Keep your mind sharp by learning something challenging!

Driving 75 miles one way every day can get really old and can make a body very tired and sleepy. I was looking for a way to stay alert and awake as well as calm on my daily commute back and forth. I couldn't read obviously and I am definitely one who will not text or talk on the phone while driving. I tried listening to audiobooks, but unless they were very interesting and exciting, they didn't help.

Then I came upon a solution. I could use my almost 3 hours a day learning a new language. Ah, but what language, everyone said, learn Spanish, but that just seems to be so overdone. And, French, well, I just decided against it.  So, after some thought and consideration, I decided to learn German. My husband thinks I have lost my mind, but I am rather enjoying the process.

You know they say that the best way to keep your mind sharp is to use it, and I think that is true. Since I have been working with the German language I seem to be more productive and creative. I highly recommend trying to learn something challenging to keep your mind sharp and youthful. See the link below for help with German.

http://51e328-hqhzwh56jmatcg8dqdx.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=GERMAN

Click Here!

Ergonomics and computer use

Happy New Year! 

I hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous year ahead.

We are going to discuss Ergonomics in this lesson. If you are spending long periods at your computer you need to be aware of how you are sitting and the proper placement of your hands and feet. You may not think it is important but once you start practicing proper posture you notice a difference in how long you can stay at the computer as well as how much better you will feel when you are through.

The proper type of seating arrangement is required when using a computer in order to prevent damage to the body. When using a computer, the user’s head should be centered over the shoulders, shoulders should be relaxed, and the user should be looking straight ahead; not twisted or sitting side-ways.

The monitor should be positioned so that information is at eye level. The user’s head should not be lifted or tilted down. The arms should be level so that the wrists are relaxed, but not laying on the desk. The keyboard should be flat or at a slightly raised angle.

An adjustable chair should be used so that it can be adjusted based on the user’s stature. The chair should have a backrest and adjustable armrests if possible.

The user should take regular breaks to move arms and legs. Stretching fingers, hands, and legs will help to relieve stress and tension.

Computer Basics

Welcome to the world of Personal Computers (PC. The goal of this article is to provide basic information about the differences between computer hardware and software. The simplest definition of a computer is a machine that performs tasks or calculations according to a set of instructions or programs. The first electronic computers, made available in the 1940s, were huge machines and filled rooms dedicated just to running them. The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first general purpose electronic computer built for the U.S. military around 1946. It weighed over 60,000 pounds; that’s over 30 tons. However, it did not have the processing capability of the standard personal computers that we buy from retail stores today. As a matter of fact, your smartphone has more processing power than the early computers. Needless to say that today’s computers are amazing in comparison to those now relics of another time.

Stand Alone Computers versus Network Computers

Computers range greatly in capability and size, but the personal computer, which is designed to be used by a single individual, has rapidly become the most popular type. Computers range from the most powerful and most expensive supercomputers to the tiny, inexpensive computers found in TVs, stereo systems, calculators, and appliances. 

There are two main types of computers, the Stand Alone computers and Network computers. It is important to know the difference in the two. Stand Alone computers are not in any way connected to other computers; this includes being connected to the internet. This means that you are as secure as possible from any outside influences on the computer, including viruses, Trojans, worms and malware. You should always scan any disks, CD’s and flash drives for viruses before opening files on the computer. 

To tell if the computer is a standalone computer check and see if there is a data cable (looks like a phone line but is slightly larger) or a phone line plugged into the back of the computer. There is also WIFI which does not require a physical connection, if the internet is accessible on a computer it is not a Stand Alone computer, it is networked. 

The Internet is the biggest network in the world. Government offices and corporations also use what is called the Intranet. It is called the intranet because it is confined to just that particular organization and only authorized users can access it. The Intranet is a smaller scale than the Internet. 

Computers are used to keep records, analyze data, perform research, manage projects, store pictures and communicate with others. They are also used to play games, listen to music and watch movies, videos and TV programs. The World Wide Web (WWW) offers information in an easy to use format via Web pages and sites. Other commonly used Internet services include E-mail.

Hardware, Software, and Firmware

The world of computers can be divided into three parts: hardware, software, and firmware. These components work together to make the computer perform the functions that we need.  Having a basic understanding of these different components of the PC will make your computing experience easier and more pleasurable. 

Hardware

Hardware refers to the parts of a computer that you can see and touch. Computer hardware includes the computer unit which consists of the case and all of the components inside of it plus the monitor, keyboard, speakers and mouse. Printers, scanners, cameras and flash drives are also hardware. Any component that you can touch and feel is hardware.

Software

Software is the set of instructions or the program code that tells the hardware what task to perform. Printers have drivers that tell the printer how to perform. The printer is the hardware the driver is the software.

There are two categories of software, the operating system and application software. The Operating System (OS) is the computer program that manages all the other programs on the computer, it manages the computer and the devices connected to it. The operating system of Apple is currently Mac OS X and Microsoft PCs use Windows XP or Windows 7.   

All other programs on the computer (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Quicken) are application software. Application software is the software that actually allows you to process information.

Firmware

Firmware is a type of software because it is program code. What makes it different from software is the way it is stored. Firmware is stored on the hardware device itself. A digital camera has code stored on it to tell it how to function and a MP3 player has code stored directly on it to tell the device how to function. It is not a software that you can install or remove but is already there and necessary for the device to function properly. You can’t replace it with some other program and have it work properly.