24 March 2011

Apple Ipod: Start a Serious Music Collection With Free Downloads

Apple.com Ipod: get yourself some free downloads of music and films, you will be pleased with what you get. These days it seems that Ipods are the one MP3 player that everyone wants to have. Most of the people you know have probably got one. The one negative feature of owning an Ipod is trying to download from Itunes, this is often quite pricey, and it isn't that brilliant anyway! There are ways around the problem though, and I've produced a list of hints in this article to help you get free legal downloads!

Apple.com Ipod:Start a Serious Music Collection Tip 1
Stay legal. Would you really think it was worth serving a prison sentence, or having to pay a massive fine, just to get some Mp3s? You can find some perfectly legal download sites to get your MP3s from (more on this later), so make sure you give torrent sites and sites of that type a wide berth. It may feel like there is no risk when you if you download illegally,  but  from your download your IP address can be traced, and it won't take much effort for a half decent law enforcement officer to trace your home address from that!

Apple.com Ipod:Start a Serious Music Collection Tip 2
Be very wary of the hype. You've probably lost count of how many times  you've found a ?free? music download site, only for it to ask you for money so you can create a membership. Virtually all of the sites which claim to offer you free downloads of music, games or videos are lying. It my appear that you are being offered free downloads, but when you try to actually get the  download, they will make you sign up for a membership or try to get hold of your credit card details. Be very wary.

Apple.com Ipod: Start a Serious Music Collection Tip 3
Don't fall foul of the truly awful sites. A lot of sites on the internet will actually allow you to have one or two downloads for free, but in trying to get the downloads, you will be assaulted with popups and spammy ads. These sites make all of their profits from getting people to click on the advertising, so get inside the head of these people, and understand what they want you to do! The downloads that you can get from a site like this  are A, unbelievably slow, and B, often, not the download that you thought you were getting. Sometimes these fake downloads will even be infected with spyware or viruses! It is much better to totally avoid this type of site. You could easily find your Ipod completely ruined by these fake downloads.

The situation is not all bad! You can find a few sites online that are completely genuine, and will give you access to as many downloads as you want, games, music, videos, whatever, without any charge, and unlimited for life. What?s the catch? Well, you will have to pay a joining fee often around $25 to $50 or thereabouts, but this gives you unlimited downloads for life. This fee has to be charged in order to keep the download speeds up, and also to keep updating the lists with the latest available downloads for your Ipod. These sites are your best option if you are looking to download quite a lot of stuff over time.

You now know that there is more involved in finding a good download site for you Ipod than you may have first realised, so do your research and take the time to make the right choices. For more info on which are the best legal sites, check out the links below.

23 March 2011

Apple iPod Special U2 Edition

New iPod models have sprung up as quickly as mushrooms after the rain and each time they just seem to get better and better. I have to say though that this U2 special edition iPod just captured my heart the moment I saw it. Being very much a U2 fan, the fact that the back panel has the band members’ signatures engraved on it is enough reason in itself for it to be the best. The U2 iPod is easily recognizable from all the other models due to its style. While the others are usually white - or plain black in the case of some 5G models – this baby’s black front panel and bright red click wheel is sure to stand out.

The U2 iPod is so much more than eye candy, though. Twenty gigabytes of storage may seem meager compared to the storage capacity of the newer models but believe me, it still translates to a lot of songs. I have had the iPod for a little over a year now and I still haven’t filled it up.

The U2 iPod has similar features as that of other iPods of its generation. It is so easy to use - all you need in order to do whatever you want with your songs is your thumb. Superior sound quality lets you enjoy all your favorite songs.

One drawback is the battery life. It is supposed to be able to play songs continuously for 12 hours. In my experience, it could be anywhere from 4-9 hours. Factors such as file size and playback options may be the reason for this. The lock button on the top of the iPod can help conserve battery. When not in use, you can lock it so that you won’t accidentally run the battery down. Another concern is that the iPod gets scratched easily. Solution: get a case for protection.

Indeed, compared to the other models with their newer features, the U2 iPod is a bit expensive. If you think about it though, it has everything you need in an mp3 player – unless it’s video you’re after. I suppose the bottom line is whether you are enough of a U2 fan to splurge on it. Then again, even if you are not and you have enough cash to spend, the stand out look of the U2 iPod should be enough reason to get it for yourself.

22 March 2011

Apple G4 Ibook: What Computers Are All About

Who likes computers? Okay, come on, we all do. If you don't need them for school or work, you surely enjoy surfing the web. Whether it be a PC or a Mac, you most likely have some modern-day computer for your daily needs.

The Apple G4 Ibook is a prime example of what computers are all about. I purchased my fourteen-inch notebook about a year ago, and now I can't live without it. The Apple G4 Ibook offers a standard 60 gigs, combo or super drive, and a compact size to tote around everywhere.

This magnificent machine has changed my view of computers.

Coming from a background of PCs, I wasn't familiar with the Apple G4 Ibook, or the Macs at all for that matter. After a long discussion with my brother, a computer technician previously obsessed with IBM, I came to the conclusion that I would get an Apple G4 Ibook.

If this professional PC lover recommended a Mac to me, what else was I to do. He now also enjoys an Ibook, and prefers it to his IBM notebook.

Furthermore, I was convinced once again by a computer geek at my University, who had recently made the transition from PC to Mac, and said he wouldn't go back. This is basically due to Mac's simplicity.

While PCs have the standard right and left click option with their mouse, Apple G4 Ibooks have only one button. There is no right click.

You want to make a command. Try open apple and a letter which refers to the command.

This is easy. Open apple N will pull up a new search engine window if you're browsing the web and do not wish to close your current one. Icons can be dragged to the folders and locations of your choice. Very simple. You can hide your icons with the Apple G4 Ibook. Just scroll your mouse to the bottom of the screen and they'll magnify for your convenience.

When it comes to choosing a notebook computer, there are choices galore. You have to keep in mind what you're purchasing it for.

While Macs have a reputation for video and edit capabilities, PCs are known for having better game options. All in all, both types of computers can do virtually anything you need and want them to. It all comes down to personal preference.

After years of PC use, I chose the Apple G4 Ibook for its simplicity.

Not to mention the wonderful virus control. One thing you will notice after buying a Mac, viruses seem to be a PC thing.

21 March 2011

Free MySpace Layouts: Add more friends with Free MySpace Layouts

Among the various networking sites, MySpace is said to be the largest community. And apparently there are more than 204,600,000 members who are part of this online networking site. Am sure some of them are fake or have multiple accounts but it is noted that the online networking concept is fast growing with the number of accounts increasing by about 40,000 every week. This shows how people have begun to get out of their shell and interact with others. Another advantage is that you can sit in the luxury of your home or office and be in touch with friends living 10,000miles away. And if you are one of those who uses Free MySpace Layouts, then you will also be making new friends everyday. Just the fact that these Free MySpace Layouts look totally cool and fashionable makes them high on demand and in popularity.

When the thought of joining MySpace or any of the other sites, one goes through various emotions related to "Do they really need to join?", "Do i have time?", "what am i looking for here?" and once they join, they are hooked on it.  By browsing through your friend's page you will get an idea as to what all a simple Free MySpace Layouts code can do for a person's image and their personality. It is not just for teenagers or youngsters, but also older people who still have the ability to spend time talking to others, and are open about discussions. For a person who is into marketing or consulting, they can make use of any of the Free MySpace Layouts and leverage on the connection aspect provided by these sites. With Free MySpace Layouts, you can get traffic onto your personal website, or blog for which you must have provided a link on your main page.  Once you have decided to become a member, quickly go through the Free MySpace Layouts  websites to choose from a wide range of patterns and themes, put one of them in your page and watch how your life changes. The number of friends you make, or work related queries you get will mount and you will be happy that you made this choice of using Free MySpace Layouts.

For a person who has many talents, for example  if a person has interest in music and can also dance well, or if he has won many prizes during his college days, he can pick out from the Free MySpace Layouts websites a layout that suits his personality. If he can find one with a guitar or maybe a silhouette of two people dancing, he can use that on his profile. So, through Free MySpace Layouts, he is able to tell the world that he likes these two activities. Free MySpace Layouts offer a wide variety of layouts across colors and styles to suit different personalities and interests.

20 March 2011

Access Control: An Introduction To Access Control

The Problem

Your building is secure at night, but during the day there are several doors that have to be open. Anybody could walk in. What can you do?

The Solution

You need an Access Control System.

What is an Access Control System?

Access Control is an electronic security system which permits or restricts access to specific areas of a premises. It not only protects property against unwanted visitors but ensures the safety of both the property and of the people inside.

In simple terms, an Access Control System provides control of entry (or exit) through nominated doors via a control panel and some form of electric locking facility.

An Access Control System can be as simple or as complicated as you wish but in each case, the solution will always provide an easy passage for permitted persons around the building.

Door Entry or Access Control?

Door entry is commonly associated with a single door or gate, whereas access control is more suited to multiple doors or entry points.

Access Control can also incorporate a host of other features which enhance other areas of the business.

Access Control / Door Entry Technology

There are a number of ways that a permitted user can open a door that is fitted with a system.

PIN Code Entry

The most common unit is the keypad system. This comprises a control unit with a series of numbered push buttons, or a touch-sensitive pad, connected to the lock release mechanism via a control unit located at the entrance.

Magstripe (also called Swipe Card) Readers

Each entry point has a card reader and the user “swipes” an encoded card similar to a credit card to gain entry.

This technology is widely used and there are many choices of manufacturers.

Proximity Readers

Rather than swiping the card or tag, it is simply presented to a reader which typically will see the card at a distance of about 100mm. This is a fast, non-contact, method of entry.

Long Range Readers

Long range proximity readers (of approximately a meter or so) automatically unlock or open a door when it detects the card.

This is particularly suitable for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act  (DDA) as no action is required by the card bearer.

Smartcard Readers

For systems that use cards or tags, these cards can also carry additional information which can be used for other building services – – for example, time and attendance functions, integration with payroll systems, car park management and even vending machine applications.

Biometric Readers

A Biometric Reader system uses unique human characteristics – such as finger prints or a retina scan – to clearly identify those who are permitted access.

As there are no cards or tags which can be stolen or lost, or open to misuse, this type of system significantly increases the level of security.

What about Visitors?

You will want to welcome most of those who visit your premises, so it must be easy for them to let you know they are there.

The three most common means of attracting attention are:

• A simple door bell system which alerts your staff to the fact that there is someone waiting outside.

• An audio intercom panel which allows the visitor to have a direct conversation with a member of your staff and, if appropriate, the door can be remotely released.

• An audio intercom panel with a camera facility which allows your staff to see who wants to enter the building before permitting access.

Once access has been permitted, the visitor can either be escorted around or issued with a card or pin number for the duration of their visit.

Things to Consider

When planning an access control system, you should consider the following:

• How many entry/exit points
• Where are these located>
• Level of security desired
• The movement of staff around the building
• Method of operation
• Future growth of building
• Turnover of employees
• Disability access
• Interface with other systems – for example, the fire alarm

As with any type of security system, it is sensible to employ a company that you can trust. Make sure you use a NSI (NACOSS) approved organisation; this will ensure that your system will be designed and installed by professionals.