to take your computer to a data recovery service where experts might be able to get your data off for you. Of course, this would entail a lot of time and money, so you may want to weigh the value of the data you lost before going a step further.

3. Do-It-Yourself Data Recovery Tips:

- Acquire and download software to help you out
- Not all software is free
- Attach your hard drive to another computer if your computer has only a single drive. This is to provide enough space to store all your data
- If your computer has a rollback safety feature, try and roll back to a previous saved state to restore damage

4. Possible Causes Of Damage:

- Lightning strike
- Virus
- Hard drive failure
- Accidental deletion of data
- Water/fire damage
- Improper software installation overwriting important data

5. Be Prepared - Make Backups

Having back-ups is the only solution to your data loss problems. They come in various forms:

- Virus protection software
- Personal firewall
- CD backup
- DVD backup
- RAID hard drive

6. Back-Up Tips

- Try investing in backup software of good quality and performance. Products that leave you secured from data loss disaster or further computer file crashes are always a good investment.
- Double check the restore capability. The software should have features that guarantee that while the product is performing your back up it checks all the data down to the level of bits and bytes.
- Double check the capability of your back up medium. Invest on the best back up software you can get and at the same time, for the purposes of prevention, start manually and diligently backing up your data regularly.
- Do an inspection of your hard drives from time to time. Always be on guard of viruses and spywares that can possibly crash your hardware. Defrag your computer regularly to correct errors and check bad sectors as soon as they are detected.
- Be sure you conduct a proper documentation of what transpired during the data loss disaster, what you have observed, as it progresses and the things you attempted doing to give your files the first aid. This will help the data recovery expert to track the problem and recommend the best solution for your problem.

Author Resource:- For more great data loss related articles and resources check out http://datarecovery.infotechinsider.com

Why Would You Need "Remote" Data Backup?

By : Michael Hackett
Well, almost everything important nowadays seems to be stored in our computers. Let's face it, in our information-oriented society, you can't afford to lose your valuable data. Doing so could possibly be the end of one's business at worst, and at the very least, the loss of many important legal and financial documents, family photos (since we're all going digital now) important emails, and, well, you get the idea.

Besides the smart option of having an external hard drive, (more on that later) you may want to consider a remote data backup system for your home or business computers. This allows you to keep copies of your critical information and data files at a secured data center well away from your office or home - and away from the natural disasters that might be limited to your home or business location. These online data backup businesses have become more popular in recent years out of necessity, really; hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf states, floods in the mid-west, and power failures across entire states a few years ago.

Remote data backups can be provided for all electronic data in your home or office. In case of system failures, natural disasters, viruses, fires, and theft, you won't have to pull your hair out wondering what you're going to do to replace the lost data. Insurance can cover your equipment, but lost data is, well, lost. If you do happen lose a file or photo, or if it gets corrupted, (which happens more than I'd like to admit) you only have to log in to your remote data backup account, and access the saved version of the file.

Remote data backup systems are a godsend to small and medium-sized business, and perhaps most especially for those members of our society that are increasingly working from home. Small businesses and home offices can't usually afford a tech team of their own, not to mention entire backup servers and such. So knowing that there is always a backup to your important data available can give one incredible peace of mind.

Another important asset to having your data backed up via an online service, is the ability to access any of it while on the road. If you have to access your data while away from home or office, you only need the specific access codes given to you by your provider to access the data.

Oh, remember I mentioned backing up your data with external hard drives? My sister, who is a photographer and travels extensively, backed up her photos on an external hard drive and lost many important photos when her 2 month old hard drive failed. The company agreed to replace the drive at no cost of course, but the damage was already done - photos lost. As for me, a graphic designer and internet marketer, I've looked around for the best solutions to keep my art and data files safe and secure. An external hard drive is a big help, but not a complete solution. Seems like backing up your data through an online "remote" service just makes sense.

Data File Recovery - How To Have A High Success Rate

By : Eddy Kong
Nowadays, there are many ways that loss data, files and even documents can be retrieved or restored fast. There is one inexpensive method that can retrieve lost data is data file recovery.

What is this method all about?

It helps you to retrieve or restore your data that were lost due to some reasons. This is done by a computer program that the user installs and operates themselves or a skilled technician that is capable in data file recovery that helps consumers with their computer problems, which is quite expensive, but it is more reliable.

There are many ways that data can be lost. They are:

#1 Emptying the recycle bin on your computer's desktop is one of the biggest reason.

#2 After a hard disk crash, there may be some loss of data.

#3 Loss of formatted files even after a reformatting, hard disk has been formatted in a quick way.

#4 A damaged partition can also results in files needing to be recovered, or partitioning error.

#5 USB port error or camera error.

There are programs that are available to accomplish this variety of tasks, which is commonly called "DIY" or "do it yourself" type of solution

What are those DIY methods?

#1 Recover my files - which works on a mainly Windows interface.

#2 Activate then "UNDELETE" - which works on many interfaces.

There are certain advantages in using this type of program which includes a full sets of instructions, and the most important of all, the program is user-friendly.

Types of data file loss

#1 Loss of WORD document, Excel spreadsheets, MS-Powerpoint presentation, Access databases or even PDF documents are some of the common causes of accidental deletion. The above methods can help to recovery of these data files.

However, if most data files are lost, it still may not be recovered. If you are faced with such as issue, you need someone that has the ability or skilled on this aspect, to get to work on data file recovery. You can send your computer to the center to work on it with their equipment and software.

Or you can hire a specialized technician that can work any sort of problem on any piece of the equipment. The rate of success is high nothing as compared with the cost. But no matter how much it cost you, the result is the most important conclusion.

Adopt a plan B approach.

It is important also to consider a plan B, if you fail on your first plan. For example, when you have lost or had files deleted without your intention so your plan B can assist you.

Sometimes it is a computer program that works best and other cases it is the trained capabilities of a technician that functions better. It's up to you to decide. But still there are options that you can use to assist data file recovery.

Author Resource:- Eddy Kong is the webmaster of a website called, Data File Recovery. This guide will be able to help more computer users to find alternative solutions to their data recovery methods so as to start the recovering process. Drop by at his site now.

How To Use These 7 Basic Steps To Perform A Windows Data Recovery

By : Eddy Kong
In the computerized world, data recovery software can do a whole lot of good. I am sure we have all had those moments where we have accidentally deleted important files or when a virus has swept our entire computer system and we have all experienced the panic that goes with it.

Also, there are a lot of horror stories out in our world when it comes to retrieving this data. In lots of situations, when there is lost data because of hard drive issues, it is almost critical to not run the drive.

Are there many people using software to recover data?

Many people who have used software to recover the data and because it can be a long process with the program, more damage can occur. In order to prevent this, here are some steps on how to perform a windows data recovery.

What are these 7 steps? They are:

1) Shut down the computer, and then find another computer that is running Windows 2000 or XP. Then download your computer recovery software onto the second computer, and go back to the computer you were on and remove the hard drive from it. But before that it is a good idea to make an image of your whole drive with a disk imaging software. Do these before you decide to start work on the drive.

There are chances your drive may not ever work on your computer again. The procedure that you are about to learn will help prevent you leaving being important data without knowing it. Inadequate software can be the cause of what is called "feather" damage to your drive. Then after that take the hard drive and install it on the second computer as a data drive.

2) Laptop computer hard drive can be connected to your desktop computer with an adapter. If you want to have cheap data recovery because your recovery software does not work with USB, but you are capable of using IDE, you only need a 44 to 40 pin IDE adapter.

3) Use the data recovery program to run your windows data recovery on the second computer you are using. Immediately shut down your computer if you are only using one computer. With the previous step of your windows data recovery, you are still going to remove the hard drive of this computer.

4) And then install a new drive, reinstall windows and use your recovery software on it, just take safety precautions, because many people used software to recover data but because, it takes you time to process the program, more damage can occur, just be careful with this.

When the drive becomes more damaged, it can make the recovery process almost impossible. The recovery software does serve its purposes when you can afford to bring your drive to a professional recovery service.

5) Then use your recovery software to recover the data to your new hard drive. But Make it sure that the windows "check disk" utility program does not try to repair the drive when it is booted.

6) Make sure that you recover your data completely, If you want your windows data recovery run smoothly as possible, make it sure that you protect your file.

7) In order to protect your file, once you have installed and downloaded the recovery program onto your computer, you can use it to search for files that you cannot find and recover them to another drive that is on your computer.

What are the items you need?

USB external drive, memory stick, and network-shared folder these are some items that you can use to store your files.

In conclusion, performing a windows data recovery is simple and easy to do provided you know how to do it. I believe with the right tools and practice you can perform any kind of windows data recovery with a breeze.

Therefore, Eddy has started a information guide on how to help any level of computer users to manage their data recovery process with ease and also recommend some tips and techniques in data recovery.

Data Recovery FAQ

By : Giorgos Kontopoulos
Not so long ago, about 5 years say, there were a bunch of data recovery firms which you could choose from, today this is very different; try typing "data recovery services" into Google, you will be astounded by the results, overwhelmed as to choice; how come you may ask?

In the last year alone, many so called DR firms have sprung up from nowhere with 20 years of DR business history! Clearly this is not possible and suspect and should be examined in great detail, as DR is a complicated business and cannot be learned "overnight".

Recommendation is obviously a great place to start as to who you will allow to look at your media containing your critical or precious data, ask friends and colleagues if they have been in a similar situation, who did they use and what was the outcome?

If you do not have any recommendations to work with, then perhaps this basic list will help you;
1. How long have the DR firm been in business? 4-5 years is a minimum.
2. Have they an independent testimonial page? In other words a website which is not connected with their site where previous clients have posted un-edited comments on the service they received.
3. Will they send you a file listing of recoverable files before you commit to any fees?
4. Are they a genuine DR company with clean room facilities near you ? (no long shipping which may damage your media further), or are they simply a reseller for a DR firm?
5. Do they offer any guarantee? For instance no data no fee, fixed costs, data security and no hidden charges?
6. Are they qualified? What experience do they have with your particular media?
7. How long will recovered data be held for? Can duplicate copies be obtained?, will the recovered data be securely destroyed following your safe and quantified delivery?

Following this basic list you should be able to find a suitable company which will recover your data in a cost effective and timely manner, above all else when you are faced with such a scenario it may be easy to select the first web site that you come across, and this is where another issue many lie, especially if you select from Google Adwords the first choice, does that mean they will fill all the criteria as a bove laid out?, possibly not as they have paid to be in that position and not organically built the web site and reputation over a period of time.

A wagging finger with the old cliche "you should have backed up" is not what you want to hear from the company which will be dealing with your hard drive failure, so customer service is also a very important step, create a shortlist of 3 companies then call them; a free phone number is welcome and also shows commitment, call them up explain your current situation, then let them explain their services to you, at some point you can then discuss the above points and make your mind about whether the company will suite your needs.

Author Resource:- Giorgos Kontopoulos is the web promoter of Xytron LTD, a leading provider of Data Recovery Services in UK. Xytron provides hard drive data recovery as well as services for server raid, desktop data, laptop data recovery, CD DVD data, Legacy and Smart Media. Visit for an overview of all the services Xytron offers.

The Maintenance of Laptop Batteries

By : Victor Epand
The life of a laptop fully depends upon the battery life. It is recommended that everyone condition their laptop battery before using it. All new batteries should go through 8-20 cycles in order to be conditioned. One cycle is a full charge and discharge. It is very important to make sure that you have conditioned the laptop battery. If you do not condition your laptop battery, it will be difficult for you to get the optimum runtime out of your battery life. It should last for a number of hours.

When you buy a new laptop, it normally comes with a fully discharged and completely unconditioned laptop battery. It is suggested that the laptop not be turned on right away, because the battery may not have enough power for it to work. Once you charge the battery, you should let it discharge completely before you charge it again. A normal batter will take 8-10 charge and discharge routines before it reaches its full capacity. At this point, the battery will have a nice long lifetime. You will receive a higher quality performance of your laptop battery if you do this.

If you do not keep your laptop battery conditioned, you may not receive accurate information regarding the charge of your battery. Your computer may display inaccurate information, so make sure that you fully condition the battery for better performance.

In some cases, people believe that their battery needs to be replaced due to the inaccurate display of the amount of battery power remaining. This is because the power seemed to run out more quickly than it should have. Sometimes at the beginning, the display will show that the battery is fully charged even though there is a low charge. In this case take the battery out, and put it back in. Then charge the battery. You should then see an accurate display of a fully charged battery when the battery is actually fully charged.

If you are looking for a recycling program to give your old laptop battery to, you can simply go to an electronic store that offers a nice deal on recycling batteries. It was not always easy to collect electronic items and get them to the appropriate recycling facility. Today, there are various stores that handle the recycling and collection of various computer components and other electronics. They will take these items to the appropriate recycling facility.

Whenever you decide to recycle you laptop battery, please check the with the manufacturer of the battery and find out if they take back the batteries when they need to be recycled.

The life of every laptop is dependent upon the performance of its battery. Laptop batteries will only perform well when they are well maintained and conditioned. Recycling is also better than throwing them away. Consider the importance of these things and handle your laptop batteries well.

The Best Laptop Case You Can Buy

By : Victor Epand
Laptop carrying cases are designed to keep the laptop from getting damaged. For this reason a variety of laptop cases are being manufactured by using a variety of materials which can hold the laptop better than anything else. The aluminum laptop cases are one among those which carry all the required cautions for keeping the laptop intact. There are many benefits of aluminum Laptop Cases. Therefore, we can see why a large number of buyers go for the aluminum laptop cases rather than anything else.
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The laptop cases are made of several materials like the nylon, leather, and aluminum. Among these the aluminum cases are given more importance than the others because of the benefits they have. First we can say that the price of aluminum cases are comparatively reasonable along with a warranty period of 6 months or more. Moreover, these prices can be lowered based on the size, design and facilities offered by the bag. If the buyer only wants a limited facility to carry the laptop then the cost will be less.

The Benefits of aluminum Laptop Cases can also be seen in its use. These cases last for a very long duration without letting its color fade. Therefore, when considering a strong, durable and standard laptop case nothing can perhaps be a better choice than the aluminum cases.

People who travel a lot and take longer trips finds the aluminum laptop cases more beneficial. Either for hanging the cases in the hangers or for keeping it below the seat, the person can easily store these cases without worrying about the laptop getting damaged. So for those who want to have carefree travel and mobility, Aluminum laptop cases are a treasure.

Laptop cases are available in almost every store related to laptops as well as other general stores for bags. Before buying you should compare all the choices there are in laptop cases. It is not necessary to make a hasty decision that you may regret later. Moreover, the color of the laptop does matter in reflecting a certain standard. Therefore, the choice should be made only after knowing what colors are available in the style of bag you want.. The color of the laptop should also match with its case, otherwise the combination will look a little odd.

We have now seen what things should be considered when purchasing a laptop case. We have also seen how Aluminum laptop cases can be the best bet for many situations. However, you should consider other things like style and color to fit your lifestyle as well.

Photo Software Makes You Look Like A Professional

By : MIKE SELVON
We are in an amazing age when people can relax more about taking pictures. No longer do you have to wait until you have the perfect lighting to be able to snap a good shot. Nowadays, you can use the photo software that comes with most new computers or digital cameras to make even so-so pictures look better with just a couple adjustments.

It might take a bit of experimenting with your new photo editing software to learn all of the tools and the different options available. But many of the newest versions have some basic automated functions that can very quickly improve your photos without the need of a degree in graphic design.

One of the most basic adjustments that can be made with good photo software, such as Adobe Photoshop, and also one that quickly makes a big difference, is the adjustment for lightening the picture. Every brand of photo editing software includes options that allow you to adjust the brightness and the contrast levels of a picture by simply moving a couple sliders in a special dialog box.

As you move the sliders you will be able to see the changes to the picture. When you get it just the way you like it, you can choose to make those changes, usually just by clicking on "OK." Just remember to also go to the file menu to save the pictures permanently.

If you are not sure about the changes that you are making with the software, then you can go up to the file menu and choose "Save As," which will let you create a copy that has your changes and will leave the original file untouched. You might want to re-name the photo so that you can easily recognize the file, or you can just add a letter or number at the end of the original file name.

If you are working with files that come from a digital camera, then you will find in most cases that the file names are just a series of letters and numbers that almost seem random. If you are going to be doing a lot of editing with your photo editing tool, then it is a good idea to develop some sort of standard naming system and convert the file names so you can easily identify your digital pictures. Using a combination of a good file naming scheme with a good system of file folders will be helpful and will help you keep your hard drives organized as well.

Many photo editing programs also have a function that helps you to organize and categorize your digital pictures. This is important if you will be taking digital pictures on a regular basis, as you can soon find that sorting through folder after folder of digital images to find that one photo can be frustrating. It is best when dealing with a lot of photos to use image management software to make your life easier.

Once you have had a chance to do some basic adjustments to some of your images with your photo software, you may decide you want to delve in and learn about some of the more advanced features. There are some great software downloads sites that have some plug-in software tools to add features to different photo editing software. And, while you are online searching for those, drop by some of the forums for tips and tricks from power users.