Energy prices waver with new signs of weak economy

Energy prices waver with new signs of weak economy
NEW YORK – Oil prices wavered Thursday as the nation’s employment picture darkened and consumers pulled back on spending.

Benchmark crude for June delivery ticked up 15 cents to settle at $51.12 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent prices fell 22 cents to $50.56 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.


Natural gas, used heavily by utilities and major industries, continued to test seven-year lows as consumers spend less on energy and companies cut back on production.

Underground supplies of natural gas rose more than expected last week and, according to the Energy Information Administration, reached 1.82 trillion cubic feet for the week ended April 24.

That is 34 percent above storage levels just a year ago, hinting at just how much the economy has slowed.

“There’s still too much of it out there,” said Jim Ritterbusch, president of energy consultancy Ritterbusch and Associates.

“When you’re in a sharp recession like this, you’ve got plants and factories all over cutting shifts to save on their fixed costs, and one of those is electricity costs to keep a plant open 24 hours a day,” he said.

On Thursday, a Commerce Department report said consumer spending fell more than expected, dropping 0.2 percent in March. And incomes were also down by 0.3 percent as waves of layoffs made their way through the economy.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department said a record 6.3 million people drew unemployment benefits last week. However, the number of newly laid-off workers signing up for jobless benefits dropped unexpectedly to a seasonally adjusted 631,000.

Oil companies also had a miserable first quarter as energy prices plunged.

Crude prices soared last year to more than $147 a barrel as experts worried that world demand would soon outstrip production. This year, oil prices have hovered around $50 a barrel as U.S. storage houses continue to fill with a huge surplus. The government reported Wednesday that the nation is consuming less petroleum per day than it has in a decade.

On Thursday, Exxon Mobil Corp. said first-quarter earnings fell 58 percent from a year ago, its lowest quarterly profit in more than five years. Marathon Oil Corp. said its first-quarter profit fell 61 percent from a year ago.

Few expect a quick rebound for oil prices given the current economic outlook.

Christina Romer, the chairwoman of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, predicted another economic contraction in the second quarter. Romer, who was testifying Thursday before Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, also said there would likely be continued increases in unemployment for several more months.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has tried for several months to prop up the price of oil by producing less and draining the global surplus. Joy at the pump for consumers has meant some serious pain for OPEC nations who are now wrestling with their national budgets.

In May, OPEC ministers will consider whether to pull even less crude from the ground.

Tanker tracker Oil Movements said Thursday it’s unlikely OPEC will call for slowing oil operations on top of the 4.2 million barrels they’ve already pledged to cut each day.

Oil Movements said in a research note that in March, OPEC members were only 80 percent compliant with previous production cuts. In April they cut an additional 100,000 to 300,000 barrels a day.

That’s “hardly likely to make up a convincing case for another round of cuts,” Oil Movements said.

If OPEC did call for less crude production, it could be the tipping point that forces oil prices higher, analyst and trader Stephen Schork said.

“We’ve had an ongoing deluge of one bearish report after another, and crude oil prices haven’t dropped any lower,” Schork said. “So if you have anything that comes out that’s perceived bullish, it could send oil back up to $60″ a barrel.

That eventually could lead to higher energy prices for everyone, but many industry experts don’t think OPEC nations can stomach another production cut.

Retail gas prices were flat overnight, with the national average rising a tenth of a penny to $2.051 a gallon according to auto club AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. Pump prices are up less than a penny from a month ago, but they’re $1.566 cheaper than last year.

In other Nymex trading, gasoline for May delivery rose by 2.58 cents to settle at $1.4742 a gallon while heating oil dropped 1.44 cents to settle at $1.3147 a gallon. Natural gas for June delivery fell 3 cents to settle at $3.373 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The Truth Of A Two Year College Education

The Truth Of A Two Year College Education
Higher education in this country is rapidly becoming a necessity in the business community rather than a luxury. There was a time when those who had a high school education still had the opportunity to build a better world for themselves and their families. Those days are rapidly becoming another dieing ember of the past. If you hope to have significant earning potential during your lifetime you are almost completely limited by your learning potential and the level of education you have received.

The good news is that you do not have to have an all or nothing approach when it comes to education. You can begin by taking baby steps when it comes to higher education. If you have a community college in your area, this is one of the greatest resources for beginning your college education at any stage in your life. Most community colleges offer classes at various times during the day and evening, even some on Saturday in order to accommodate students of different ages and backgrounds.
Community colleges also offer an excellent opportunity to begin your learning quest in a manner that is much more easily affordable to the average citizen than a full-blown university. These colleges are largely commuter colleges though there are several that allow students the experience of living on a college campus at a much lower price than most major universities charge for the same or very similar privileges.
Community colleges also allow you to explore your options if you aren’t really sure what direction you wish for your education to take without paying such a high price for the process. If you know the career path you wish to take you might find a two-year degree program that can have you out of school and in a career much sooner than a four-year program will allow. If that isn’t good enough news for you, many of the two-year programs of study that are offered at the community college level may very well transfer quite easily into bachelor degree programs at the university level.
Community colleges offer an excellent start for many people who are seeking higher education whether to further their careers or just to find fulfillment on a personal level in life. There are many wonderful programs in vocational fields as well as academic fields that can be explored and studies on the community college level.
For graduating high school students community colleges help students ease into the adjustment from high school to college without going through the culture shock that some universities can put students through. You will find that there are often many opportunities to meet educational as well as social needs on the community college level for students that are interested in pursuing a community college education.
You should also discover that community colleges are much easier to budget when it comes to setting aside funds and savings for either your personal college education or the educational expenses of your children. Having them attend a community college for two years then transferring to a University can save a great deal of money and provide you a little piece of mind that your children are still receiving an excellent level of education.
Seriously, if you are looking for an excellent value when it comes to education you would be doing yourself or your children a disservice if you do not check out the community college options in your area before taking the plunge and diving into the university lifestyle. You will find that community colleges often offer an equal level of education for the introductory classes that first and second year college students often take, they are a much better value for the money, and they are an outstanding values for those who are trying to juggle their education with family and work responsibilities.

Restoring the Historical Roots of American Education

Restoring the Historical Roots of American Education
Two hundred years after the American Revolution, America is still governed by its first Constitution. We are now the longest-running constitutional republic in the history of the world. To give some perspective, France has had eight constitutions in the same 200 years. Italy has had 54 constitutions in 200 years. Why have we survived so long? It is because our founding fathers built our Constitution according to a set of ideals that are unparalleled in the history of the world.

Abraham Lincoln said, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” If our founding fathers had a successful philosophy of government, which obviously they did, then it is very fair that we look back to the classroom to see what they taught.

Harvard: Harvard is the oldest ongoing university in the United States. Harvard produced a number of our founding fathers, including John Quincy Adams, John Hancock, John Adams, and Samuel Adams.
Harvard’s original stated purpose for its students was: “To be plainly instructed and consider well that the main end of your life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ….” One requirement of students was that “Everyone shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that he shall be able to give an account of his proficiency therein.”
Yale: Yale also produced many founding fathers, men like Noah Webster, William Samuel Johnson, Abraham Baldwin. One of Yale’s requirements for its students read as follows: “Seeing that God is the giver of all wisdom, every student, besides his private and secret prayer, will be present morning and evening for public prayer.”
Princeton: Princeton, founded in 1746, produced people like James Madison, Benjamin Rush and John Witherspoon. John Witherspoon became an ordained minister and was president of Princeton University (1768-1776) until New Jersey sent him to Congress. During those years at Princeton, the average graduating class was between 17 and 28 students per year. In the nine years that Witherspoon taught at Princeton, the school graduated one President, one Vice President, three Supreme Court Justices, ten Cabinet members, twelve Governors, twenty-one U.S. Senators, and thirty-nine U.S. Congressmen, plus many who held state offices. A full one-third of the founding fathers were trained at Princeton University.
What was the philosophy of an institution that produced so many national leaders? Princeton’s founding statement was, “Cursed is all learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.” It has been many years since we have seen this kind of vision of godly leadership within society set before us.
The Foundational Documents: There are four documents which are considered the organic laws of the United States (i.e., the laws upon which all other laws are built): The Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and The Northwest Ordinance.
The Northwest Ordinance tells a territory specifically what it has to do in order to become a state in the United States. Article Three requires that no territory could become a state unless the schools in that territory were teaching religion and morality as well as knowledge. As a result, many state constitutions contain the following: “Forever in the schools of this state, religion and morality will be taught as well as knowledge.” You may want to check your state constitution.
Look at Fisher Ames’ philosophy of education: (He was the author of the First Amendment of the Constitution, which today is mis-interpreted to mean we must separate God and government.)
“Why, then, if these new books for children must be retained, as they will be, why should not the Bible regain the place it held as a school book? Its morals are pure. Its examples are captivating and noble. And the reverence for the sacred book that is thus early impressed lasts long and probably, if not impressed in infancy, never takes firm hold of the mind.”
However, today under our interpretation of Fisher Ames’ amendment, the Bible is not allowed to be studied in schools. We have drifted far from the days when our country was founded. As can been seen in the founding documents of our most prestigious universities, education in America was founded not on the pursuit of knowledge for the sake of knowledge, but rather on the pursuit of knowledge to glorify Christ. That happened and happens primarily through the study of the Word of God.
The freshman project of each of the founding universities in America was that the student be given a copy of the Greek New Testament and from it make a handwritten translation into English! Blessed are the schools that still teach from the Bible and keep the Bible as the central source of education.

Become A Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician

Become A Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
Microsoft has a lot of computer certifications that apply to a lot different expert computer repair technicians to operating system superstars though they also offer certifications in organization as well as engineering. Microsoft Certified Professionals are a level above in the profession of IT since Microsoft certification is broadly acknowledged and recognized by both the service as well as the support industry. Microsoft syllabus features the practical data that just an state of the art established organization can to offer.

MCDST is one of the most wanted after Microsoft certifications on our market today. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician is a title that involves much admiration for employers that desire a very qualified tech to work as a helpdesk expert and give desktop support via phone and also by providing service the individual station. Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) with Microsoft Windows XP is a certification which ascertains the fundamental and higher credentials needed to enter the Information Technology profession as a support desk expert.

Due to the recognition that Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) gets a lot of web-based and conventional Information Technology facilities are offering some free tutoring. You’ll discover complimentary information technology Microsoft PC training on the internet almost as numerous as you will discover pay certificate courses. There’s a long list of electronic schools which offer free study guides, various free electronic instruction as well as complimentary practice exam questions in order to ready you for your certificate.

MCDST certification demonstrates priceless troubleshooting expertise pertaining to the Windows Desktop Operating System to executives and buyers. It gives a regiment for getting the abilities that support technicians require. Being a desktop support technician, you will utilize excellent customer service abilities, teach users, and solve computer hardware or software function and application issues on the desktop. You’ll vet irreplaceable skills and good practices related with networks and file sharing and maintaining DHCP communications devices and DNS for Internet applications to translate names into internet protocol addresses.

MCST certification acknowledges the basic qualifications needed to go into the Information Technology field as a support professional. It communicates the technical abilities of the individual to customers and employers and differentiates career potentials from their colleagues. MCDST certification enhances job enjoyment via enhanced technical proficiency as you expand your proficiency and abilities. MCDST certification helps advance support technician livelihood through providing a structured framework for learning abilities, and features a knowledge basis for additional Microsoft certificates, like the MCSA and the MCSE.

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Certification Requirements on Windows XP involve passing two core exams that provide a valid and dependable gauge of technical proficiency. The tests are created on the help of professionals in the industry and reflect how Microsoft applications are utilized in businesses throughout the world. The two essential exams are: Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System amounting to around sixty questions and Exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System being of about 50 questions.

A aspirant for MCDST requires study for a certification. There are non-profit Microsoft classes accessible on the web including costless Microsoft example exam questions, free study guides and free MCDST training tomake your preparation less complicated. Free will only take you so far, you will need to purchase some Microsoft certification training so you’ll be ready for your exam. Your education isn’t the objective but earning your Microsoft certification is so learn methods to pass your information technology certification exam and because there are good resources accessible, all you require is some exploring.

Ubuntu Operating System, and other distros - Free and reliable software

Ubuntu Operating System, and other distros - Free and reliable software


The first computer I bought had Microsoft Windows pre-installed, and that was the only operating system I knew for several years after I first started using the internet. Well known for the occasional outbreaks of computer viruses, which often make headline news, and then there are the Trojans and key logging problems as well with Windows.


After a dose of this I found something completely different. Ubuntu. My first experience of the Ubuntu operating system came with Feisty Fawn, which I enjoyed for its ease of use, and its security. That is what I especially like about the Linux platform, the freedom from computer viruses. They are not unheard of on Linux machines, but they are not as common as those on Microsoft Windows pcs.

I have no concerns about a firewall either. With the Ubuntu operating system it loads and runs every time I start the pc. With Microsoft Windows you often have to go looking for a reliable Firewall to install before you can safely start surfing the internet.

Then there is the free software that comes with Ubuntu. There is a wide choice of applications to suit a wide range of interests, and these programs are well written. If you want more free software, it’s easy enough to run the install program and install some more applications.

Since this earlier version of Ubuntu there have been more revisions of the Ubuntu operating system and each one is more professional and smarter than the previous version. The desktop graphics can be stunning as well.

You aren’t tied to the one Ubuntu operating system. Anytime you fancy a change you can easily download another Linux distro, burn an ISO image on CD or DVD and install the system on to your hard drive or simply run it from a live CD. I have tried Mandriva 2008 , open SUSE and Fedora 10, in this way, and I like them all.

If you fancy something different from Microsoft Windows, I recommend the free Linux distributions to you. I have had no problems with them and have found them to be reliable and stable platforms.

Ivy League admissions: a unique way to set yourself apart and get into Harvard

Ivy League admissions: a unique way to set yourself apart and get into Harvard

Are you interested in the internet? Technology? Business? Are you simply looking to standout in college admissions? Challenge yourself to a new opportunity?Here’s an out of the box idea that will help your quest to get into Stanford: offer to be an intern at a startup!

It’s easier than you think - it requires leg-work and initiative on your part, but it looks great on college applications and can help you move your careers and professional interests to the next level.

Here are two examples of how it can be done:

1) Search for local startups through Google. Email them with a brief description of your background, and tell them you’re interested in an unpaid part-time or summer internship.

The key here is local - these will give you the best shot since it’s convenient for you and them, and there’s greater overlap in interests, backgrounds, etc

2) Browse through the online services that you use the most and love - such as Facebook, Myspace, Imeem, and so on. Look through their websites and get in touch with human resources staff or recruiters. Explain your story. Again, offer to work in an unpaid position or any position they have available

Startups are always looking for more help, especially if it’s free. Showing initiative like that in high school will impress any company. Even if they say no, you have nothing to lose.

An internship will strengthen your college application - it will bolster your work experience and leadership/initiative-taking. It will also be one helluva story to tell in college essays or alumni interviews.

Finally - and here’s the best part - it could lead to a unique and outstanding recommendation. Everyone else just has recs from teachers - what if you got one from your CEO? Win-win-win. Harvard here we come.

This is just one example of great out-of-the-box thinking. What unique ideas do you have? Share them with me by emailing john AT hopelesstoharvard.com and I’ll give you feedback!

Unique risk-taking is a surefire way to help your chances of getting into Ivy League schools. Start today.

Antivirus Support Services : Get fast anti virus help and spyware removal support

Antivirus Support Services : Get fast anti virus help and spyware removal support
Computer viruses and malware can be deadly and come out of nowhere to spoil your PC’s functionality. Every computer with internet connectivity is at risk of getting infected by PC threats including Trojans, spyware, adware, key loggers, and the list continues. However, you can take measures against them with the help of an effective anti virus support program.
Indeed, if you find your PC running slower than before, you must load antivirus as soon as possible. Regular hangs are one of the common symptoms of virus infected PCs. For the best antivirus installation, its configuration and up-gradation, you can consider taking online computer support.
Remote Assistance is a great tool for handling all such niggling issues. It deals with a comprehensive range of services providing assistance for computer related problems and errors. The best part is that the support is available 24×7. Whether you want anti virus support, eliminating computer viruses, troubleshooting irksome PC errors or optimization of the Internet, you can call these online computer support technicians anytime.
With online computer support services, you get the required at the convenience of your home. The complete procedure is called remote support which is done using remote desktop connection. No matter where you stay, you just need the Internet connection. In case, you don’t have the Internet at your premises, you can ask for the support over the phone as well.
The computer support vendors can help you in finding and eliminating computer viruses, spyware, and other nuisance matter killing your PC’ performance. Technicians offering remote computer support are masters in their profession. They hold profound expertise in their profession. And this emerges as another advantage of availing computer support services that you get your PC repaired under expert’s care. Besides, you can consult them for any of your problems regarding computer and technology. Their basic aim is to reduce time-to-repair, and increase reliability and up time.
Online computer support is certainly a better and cheaper option than calling a technician at premises or taking your computer outside for repair. Such technicians charge on per hour basis.

Great Plains on Pervasive SQL or Ctree redeployment overview

Great Plains on Pervasive SQL or Ctree redeployment overview
Current version 10.0 of Microsoft Dynamics GP, formerly known as Great Plains Dynamics is available on Microsoft SQL Server DB platform exclusively, and if you are currently enrolled in GP annual enhancement program, you are probably happy enjoying such Dynamics GP cool features as integration with MS Outlook, Sharepoint, SSRS, eConnect. For the rest of us, who are still on Pervasive SQL 2000/Btrieve or Ctree DB platforms (including Great Plains Dynamics on Mac Faircom), we would like to outline steps in redeploying Dynamics on new computer, it is especially helpful when you need to mount your new accounting application for the purposes of audit:
Great Plains Dynamics support options. Please, note, that Great Plains Software was acquired by Microsoft, however Microsoft Business Solutions retired Dynamics on non Microsoft SQL Server platforms in earlier 2005. This means, that you either should have internal IT resource, who is still familiar with Dynamics reinstallation and applying old service packs, or you should find Great Plains Dynamics Partner, who has consultants, familiar with old versions and their troubleshooting
Single user workstation install scenario. This method doesn’t require separate Pervasive SQL or Ctree server installation, and you can just use Great Plains Dynamics CD. Consider dedicating Windows XP workstation, Install Great Plains Dynamics in Single User Workstation mode, copy Dynamics folder from your old server and go to the next step - Location Translation procedure
Location Translation for Great Plains Dynamics. The reason for this step is simple - both Btrieve/Pervasive SQL and Ctree use Windows (or Mac OS) operating system file handling functionality (including user security to access, write and read DB files). Pathname tables store original Dynamics UNC path (or mapped drive), where Dynamics was installed originally, back to late 1990th, and since then, if you move Great Plains Dynamics to new server - you are doing original location (or original path) to new location/path translation. Typical location translation id is WINDOWS
Old Great Plains Dynamics on Pervasive or Ctree upgrade path. In your situation, upgrade path includes migration to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 step (this is usually done on version 7.5, you should consult your Great Plains Reseller on the steps to upgrade to Dynamics GP 7.5 on Pervasive or Ctree). When you are done with GP 7.5 migration to GP 7.5 on Microsoft SQL Server, you are on the open highway: popular route is 7.5->9.0->10.0

Using the Run command on the Run command

Using the Run command on the Run command
is part of the Windows operating system that lets you quickly run programs and access files in particular. This feature of Windows is a great way to open a program with a short command code of common sense. It is faster to use than opening a program and not have to create a desktop shortcut for quick access to each program. Read on to learn how to use the Run command .
website Visit the productivity of the computer to determine what command to use to open the program you want to open. Commands include popular “Calc” to open the calculator, “Notepad” to open the notepad, Wordpad to open wordpad “Winword” to open Microsoft Word, “Iexplore to run Internet Explorer and Control Panel to open the control panel Click on .
“Start” button on the Windows desktop to open the Start menu .
Select “Run” from the bottom of the second column of the Start menu to open the Run dialog box .
Write command code to open the program to open the “Open” in the box “Run” .
dialog Select the “OK” to open the specified program and close the Run dialog box .
Use the program as needed and close it as normal if there finished

Ivy League admissions: a unique way to set yourself apart and get into Harvard

Ivy League admissions: a unique way to set yourself apart and get into Harvard
Are you interested in the internet? Technology? Business? Are you simply looking to standout in college admissions? Challenge yourself to a new opportunity?Here’s an out of the box idea that will help your quest to get into Stanford: offer to be an intern at a startup!
It’s easier than you think - it requires leg-work and initiative on your part, but it looks great on college applications and can help you move your careers and professional interests to the next level.
Here are two examples of how it can be done:
1) Search for local startups through Google. Email them with a brief description of your background, and tell them you’re interested in an unpaid part-time or summer internship.
The key here is local - these will give you the best shot since it’s convenient for you and them, and there’s greater overlap in interests, backgrounds, etc
2) Browse through the online services that you use the most and love - such as Facebook, Myspace, Imeem, and so on. Look through their websites and get in touch with human resources staff or recruiters. Explain your story. Again, offer to work in an unpaid position or any position they have available
Startups are always looking for more help, especially if it’s free. Showing initiative like that in high school will impress any company. Even if they say no, you have nothing to lose.
An internship will strengthen your college application - it will bolster your work experience and leadership/initiative-taking. It will also be one helluva story to tell in college essays or alumni interviews.
Finally - and here’s the best part - it could lead to a unique and outstanding recommendation. Everyone else just has recs from teachers - what if you got one from your CEO? Win-win-win. Harvard here we come.
This is just one example of great out-of-the-box thinking. What unique ideas do you have? Share them with me by emailing john AT hopelesstoharvard.com and I’ll give you feedback!
Unique risk-taking is a surefire way to help your chances of getting into Ivy League schools. Start today.

5 Tips To The Best Computer Bu

5 Tips To The Best Computer Buy

It can get confusing for some people who aren’t inside the computer world to make the best choice to buy one from the wide range available.

There are actually thousands of different hardware and software products.

Let’s see some of the factors to consider when buying a new one:

1. If you travel on business very often, a notebook would be the perfect solution. If you work in an office, the desktop computer is the answer. Although you could use the notebook in the office too, its potential is a bit reduced when comparing to the desktop connections for printers, plotters or other equipments.
2. When buying a computer you got to consider your budget. There is a large variety of desktop and notebooks for all kinds of budget. The desktop can go anywhere between $500 to $2000 (Note that some sites don’t include the monitor in the cost, so make sure to check that). The notebook can go from $800 to $2000 or more , and normally includes the carry case.
3. You need to specify what you want to do on your new computer. Is it to play video games, watch movies, and surf on the Internet or you intent to work? Any regular computer will do the basic work but if you intent to play video games for an example, you will need a good video card, high speed processing and a good amount of RAM memory. For business some of these features aren’t necessarily needed to be the best on the market like the video card, but a medium-grade computer will do the job.
4. According to the kind of data you are going to store, either photos, music, movies, or documents, you need to determine the size you will need in hard drive space. If you plan to use it for photo storage or office documents, something in 50 to 100Gb will do it, but if you want to store video, music, or video games, you need from 150Gb up, according to your needs.
5. The duration or lifetime of the computer is a very important matter. If you buy a regular model, in a few years it will become “older” and new software or operative systems won’t work on it. You will need to upgrade it, and sometimes is better and cheaper to buy a new one. You may buy your complete computer or you can choose the best parts or the components that satisfy your needs. If you buy a ready made one, it’s usually harder to upgrade later.

These are the 5 Tips To The Best Computer Buy. These are the most relevant facts to consider when buying your new computer.

Expanding and Extending USB

Expanding and Extending USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a low cost interface connection. It is now the most common computer connection with many devices such as keyboards, printers and digital cameras using it as standard. As the number of compatible devices has grown the need to easily access them has also increased.

This has meant many users now need to expand and extend the USB connectivity of their laptop or desktop computer. Expanding allows devices to be shared, split and accessed by more than one computer or enabling a computer to connect to multiple USB devices at the same time. Expanding overcomes the problems of the limited number of USB ports often supplied with modern computers, especially smaller laptops and netbooks.

Extending increases the distance USB signals can be sent so a computer doesn’t have to be closely situated to the peripheral. This combats one of USB’s major limitations in that the standard maximum recommend length for a USB cable is 5m due to performance restrictions. However, for some applications for example interactive whiteboard installations, 5m is not always enough so signals need to be extended.

The most common method of expanding USB is through the use of simple USB hubs. Hubs allow multiple USB peripherals to be connected to one USB port. Hubs in turn connect to a host computer transmitting all connecting signals to it. The problem of port congestion is then solved as hubs generally have anything from 2 to 8 ports. Hubs are commonly free standing but are also built into devices such as monitors. USB switches expand peripheral connectivity by allowing them to be shared with multiple computers. They are a cost effective solution especially useful for devices which need to be accessed by more than one computer, such as printers.

They eliminate the need for duplicate devices and multiple cables. Switches alternate between computers as the users decide who has access to the equipment at that particular time. USB sharing hubs combine the functionality of both a hub and a switch and can serve multiple USB devices between a number of computers at the same time. Just like switches, sharing hubs are ideal for larger, more expensive equipment that needs to be accessed by more than one person at a time, but with the capability that allows users to do this simultaneously.

As with expanding, extending USB can also be achieved using a number of methods. A simple way of extending USB is by using extension cables. USB extension cables are useful for extending devices over shorter distances and typically max out at around 3m in length. The ‘plug and play’ capability of extension cables makes them a simple and easy to use solution. They work with both smaller and larger devices such as card readers and printers. USB extension cables are ideal for use with wirelss dongles or with products that have built-in USB cables.

A simple, cost effective way to extend USB over very long distances is by using Cat.5 USB Extenders. As their name implies, these devices use standard Cat.5 Ethernet patch cable to make the long distance connection. A transmitter is connected to a computer via its USB port while a receiver connects to the USB peripheral at the opposite end. The two units are then connected using Cat.5 cable. Commonly used with devices such as interactive whiteboards, extenders are a great solution for connecting devices further away from a host computer than an extension cable would allow. Distances of up to 50m can be achieved; however, USB 2.0 is not usually supported so devices are limited to USB 1.1 performance of up to 11Mbps. Cat.5 USB Extenders are probably the cheapest and easiest solution for connecting a USB device and host computer over great distances.

Perhaps the ultimate form of USB extension is USB over IP servers which allow USB devices to be connected to a network. Equipment such as a standard USB printer can be transformed into a shared network device as the server provides an interface between the device and a network. It simply connects the device to a network via Ethernet so the device can be used by anyone on the network wherever they are in the world!

Computer Backup Solutions - All Systems Go?

Computer Backup Solutions - All Systems Go?
The subject of computer backups has always been a topic of importance when it comes to preserving the data on your computer. These days there are more options available to you in this arena, which can be both a help and a hindrance. On one hand, having more options is helpful because better solutions have been brought to the marketplace from which you can now choose to fit your needs. A hindrance exists in that the multitude of choices might scare off users and cause them to avoid the issue altogether, which can have a disastrous ending.
It does not have to be complicated nor time consuming, so there is no good reason not to tackle backing up your computer.
The PhilosophyWe all know that backing up can preserve the information that is stored on your computer, but how far do you take your backup philosophy? It depends on what you can ‘afford’ to lose.
To one computer user, just backing up periodically will suffice. The thought here is that if you lose your data, you can restore it apart from your operating system, and the time that this takes is not a critical consideration. Many home users fall into this category. It makes sense as long as you are not dependent upon your computer for time-sensitive applications and tasks and/or for accessing and retrieving data relative to finances, etc.
To another user this philosophy is not enough. Topeng Those who depend on their data and computer for more than just casual personal computing understand that if a hard drive fails, their business is down until they can get it back up and running again. Home users who store irreplaceable photographs and home video on their computers will also fall into this category. A more comprehensive backup plan is recommended to help recover from disasters in a timely fashion.
Computer Backup OptionsThere are several ways to tackle backups of your important data:Built-in operating system options. Microsoft Windows operating systems provide built-in back up capabilities that allows you to back up your documents or files onto external media. Beginning with Windows XP and its Automated System Recovery feature, each unik successive Microsoft desktop operating system includes the capability to help recover your entire hard drive if necessary. These backup solutions are reliable and provide a built-in way for you to back up your data without having to buy an additional program to do so.
Manual copying onto external devices. You can always resort to the old stand-by method of backing up by manually copying your data onto an external hard drive, USB memory stick or other external device such as a recordable CD, DVD or even a floppy drive if you have one. This is cumbersome, but if you do not have a lot of files, it may be an acceptable solution for you. The pitfalls with this method are that if you have multiple files, you have to make sure you get all of them, and you may need numerous target media to save all of your files to.
Online options for backing up over the Internet. The newest option in computer data backup solutions is provided by online companies that enable backup and restoration of your documents and files over an encrypted high-speed Internet connection to any PC. A small background application backs up and transfers your files to a hosted storage area in a remote datacenter when your computer is idle; however, this is not a comprehensive disaster recovery solution for your entire hard drive. This solution works best when targeted at protecting individual files and documents on a PC or a Mac, and is generally a subscription-based service for which you pay a monthly fee for use.
Making an image of your hard drive. This is a more comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solution generally performed by technically savvy computer users. This option includes using 3rd-party programs to make an image of your entire hard drive, which can then be “re-imaged” in case of catastrophic failure to a new hard drive, providing a hard drive disaster recovery plan. Using this solution, within a short period of time, you can be back up and running with ALL of your documents, settings, programs and EVERYTHING intact, as if the disaster never occurred.
The way to determine the best solution to fit your needs is to ask yourself how soon you need to be back up and running after encountering a disaster, and how much you are willing to pay. If you can wait several days, then a computer back up program might be right for you. If you need your data files immediately, and you have a second computer that you can copy them to, then an online solution might be the best way to go. Or finally, if your business depends upon your computer and its applications and data, then you must have a more comprehensive solution.