Advice on purchasing a new computer

There are many factors that need to be taken into account when purchasing a new personal computer. The two main things that need to be given thought are Hardware (the internal workings of the machine itself) and Software. In this essay I will discuss each of these individually.

Hardware
The size and amount of memory on a computer is an important factor to consider when buying new as the size contributes to the speed and amount of work that can be stored on the computer. Computer memory comes in the form of a small disk in the tower or the base of the computer. If a computer with a small amount of memory on it is purchased, it is likely to be slow. If a computer becomes slow from save too many files, additional memory can be purchased and fitted to the computer.
One must also consider something as practical as the choice between a tower or base system case, although tower cases are the widely chosen system case these days.
The energy consumption of the hardware itself is an important factor to consider in today’s energy wasting society.
Software
There are two main software platforms for Personal Computers: “Windows” designed by Microsoft and “OSX” designed by Apple. They are two very different operating platforms with advantages and disadvantages to each. It is important to know what you want to be able to use the computer for to know which platform to choose. For example: I prefer to use Windows for my studies as I think it has a better word processing facility. I also find Windows to be more user friendly than OSX.
OSX does have its advantages. It has very efficient and user-friendly programmes for photo editing, graphic design and movie editing.
Users personal needs should be considered when choosing software. For example, if someone is interested in gaming they should choose software with a higher graphics acceleration.
These are the points which should be considered when buying a new Personal Computer.

Unsuccessful first life? You can always try again..

At first glance, the online virtual reality world of Second Life looks like nothing more than a lonely persons game... but read more into it and you’l find its a massive money making scheme. For those of you who havn’t heard of Second Life before, its a massive multiplayer online world. In the article “My virtual life” published in Business Week , one journalist explains how he takes a look around this popular online world.

At the start of the article, he explains how he meets Anshe Chung. He described Anshe’s Chinese country house vividly, down to the polished wooden floor to the steaming cups of tea sitting on the table. It is only then the reader is told that Anshe’s house and everything in it is part of the virtual world of Second Life. We are told that Chung is only an avatar(a computerized charactar) of a chinese born language teacher living near Frankfurt.

The article then moves on to explain how Chung makes real money from selling online real estate. It works by online players of second life trading in Linden Dollars (the games currency) which can then be traded back into american dollars. The article explains how Chung has made up to $250,000 of real money and has even upscaled her online business.

The article also talks about how Second Life is only one of many so called “massive multiplayer online games” which have become quite popular on the web due to the ability of millions of players to play at once. This feature is a massive change to regular computer games where only one or two players can participate. The journalist talks about how this online industry generates alot of money in revenue with players of games like “World of Warcraft” paying $15 dollars a month to play.

The article finishes off by talking about some of the successful business’ that have popped up on Second life. One business he talks of is that of Mead who joined Second Life for fun when he left his job after the birth of their third child. He creates animations that can be bought by other users for around $1 each. The animations come in the form of an onscreen ball that when clicked on an embed animation occurs. Mead earns around $1900 a week from this online venture and says “its a dream come true”

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982001.htm

Breathe in-Let the anger out...

Unfortunatly, we live in a VERY angry country at the moment. We've been hard done by and fucked up the ass continuously now for months it seems. To name a few incidents: The bankers who got us into this horrible mess. Henrys goal. And now this miserable weather. As this communal anger builds it needs, it needs an outlet. Some sort of a safety valve to let off some angry steam. An example of this was the Cat Stevens concert.
For those of you who havnt heard this anecdote, here it is. Many of Stevens' good fans went to see the man himself play his songs. Instead the audience were informed that they would recieve a viewing of Stevens' new musical.. The "hard done by" Irish audience were not happy. Some left..Others booed and shouted "play peace train ya bollox"
I think there should be a national anger day. Where everyone gets together in the main cities...rants and raves ALL day...then everyone hugs it out and goes for a pint...lovely

iPods-The new whistling?

If you took a trip back to the 1800's of Ireland, you wouldn't find John and Mary leading their cattle down the street with white wires hanging out of their ears. Oh no! They wouldn't have just downloaded the new chart topper onto the magic devices so many of us use. They'd be whistling. Good old fashioned whistling. Mp3 players like iPods and the likes have ruined this lovely art for society. After recently losing my iPod I figured i needed somethin to fill the silence while walking. So I whistled away the long walks home. Tv theme tunes, ad jingles or sometimes I just whistled my own catchy tunes that I made up as i went along.
So come on Ireland. Lets all whistle while we walk.

FaceBook Stalking

Yes, we’ve all been there…Ever find yourself spending large amounts of time tracking and reading other peoples conversation, Vaguely scrolling through your friends (or a complete strangers) photos of the previous nights party or checking who’s friends with who? If you’ve answered yes to any of the previous questions, you’re a Facebook stalker.
According to an article called “Stalking on Facebook” in The Daily Gazette , this online activity is quite popular. This particularly interesting, but creepy article, talks about interviews with users of Facebook who divulge their stalking activities which in some cases take place daily. In the article, one man given the anonymous name of “John” talks about how he first goes to the Facebook “Home” page and reads all of his friend’s status updates. If anything tickles his nosy fancy he opens their page and reads more into their conversations. At least with John, his goal is vague and he describes it as nothing more than a distraction from work. Other Facebook stalkers have a “specific goal in mind” when taking part in their incognito internet behaviour…One girl talks about how she finds out “who has a crush on who” by reading other users “wall” conversations.
A certain intrusive boyfriend talks about how he uses Facebook stalking to moniter his girlfriend’s social activity. He checks who she talks to and who she becomes friends with. The worst thing is, she states that her and her boyfriend have agreed that they are allowed to “stalk” eachother..
The most interesting activity I found was monitoring the activity of old friends. One student admits that he does not keep in touch with the individual but rather “observes them”. This found me pondering the thought. Is Facebook really for friends to keep in touch, or rather a way in which to stick your nose into everyone else’s business..Find out their plans for the day, or surprise yourself to see if the loner you had in your class in first year now has a hectic social life.
So come on. Admit it. We’ve all been there. Creepy I know..Kinda makes you think more about who you accept to be your “friend” on Facebook.

http://daily.swarthmore.edu/2008/5/12/stalking/

Whats my course again?

As I sit through another class of adding,multiplying and dividing binary code to decimal, I wonder to myself: Is this really Psychology im doing. Ok,well i know it is applied to I.T...but my patience is growing thin.
MAYBE...if the end of the world is nigh-TOMORROW in fact, and satin dons his red cloak and tells me my only chance of salvation is changing 10010101111 into a regular number...i might be thankful..

Sundays arn't THAT bad...

Forget the prospect of a long week,mass and all the procrastinated work to be done for the following day, and give sundays a chance. Their really not that bad. Roast dinners, Go magazine and a general lazy atmosphere make it the perfect finish to any kind of weekend.
I must admit though, I did enjoy it slightly more when The Funday times was still issued, but what ya gonna do.
Kick back with some vaguely educational documentarys and a cup of tea....lovely.