Computer News and Updates

Most computers you can just pick up from your local best buy or computer shop are not capable of running a digital audio workstation. Most common laptops lack a firewire chipset, hard drives, processors, and power saving utilities.

When choosing a firewire chipset you need to make sure it is a Texas instrument 1394 chipset. Most manufactures the produce firewire audio equipment design their hardware to run with this specific chipset. Most of the other chipsets out there will cause a wide range of problems with audio and visuals.

You want to make sure that you have a very fast hard drive. The standard 5200-RPM hard drive will be too slow. Many new computers come with the option of an extra hard drive space. If your computer equipped with a 7200-RPM or better then you should be fine. You need to make sure to place your operating system and programs on one disk and your actual audio files on a completely different disk. This is where having dual hard drives is great. If you do not have the option then a raptor external hard drive is the way to go for you second disk.

The next thing you will need is a fast processor. Laptop processors vary greatly. Some will come with superior processors and some will come with substandard processors. When working with audio workstations you will need a multicore processor. The Intel core duo is a great choice. Do not just look at the number. You need to make sure your processor is top of the line. If you are really not sure then just call your local geek squad or computer shop.

Next, you want to configure your power saving options to maximize performance. This will in turn really kill the time that your computer will be able to run off battery power alone. I would never recommend you trying to run off battery power because the processors will be working overtime which will eat your battery. Most computers are not set to power external hardware. You will need to get external power supply to all of your firewire devices.

If you have any problems then you are probably need to contact a laptop company that specializes in computers made for audio and video recording. They will be able to give you tips on what you are doing wrong and what you could do better. Make sure to do a proper testing on any new equipment you get. Test the equipment to maximum capacity the first few day to make sure it is up to the task. You do not want to get a lemon and find out after warranty runs out.

-Brandon C. ; aka. Darksun22

Article by Dr. Brent Conrad

In 2007 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) issued a statement on the inclusion of “video game addiction” as an official disorder in the next published version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Despite acknowledging that “a child who spends excessive amount of time playing video games may be exposed to violence and may be at higher risk for behavioral and other health problems”, the APA concluded that video game addiction did not warrant official diagnostic status at the time. However, the association also stated that inclusion in future editions of the DSM would be considered “if the science warrants it.”

Regardless of whether video game or computer game addiction is officially designated as a clinical disorder, some gamers clearly demonstrate unhealthy and excessive levels of play.

For example, a teenager who consistently spends most of his non-school hours playing computer games, chooses video games over spending time with friends, quits activities he used to enjoy, and has deteriorating school grades may indeed have a problem keeping his computer game habits under control.

In situations like these, concerned parents often attempt to intervene and help their child develop more moderate and healthier gaming habits.

An Easy Mistake to Make

Unfortunately, well-meaning parents occasionally make a critical mistake that can greatly reduce the likelihood of a successful intervention.

They get stuck on making their child admit that he is “addicted”.

For most addiction treatments and interventions, it is assumed that one must acknowledge the addiction and admit that a problem exists. For example, overcoming alcoholism is much more likely if one acknowledges the addiction and how much damage it has caused in his / her life.

However, for children and teens parents *do not* need to convince them that their play is problematic or that they are addicted to video games. A strong state of denial about harmful consequences is almost a prerequisite for an addiction to develop and persist. Those who are addicted to video games (children, adolescents, and adults) will deny negative personal consequences of excessive gaming and will downplay how their habits impact others who care about them.

Even as numerous negative consequences become apparent to others (failing grades, deteriorating health, and poor interpersonal relationships) a teen may explain these happenings in a way that does not implicate computer games. The goal is to rationalize and justify the behavior so that gaming can continue. With children and adolescents, parents do not need to let them reach “rock bottom” because they can initiate change on their behalf before they are ready or willing to acknowledge the problem.

As previously mentioned, unlike an adult who is addicted to a substance or a behavior (e.g., alcohol, drugs, gambling, and computer games), a child does not need to admit that he is addicted to games for change to happen. Parents have the power (or can regain the power) to make decisions that are in a child’s best interests. Yes, the reasoning behind decisions should be explained, but they do not need to *convince* the child that the reasoning is correct prior to taking action.

Is There Hope?

When clear limits are set and enforced, when consequences for violations are expected, when rewards for cooperation are possible, when the ease of access is reduced, when alternative activities are encouraged, and when enabling is reduced, children and teens can recover from computer game addiction…even if they never fully acknowledged it as a problem.

Article by Graham Freer

Everyday, millions of people face internet based attacks like spams, spywares, mallwares, virus and trojens, hacks etc.. Big companies have lawyers, IT departments and money to fix those problems. For home users and home bussiness partners faceing that problems is usually more devistating. Here is my tips for personal computer protection.

1. Never give your password to anyone else. ?t’s the most important rule.

2. Use numbers, symbols and letters altogether to create higher security passwords. Mixed passwords are harder to guess, hack or find (1982 might be the year you born and easier to remember but its also easier to find too)

3. Use antivirus and antispyware programs together, antivirus programs can’t dedect spyware and adwares all the time and antispywares can’t clear your viruses.

4. Install a good firewall. Firewalls are the best ways to protect your computers versus hacker attacks and it’s allways better to block a virus then using a antivirus to clean it from your computers.

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5. Never open spam mails without beeing sure they are comming from a reliable source, and allways use antivirus and antispyware programs to scan mail attacments. Even if you are sure its coming from someone you know or a family member.

6. Keep your password safe. You need to chance passwords aften a fixed time period, serious attacks, big spam rains etc.. And never use same password for more then one site, you can loose credit card numbers or your websites access if you use same passworld for every single place.

7. If you are a employer, be sure that your old co-workers can’t access your companies data-base. Erase their accounts, passwords, personal web paces on your companies website.

8. Physical security is as important as internet security. Use laptop lockers; a good lock and some steel can make wonders. Also keep your external harddisks and flash disks at office, and use quality coolers to prevent computers from overheating.

9. Don’t let anyone to enter your / your companies personal networks and keep strangers laptops, external drivers, cd’s etc.. away from your computers. They can infect viruses to network or steal your personal files before you can understand.

10. Never install unauthorized applications to your computer, they may contain unwanted virus and spywares and they also can be illegal & contain cracked material. Use Windows (or any other operation systems you are using)’s signature programmes.

To keep your computer safe, you can find various antispyware, antiadware, firewalls and antivirus programmes at www.get2use.com