DRAGONWOLF

COMPUTER HARDWARE

2008-06-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

Computer hardware is the physical part of a computer, including its digital circuitry, as distinguished from the computer software that executes within the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and hardware data, which are "soft" in the sense that they are readily created, modified or erased on the computer. Firmware is a special type of software that rarely, if ever, needs to be changed and so is stored on hardware devices such as read-only memory (ROM) where it is not readily changed (and is, therefore, "firm" rather than just "soft").
Most computer hardware is not seen by normal users. It is in embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, electrocardiograph machines, compact disc players, and other devices. Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, form only a small minority of computers (about 0.2% of all new computers produced in 2003). See Market statistics.
Contents[hide]
1 Typical PC hardware
1.1 Motherboard
1.2 Power supply
1.3 Storage controllers
1.4 Video display controller
1.5 Removable media devices
1.6 Internal storage
1.7 Sound card
1.8 Networking
1.9 Other peripherals
1.9.1 Input
1.9.2 Output
2 See also
3 Internet
//

[edit] Typical PC hardware
A typical personal computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop) and the following parts:

Internals of typical personal computer

Inside a Custom Computer

[edit] Motherboard
Motherboard - the "body" or mainframe of the computer, through which all other components interface.
Central processing unit (CPU) - Performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer.
Computer fan - Used to lower the temperature of the computer; a fan is almost always attached to the CPU, and the computer case will generally have several fans to maintain a constant airflow. Liquid cooling can also be used to cool a computer, though it focuses more on individual parts rather than the overall temperature inside the chassis.
Random Access Memory (RAM) - Fast-access memory that is cleared when the computer is powered-down. RAM attaches directly to the motherboard, and is used to store programs that are currently running.
Firmware is loaded from the Read only memory ROM run from the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) or in newer systems Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) compliant
Internal Buses - Connections to various internal components.
PCI
PCI-E
USB
HyperTransport
CSI (expected in 2008)
AGP (being phased out)
VLB (outdated)
External Bus Controllers - used to connect to external peripherals, such as printers and input devices. These ports may also be based upon expansion cards, attached to the internal buses.
parallel port (outdated)
serial port (outdated)
USB
firewire
SCSI (On Servers and older machines)
PS/2 (For mice and keyboards, being phased out and replaced by USB.)
ISA (outdated)
EISA (outdated)
MCA (outdated)

[edit] Power supply
Main article: Computer power supply
A case that holds a transformer, voltage control, and (usually) a cooling fan, and supplies power to run the rest of the computer, the most common types of power supplies are AT and BabyAT (old) but the standard for PC's actually are ATX and micro ATX. smps( Switch Mode Power Supply )

[edit] Storage controllers
Controllers for hard disk, CD-ROM and other drives like internal Zip and Jaz conventionally for a PC are IDE/ATA; the controllers sit directly on the motherboard (on-board) or on expansion cards, such as a Disk array controller. IDE is usually integrated, unlike SCSI which is found in most servers. The floppy drive interface is a legacy MFM interface which is now slowly disappearing. All these interfaces are gradually being phased out to be replaced by SATA and SAS.

[edit] Video display controller
Main article: Graphics card
Produces the output for the visual display unit. This will either be built into the motherboard or attached in its own separate slot (PCI, PCI-E, PCI-E 2.0, or AGP), in the form of a Graphics Card.

[edit] Removable media devices
Main article: Computer storage
CD - the most common type of removable media, inexpensive but has a short life-span.
CD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a CD.
CD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a CD.
DVD - a popular type of removable media that is the same dimensions as a CD but stores up to 6 times as much information. It is the most common way of transferring digital video.
DVD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a DVD.
DVD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a DVD.
DVD-RAM Drive - a device used for rapid writing and reading of data from a special type of DVD.
Blu-ray - a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital information, including high-definition video.
BD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a Blu-ray disc.
BD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a Blu-ray disc.
HD DVD - a high-density optical disc format and successor to the standard DVD. It was a discontinued competitor to the Blu-ray format.
Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible magnetic storage medium.
Zip drive - an outdated medium-capacity removable disk storage system, first introduced by Iomega in 1994.
USB flash drive - a flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB interface, typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable.
Tape drive - a device that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape, usually used for long term storage.

[edit] Internal storage
Hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and remains persistent even when the computer has no power.
Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.
Solid-state drive - a device similar to hard disk, but containing no moving parts.
Disk array controller - a device to manage several hard disks, to achieve performance or reliability improvement.

[edit] Sound card
Main article: Sound card
Enables the computer to output sound to audio devices, as well as accept input from a microphone. Most modern computers have sound cards built-in to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card as an upgrade.

[edit] Networking
Main article: Computer networks
Connects the computer to the Internet and/or other computers.
Modem - for dial-up connections
Network card - for DSL/Cable internet, and/or connecting to other computers.
Direct Cable Connection - Use of a null modem, connecting two computers together using their serial ports or a Laplink Cable, connecting two computers together with their parallel ports.
dial up connections broad band connections

[edit] Other peripherals
Main article: Peripheral
In addition, hardware devices can include external components of a computer system. The following are either standard or very common.

Wheel mouse
Includes various input and output devices, usually external to the computer system

[edit] Input
Main article: Input
Text input devices
Keyboard - a device, to input text and characters by depressing buttons (referred to as keys), similar to a typewriter. The most common English-language key layout is the QWERTY layout.
Pointing devices
Mouse - a pointing device that detects two dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface.
Trackball - a pointing device consisting of an exposed portruding ball housed in a socket that detects rotation about two axes.
Xbox 360 Controller - A controller used for Xbox 360, Which with the use of the application Switchblade(tm), can be used as an additional pointing device with the left or right thumbstick.
Gaming devices
Joystick - a general control device that consists of a handheld stick that pivots around one end, to detect angles in two or three dimensions.
Gamepad - a general game controller held in the hand that relies on the digits (especially thumbs) to provide input.
Game controller - a specific type of controller specialized for certain gaming purposes.
Image, Video input devices
Image scanner - a device that provides input by analyzing images, printed text, handwriting, or an object.
Webcam - a low resolution video camera used to provide visual input that can be easily transferred over the internet.
Audio input devices
Microphone - an acoustic sensor that provides input by converting sound into an electrical signals

[edit] Output
Main article: Output
Image, Video output devices
Printer - a peripheral device that produces a hard (usually paper) copy of a document.
Monitor - device that displays a video signal, similar to a television, to provide the user with information and an interface with which to interact.
Audio output devices
Speakers - a device that converts analog audio signals into the equivalent air vibrations in order to make audible sound.
Headset - a device similar in functionality to computer speakers used mainly to not disturb others nearby

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

2008-06-03T03:23:00.000-07:00

Early history

Photoshop 0.63 icons
In 1987, Thomas Knoll, then a PhD student at the University of Michigan, began writing a program on his Macintosh Plus to display grayscale images on a monochrome display. This program, called Display, caught the attention of his brother John Knoll, an Industrial Light & Magic employee, who recommended Thomas turn it into a full-fledged image editing program. Thomas took a six month break from his studies in 1988 to collaborate with his brother on the program, which had been renamed ImagePro.[4] Later that year, Thomas renamed his program Photoshop and worked out a short-term deal with scanner manufacturer Barneyscan to distribute copies of the program with a slide scanner; a "total of about 200 copies of Photoshop were shipped" this way.[5]
During this time, John traveled to Silicon Valley and gave a demonstration of the program to engineers at Apple Computer Inc. and Russell Brown, art director at Adobe. Both showings were successful, and Adobe decided to purchase the license to distribute in September 1988.[4] While John worked on plug-ins in California, Thomas remained in Ann Arbor writing program code. Photoshop 1.0 was released in 1990 for Macintosh exclusively.[6]

[edit] Releases
Further information: Adobe Photoshop release history

Photoshop CS in Windows
Continual revisions were made to the program, with new versions released in the following years. In November 1992, a Microsoft Windows port of version 2.0 of the software was released, and a year later it was ported to the SGI IRIX and Sun Solaris platforms. In September 1994, version 3.0 was released, which introduced layers and tabbed palettes. In February 2003, the program shipped with the Camera RAW 1.x plug-in, which allowed the user to import RAW formats from different digital cameras directly into Photoshop.[7]
In October 2004, the program was renamed Adobe Photoshop CS. The name uses the abbreviation CS for products in Adobe Creative Suite. The logo focused around a feather rendered in shades of blue and green, which was also used in 9.0.[8] The 10th version, Photoshop CS3 was released on April 16, 2007, with a blue icon modeled after periodic table elements, matching the new icons of other Creative Suite products.
In January 2008, the Wine project announced official support for Photoshop CS2, allowing the Windows version of Photoshop CS2 to be used on Linux and other Unix platforms.
Photoshop is written in the C++ programming language.[9]

[edit] Features
Further information: Comparison of raster graphics editors#Features
Photoshop has strong ties with other Adobe software for media editing, animation, and authoring. Files in Photoshop's native format, .PSD, can be exported to and from Adobe ImageReady, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Adobe Encore DVD to make professional standard DVDs and provide non-linear editing and special effects services, such as backgrounds, textures, and so on, for television, film, and the Web. For example, Photoshop CS broadly supports making menus and buttons for DVDs. For .PSD files exported as a menu or button, it only needs to have layers, nested in layer sets with a cuing format, and Adobe Encore DVD reads them as buttons or menus.
Photoshop can utilize the color models RGB, lab, CMYK, grayscale, binary bitmap, and duotone. Photoshop has the ability to read and write raster and vector image formats such as: .EPS, .PNG, .GIF, .JPEG, Fireworks, etc. It also has several native file formats:
The .PSD (Photoshop Document) format stores an image with support for most imaging options available in Photoshop. These include layers with masks, color spaces, ICC profiles, transparency, text, alpha channels and spot colors, Clipping paths, and duotone settings. This is in contrast to many other file formats (e.g. .EPS or .GIF) that restrict content to provide streamlined, predictable functionality. Photoshop's popularity means that the .PSD format is widely used, and it is supported to some extent by most competing software.
The .PSB (Large Document Format) format is a newer version of .PSD designed for files over 2 gigabytes.
The .PDD (PhotoDeluxe Document) format is a version of .PSD that only supports the features found in the discontinued PhotoDeluxe software.

[edit] CS3

Smart Layers display the filter without altering the original image
Photoshop CS3 is marketed with three main components of improvement over previous versions: "Work more productively, Edit with unrivaled power, and composite with breakthrough tools."[10] New features propagating productivity include streamlined interface, improved Camera Raw, better control over print options, enhanced PDF support, and better management with Adobe Bridge. Editing tools new to CS3 are the Clone Source palette and nondestructive Smart Filters, and other features such as the Brightness/Contrast adjustment and Vanishing Point module were enhanced. The Black and White adjustment option improves users control over manual grayscale conversions with a dialog box similar to that of Channel Mixer. Compositing is assisted with Photoshop's new Quick Selection and Refine Edge tools and improved image stitching technology.[10]
CS3 Extended contains all features of CS3 plus tools for editing and importing some 3D graphics file formats, enhancing video, and comprehensive image analysis tools, utilizing MATLAB integration and DICOM file support.[11]
The logo comprises white letters "Ps" on a gradient blue square.

[edit] Internationalization and localization

[edit] Language availability
Adobe Photoshop CS3 is available in the following languages: Arabic (Middle Eastern version), Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew (Middle Eastern version), Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian.
Adobe Photoshop Middle Eastern language versions available from WinSoft.[12].

[edit] Specific features for Arabic and Hebrew languages
The Middle Eastern/Hebrew and the Middle Eastern/Arabic versions are specifically developed for Arabic and Hebrew languages.
Text Settings
Photoshop Middle Eastern versions come with special settings for typing and laying out Arabic or Hebrew text, such as:
Possibility to use Arabic, Farsi or Hindi digits
Use kashidas for letter spacing and full justification
Set vowels /diacritics positioning
Ligature option
Justify text in three possible ways to get the results you want (Standard, Arabic, Naskh)
Additional fonts
Photoshop Middle Eastern versions support most fonts shipped with the OS as well as a large number of third party fonts widely used by graphic designers in the Middle Eastern regions. Photoshop Middle Eastern versions install one additional font that facilitates your work in Middle Eastern languages: WinSoft Pro, which is available in four styles: Medium, Medium Italic, Bold and Bold Italic.
Bi-directional text flow
In Photoshop Middle Eastern versions, the notion of right-to-left behaviour applies to several objects: Paragraph and Character. You can easily mix Right-to-Left and Left-to-Right Words and Paragraphs in a document.
Dictionary and hyphenation module
Photoshop Middle Eastern versions come with a comprehensive dictionary for Arabic allowing you to spell check Arabic text with a choice of rules, like Strict Aleef Hamza, Strict Final Yaa, both or none. Photoshop Middle Eastern version comes with a Dictionary and Hyphenation Module for Hebrew.
Find/replace
You can search for and change specific occurrences of Middle Eastern text. Photoshop Middle Eastern versions include a "Ignore Accent" option. When checked, the user can search for a string of text whether it contains some accents or not.
Save for Web
Special encodings have been added to allow this option to work with Middle Eastern languages.
Contact Sheet II / Picture Gallery / Smart Quotes
These options have been adapted to work correctly with Middle Eastern languages.

[edit] Plugins
Main article: Photoshop plugin
Photoshop functionality can be extended by add-on programs called Photoshop plugins which act like mini-editors that modify the image. The most common type are filter plugins that provide various image effects. They are located in the 'Filter' menu: pre-installed plugins come first, and third-party plugins are placed below the separator.

[edit] Trademark

Look up photoshop inWiktionary, the free dictionary.
Adobe discourages use of "Photoshop" as a verb, as in using photoshopping to refer to photo editing, to prevent its trademark from becoming a genericized trademark [13]. Nevertheless, photoshop is commonly used as a verb.[14]

[edit] Consumer market

Photoshop Family of products logo
While Photoshop is the industry standard image editing program for professional raster graphics, its relatively high suggested retail price has led to a number of competing graphics tools being made available at lower prices for the amateur market. To compete in this market, and to counter unusually high rates of piracy of its high end products, the company introduced a consumer-oriented version of Photoshop as Adobe Photoshop Elements. A more user-friendly interface and new tools such as the "red-eye" reduction brush were aimed firmly at the more casual image editor, although many professional features were omitted. Removing CMYK functionality, for example, made Elements unsuitable for commercial prepress work.[15

2008-06-03T03:01:00.000-07:00

this tutorial you'll learn how to create a snow globe from scratch using Photoshop 6 or higher. This is an intermediate level tutorial, so you will need to have some familiarity with the interface and a good understanding of the basics of Photoshop. If you are new to Photoshop, I suggest you complete the 8 self-paced lessons in the Adobe Photoshop Basics course on this site before attempting this tutorial.
Before you begin you'll need to save the snowglobe.zip file to your hard drive (right click on the link and choose save) then extract the files. The zip file includes snowglobe.psd, the completed layered file from this tutorial; Bear.psd, the transparent bear image; and GlobeBase.csh, a custom shape file for the snowglobe base. We'll be creating the globe base from scratch for the tutorial, but the custom shape is provided for your convenience. You may find it helpful to examine the layered snowglobe.psd file for hints if you get stuck during the tutorial. The tutorial uses some features not available in Photoshop Elements, however, Elements users can still open the layered PSD file and customize the snow globe. By hiding the "Globe Contents" layer set, users can insert their own image into the snow globe.
I've used Windows keyboard shortcuts throughout the text of this tutorial. Mac users substitute the Command key for Ctrl and substitute Option for Alt.
Special thanks to forum member Linda for inspiring this tutorial. If you have questions about this tutorial, please post them in the forum.
This is a long one (6 pages), so before you get started, you might want to get yourself comfy with a snack and a beverage.
Variations on a ThemeSee several examples of snowglobes created in Corel Photo-Paint by Desktop Publishing Guide Jacci Howard Bear. These were based on the techniques in this and other tutorials on the Web. She also used Hemera's Photo-Objects as a quick alternative to creating the base yourself.
1.) Create a new document: 400x500 pixels, 72 ppi, white background. (If you were creating this project to be used in a printed document, you would need to increase the resolution. If you do use a different size than what is specified in this tutorial, keep in mind that you may need to alter some values used in various dialog boxes.)
2.) Fill the background with a bright red color.
3.) Choose Filter > Render > Lighting Effects. Adjust your settings as shown in the screen shot here:
4.) Choose the Shape Tool and select Ellipse from the options bar. Set foreground color to white and don't use a layer style. Hold the shift key down to make a perfect circle for the globe.
5.) Alt-double click and name this layer "Globe Shape." We're going to be working with a lot of layers so you'll want to name your layers as you work so you can stay organized.
6.) Add a new layer above the globe shape. Type Ctrl-G to group this layer with the globe shape.
7.) Select a light red as your foreground color and a deep red as the background color. (I used F 249-52-52, B 113-0-0)
8.) Go to the gradient tool and set options for foreground to background, radial gradient.
9.) With the new layer active, click in the middle of the globe circle and drag to the edge of the circle then release the mouse button. You should have something like the screen shot shown to the right.
10.) Name this layer "Globe Background."
11.) Add a new layer to the top of the stack.
12.) Ctrl-click on the globe shape layer in the layers palette to load the layer as a selection. Save this selection as an alpha channel as we will need it again later.
13.) Now on our new blank layer, with the selection active, we are going to add another radial fill. Choose black, white as the gradient and select the reverse checkbox in the options bar. Click in the top left corner and drag to the lower right corner to create the sphere shading. Deselect.
14.) Set the blend mode for this layer to hard light and reduce the opacity to about 80%. Name the layer "globe shading."
15.) Because we're going to be working with so many layers, let's set up some layer sets to help keep things organized. Name a layer set Globe Contents and drag the globe shape and globe background layers into it.
16.) Open the Bear.psd image or a transparent image of your own and use the move tool to drag & drop it into the snowglobe document.
17.) Position the bear above the globe background in the layers palette.
18.) Use the Move tool to adjust the size and position of the bear so it fits in the globe. Type Ctrl-G to add it to the clipping group

vodafone tricks

2008-06-02T01:52:00.001-07:00

Installing the Vodafone Mobile Connect CardInsure you have removed older versions of the softwareInsure you have Administrator Rights or Access to the laptopHave the Mobile Connect Card Inserted when installing the software so the Mobile Connect Card is detectedTo get the Best ReceptionThe Mobile Connect Card Dashboard includes a GPRS signal strength indicator, for best reception you should see three bars or more. Always extend the antenna to ensure the best possible signal strength.Getting the most from SMSThe dedicated SIM used in the VMC has a separate number from that of your mobile phone, therefore when sending SMS, recipient/s may not recognise your number immediately. If you want recipients to identify you and reply immediately to an urgent SMS, the VMCC offers users a signature facility. Eg. 'Vikash Prasad ' will automatically appear at the bottom of every SMS sent from the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card.Downloading your mobile address bookYou can easily download their SIM address book into the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card - thus avoiding the hassle of trying to remember mobile numbers when sending SMS from the Mobile Connect Card. The process is simple - the mobile's SIM card is inserted into the Mobile Connect Card. The Dashboard application software will allow users to import their contacts onto the Connect Card - a fast and simple procedure. Moreover changes to the contact list can be updated and data can be exported back to the Mobile phone's SIM through the simple Export command in the Dashboard Menu.Keeping the SIM card in working orderIf the SIM card contacts becomes dirty or loose the Mobile Connect Card may display a message such as Please Insert SIM. If this happens, remove the SIM and clean the SIM contacts with a clean cloth or rubber eraser. Then reinsert the SIM.

2008-06-02T00:46:00.001-07:00

You need a PC or a Laptop and the required connectivity tools ,ie.,Serial/USB cable OR Infrared Device OR Bluetooth dongle
1) Activate Airtel Live! ( It’s FREE so no probs)
2) Create TWO Airtel gprs data accounts (yep TWO) and select theFIRST as the active profile.
3) Connect your mobile to the PC (or Laptop) and install the driver foryour mobile’s modem.
4) Create a new dial-up connection using the NEW CONNECTIONWIZARD as follows
Connecting Device : Your mobile’s modemISP Name : Airtel (or anything you like)Phone Number : *99***2#Username and Password : blank
5) Configure your browser and download manager to use the proxy100.1.200.99 and port 8080.( My advice is to use Opera since youcan browse both wap and regular websites)
6) Connect to the dial-up account. You will be connected at 115.2kbps (but remember, that is a bad joke).
7) Pick up your mobile and try to access any site. You will get “AccessDenied…”(except for Airtel Live!). IT DOES NOT MATTER.Keep the mobile down.
8 ) On the PC ( or Laptop) open your browser, enter any address ,press ENTER and…….WAIT
9) After a few seconds the page will start to load and you have theWHOLE internet at your disposal.
As many of you are facing difficulties connecting by using these settings so i have found a link which says that he can provide you the new settings for GPRS connection.
As i have not tried these settings myself i just can give you the link to that post hope you all will find this link helpful

gprs tricks 2

2008-06-02T00:43:00.000-07:00

Supported devices: all phones with multichannel gprs support For connection on your mobile phone.1) Make two connections like BSNL111 and BSNL222 2) Select the application you got to have the full connection working on. Surpassingly “web” now just select “BSNL111” profile and select a link like wap.cellone.in the page will get open, just press the red button such that the “web” application goes in the background. Make sure that the gprs connection is still established with the web app.Two parallel lines on the top left of the screen will confirm this 3) Now open any other app that requires web connection like opera. Select BSNL222 and open any other link like wap.google.com, u will get AN error.the aim of using the other app is to perform multi-channel gprs,this is verified by seeing some dots on the pre-existing connection established by “web” ACCESS DENIED.Technical description: 403 Forbidden - You are not allowed to communicate with the requested resource.” 4) close opera and open web and open a site like esato.com 5) if everything is done as said here then esato will load and THTS IT! We have the whole internet! For connection on pc. 1)create a connection and enter the number to be dialed as *99***1# 2) enter the string as extra initialization command 3)now dial from pc, the connection will be established 4)pick the phone and open “web” open “wap.cellone.in” the phone shows error . 5) close “web” and then from the browser open and thts it ! The whole intenet is here .settings for profiles apn: celloneportal ip: 192.168.51.163 port : 8080 leave other fields blank as they are of the least concern!

GPRS TRICKS

2008-05-29T00:35:00.000-07:00

We can browse websites by mobile phones .I n this time there is sveral types of tecnologies available just like GPRS,GPRS with EDGE tecnology.I introduce configuration setting tricks for different types of phone models like LG,NOKIA,SONY ERICSON,SAMSUNG.Its operation may differ from one another but the presentation is same.at this time i write IDEA MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS Configuration setting.it can be defind as step by stepsFOR NOKIA MOBILE PHOE1-GO TO MENU2-SETTINGS,SCRALL IT DOWN,CONFIGURATION SETTINGS,PERSONAL CONFIGURATION,ADD NEW,SELECT WEB,3-ACCOUNT NAME must create ideagprs4-HOMEPAGE ADDRESS-WWW.IDEAFRESH.COM5-USERNAME AND PASS WORD leaft blank6-use preferred access point type NO7-ACESS POINT SETTING Enabled8-PROXY ADDRESS 10.4.42.159-PROXY PORT 808010-BEARER SETTINGS packet data access point name create imis