Technology Metro

Working with flac files can be a frustrating and even confusing thing for people, especially ones that are not necessarily computer savvy nor good with computers. Yet surprisingly, ripping flac files for a windows systems is not only simpler than it may sound, but this is something that you and anyone else can do if they have the “know how”. You can rip flac files in only a few short and easy steps that will not take you long at all if you have the information to get this simple task done.

What are flac files anyway? These are Free Lossless Audio Codec files, and are much like the popular MP3 files which millions of people know more than enough about, except that flac files do not loose their sound quality. With a FLAC file, you can also play them on a CD player or in a car as well - which is one reason why so many people are catching on to this alternative to MP3, which can give anyone the flexibility to use these files as they need to.

Here are the steps that you can use to rip flac files (Windows OS):

• Install FLAC Codec to your PC. You can download FLAC Codec here
• Find the program that you want to use in order to rip the files. (WinAmp Full Version or EAC works well)
• Since instructions will differ based on the ripping program that you plan on implementing, read the FLAC Documentation for exact details. Here, you will find the appropriate instructions for your chosen program. With the simple instructions, getting set up should be a breeze.

If you run into any trouble or problems, visit your ripping program’s “Help” page or desk area. There are also forums online that will offer support with tasks like ripping FLAC files.

In this day and age, there are many of us who are registered at one or more social networking sites on the internet. These are a great way to interact with your friends or try and make new ones. One of the first things people notice about any online profile is the picture you have uploaded of yourself. More and more people are trying to make their picture something to talk about, and for this they use online photoshop sites such as http://en.picjoke.com.

This site offers an online photo editing service that is completely free. You don’t need to register to be able to use the site. You can create funny pictures of yourself by using effects or embedding your face from any photo of yours onto the various templates and backgrounds they offer. In other words, ordinary snapshots of you can be made into unique, funny photos.

Once you are on the site, all you have to do is select the effect you want. When you click ‘Next’, you need to pick a picture of yourself that is stored on your computer. The picture has to be in three main image formats, which are .JPEG, .GIF and .PNG.

Once the final photo is rendered, you can save it onto your computer from the site, and then email it or upload it onto your social networking sites or blog, so that you can share them with your friends.

There are many different templates that are available for you to explore. You can suddenly have pictures of you up on a billboard somewhere, on a coffee mug, or in a high-end, celebrity magazine. Your face could be up on a movie poster with other stars or you could be featured in a famous museum as a work of art. You’ll know the secret, and so might others, but you might succeed in fooling a few friends into wondering how on earth you got to be so famous. PicJoke.com offers new photoeffect everyday.

This site is free, extremely fun and very simple to use. There are over one hundred different effects, with new ones being added every day. By checking the website frequently you will know when there are new effects and this will in turn give you new ideas of what you want to do with your photos. All you have to do is upload the picture and choose the desired effect, and the site will do the work for you.

According to BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) ringtones sales are slowly dropping from the $600 million mark reached in 2006. Since then, Apple has released the iPhone. With the release of the iPhone come questions from users as to how their ring tones will differ from other cell phone ringtones on the market. As you will find out, Apple has an uphill challenge ahead of them trying to convince consumers to throw out their old and make way for the new.

The ringtones for iPhones come in .m4r that differs from other ringtones out on the market. Most ringtones come in .mp3, .mp4 and .wav formats just to name a few. There are places where you can buy .m4r ringtones and other places that offer free ones. You can also convert your previous ringtones formats to the .m4r format. There are softwares available that allow, this such as the Ambrosia Software iToner. There are many different companies coming along to offer features that iPhone and iTunes don’t currently offer. It is no surprise to see entrepreneurs get inventive and make something ringtone related.

At one point Apple blocked free ringtones from being added to the iPhone through Itunes. This has caused many hackers to accept the challenge and get into the iPhone ringtone game. They have managed to figure out multiple ways users can add their own ringtones for free. The way Apple has it set up makes a user pay to add ringones they already have. If they don’t have the ringtone, they have to pay for that and the cost of converting the song into a ringtone. In order to get ringtones the proper way, you have to use Apple’s iTunes software. Only the newer versions of iTunes have the.m4r ringtone capabilities, older versions simply won’t work. Each ringtone is roughly 99 cents available from the US iTunes store with over 500,000 ringtones to choose from. Again, an additional charge is added for converting previously owned ringtones not in the .m4r format. Since many seasoned savvy internet users know how to create their own ringtones, this is just absurd. People have already invested in programs and pay sites that offer ringtones in various formats. For some, it just isn’t worth the price or the hassle to switch to Apple’s model. These types of product versus consumer battles usually lead to a compromise on the manufactures part.

One method of getting ringtones is done by renaming the song format to the .m4r extension. So if you already have a .AAC ringtone, you just need to rename the file to songname.m4r. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least bit if newer iTunes versions allowed users to add any type of ringtones for free. Apple has had similar wars with people unlocking their iPhones so that they carry other cell carriers’ networks. This sort of corporate greed disillusions consumers who may want to try new products but not have to re adjust their lives in the process. Why not just allow all iPhone users to continue to use the current ringtone technology they have been using instead of trying to get a monopoly on the ringtone market? Surely Apple isn’t desperate for profits to the point where they have to charge to add and convert ringtones! It is a cellular phone after all and ringtones are here to stay. Apple needs to separate their iPod from their iPhone brand and stop this iPhone ringtone madness. Here is a How to guide for making your own Free Custom iPhone Ringtones Using Only iTunes. I think this link might help you all.

For any avid PlayStation 3 users, this could be a good deal. Buy a PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller at Amazon.com for $43 and get a Frontman Wireless Guitar Free. Just add both the items to your cart and you will get the Frontman Wireless Guitar as a gift. The amount for the Frontman Wireless Guitar will be taken out at checkout. Not the best deal if you are look at the price of PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller but you will get a Frontman Guitar free of cost.

Here are a few PlayStation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller Specs:

• Pressure-sensitive buttons so that you can feel the controller vibrate with each hit, crash or explosion
• SIXAXIS™ highly sensitive motion technology. With this technology, the sensors read when a player angles, tilts, thrusts, or pulls the controller and applies those actions to the game. This technology is available in both the SisAxis wireless controller and the DualShock 3 wireless controller.
• Bluetooth technology allows the players to use the controller wirelessly
• Connects upto seven controllers multiplayer gaming.

While you are at it, why not get RealTriggers . $5 for a piece of plastic is a bit much but it will improve your gaming experience. Definitely worth it. As you can see on the image, the RealTriggers is placed on the R2 and L2 buttons for better grip. RealTriggers comes with free shipping if you use Amazon prime.

Apple Launches its brand new Gadget; Apple iRack. From the line of the ‘i’ technology; iPod, iPhone, iMac, iBook comes the newest gadget launched by Apple, the iRack.

“Not Responding” …..”Operation Timed Out”….frozen screens and God knows what other problems we face everyday on our computers. These issues are always on the back of your head when working, but the most problematic issue that you want to get rid of would be the slow speed of your computer. I always thought why my notebook was slow, and sought ways to speed up my overall performance in any way I could. Alas my worries are now over with just following some advice from a friend.

Unfortunately instead of adjusting a few things, people believe they need to buy a new computer in order to increase laptop speed. My views were initially the same but this just isn’t true. You can. Speed up your laptop in a few easy steps. This I definitely would like to share with you.

Step 1

It is preferred you start by defragging your system files. A disk defragmenter helps in accessing information in a much more speedy way. Whenever you want to process some information or access some file that you usually might not use, your operating system needs to jump from one place to another until it gets the desired file from it’s location. Defragging allows your system to stream information through a single path. This will definitely trigger your laptop computers ability to access and run several programs.

Step 2

On the next step you should consider removing startup programs, as many as possible. Whenever you install some program, it usually has default options which enable it to automatically start a program as soon as the computer starts. These settings slow down the speed with which your computer can start up or shut down. These programs steal another important space known as RAM, which adds immensely to the sluggishness of your computer. Eliminate all those programs that you usually do not use or just go to run button on your Start button and remove all checks that any kind of programs might have on the startup sequence.

Step 3

Third step could be applied by removing all those registry congestions on your system files. This is the most important step that you should follow under any circumstance if you really want to get your computer’s speed boost up. As we download, install new or remove our old programs our registries get flooded with useless and often redundant files. This is the biggest clot your system experiences. These may include any .exe file you used to install or maybe some temporary files required during installation like while installing Ms Office. You get rid of these files and not only do you speed it up but it will not hang (unless of spyware) and neither is it hopefully going to crash in future.

These step are really going to make your computer as if it just appeared to be brought out of it’s box. And if you really are a novice at your computing and configuration, I prefer you use a registry cleaner software that does all the work for you and tweak your computer for better performance.

It’s been a really long time since I wrote about great deals. Well, here are two deals and one of them you can’t pass up. The first deal is a SeaGate 1.5TB Barracuda Internal Hard Drive. Here are some information on the Seagate Barracuda® 7200.11 Internal Hard Drive.

This should be pretty obvious from the title, anyways; Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 SATA Internal Hard Drive has a storage capacity of 1.5TB which is huge. This Seagate Barracuda SATA Internal Hard Drive has a data transfer rate of 3Gbps. This Serial ATA hard drive also offers a rotational speed of upto 7200RPM and a cache size of upto 32Mb for faster data access.  SeaGate 1.5TB Barracuda SATA Internal Hard Drive is perfectly suited for high-performance PCs, PC gaming systems and media PCs.

Dell is offering a 2-Pack of Seagate 1.5TB Barracuda  SATA Desktop Hard Drives (OEM) for $270 - $70 coupon (QSRDBGRSGP7MFG) = $200 with free shipping. Newegg.com has listed 1-Pack SeaGate 1.5TB Barracuda Internal Hard Drive for $130. Onto the next deal now, which you can’t pass up.

Dell has a deal up for 2000 Series Play Station Portable (PSP) Slim for just $110. The next best price for Sony Playstation Portable Slim (PSP) 2000 is $161. Here are some of the highlights of PSP Slim :

• Equipped with 64 MB of internal memory
• Allows storing of digital photos and sharing with the image transfer feature
• Offers Internet browsing in Internet-accessible locations
• Dazzling widescreen LCD brings gaming to life
• Ad hoc wireless mode enables connection of up to 16 consoles
• Includes 4 MB of embedded RAM

Thats it for today. Enjoy!

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It goes with out saying that RAM is an extremely important part of your computer. The consequences of a faulty RAM ranges from BSODs, computer lockups, file system corruption and data loss. The above mentioned problems that may crop up if RAM is faulty. That is reason enough for you to diagnose your RAM. It can be hard to tell with great conviction that a problem is occurring because of faulty RAM or because of another component of the computer. You have to test your RAM to see whether it is still functioning properly.

When you begin your testing of your, RAM make sure that you test the RAM modules one by one. Interchange the RAM modules positions to ones that they did not occupy before you started testing. The reason why you should do so is to check whether the RAM slot does not have a fault as well. Be advised that they are many ways to test for faulty ram but the easier ones are explained below.

The first method is using the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. The windows program from Microsoft has a tool that helps you to check you RAM. To get the tool you have to log on to the Microsoft website and download the tool on Microsoft online crash analysis website. When you have installed the software onto your computer you then choose between saving a cd image to the disk or you create a start up disk. The first is a Bootable CD and the latter is a bootable floppy disk but their capabilities do not differ.

You then reboot your computer using the reboot disk that you choose and youR RAM will be scanned for any faults and errors. The best way for you to know with great certainty that you RAM does not contain any errors is for you to, check the modules of RAM on the port that is indicating a faulty error.

The second method is MemTest 86+ utility. This method is very similar to the above mentioned method but its reliability is unquestionable. This method has set the standard for testing for any faults in RAM. The execution of the procedure is the same. First you have to load the bootable media and then you can choose what you want. The testing modes in this method can be time consuming. Use the c key to switch between testing modes.

The third method that we are looking into is ; using the Simmtester software. This is the first choice for many and it has been around the block for a long time now. The biggest disadvantage that this program has is its failure to move with the times. you can only install the software through a floppy drive and floppy disks are fast becoming part of history of the computer. The procedure is the same as of the two above mentioned methods of testing for faulty RAM. The three above methods are the most common for testing for faulty RAM. You should use them if your computer hangs or you get frequent BSODs.

It’s not always that you get your desktop as a complete unit and sometimes you will get it as a number of components and you will then have to assemble and install it together and you will have to assemble and install it step by step following specific instructions. There are a few things you will need to have before getting started for example anti-static wrist strap, a piece of cloth, set of screwdrivers and pliers, PC components, CPU Thermal compound.

Step 1: Install the motherboard

The first step is to install the motherboard, you have to take particular at this stage and ensure that the all the components are clean and that you have a big work area to work with.

You will have to put your antic-static wrist strap on to avoid your components from getting affected. Clean your hands before you start.

Step 2: Installing the power supply

The power supply is the second item that has to be installed into the computer, installing the power supply is very simple all you have to do is place the PSU into the cabinet and screw it in tightly.

Step 3: Installing the video card

The video card is the next item into the computer, you need to find a good video card as there are continuously being improved and you don’t want to be stuck with a card that is redundant.

Step 4: Installing the hard disk

The hard disk is one of the most important components of the computer and you will have to practice care when handling it. Installing the hard drive is not that difficult all you have to do is place it into the bay, screw it in tightly, connect it to the PSU with a power cable and connect it to the motherboard via a data cable.

Step 5: Installing the optical drive

The optical drive is next to go in and to install it you just simply follow the same instructions as that of installing the hard drive.

Step 6: Connecting the computers various cables

At this stage all that is left is to connect the computer various cables and to do that you have to
1. The ATX power connector on the PSU has to be connected to the power supply port on your motherboard.

2. The power, reset button has to be connected to the right port on the motherboard.

3. Connect the cable from the USB/audio panel to the motherboard.

4. Connect the cables for the cabinet fans

After this you will have to close the cabinet and screw it in tightly, having done this you would have finished installing the internal components and all that will be left would be to connect the external components of the computer together, these include the monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, this is a fairly easy process since you will have guideline on the computer manual. Once you are through with this then you can switch on your computer and start using it.

I believe everyone among us would prefer to have a laptop computer rather than a traditional home based desktop pc. If you ask me what makes a laptop computer a better option than regular desktop computer, it’s the mobility it offers and uncountable advantages that comes along with usage and experience. It is simply nothing but a blessing for all of us!

People on the go make the maximum use of laptop computers’ mobility as it is designed to work on batteries and through direct power supply. Its lets you stay connected to your office, home, business even from distantly remote places, be it in other countries or other continents. Who might think of getting a desktop computer on a plane? while you could use a laptop to look after your multiple business. (You might not be a millionaire but a man can dream can’t he?)

Without laptops, monitoring businesses miles away would have been very difficult. This mobility feature of a laptop gives us the freedom and ability to use computers anywhere. Be it in a restaurant, in a car or places we feel comfortable, we can use laptops as long as we do not disturb others and go beyond rules.

The high-tech features such as built-in camera, speakers, Bluetooth, WiFi device, and infrared and its compact design makes it different and adds to its uncountable benefits which normally doesn’t come in a small package in a desktop computers. However if such features are to be added in a desktop it requires individual purchases and manual installation for both hardware and software.

The size really does matter. When it comes to Mobile Computing, Smaller the better. The computing power of laptop makes it really evident. Small-sized components, architecture of laptop computers are very much distinct from that of desktop computers. However, the performance and operations are in no way affected by the size of computer. Be it a Core 2 duo for your new desktop, the same technology is available on a small laptop.

The new addition to the laptop family known as the wonderful tablet pc has much more to offer. These super small and powerful computers have emerged to revolutionize computing. Energy saving is another feature of laptops as they don’t use up a lot of electricity as compared to CRT and LCD monitors of desktop. Some features such as display difference. Ultra portable laptop or tablet is a major and advance addition to the mobile computers. Emergence of such high-tech, micro and powerful computers has revolutionized the industry to a great deal.

Well there have been instances with a couple of my old high school friends who always complained the slow performance and short battery life of their notebooks. Some of you reading this might give their assent on this comment, but before you even think about giving a bad name to the laptop technology please be sure that you have the adequate configuration to synchronize with your work too. A laptop without graphics card will definitely not show you good gaming results now, would it?