Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Netbook Operating System - Windows Or Linux?

Netbook Operating System - Windows Or Linux?

The type of work you do on the netbook will determine the type of software that you install on it. This is where you have to make a very important and fundamental decision - the choice of operating system that you want on your netbook.
The operating system is the main software that controls how any computer works. The vast majority of desktop and laptop computers have Windows XP or Windows Vista as their operating system, with Apples OSX operating system taking second place on machines such as the iMac and Macbook.

However, most netbook manufacturers allow you to choose between Windows XP and various versions of Linux, which is a free operating system beloved of computer boffins but generally considered too complicated for day-to-day use at home or in an office.

The reason for this is simple - netbooks are meant to be cheap arid affordable, but paying Microsoft's license fee for a copy of Windows can add as much as £50 to the cost. In contrast, the various versions of Linux - which generally have names such as Ubuntu and Linpus - are what's known as 'open-source' software. This means that the people who developed the software have basically given it away to the world out of the kindness of their hearts. If you're looking at paying £250 for a netbook with Windows, then switching to a Linux model that costs £200 represents a saving of 20 per cent.

Admittedly, some people will run a mile before they'll even look at a machine running Linux. It's true that Linux isn't the easiest operating system to get to grips with, but netbook manufacturers do make an effort to simplify their versions of Linux and to provide a simple suite of software to help you get started. As well as programs for browsing the web and handling email, many netbooks include copies of the free Openoffice suite, the Linux equivalent of Microsoft Office that enables you to work with word-processing and spreadsheet documents on a Windows PC if you need to.
There's no need to be scared of using a Linux netbook. It's easy to get to grips with, and you can be surfing the Internet or writing documents in no time at all.

On the other hand, if you're already used to using Windows on a PC then a netbook that runs Windows will be instantly familiar and will, allow you to get started without having to learn how to use new programs. But if you buy a netbook with Windows you should check to see what other software is Included with It as well. Many Windows netbooks include a copy of Microsoft Works, which includes word-processing and spreadsheet features that are compatible with the more expensive Microsoft Office. However, we have seen some Windows netbooks that don't include any additional software. You could always install your own copy of Works or Office, but as netbooks don't have built-in CD or DVD drives you'll need to buy an external DVD drive in order to install software from CD or DVD disks.

Fortunately, most netbooks have a good set of connectivity options, including multiple USB ports that will allow you to connect an external CD or DVD drive. They generally have wireless networking features too, so that you can connect to hotspots in internet cafes, or other places.

Its early days for the netbook phenomenon right now, and new models are emerging on an almost weekly basis. However, if you bear in mind the key points that we've outlined here, you can be sure that you'll be able to choose the netbook that is just right for you.
By Kristie Haller

Saturday, March 20, 2010

An Easier Way to Sell Handmade Jewelry Online

If you sell handmade jewelry online through a website, you already know how hard it can be to get traffic. The challenges of constantly marketing and promoting your site, while continuing to design jewelry to sell can be daunting. There's not enough time in a day to get it all done.

The problem with depending upon a free standing website to sell jewelry online is that too many other people are doing the same thing. Even though your website may have lovely jewelry designs, if it's on page eight on the search engines, you're not going to make many sales.

In frustration and as a way to get traffic, some people turn to eBay to sell handmade jewelry online. Sure, eBay has lots of traffic, but it also has lots of competition and buyers who are looking for a bargain. Can you really afford to give away your beautifully designed handmade jewelry just to make sales?

What's the solution to how to sell jewelry online without hiring a search engine specialist to get you on the first page of Google? Fortunately, there's an answer to the dilemma of how to get traffic without spending big bucks. Sell your jewelry in an online gallery.

People who visit an online gallery to buy jewelry and other handcrafted items are looking for something unique to wear or give as a gift and aren't necessarily motivated by price as the eBay market is. Displaying your handmade jewelry in this type of setting allow you to sell jewelry online and make a real profit for your time.

The other advantage to selling handmade jewelry through an online gallery is the gallery does some of the marketing for you by bringing in motivated buyers who appreciate handcrafted jewelry and crafts. This means you'll spend less time trying to draw people to your website. Of course, once you get a customer through a gallery sale, you can direct them to your website and gradually build up a loyal clientele.

One word of caution. Do your research before trying to sell jewelry online through a gallery. Make sure the gallery has high quality merchandise that's consistent with the type of jewelry you sell. Make sure they don't allow mass produced jewelry that could compete with your handmade items.
by Kristie_Leong

Simple Tricks to Speed Up Your Computer

Most experienced computer users know about many assorted ways to optimize a system for the tasks at hand. An operating system will often include a range of unneeded tasks that impede your performance in certain applications. Over time, internet use can cause some significant changes that slow down your system. When I want to speed up my computer, I make use of specific tactics that generally deal with simple problems. Let's take a look at some actions that can affect my computer speed.

Clear Unnecessary Start Up Programs

Your start up cycle will usually include several applications. If you are an experienced computer user, you've most likely optimized your start up programs and processes to meet your specific needs. Unfortunately, many average users never learn about this option. When I want to speed up my computer, I always take the time to remove all unnecessary programs from the boot cycle.

For example, you can use the MSCONFIG command in Windows to choose the programs that your system automatically runs at start up. As you install new programs, several will choose to conceal themselves in the start up processes without your permission. You don't need to use all of your software at the same time. It is a good idea to just use boot processes that are required by the software that you use. There are some services that are required for nearly every program on your PC. You will need to keep these. However, you can just cut out the rest. You can simply run each program yourself when you are ready to use it. Do a little research to figure out which applications you really need to use during the start up process.

Defragment Your Hard Drive

One thing that affects my computer speed is the condition of the files on the hard drive. As files are loaded onto the drive, a natural disorganization occurs. several typical computer users do not know about the fragmentation that can afflict your hard drive. Files will be placed in an ever more disorganized way as you download and save additional ones. The most effective way to fix this issue is to defragment your hard drive once in a while. This will arrange the files in a more consistent manner. This will allow your hard drive to load them quickly. This is one of my favorite ways to speed up my computer.

Remove Temporary Files

Since most internet users take advantage of many websites that employ temporary files, it's increasingly crucial to delete them periodically. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do. There are freeware programs that can be used to wipe temporary files. These files can hide themselves in your media players and other hard-to-find places. Go for a freeware program that removes all of them and use it periodically.

Defend Yourself Against Spyware

Viruses and malware have a horrendous effect on my computer speed. For this reason, it's crucial to use programs that work to keep your system free of these dangerous and harmful files. Spyware is one of the most universal problems that has an effect on computer performance. If your computer is filled to the brim with spyware, viruses, or other malicious programs, you can look forward to it to working very slowly. Everyone should protect their machines from these nasty programs.
by Gregg_Housh