Human Pursuits

Computers for Any App

2012-12-10T17:53:00.001-05:00

Right now is one of the best times when it comes to computing needs. There's so much out there. Let's bring it inside your brain.

NoteBook & Tablet Categories
NetBooks: (similar to a NoteBooks, but, smaller in a few ways)
These are notebook type computers that have a small-footprint. Usually, they run a little slower than an expensive notebook computer, have a smaller screen and are light to carry. But, the most valuable feature is that they the battery power can last longer than a bigger, heavier, faster notebook computer. The screens are smaller than a standard NoteBook computer but are very clear and usually well-lit. A smaller keyboard is included (smaller than a Notebook) along with all the various standard ports a desktop computer would have, USP ports, a VGA video port, sometimes a multi-memory card port (handles multiple types of SanDisk and memory cards typical for digital cameras and other peripherals) and Ethernet wire port for faster network speeds. A DVD/CD drive is generally not included, though. For that, there are options to buy external drives that run directly off the USB ports.

I personally like these features:

length of operation on batteries (available extra life batteries are even better)
light weight (computer bag is easy on the shoulder)
low power requirements (good for long use in a car)
clear screen resolution
easy portable

NoteBooks: (NetBook, NoteBook - two similar types of computers each having differences from the other)
Today, Notebooks can rival the power, speed, features of DeskTops. The come with a brilliant, sharp flat screen, DVD/CD drive, larger keyboard (than a NetBook), USB ports, video port, Ethernet wire port.

Tablets: Gotta love these! This is a new type of computer, brought onto the scene within the past couple of years. Very similar to a NetBook computer, but without the keyboard and having less ports. Battery life varies, but, the newest models provide lengthy time. Of course this depends on what is being done. For the most part and like their cousin, the NetBook, a Tablet is used mainly for internet browsing.

Let me give you an example of high battery usage. When I plug my external DVD/CD drive into my NetBook and watch a movie, that will consume more battery power than merely browsing the internet. Not to worry with regard to the Tables, though, because there generally isn't a way to plug in a DVD/CD drive. Why? Well, times change. Manufacturers planned for something different - the new way of viewing movies. They anticipated you downloading or streaming movies to the Tablet through the internet.

On the Tablet watching a downloaded movie also takes up more power than mere web page reading. Why? Because video requires more computing instructions, heavy use of memory - more computing requirements. Just clicking to and from web pages to read content takes much less computing power. Less computing power = less battery consumption. Why do I give these examples? Because when a manufacturer says a battery will last 8 or 10 hours, they are most often referring to those activities that consume less power. Don't be alarmed when your Tablet battery becomes drained fast some days and not other days. It all depends on what you've asked the computer to work on. It's just like us. Jogging a mile and sitting each take up different amounts of calories.

UltraBooks: Ultrabooks are a kind of sub-NoteBook. Intel, the chip-maker defined "Ultrabook" and has trademarked it. The "key feature" difference between them and NetBooks or NoteBooks is that an UltraBook has reduced bulk (thinner) while, at the same time, not reducing performance or battery power requirements. It takes a great deal of planning, design and research to do this. This is why an Ultrabook will most often cost more than a good NoteBook - partly because of design efforts and partly because of the what I call the "Human Pursuit Factor (c)" which is a lot of people with good money want the desired Ultrabook "key features". Thin, fast and long battery life are worth gold right now. You must also bear in mind this fact: faster speeds plus more computing power means fast consumption of battery power and produces more heat. No one wants to have an overly-hot laptop computer on their legs (well, unless you like at the North Pole, but, that's an extreme). The research put into these beauties also took into consideration moving to keep the heat as low as possible without compromising computing speed and capacity.

To reduce overall power requirements they differ from NoteBooks and some NetBooks. Also, UltraBooks contain a new kind of hard disk, one that's not even a disk, has no moving parts and consumes much less power than a standard spinning drive - Solid State drives which are also thinner than a spinning drive. Less power uses, less space taken. Don't use you UltraBook as a Frisbee though or expect Spot to retrieve it either.

Also, there are less ports. Ports require power. One important factor is that these are run on low-power Intel (tm) Core chips.

ChromeBooks: The ChromeBook name refers to computers that run on the Google Chrome operating system (more on operating systems in another blog, referred to as the 'OS'). They cost less, t boot-up in less time than other computers, are meant to be connected to the Internet, are mainly for applications (apps) that are on the Web. Chrome takes a different approach to computing as well as what software actually gets loaded onto the computer. Other computers hold the installed software on their hard disk, ready for use whether on or off the Internet. ChromeBooks emphasize use of applications stored on Web servers. No need to install and maintain office software on the local ChromeBook. It will link to the internet and request apps from the Web server through the Web browser. That's it. Another neat way to do computing. You don't have to worry about the cost, trouble of maintaining certain applications software on you local computer. Google takes care of that for you, including software upgrades.

ChromeBox: ChromeBoxes operates like a ChromeBook, except that it is a computer to connect to a video screen display, keyboard and mouse just like a DeskTop PC. Again, the emphasis is use of apps stored and requested via the web through the browser - no need to load applications like a DeskTop computer. A ChromeBox sits on the desk, possibly along side of an existing DeskTop PC, but, it can take the place of the DeskTop computer altogether, in theory. But, that choice would be up the the user and their computing preferences.

Desk Categories
DeskTop PCs: These are computers made to sit on "top of a desk" or table. They can range in power, speed, usage, capacity with cases of differing sizes - although today they tend to come in a much smaller case than 10 years ago. Different purposes are:
Personal DeskTops: Let's get personal. I'd rather lend my toothbrush to someone I don't know than lend my personal computer to anyone. Well, within reason. A personal DeskTop is what people had the most of in the last 20 years. Things are rolling on, though. With all the choices, the old desk top may take a back seat to other computing devices. Tablets, NetBooks, UltraBooks, NoteBooks even Cell phones are doing compute jobs the old DeskTop used to do. Except for one thing - allow you to stuff it in a bag or a pocket and carry it everywhere you go. That kind of over-stretches the cord and you arms will get tired, too. Besides, unless it's a wild looking Gamer's PC, that wouldn't be any fun trying to show off - except for actually trying to look like a fool. It's more fun to show off your new Tables or NetBook.

Professional Business DeskTops: The Business DeskTop is similar to the home DeskTop PC except for computing power and features. They are suited more for office work. Companies tend to have more money that than you and I. So, they can shell out more bucks for better hardware and software. Besides, they 'think' they need something more robust than you and a I, although my opinion differs from theirs. I'm worth a screaming PC that pushed the locks of hair back behind my head as I click and type. Well, in my office, I do both office and business on the same computers. That justifies my expense, right?

High-end Performance Design DeskTops: There are certain settings, purposes and instances where high-end performance goes well beyond the average Business DeskTop PC. That would be NASCAR or the Indy 500, right. No, not always. Those guys that make CGI computer graphics for all the movies we love need more than just a dusty office word processor or spreadsheet. They need 'rendering power', mean nasty and fast computing power. Saw one of those guys once on TV. There wasn't any hair on his head to blow behind his head. kind of sad really. But, he sure needed the speed of computing! Why? The CGI boss said so. No, he wasn't able to take the high-end computer home. Back there he had to endure the home desktop.

Those who draw architectural plans or perform multiple millions of math instructions (For context, that's faster than using an adding machine - way faster - fast enough to char one's finger tips and definitely enough to bring on some serious cramps. Besides, it's time to ditch the adding machine anyhow.)

Yet, there is another computer that goes faster.

Gamer's Extra High-end Performance DeskTops: Years ago, I had to use a crank on my personal computer, like the ones that were sold with the Model T Ford, to get my newest computer graphics game to function. Ok, I'm kidding. The only crank involved was the guy sitting on the office chair and he was attached to 10 digits and a maybe joy stick resembling a body part I won't mention here.

We were always looking for a better game, better graphics and less of the ever-annoying feature that came with them back then - response lag. The better the graphics the worse the lag became. I was tempted many times to get my Crayolas out and simulate game play waiting for the dang graphics adapter card to paint my screen.

Today, oh, today ... we have some Oh so sweet games to play on the PC. But, whenever they kick up the "sweet" part, there is always a call for faster, more capable, more computing capacity in a shorter amount of processing time - ok, I'll be blunt - we're talking a seriously grandiose amount of computer upgrade to do what I'm referring to. Do not even consider upgrading you dad's DeskTop to do this. I'm talking creating a computing solution that won't be made just by swapping out a motherboard (a mother board has nothing to do with the chopping board in mom's kitchen or the round variety she might threaten to swing at you - more on computer mommy boards in another blog), a few adapter card and memory simms (nope, not the Sims you might be thinking. Both kinds exist in your computer. One you san touch, one you can't.). No, just stop if you were thinking that. Jump to the next and only logical conclusion - buy a real Gamer's DeskTop PC!!

A Gamer's DeskTop is faster than the computer manufacturer wants you to run it at. So, fast that it will have to be "liquid-cooled" to stay alive and allow you to touch it. Yes, an honest statement and without humor. You don't want to put your fingers on the CUP chip/package when it's running at full speed. It will hurt. The components in this monster are specially chosen, evenly calibrated and orchestrated to provide a symphony of coordinated computing collaboration that promotes the beauty of gaming at its best in many ways. With a Personal DeskTop just grabbing a handful of adapter cards, memory sims and various parts can be done with eyes closed. Not so with a gamer's DesktTop PC! A series of finely tuned logical decisions are made that require serious research. Fortunately, there is a population of people who have done the research - that is for the most part - and ... until something new is created in gaming PC hardware. That could have happened just today. Things change that fast.

The whole idea is to make a computer that is worse then a screaming banshee! Video production is central - fast, responsive video graphics, fast data transfer form RAM memory to video memory, fast math computations - all collaborating the computing concerto of gaming bliss. I can hear the oscillations of the CPU clock in harmony with the Front Side Bus as it reverberates up to the display! Ok got to get hold of my self. Got carried away.

Data Servers: Business computers with larger hard drives, fast processing speeds coupled with high volume data transfer adapters, routers and switches. Used to dish up and store large sets of data in databases and documents to users of a given network. Generally, these are not connected to the internet, but, some may.

Web Servers: Business computers with larger hard drives, fast processing speeds coupled with high volume data transfer adapters, routers and switches.

Used to serve up and store large sets of data as web documents documents to users of an intranet (like the Internet but not connected to it. Only users authorized by the company that maintains it my access its web pages) or the Internet (world wide web).

A special software application is installed that is called the Web Server (software) that takes requests for web pages from client users (various connected PCs) and then serves them back to them. This software makes a computer a web sever. My NetBook has an installation of Web Server software.

Warm Fireplace Readers

2012-12-10T17:13:00.000-05:00

Oh, think about it. A warm crackling fireplace, maybe a radiating wood stove, a cup of your favorite tea nearby, reclining in your best cushy chair, ready to take in a good book. Sound like a good idea? I think so. Or, maybe your some where in the world sitting on a sandy beach, in a cozy luxury hotel. As long as you're comfy and ready to read.

What's you topic pleasure? Fiction? Mystery? Espionage? Spy verses spy? History? Facts and figures? Books offer us a world by ourself, new information or a collection of characters in places far far away. There's so much available!

Mystery action fiction is my preference. After flooding my mind at work with technical details, I need something just the opposite to consume my mental musings.

That could be different for you. Some of us have had enough of the drama of the store or office and would rather study for a better job, a new career path. Plenty of excellent career, job and business books out there.

Sometimes quick reference is what you need for fixing the house, planning a project.

Kids have homework assignments to do requiring research.

Audio books are nice to take in when you just don't feel like keeping your tired eyes open. Just load the digital book, CD and place the straw firmly between the lips and listen. No pages to turn.

Today, we have new options in the digital arena. Digital books are available for an eBook Reader, Tablet computer, even a cell phone. Believe it or not there are a lot of people who thought digital books would quite work well with their reading preferences, but, once they tried an eBook on their cell, there was no going back. New ways of displaying eBooks have provided a pleasant reading experience on a wide variety of computerized gadgets.

You might be tied to paper books. That's ok. Don't feel bad when you kids look at you funny and say odd things about antiquity. You are not alone and the entire world hasn't abandoned you. It's still ok to be seen reading paper books. Still, I do invite you to branch out and try an eBook Reader. Barrow one from a friend. Ask them to give you a tour on it. You might just like it. That doesn't mean someone ought to push you all the way to digital. Even one of my sons, the modern video gamer, says, "Dad, I still like the feel of paper, the sound of a turning page, the ability to dog-ear a page or two when I want. So, don't push me digital that way."

eBook refers to Electronic Book. An eBook Reader generally refers to new computers, the Tablet Type of computer (see my Blog on types of computers Computers for Any App and look for Tablets) that can download and display eBooks in a covnenient way. It can also refer to eBook Reading software that can be loaded onto a NoteBook, DeskTop or NetBook computer for those who don't own an eReader Tablet computer.

eBook Readers (hardware, computers that display Electronic Books)

A growing variety in topic, format, platform, genre, paper, audio, in electronic eBook for devices such as Tablet computers, iPhone, iPad, NetBook computers, NoteBook or deskstop computers, books in your hand or on the Internet cloud for downloading. That's where we are with books today. Who knows exactly what the future will bring. I think a combination of two things:

What people want.
What book makers produce.

Audio Books

Fun Cooking

2012-12-10T16:45:00.000-05:00

I have many interests. Cooking has to be one of my favorite. Whether running with a recipe book or experimenting with a new ingredient combination, I like to cook to please. My sons totally enjoy my special burgers. But, there are other ad hoc recipes I've ventured into, new inventions that have brought the same positive critique.

Of all the cooking methods, grilling is my favorite! Cooking outdoors with gas, charcoal briquette, open wood fire or smoker in particular. Average grilling seemed to be restricted years ago to grilling few common items; hotdogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob. But, there's so many more foods fit for the grill. Crab, lobster, fish, vegetables and even some fruits.

The grills available on the market have greatly improved by adding features, side appliances and tools. There's a lot out there to satisfy any Human Pursuit Factor, anyone's grilling preferences What's not to like? Anyone can be a master outdoor chef to some degree or another. Knowledge and tools make a great difference in one's abilities to provide food excellence to family and friends.

Even the top of a good wood stove works for slow-cooking stews, soups and many other meal favorites. Keep an consistent eye on things though. A wood stove will tend to dehydrate the items being heated faster than other cooking methods. It produces concentrated radiant heat. Depending on how you load the stove with wood, manage the damper and the type of wood can cause the heat generated to vary significantly. You will need to reposition, and sometimes remove, the cooking container during times when the stove is too hot. A slow cook method is preferred. That takes stove management practice, truly getting to know the stove. Remember, always use extra caution, details and emphasis, with wood stoves.

For the green-minded, there are solar cookers available.

Like the variety of tools in my garage, so too, the kitchen can be filled with handy and very applicable cooking tools and appliances.

One of the things I like to do is choose some recipes that generally are great tasting and try variants of ingredients or amounts to produce something a tad bit better. Sort of like a mad kitchen scientist, except with the result of brining on more compliments.

Video Gamers' Delight

2012-12-10T16:35:00.001-05:00

Today's video game options offer a wide variety of platforms, consoles and rich-content games. Everone has a preference though. Some gamers gravitate to a particular console or platform. Others, like to shake things up and play under several platforms and consoles. One thing is sure. Games aren't just for kids and teens anymore. Seems as time has move on, during the last decade, even elderly games have been taken into the gamer's fold. That means more people all over the world are now engaged in play activities like never before. Would you have pictured your grand parents playing video games in theire living room in the 1990s? No way!

Game makers from all over the world just got very creative in designing so that games include people from all ages. It somewhat started with the Nintendo Wii (tm) with the exercise games giving players the option to get off the sofa and move around. Other consoles joined in the "motion gaming" gig.

As time progresses, expect game consoles to perform more computer instructions, produce higher precision graphics, speedy graphics rendering! This is good, because that leads to more realistic appearing game scenes. Eventually, game play will look like high-definition movie. Gaming producing companies want to please gamers by improving the experience as much as possible. Each year brings more and more enhancements.

So, get out to the store or get online and see what's out there your family, friends and for even just for you. There's so much available!

Game Platforms / Consoles
PlayStation 3 Take a look at the Game Console Guide
PlayStation Vita
Sony PSP
Xbox 360
Nintendo Wii U
Nintendo Wii
Nintendo 3DS