Netbooks - The Next Generation of Mobile Computing

Laptops are on their way out. In their place, we have netbooks. These smaller computers are set to take the world by storm with their compact, easy to carry design. These travel easy notebooks are changing the way we travel with computers for the better.

Miniature laptops, these smaller computers are even easier to bring along anywhere. That's one reason why many computer customers have one of these in addition to their laptop or desktop. The small size makes travel easier. They usually leave the bigger laptop at home, and grab this one for on the go use.

Very tiny, these siblings of the notebook computer are made with the bare minimals so it will run more precisely. This makes them very desirable. The battery lasts longer too. With these small devices, you only need to worry about general usage. More costly models have an extended battery. If you are planning to use this as your primary computer is suggested you look into that model.

There are a few accessories you might want to buy for your new computer. These can be found almost anywhere laptop accessories are found. Some accessories you might consider are a travel case, flash drive for transferring files. It's a great idea to have a portable CD-ROM drive too. This will make it easy to add programs that are not already there.

Compaq, Dell, HP and most other brands that build computers also produce these small computers. They are trusted by millions. These computer brands are found all of the world. You need only to look around you. Check it out. There is a good possibility they are jumping on the miniature notebook bandwagon. Talk to those who own these types of computers. They will know what brands are good.

Shop comparatively. This will increase your chances of getting a great deal. Each store will have their own deals, so take all of this into consideration when shopping. Make sure you know what you want and then ask around to find the best way to get it without spending a lot of money. Those who have recently purchased one of these types of computers will be able to steer you in the right direction.

Netbooks are becoming as widespread as laptops once were. These little machines are becoming a favorite computing product among young college students for their easy to transport styles. With products coming from world's leading computer companies you will definitely find the one that's right for you.

What is Cloud Computing and How Does it Effect Me?

Computing in the "cloud" or "cloud computing" is the world coming full circle. When IBM, DEC, Tandem and Cray started out, they built room sized computers that were so big and ate so much energy, they required their own cooling systems. The programmers all worked directly for the manufacturer making software custom for each customer. The costs were staggering in today's dollars, and somehow the productivity gains made it all worth it. The First Main Frame that ran Bank Of America's ATM system throughout California had less memory and horsepower than today's $299 netbooks.

When the PC arrived on the scene, big companies started moving to mini computers and the client-server systems were born. Most of us are familiar with the client-server model and don't even know it. If you have an email program that connects to a server to get your email you are using client server computing. The difference here is even if you are not connected, you can create the e-mail and wait to send it until the next time you connect. Your computer in this case is the client and you trade or update data with a server. The process of trading or updating data is called synchronizing or "syncing" for short.

Cloud computing using netbooks goes back to the old mainframe model. the difference here is the software companies like Oracle, PeopleSoft and Google are in charge, not the hardware people like IBM, DEC (gone), Tandem (gone) or Cray. With cloud computing, if you don't have an internet connection to access iGoogle or MSN, you can not even write the e-mail. All of the computing power and software is really on their "servers", not your little netbook. The "servers" at these companies are really clusters of PC's with software designed to make them work together nicely and share the horsepower or processing power. Mini clouds within a company for applications makes sense, one computer gets the upgrade, everyone has new software.

The challenge for cloud computing is still access to the "cloud". Internet access isn't everywhere, and where it is, the access isn't always free or fast. If you don't have service, you really can't work or communicate. If your provider doesn't have service in a specific area, it is another challenge in itself.

For instance, if you fly two different airlines with a stop for lunch at an airport not served by your current provider and cell service is slow or your tether software quits, you could easily spend $70 in connection fees in one day. I know because I have done it. I have tethered services from AT&T, and they quit working one day. Airline 1, $15.99, Airport day pass $9.99, Airline 2, $15.99, Airport 2 day pass $4.99, Hotel day pass $14.99, day pass at area near meeting, $12.99. Yes it happens. Services are getting better but they are not that good yet.

The happy medium can't be far off though. The next step in the client server and distributed computing model could be combined with cloud theory to create a distributed sync model. In distributed sync, your data would still exist on centralized servers and on your computer or other storage device. Some parts of the software would exist on your computer, others on theirs. When you are within range of a network your computer would become part of the grid, offering computing power and network hops to everyone in range when you don't need it.

The first part of the distributed sync model holding it back is standards. If I change a document on my iPhone and my laptop before my next sync, which one wins? Two significant changes need to occur for this to work, computers need more power and networks need to have more speed to allow very fast sync for changed items only. If I change one item in my blackberry, I need to go through the entire sync process. The same was true of my windows mobile phone as well. This is a limit of sync computing that is solved by the pure "cloud" solutions.

The second hold back is network access. Some carriers charge you twice for your phone and laptop, others let you tether. They don't have interoperability agreements so when I am out of range of my carriers signal like today, I am dead.

The final question is of course the data. When "they" can sift through all of your e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, what are they learning? Facebook recently agreed they didn't "own" the data, but they also didn't say they wouldn't "use" it while it was on their servers either. Scott McNealy, a guy I consider a pioneer in the silicon valley and on the internet said some time ago that privacy was dead, give it up. Should we?

Cloud computing is a great idea for a world under constant change. The hardest part is keeping up. This morning we found our Google Client Center and our Skype Business Center interfaces were completely different. We lost a lot of productivity learning on the fly with customers on the phone. Cloud computing in some form is here to stay, the mainframe and terminal just look different.

What is a Computer Chair Mat?

According to certain reports, an average office worker sitting in a computer chair working at least 8 hours a day will move his chair at least 250 times. With this much movement, any flooring can sustain considerable damage in a year's time. Because repairing floors can be costly, the need for a cheaper alternative is needed. Thus the need for a chair mat. It is basically a mat that you place underneath you computer chair to help protect your flooring. Unlike traditional mats, they have anti-static properties than can also help protect your computer hardware.

Similar to any other mat, these mats provide a number of benefits. First of all it adds protection to your flooring. With the wear and tear your floors endure everyday, a mat will help reduce these damages. Comparing the cost of repairing your floors to buying a chair mat, your costs will definitely decrease.

The mats also provide you more movement. If you have tried moving your chair from one desk to another in a carpeted surface, you know how back breaking it can be. With it, you can easily glide from one place to another without hurting your back. Because of this increased mobility, a mat not only protects your carpet, it can also prevent injury to a person's joints and back. Also, this will ensure less fatigue while working in an office.

As mentioned earlier, an additional feature computer mats have is their ant-static properties. Whenever we move around in our computer chair, it creates static electricity that can transfer from the floor through our body and then to the computer. Static electricity can greatly damage computer hardware. Take for instance the RAM or memory module. Static electricity can "fry" it or make it unusable if it's not protected.

Aside from these benefits, it can come in any shape or design. This means that it will suite any office setting, or even home setting, one may have. Be it a small conference room or a long row of office cubicles, most manufacturers can adapt to any need. Although the price range of these computer chair mats can be a bit steep, the added protection to your flooring and computer equipment plus the other benefits like reduced risk of injury and fatigue, can make up for the cost of purchasing one.