Laser Printers or Inkjet Printers? A Buyers Guide

Should you buy an inkjet or a laser printer? Often people buying a new printer are confused about whether to buy a laser printer or inkjet printer. The short answer is it depends on what you’ll be using it for, and how much you’ll be using it.

Inkjet printers have a lower initial purchase cost but cost more to run because the ink is more expensive when measured on a per page basis. Laser printers cost more but their running costs are lower and they have a better print quality because in general they have a higher resolution (expressed in dots per inch - dpi).

If you want to print photos at home however, you are best to choose a photo quality inkjet printer.

Inkjets are great for home use and for photo printing. Lasers are good for high-volume applications, like offices, or for applications that need high print quality.

Inkjet printers transfer tiny droplets of ink directly to the page. A laser printer creates an electrostatic pattern on a drum that attracts ink powder that is subsequently fused onto the paper. This is more complex technology so means a higher price than for an inkjet printer.

If you examine the same page printed on both a laser printer and an inkjet, you will be able to see that the characters on the laser printer produced page are sharper. That said however, inkjet printers are getting better all the time in terms of the sharpness of printed characters.

Another aspect to consider is how heavily you will be using a printer. Printer manufacturers express the durability of a printer in terms of duty cycle in pages per month.

For example, a typical laser printer will be capable of a duty cycle up to 7,000 pages a month while a typical entry level inkjet printer is capable of up to 500 pages per month.

Some of the more recent inkjets provide excellent color clarity and brightness, and are very well suited for printing photographs.

While inkjet printers themselves are cheaper, their ink is more expensive per page printed. Ink cartridges need to be replaced fairly often if you print a lot, especially if you’re printing pictures or photos.

The manufacturer’s stated pages per cartridge measurements are very much dependent on what you printing. They are based on only a small percentage of the page actually being covered in ink.

Toner cartridges for laser printers have a higher unit price than inkjet cartridges, but have a higher capacity so that the cost per page is lower for lasers.

Google Changes Nearly 12 Percent of Search Results to Filter More Content Farms

A very good article on how Google is taking aim at bogus search results. If you've ever done a serious search, and quickly tired of sifting through site after site of garbage aimed only at selling you something or worse yet, sending you to another unrelated garbage site, then you will appreciate what Google is trying to do here.

Google Changes Nearly 12 Percent of Search Results to Filter More Content Farms

Of CGI And Java Scripts

CGI and Java Scripts are both functional with both Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers. But there is an essential difference between the two. Java functions as a code executed and downloaded in the clients' side while CGI operates with the server. Before probing deeper into the difference of the two, let us first try to understand these two often-used scripts.

Java Script requires no special plug-ins, and it works transparently within an HTML page. It animates web page graphics, allows users to change page elements (background color, display preferences), and allows site navigation. Usually, Java Scripts are made up of two parts: the Java Script functions (the instructions for what the Java Script does on the page) and elements that cause the Java Script functions to execute. These two go in different ways. The Java Script functions are placed between special Java Script tags within the head tags in the HTML source. Java Scripts follow specific punctuation conventions. Usually, Java Script functions are the last element within the head tag. The elements that cause the Java Script to execute are placed within the body tags of the HTML source, depending on where the web page designer wants the Java Script to run. Because Java Script is included in the other HTML tags in the page source, a web page with Java Script elements will be saved in exactly the same format as a web page: the file type should be an ASCII text, and the file name should have the suffix .html appended to the end of it. The script's difference from CGI will not be clear unless we discuss both CGI and Java Scripts.

CGI is the short version of Common Gateway Interface. It is commonly used in web pages because it allows interactivity by letting the web server respond to user input through a web page with CGI elements. A common example of CGI function is a web guest book. A web designer usually includes a web guest book in the web page so users and visitors can put in their suggestions. These suggestions are collected by the CGI and e-mailed to the designer. CGI and Java Scripts also have a similarity. Like in a Java Script, files used in CGI must be ASCII text with the suffix .html appended to the end of it. However, if a CGI script will be stored in the CGI bin, it is most likely that the file must be saved as a Perl document. Unlike Java Script, where the functions must reside within the head tags, form elements can be placed wherever the web page designer wants to put them. The only consideration is that to call the CGI script, HTML tags should come before the form elements of the page.

Though both scripts have different functions, both CGI and Java Scripts have undoubtedly improve the way the internet works. They have also infiltrated the world of movies and televisions with digital films and fantastic characters. Who knows, maybe more uses of both scripts will be identified in the future.

PHP, Learn Something New

If your anything like the majority of society, myself included, you could probably use a little more info on certain aspects of computers. Here, I decided to take a look at "PHP". Yeah I know, that's what I said, "Yeah right!", but it's not so confusing when you look at it a little closer...

PHP is an acronym (One of those things smart people use to confuse us) which stands for "PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor". It used to stand for "Personal Home Page", but that must have been too easy. So after a little reasearch I found out just what the acronym meant. It is an open source, reflective programming language.

Apparently, all that programming language stuff is to develop "dynamic web content and server side applications". They have also found a new use for it in other types of software.

Once again, this stuff is pretty tricky, but take a look elseware! Maybe there is a "PHP for Dummies" out there. I would encourage any of you who have the slightest incling to find out more, to do so. It's actually pretty interesting! The best thing to do for more information is to check out forums, blogs, or websites about PHP. There is also books and an actual formal development manual that you can purchase from a store or borrow from a library, that will be able to answer any of your questions about this particlular programming language.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a popular spreadsheet program that was developed by Microsoft. It is designed for computers that use the Windows operating system, and it can also be used on computers that use Mac OS as well. It has an easy to use interface with a number of tools that can make creating a spreadsheet fast and simple. This combined with a powerful marketing campaign has made Excel one of the most popular software programs in the world. Excel is typically bundled in the Microsoft Office package of programs.

Excel is not the first spreadsheet program to be produced by Microsoft. A spreadsheet program called Multiplan was first released by the company in 1982, but it eventually lost market share due to the release of Lotus 1-2-3. Because of this, Microsoft decided to create a spreadsheet program that could effectively compete against the dominance of Lotus. The very first version of Excel was introduced in 1985, and was available on the Mac. The first version for Windows would be released two years later. Because Lotus didn't bring their spreadsheet program to Windows quickly enough, Excel begin to gain a larger share of the market. By 1988 Excel had surpassed 1-2-3, and it is one of the factors behind the success of Microsoft as a software company.

The latest version of the software is Excel 11, and it is part of the Microsoft Office 2003 bundle. An Excel file will come in the form of .xls. A number of changes can be made to the interface of the program, but the GUI will always be composed of rows and cells. Information can be placed in cells which will have an effect on the data that may be present in other cells. In addition to this, Excel gives the user a large amount of control over the look of cells and the information that is placed in them. Both Microsoft Word and PowerPoint were designed to conform to Excel.

The introduction of Visual Basic with Excel allowed a number of tasks to be automated. Since 1993, Visual Basic has become an integral part of Excel, along with the introduction of the integrated development environment. However, the automated properties of Excel with Visual Basic has caused a number of macro viruses to be created, though many of them are now blocked by standard antivirus programs. Microsoft also allows users to disable the use of macros if they choose to, and this has largely eliminated the problem.

While Microsoft Excel was not well known during the late 1980s, it has now become the most widely spreadsheet software, though it is facing competition from a number of companies, most notably Google. Despite this, Microsoft has made a name for itself with the release of Excel, and next to Windows, it is one of the most well known software packages in the world. It has excellent calculation tools, and it can effectively be used for graphing as well. However, the software wouldn't have the dominance that it has today if it hadn't been for Multiplan, the predecessor that started it all.

SMS SOFTWARE AND SMS GATEWAY

What is SMS Software ?
Software for Pocket PC, PDA and smart phones is a simple powerful easy to use messaging utility that allows you to create and send group (mass) sms messages to list of selective contacts, phonebook or individuals globally. It allows you to create and send bulk SMS from PC to your customers via mobile phone connected to by Microsoft ActiveSync and Windows Mobile Device Center. The bulk SMS utility is gaining in popularity with companies finding it a useful and cost effective means of reaching consumers.

Computer Network Management

Today it is almost inconceivable for a business not to have computers, whether it is a construction company or a high technology firm. When a business has more than one computer, they are almost always connected together in a local area network. These networks may be more or less advanced and therefore more or less costly.

Companies invest so much (in terms of both money and time) in a local area networks because there are many advantages that a local area network brings to a business and how it is administered.

Some businesses use a local area network in such a way they are highly dependent on it always working. If the company's network fails, then you may see all the employees chatting away in the corridors because they can't do their work. This means big losses for the company and causes stresses on the employees. All companies must consider their local area networks a vital asset and downtime must be avoided. This imposes huge demands on the network staff to keep such networks running almost 100% of the time.

The advantages of Computer Network Management
One of the main advantages of installing and maintaining LANs is the opportunity they create for better communication and cooperation between employees and customers.

Security considerations: Local Area Network security can be both a help and hindrance. Comprehensive security is beneficial because it provides a central and safe strategy for data access and disaster recovery. All information is protected by the design and implementation of the network security solution. On the other hand, interconnecting computers in local area networks creates a security risk, since doing so makes it technically possible for intruders to access many machines on the network at once.

Cost considerations: Installing a local area network is a relatively expensive project. Servers, cabling, switches, routers and software can all be expensive and should never be purchased without expert advice. Keeping the network operating and secure also requires a lot of resources and can be costly.

Surprisingly, a local area network can bring a number of cost savings. Sharing resources avoids the need to purchase equipment for each individual. Even more important is the security that a local area network can provide. Data loss could cost a business a great deal of money and in some cases, cause the business to shutdown altogether. Computer Network Management should require a consistent routine for data backups with regular checkups of data quality - a practice that will save a company huge sums in the event of a mishap.

Computer Network Management: preliminary analysis phases
The first phase of computer network management is to determine the source of the problem (a preliminary study that looks into several options of differing scope may be useful here) and defining it in a specification of requirements. Examples of what should be evaluated are different network operating systems, mail systems, and other applications. The choice of hardware components should also be evaluated. This phase is generally aimed at establishing what the system should do, not how it should do it.

Computer Network Management: design phase
The purpose of design phase is to determine how the requirements of the specification are to be met. The current approach to large, complex projects is to break them down into smaller, more manageable subprojects.

Computer Network Management: implementation phase
 This phase involves the physical installation of the local area network. Cables are run, software is installed, and computers and other hardware are put in place.

Computer Network Management: integration and system testing phase
 In this phase, commissioning of the network begins, and routines are adapted to users and the operating personnel. The system must be tested, both to ensure that the network meets the requirements set out in the specification and that it is stable enough to perform the central function it has in the organization.


Computer Network Management: operation and maintenance
 Local area networks have complex operating routines. This is because there may be serious consequences when faults occur or unauthorized persons gain access to the system. Many companies have employees devoted solely to take care of running and maintaining computer networks. These system administrators may deal with network issues such as performance, reliability and security of both hardware and software.

Computer Network Management: tools
 Although an organization may have computer administrators on site, they must also monitor the network more than eight hours a day. In fact, some of the worst trouble that arises with networks can happen during the night hours when nobody is using the network. With the right computer network management tools, your organization can receive the security of knowing that problems will be foreseen, prevented, and taken care of - and that your network administrator can be notified at a moment's notice, should anything go exceptionally wrong.

Your Information Technology Career: Certification vs. Experience

Whether you're just starting your Information Technology career, or wanting to get further ahead in your current IT career, you have probably thought about earning one of the many popular computer certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, or the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) cert.

A major point of frustration for individuals pursuing one of these certifications is a possible lack of experience with these technologies. Many future CCNAs or MCSEs simply stop trying to earn their certification, feeling that their lack of experience will hold them back.

Adding to this are those in IT who will stop everything they're doing at the drop of a hat to stomp on the dreams of others. I recently saw a post by an IT newcomer on a popular website where he declared his intention of earning his CCNA. Within minutes, several naysayers popped up and told him that he shouldn't bother, it wouldn't do any good due to his lack of experience, etc. (Did you ever notice that people who bash certifications generally don't have any themselves?)

I am in no way discounting the importance of experience. What I am saying is that every single one of us was a beginner at one point, and a lot of IT professionals forget this. None of us was born knowing everything we know today, and we shouldn't spend any time dismissing the goals of others in the IT field, or those just breaking in.

I am speaking from experience on this point. I had a tough time breaking into the IT field, and made a lot of calls and knocked on a lot of doors before I got in. I found out later that the reason I got that entry-level job is that I had a professional certification where the other candidates did not.

The pursuit of certification is the pursuit of knowledge, and in our field, you can never have too much knowledge. If your work is strictly on the Local Area Network side, don't let that stop you from pursuing a CCNA. If you work exclusively on the WAN side, don't let that stop you from going after your MCSE. If you're just breaking into Information Technology, don't let a lack of experience prevent you from studying for your A+, Network+, or even your MCSE or CCNA.

Because one day, opportunity is going to knock - and the more you know, the readier you'll be to answer that knock! Use your long-range vision to envision the day when you will have both experience and certification - an unbeatable combination.

Las Vegas: Top 5 Poker Rooms in Las Vegas

If you want to experience live poker action at the gambling Mecca of the world, here is a guide to the top poker rooms in Las Vegas. You can read here updated info on each of the recommended Las Vegas poker rooms including their game variety, limits and tournaments.

Bellagio Casino and Hotel
If you want to experience Las Vegas poker action and hang out with pros, the Bellagio is the casino for you. It is one of the classiest poker rooms available in Las Vegas. It is so popular that you might find yourself spending over an hour at the waiting list and then find yourself stuck with a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs.

The games offered are Texas Holdem, Omaha and stud games, and you can also join one of the tournaments, but note that this involves playing No Limit Holdem. As for the table limits for the regular games, these are as follows:

1. Limit Holdem: 4/8, 8/16, 15/30, 30/60, 60/120, 75/150 dollars and up.
2. No Limit Holdem: 200 dollars buy ins with 2/5 dollars blinds.
3. Omaha: 6/12, 15/30, 20/40, 30/60, 50/100 dollars and up.
4. Stud Poker: 1/5, 4/8, 8/16, 30/60, 75/150 dollars and up.

Mirage Las Vegas
If you are tired of waiting for a table at Bellagio, the poker rooms at the Mirage can be an acceptable alternative. It resembles Bellagio's with its luxurious atmosphere, variety of games and its huge popularity among pros as well as tourists.

The games offered are Texas Holdem and Omaha, Stud and as the Bellagio, playing in a tournament means getting involved with No Limit Texas Holdem. As for the limits of each table in a regular game, they are:

• Limit Holdem: 3/6, 6/12, 10/20, 20/40, 40/80 dollars.
• No Limit Holdem: between 100 and 500 dollars buy ins with 2/5 dollars blinds.
• Omaha: 5/10 dollars.
• Stud Poker: 1/5, 5/10.

Excalibur Las Vegas
If you want to play in a less stressful environment, check out the poker room at the Excalibur casino. You can play spread limit Holdem with the lowest limits available on the Strip and enjoy beginners friendly rules such as limitation on three raises. The room has been renovated recently and the poker tables and seats are very comfortable. At the Excalibur, you can play Texas Holdem or 7 Card Stud, and the limits are slightly lower:

• Limit Holdem: 1/3, 2/6 dollars.
• No Limit Holdem: 100 dollars buy ins with 1/3 dollars blinds.
• 7 Card Stud: 1/5 dollars and up.

Binions' Horseshoe Hotel and Casino
If you want to play at the same room where the first WSOP took place, you must visit Binions' poker room. Although the casino has been renovated and went through many changes since the days of Nick the Greek, the ghosts of the past still haunt the place, but in a good way. Here too you can play Texas Holdem, No Limit Holdem in their own tournament, Omaha and Stud games for the following limits:

• Limit Holdem: 2/4, 4/8, 10/20 dollars.
• No Limit Holdem: 100 dollars minimum buy ins with 1/2 dollars blinds.
• Omaha: 4/8 dollars.
• Stud Poker: 1/5.

Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino
If you want to follow in the steps of the 2006 WSOP champions, check out the Rio poker room. You might be surprised from the size and the small variety of games, but the thought of sharing the same location with contemporary gaming legends adds a certain appeal to it.

Other than taking part in the tournament where you can participate in some No Limit Holdem, you can pick from Texas Holdem, 7 Card Stud, Omaha or a few other variations according to what players request. The limits are as follows:

• Limit Holdem: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8 dollars.
• No Limit Holdem: 100 dollars minimum buy ins with 2/5 dollars blinds.