This appliance allows the end user to automatically boot a Live CD from within VMware in just one step. Rather than make a new virtual machine to test out a Live CD, the user will right click the file in Windows Explorer
(or Nautilus or Konqueror) and from the menu, chose an option to start it right away. This saves a lot of time for those (like me) who test lots of Live CD's. This especially handy for those with VMware Player who want to try out a Live CD and don't want to (or know how to) modify the configuration of an existing Virtual Machine.
To install, follow the instruction in the README.txt file in the isoplayer/ folder in the .zip file. Be sure to read it before attempting to install!
When creating this, I started with a simple Virtual Machine with no hard drive, and then wrote a shell script to modify it with the appropriate CD image, and then start it up in vmware/player. As the script progressed and more options were added, I moved the .vmx file completely into the shell script itself. This was primarily to resolve an issue in which the script was called from the command line in a different directory. I had made an option to give it an alternate directory, but removed it and a few other featured when it began to become too bloated. Once it was thoroughly testing, I ported it to a Windows Batch File.
http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/374
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
CD player
A CD (compact disc) is an optical disc used to store digital information, such as audio, video, or computer programs and data, characterized in the large storage capacity compared to conventional magnetic storage means. A CD player as a playback mechanism of a recording medium is mounted on an instrument panel of a motor vehicle as a mobile unit. The CD player reproduces an audio signal from the digital data stored on the CD. The CD player utilizes a disc upon which digital audio information is encoded in a pre-determined format, which format can then be read by a laser. The digital data is accessed by an optical pickup mechanism in the player as the CD is rotated adjacent the optical pickup. A CD player includes electronics such as a motor, motor drive and control circuitry, decoder logic, and the like to spin the CD at an appropriate speed, read the data off the CD, process the data, and convert it to an analog format to be played through a speaker or headphones. The digital data is organized in sequentially generated sample frames, each sample frame containing both audio information and sample position information. The CD player is operable to provide general information as to relative location on the disc of each sample frame such that it is possible to electronically relocate the scanning device to a particular location on the disc. The increasing popularity of CD players in recent years has expanded their use as an audio component on a vehicle, and in particular, a motor vehicle. A home CD player is designed so as to be horizontally disposed. However, the car CD player is disposed horizontally or vertically depending on the space for arranging the player.
http://www.electronics-manufacturers.com/products/audio-equipment/cd-player/
http://www.electronics-manufacturers.com/products/audio-equipment/cd-player/
Saturday, November 10, 2007
James Taylor Dad Loves His Work Pop Music CD Review
The super talented Pop artist James Taylor has released him most recent CD on the Columbia recording label, entitled That's Why I'm Here.
Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with That's Why I'm Here. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
Pop music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Taylor on several of the tracks. Artists like Russ Kunkel and Leland Sklar just to name a couple.
If you’re a James Taylor fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of Taylor, or even Pop to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.
While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 1 - That's Why I'm Here, track 3 - Only A Dream In Rio, and track 11 - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5 - Going Around One More Time. Wow!
That's Why I'm Here Release Notes:
James Taylor originally released That's Why I'm Here on April 25, 2000 on the Columbia label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. That's Why I'm Here
2. Song For You Far Away
3. Only A Dream In Rio
4. Turn Away
5. Going Around One More Time
6. My Romance
7. Everyday
8. Limousine Driver
9. Only One
10. Mona
11. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
12. That's Why I'm Here
Personnel: James Taylor (vocals, guitar); Randy Brecker (vocals, horns); Airto Moreira (vocals, percussion); Rosemary Butler, Arnold McCuller, David Lasley, Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell, Don Henley, Deneice Williams, Eric Troyer, Rory Dodd, Kenia Gould, Zbeto, Elaine Eliaf, Frank Filipetti, Peter Asher (vocals); Dan Dugmore, Jeff Pevar (guitar); Kenny Kosek (violin); Gregory "Fingers" Taylor (harmonica); David Sanborn (saxophone, horns); Michael Brecker, Barry Rogers (horns); Billy Payne, Dan Grolnick, Clifford Carter (keyboards); Tony Levin, Leland Sklar (bass); Russell Kunkel, Rick Schlosser (drums); Jim Maelen, Starz Vanderlockit.
Recorded at Right Track Recording, New York, New York.
Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with That's Why I'm Here. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
Pop music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Taylor on several of the tracks. Artists like Russ Kunkel and Leland Sklar just to name a couple.
If you’re a James Taylor fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of Taylor, or even Pop to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.
While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 1 - That's Why I'm Here, track 3 - Only A Dream In Rio, and track 11 - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5 - Going Around One More Time. Wow!
That's Why I'm Here Release Notes:
James Taylor originally released That's Why I'm Here on April 25, 2000 on the Columbia label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. That's Why I'm Here
2. Song For You Far Away
3. Only A Dream In Rio
4. Turn Away
5. Going Around One More Time
6. My Romance
7. Everyday
8. Limousine Driver
9. Only One
10. Mona
11. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
12. That's Why I'm Here
Personnel: James Taylor (vocals, guitar); Randy Brecker (vocals, horns); Airto Moreira (vocals, percussion); Rosemary Butler, Arnold McCuller, David Lasley, Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell, Don Henley, Deneice Williams, Eric Troyer, Rory Dodd, Kenia Gould, Zbeto, Elaine Eliaf, Frank Filipetti, Peter Asher (vocals); Dan Dugmore, Jeff Pevar (guitar); Kenny Kosek (violin); Gregory "Fingers" Taylor (harmonica); David Sanborn (saxophone, horns); Michael Brecker, Barry Rogers (horns); Billy Payne, Dan Grolnick, Clifford Carter (keyboards); Tony Levin, Leland Sklar (bass); Russell Kunkel, Rick Schlosser (drums); Jim Maelen, Starz Vanderlockit.
Recorded at Right Track Recording, New York, New York.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clyde_Lee_Dennis
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Shopping for a portable CD player with your Teenager
A portable CD player (or any other portable media player) can be a great gift for that special teenager in your life. A little pre-shopping preparation can go a long way to getting the right player for their lifestyle (and in the process up your coolness quotient).
When our daughter's latest CD player died, we decided to go shopping for something better. Since she was eleven, Eva's had a succession of very inexpensive portable CD players. Not surprisingly, none of them lasted very long. Now almost through high school, Eva felt (and we agreed) that she was ready for something a little more substantial than yet another $20 "disposable" player.
Investing more money in a portable player meant investing more time in the selection process. Whatever we purchased would have to last Eva for a long time.
Even parents do homework
The first thing Eva and I had to do was talk money. Between what she'd saved from work, and what dear old Dad was willing to front, we determined we had about $90 to $140 to play with.
Once we'd established our budget, we were ready for the next step. Coming up with the short list players in our price range was a task that Eva was more than happy to let me take care of alone. It turned out to be a pretty simple process. Spending a little time at Crutchfield.com, I soon had a good idea of what players we needed to look at. The site allowed me to pull together the units available within our budget, and do various side-by-side comparisons.
As I looked over the products, some patterns began to emerge. Certain features, such as random play and track repeat, were listed again and again. This consistency helped me get a feel for what was standard for our price range. Some features, such as MP3 CD playback capability, were only available on the higher end models. I made a note to talk with Eva about some of these differences. As the list filled out, two basic questions emerged; why and what. Why a CD player instead of a MP3 player (or some other kind of portable unit), and what kind of player did Eva really want?
Why a CD player?
This was an important question to ask. There's been a significant shift in the buying patterns among young consumers. MP3 portable players are growing in popularity, threatening to supplant CD players as the portable of choice. Looking at the trend a little more closely, though, the majority of these buyers are college students, 18 to 22 years old, who have ready access to fast Internet connections. Downloading MP3s onto their computers, these young adults prefer computer-based technology such as iPods and other MP3 portables to store and manage their music collections.
This change from audio CDs to MP3 files has only just started to move down to the high school level (14-18 age group), and seemingly not to any significant extent in our area. While a few of Eva's friends have the capability to create MP3-encoded CDs, most stick with either audio CDs they've purchased or recordable CDs (CD-Rs) they've burned. From a standpoint of formats, a CD player made the most sense for Eva.
What do they really want?
To answer the second question on my list, I took a look at how I use my portable CD player. I quickly listed what features I thought were important (and unimportant). From there it was pretty easy to go point by point and anticipate how Eva might respond to each one. I wanted to make sure we were really looking for something to suit her needs, rather than mine.
My player is something I take along on business trips, usually for use on the airplane or for relaxing while in hotel rooms. At home, I use it to listen to music without disturbing others — in short, for sedentary personal listening.
I already knew that Eva's usage would be much more social and decidedly more active! She and her friends all consider portable CD players standard equipment for school field trips; they pass time on the bus swapping CDs and CD-R mixes. Eva's on the local swim team and spends a lot of time at the pool. While waiting between events, she does a lot of listening, and trading discs with friends is an important part of that activity as well.
Eva and I tend to listen to different kinds of music (although sometimes not as different as you might think) that place different demands on the player. She prefers a lot of bass, and a LOT of volume! Normally I don't use the bass boost, and find too much distortion and aural discomfort when the volume's cranked to its maximum.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/reviews/20030826/portable_cd.html
When our daughter's latest CD player died, we decided to go shopping for something better. Since she was eleven, Eva's had a succession of very inexpensive portable CD players. Not surprisingly, none of them lasted very long. Now almost through high school, Eva felt (and we agreed) that she was ready for something a little more substantial than yet another $20 "disposable" player.
Investing more money in a portable player meant investing more time in the selection process. Whatever we purchased would have to last Eva for a long time.
Even parents do homework
The first thing Eva and I had to do was talk money. Between what she'd saved from work, and what dear old Dad was willing to front, we determined we had about $90 to $140 to play with.
Once we'd established our budget, we were ready for the next step. Coming up with the short list players in our price range was a task that Eva was more than happy to let me take care of alone. It turned out to be a pretty simple process. Spending a little time at Crutchfield.com, I soon had a good idea of what players we needed to look at. The site allowed me to pull together the units available within our budget, and do various side-by-side comparisons.
As I looked over the products, some patterns began to emerge. Certain features, such as random play and track repeat, were listed again and again. This consistency helped me get a feel for what was standard for our price range. Some features, such as MP3 CD playback capability, were only available on the higher end models. I made a note to talk with Eva about some of these differences. As the list filled out, two basic questions emerged; why and what. Why a CD player instead of a MP3 player (or some other kind of portable unit), and what kind of player did Eva really want?
 CDs and CD-Rs are still the format of choice for high schoolers. |
Why a CD player?
This was an important question to ask. There's been a significant shift in the buying patterns among young consumers. MP3 portable players are growing in popularity, threatening to supplant CD players as the portable of choice. Looking at the trend a little more closely, though, the majority of these buyers are college students, 18 to 22 years old, who have ready access to fast Internet connections. Downloading MP3s onto their computers, these young adults prefer computer-based technology such as iPods and other MP3 portables to store and manage their music collections.
This change from audio CDs to MP3 files has only just started to move down to the high school level (14-18 age group), and seemingly not to any significant extent in our area. While a few of Eva's friends have the capability to create MP3-encoded CDs, most stick with either audio CDs they've purchased or recordable CDs (CD-Rs) they've burned. From a standpoint of formats, a CD player made the most sense for Eva.
What do they really want?
To answer the second question on my list, I took a look at how I use my portable CD player. I quickly listed what features I thought were important (and unimportant). From there it was pretty easy to go point by point and anticipate how Eva might respond to each one. I wanted to make sure we were really looking for something to suit her needs, rather than mine.
My player is something I take along on business trips, usually for use on the airplane or for relaxing while in hotel rooms. At home, I use it to listen to music without disturbing others — in short, for sedentary personal listening.
I already knew that Eva's usage would be much more social and decidedly more active! She and her friends all consider portable CD players standard equipment for school field trips; they pass time on the bus swapping CDs and CD-R mixes. Eva's on the local swim team and spends a lot of time at the pool. While waiting between events, she does a lot of listening, and trading discs with friends is an important part of that activity as well.
Eva and I tend to listen to different kinds of music (although sometimes not as different as you might think) that place different demands on the player. She prefers a lot of bass, and a LOT of volume! Normally I don't use the bass boost, and find too much distortion and aural discomfort when the volume's cranked to its maximum.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/reviews/20030826/portable_cd.html
Sony D-NF400 CD Walkman Review
Sony's D-NF400 CD Walkman is a well thought out CD player which supports standard audio, MP3 and Sony's ATRAC3 CDs. It offers long battery life, good button layout, a very useful LCD information display and a variety of control choices to enhance your listening experience. Uninterrupted playback via a memory buffer is offered for those times when the player takes a bump. It also can tune to FM, AM, TV and weather stations, with the ability to program 51 total presets.
Product Review:
It’s small and circular. It plays regular audio CDs as well as ones with music files. It tunes AM, FM, TV and weather band. It even looks good in your hand. Sony’s D-NF400 CD Walkman is one of those portable CD players which stand out above the hordes of cheap imitations in the market. It offers enough features to keep most audiophiles happy and is at a price point almost anyone can love.
The D-NF400 gets high marks from the get go for its sleek, reserved look. The feel of the device in your hand is solid, though the player’s swing up door feels a little cheap. The button layout on the front is well done, with a large, multi-function play button being at the center. A small LCD display, where you can view information on the CDs you are playing as well as the menu navigation for controlling various features, is a nice touch.
As with most portable CD players these days, the D-NF400 supports MP3-encoded CDs in addition to standard, store-bought ones. It also supports Sony’s ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus formats, of which people can burn CDs with this type of music file if they wish as Sony has conveniently included a copy of their SonicStage CD ripping software.
http://portables.about.com/od/cdplayers/fr/sonydnf400.htm
Product Review:
It’s small and circular. It plays regular audio CDs as well as ones with music files. It tunes AM, FM, TV and weather band. It even looks good in your hand. Sony’s D-NF400 CD Walkman is one of those portable CD players which stand out above the hordes of cheap imitations in the market. It offers enough features to keep most audiophiles happy and is at a price point almost anyone can love.
The D-NF400 gets high marks from the get go for its sleek, reserved look. The feel of the device in your hand is solid, though the player’s swing up door feels a little cheap. The button layout on the front is well done, with a large, multi-function play button being at the center. A small LCD display, where you can view information on the CDs you are playing as well as the menu navigation for controlling various features, is a nice touch.
As with most portable CD players these days, the D-NF400 supports MP3-encoded CDs in addition to standard, store-bought ones. It also supports Sony’s ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus formats, of which people can burn CDs with this type of music file if they wish as Sony has conveniently included a copy of their SonicStage CD ripping software.
http://portables.about.com/od/cdplayers/fr/sonydnf400.htm
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Data Storage Media – A Guide to Selecting Media For Storing and Backing Up Computer Data
Data, or information stored on your computer, can either be held on fixed disk drives inside the computer or on removable media such as CD's that can be inserted and removed. Removable media can be used to transfer files between computers or to backup the data already existing on fixed disk drives. There are three types of removable media: Magnetic, Optical and Flash.
Magnetic Storage Magnetic Storage: Hard disks, floppy disks and digital audiotape are examples of Magnetic storage. They operate through a read/write head, which creates and reads magnetic impressions on the disk.
The downside…
* The magnetic impression only lasts for around five years
* The capacity of most removable magnetic disks is too low for many types of files
Optical storage Optical Storage holds information in digital form that is written and read by a laser. All CD and DVD devices are examples of this.
The upside…
* Increased capacity: one Optical disc can store the same amount of data as over 500 diskettes
* Durability: they last up to seven times as long as Magnetic forms of storage
Flash Memory (Solid-State Removable Storage) Solid-state memory (or Flash memory) is a high-performance plug-and-play storage device that contains no moving parts. It is found in digital cameras, video game consoles and digital audio players. You can use it in the form of USB Flash Drives to transfer or backup data. Flash memory is small, light and fast.
Backup Backup is the copying of files onto portable media so that if your computer crashes, data won’t be lost in oblivion. Backup is usually routine in large businesses but is often neglected by individual users. Some suggest backing up data files and duplicating your hard drive weekly. It takes around 45 minutes to backup a 500-megabyte hard disk.
There are two options - local or Internet backup. The following is a list of Local backup options. Most of these also double as devices used to transfer data between computers.
* Diskettes
* Zip Drives
* CD's
* DVD's
* Flash Drive
Internet Backup Another backup option is sending your files to an Internet site for safekeeping. If your computer crashes you can simply download them from the site. Here are a few examples of such sites: Backup Defender (www.backupdefender.co.nz) and My Backup (www.mybackup.co.nz). N.B. The author does not recommend or endorse any of the above service providers.
Diskette A Diskette is a 3.5-inch removable magnetic disk. The older version, the floppy disk, is 5.25 inches square and flexible. Copying to a diskette is quick and economical.
Ideal for…
* Those who use their PC for personal finance - the diskette enables you to retrieve checkbook balances etc.
* Projects that need to be continuously backed up such as a film script, as it is a cheap alternative.
Not so good for…
* Some newer computer and laptop models that do not have a diskette or floppy drive installed.
* Large amounts of data as diskettes don’t have a great storage capacity
Zip Drives A Zip drive is a small, square shaped magnetic disk that is ideal for backing up your PC. The 100-megabyte size holds the equivalent of 70 floppy diskettes. They also come in a 250-megabyte size
Ideal for…
* Duplicating your entire disc drive
* Archiving
* Storing graphic images or other large files
* Transferring large files
* Keeping certain data separate from files on your hard disk
The downside…
* They seem to be a fleeting technology - most computers do not have a Zip Disc drive installed and opinion varies on how long they will be around for.
Compact Disks There are different standards of CD's that have different capabilities. Just to confuse us they are recognized by seemingly similar acronyms; CD-R, CD-RW, CD+RW, DDCD and E-CD.
CD-R CD-R (Compact Disc - Recordable) is a CD that can be recorded to only once. It usually holds 74 minutes of audio or 650 MB of data, although newer versions hold up to 80 minutes of audio (700 MB of data). If your PC has CD burning software and a compatible CD-R or CD-RW drive, the CD-R can be used in the same way as a diskette. However unlike a diskette it cannot be deleted or overwritten. Look out for CD-Rs that have an additional protective layer which make them less susceptible to damage caused through scratching.
Ideal for…
* Making music CD's
* Storing photos
* Storing permanent data
Not so good for…
* Transferring files as they can only be used once
CD-RW/CD+RW A CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable) and CD+RW can be recorded onto as many times as desired. Data can be overwritten and erased. Other than this, the CD-RW is identical to the CD-R. If it wasn't for their finite durability CD-RW’s and CD+RW’s could be reused endlessly.
Ideal for…
* Transferring files
* Holding temporary data
Not so good for…
* Holding important permanent files-in case they are accidentally deleted
Double Density CD (DDCD) This disc has a much greater storage capacity than an average CD-R or CD-RW.
Ideal for…
* Backing up
* Storing archival data
Enhanced CD Enhanced CD (E-CD) is an audio CD with CD-ROM data added. CD-ROM data is added in the space not taken by audio. Recording artists can use this to include videos, lyrics, interviews or promo material. The E-CD can be played on a CD player but to view additional material you need access to a multimedia-capable device, such as a CD-i player, DVD-ROM, or CD-ROM drive.
Bridge Disks A CD-Bridge disc holds extra information on a CD-ROM XA track. The disc can be played on either a CD-i player attached to a television, or a CD-ROM XA drive attached to a computer. Software such as Photo or a Karaoke CD player can provide lots of fun with the Bridge Disk.
DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) Although DVD's have become more associated with video, they can also hold audio and computer data; hence their name Digital Versatile Disk. Like the CD, a DVD is a 120-mm by 1.2mm thick disk. However the DVD has more tracks than a CD so holds far more data. CD's have an unvarying storage capacity of 750MB, whereas DVD's store up to 17GB.
A range of acronyms is also used to distinguish between the different types and capabilities of DVD's available. These include DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-Audio.
DVD-ROM DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only Memory) is similar to a movie DVD, but is designed for computers. The DVD-ROM stores data in the same way that the CD-ROM does and is used in the DVD-ROM drive of your PC.
The upside…
* Larger storage space – hold more data than a CD
* Can be filled with nearly everything; video, music or computer specific data
* A base speed of 1.32 megabytes/sec
The downside…
* Many older computers do not have a DVD-Rom drive installed
* Can be recorded on only once
DVD-Audio DVD-Audio (DVD-A) is designed for audio data and high-quality music. Its storage capacity is seven times that of a CD and provides at least twice the sound quality. Like the Enhanced CD, DVD-A can contain other data, providing the listener with extra information such as lyrics or images. DVD-A is predicted by many to replace the standard audio CD in the music industry.
DVD-R Like the CD-R, the DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable) can be recorded on once.
The upside…
* A DVD-R can contain an assortment of information; video, text, audio and computer data
* A DVD-R can be played on your normal DVD video player but remember, if you have additional data not of the same format e.g. video and audio together, you will need a DVD-ROM or Multimedia player of some kind
* A DVD-R is read at the same speed as commercially made DVD's
DVD-RW and DVD+RW Similar to the CD-RW, a DVD-RW or DVD+RW (Digital Versatile Disc – Rewritable) can be recorded on, rewritten and erased multiple times. Other than this they are identical to the DVD-R. DVD minus and plus are just different versions with the same functionality.
The Future of CD/DVD Storage The majority of the technology industry predicts that soon DVD’s, with their larger storage capacity and faster access time, will replace CD’s. DVD-ROM drives are likely to be sold with new computer systems in the way that CD-ROM drives once were. However we are always on the cusp of newer technologies, such as the HD-ROM.
HD-ROM (High Density-Read Only Memory) HD-ROM uses a more precise particle beam to write data. This enables information to be written on more durable materials such as metal so storage is virtually permanent. HD-ROM has hundreds of times the storage capacity of the CD-ROM.
Flash Drives A Flash drive is a small portable memory stick that holds anywhere from 1Mb to 1GB of data. It is surprisingly lightweight and is often worn around the neck or carried as a funky key chain. They are compatible with any PC that has USB port and with Mac OS 9 and OS X, Windows 2000 and XP or Linux 2.4.17.
The upside…
* Durable - more so than CD's or DVD's
* No need for batteries or a separate power source
* Convenient - your computer should recognize the additional drive as soon as you insert it into the USB port
* Ideal for backup
* Larger storage capacity then many other portable devices
* More portable than ZIP drives, CD's and Diskettes
* Quick transfer rate (approx. 1Mb/sec)
* Edit, rewrite, delete as many times as desired
* Help desk personnel can use Flash Drives as a portable toolkit that includes system updates and recovery tools.
The downside…
* More expensive than other portable devices
* Viruses - The portability and compatibility of the Flash Drive increases the chance of spreading viruses. In many cases viruses carried by a Flash Drive will not be detected as most antivirus software is reactive and only recognizes known viruses
* Theft - a Flash Drive can make it easier for data to be stolen from an unlocked PC
* Little Security - the size and weight of the Flash drive makes it very easy to misplace. Most have little or no security features and data is accessed easily. Some Flash Drives do have built in security; either a password or in some cases a finger print system - but this comes at a price.
Article by David Haysom. David is the eCommerce Manager for OfficeRocket http://www.officerocket.co.nz/. OfficeRocket is an online store that offers a wide range of office supplies including computer data storage media.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Haysom
Magnetic Storage Magnetic Storage: Hard disks, floppy disks and digital audiotape are examples of Magnetic storage. They operate through a read/write head, which creates and reads magnetic impressions on the disk.
The downside…
* The magnetic impression only lasts for around five years
* The capacity of most removable magnetic disks is too low for many types of files
Optical storage Optical Storage holds information in digital form that is written and read by a laser. All CD and DVD devices are examples of this.
The upside…
* Increased capacity: one Optical disc can store the same amount of data as over 500 diskettes
* Durability: they last up to seven times as long as Magnetic forms of storage
Flash Memory (Solid-State Removable Storage) Solid-state memory (or Flash memory) is a high-performance plug-and-play storage device that contains no moving parts. It is found in digital cameras, video game consoles and digital audio players. You can use it in the form of USB Flash Drives to transfer or backup data. Flash memory is small, light and fast.
Backup Backup is the copying of files onto portable media so that if your computer crashes, data won’t be lost in oblivion. Backup is usually routine in large businesses but is often neglected by individual users. Some suggest backing up data files and duplicating your hard drive weekly. It takes around 45 minutes to backup a 500-megabyte hard disk.
There are two options - local or Internet backup. The following is a list of Local backup options. Most of these also double as devices used to transfer data between computers.
* Diskettes
* Zip Drives
* CD's
* DVD's
* Flash Drive
Internet Backup Another backup option is sending your files to an Internet site for safekeeping. If your computer crashes you can simply download them from the site. Here are a few examples of such sites: Backup Defender (www.backupdefender.co.nz) and My Backup (www.mybackup.co.nz). N.B. The author does not recommend or endorse any of the above service providers.
Diskette A Diskette is a 3.5-inch removable magnetic disk. The older version, the floppy disk, is 5.25 inches square and flexible. Copying to a diskette is quick and economical.
Ideal for…
* Those who use their PC for personal finance - the diskette enables you to retrieve checkbook balances etc.
* Projects that need to be continuously backed up such as a film script, as it is a cheap alternative.
Not so good for…
* Some newer computer and laptop models that do not have a diskette or floppy drive installed.
* Large amounts of data as diskettes don’t have a great storage capacity
Zip Drives A Zip drive is a small, square shaped magnetic disk that is ideal for backing up your PC. The 100-megabyte size holds the equivalent of 70 floppy diskettes. They also come in a 250-megabyte size
Ideal for…
* Duplicating your entire disc drive
* Archiving
* Storing graphic images or other large files
* Transferring large files
* Keeping certain data separate from files on your hard disk
The downside…
* They seem to be a fleeting technology - most computers do not have a Zip Disc drive installed and opinion varies on how long they will be around for.
Compact Disks There are different standards of CD's that have different capabilities. Just to confuse us they are recognized by seemingly similar acronyms; CD-R, CD-RW, CD+RW, DDCD and E-CD.
CD-R CD-R (Compact Disc - Recordable) is a CD that can be recorded to only once. It usually holds 74 minutes of audio or 650 MB of data, although newer versions hold up to 80 minutes of audio (700 MB of data). If your PC has CD burning software and a compatible CD-R or CD-RW drive, the CD-R can be used in the same way as a diskette. However unlike a diskette it cannot be deleted or overwritten. Look out for CD-Rs that have an additional protective layer which make them less susceptible to damage caused through scratching.
Ideal for…
* Making music CD's
* Storing photos
* Storing permanent data
Not so good for…
* Transferring files as they can only be used once
CD-RW/CD+RW A CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable) and CD+RW can be recorded onto as many times as desired. Data can be overwritten and erased. Other than this, the CD-RW is identical to the CD-R. If it wasn't for their finite durability CD-RW’s and CD+RW’s could be reused endlessly.
Ideal for…
* Transferring files
* Holding temporary data
Not so good for…
* Holding important permanent files-in case they are accidentally deleted
Double Density CD (DDCD) This disc has a much greater storage capacity than an average CD-R or CD-RW.
Ideal for…
* Backing up
* Storing archival data
Enhanced CD Enhanced CD (E-CD) is an audio CD with CD-ROM data added. CD-ROM data is added in the space not taken by audio. Recording artists can use this to include videos, lyrics, interviews or promo material. The E-CD can be played on a CD player but to view additional material you need access to a multimedia-capable device, such as a CD-i player, DVD-ROM, or CD-ROM drive.
Bridge Disks A CD-Bridge disc holds extra information on a CD-ROM XA track. The disc can be played on either a CD-i player attached to a television, or a CD-ROM XA drive attached to a computer. Software such as Photo or a Karaoke CD player can provide lots of fun with the Bridge Disk.
DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) Although DVD's have become more associated with video, they can also hold audio and computer data; hence their name Digital Versatile Disk. Like the CD, a DVD is a 120-mm by 1.2mm thick disk. However the DVD has more tracks than a CD so holds far more data. CD's have an unvarying storage capacity of 750MB, whereas DVD's store up to 17GB.
A range of acronyms is also used to distinguish between the different types and capabilities of DVD's available. These include DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-Audio.
DVD-ROM DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only Memory) is similar to a movie DVD, but is designed for computers. The DVD-ROM stores data in the same way that the CD-ROM does and is used in the DVD-ROM drive of your PC.
The upside…
* Larger storage space – hold more data than a CD
* Can be filled with nearly everything; video, music or computer specific data
* A base speed of 1.32 megabytes/sec
The downside…
* Many older computers do not have a DVD-Rom drive installed
* Can be recorded on only once
DVD-Audio DVD-Audio (DVD-A) is designed for audio data and high-quality music. Its storage capacity is seven times that of a CD and provides at least twice the sound quality. Like the Enhanced CD, DVD-A can contain other data, providing the listener with extra information such as lyrics or images. DVD-A is predicted by many to replace the standard audio CD in the music industry.
DVD-R Like the CD-R, the DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable) can be recorded on once.
The upside…
* A DVD-R can contain an assortment of information; video, text, audio and computer data
* A DVD-R can be played on your normal DVD video player but remember, if you have additional data not of the same format e.g. video and audio together, you will need a DVD-ROM or Multimedia player of some kind
* A DVD-R is read at the same speed as commercially made DVD's
DVD-RW and DVD+RW Similar to the CD-RW, a DVD-RW or DVD+RW (Digital Versatile Disc – Rewritable) can be recorded on, rewritten and erased multiple times. Other than this they are identical to the DVD-R. DVD minus and plus are just different versions with the same functionality.
The Future of CD/DVD Storage The majority of the technology industry predicts that soon DVD’s, with their larger storage capacity and faster access time, will replace CD’s. DVD-ROM drives are likely to be sold with new computer systems in the way that CD-ROM drives once were. However we are always on the cusp of newer technologies, such as the HD-ROM.
HD-ROM (High Density-Read Only Memory) HD-ROM uses a more precise particle beam to write data. This enables information to be written on more durable materials such as metal so storage is virtually permanent. HD-ROM has hundreds of times the storage capacity of the CD-ROM.
Flash Drives A Flash drive is a small portable memory stick that holds anywhere from 1Mb to 1GB of data. It is surprisingly lightweight and is often worn around the neck or carried as a funky key chain. They are compatible with any PC that has USB port and with Mac OS 9 and OS X, Windows 2000 and XP or Linux 2.4.17.
The upside…
* Durable - more so than CD's or DVD's
* No need for batteries or a separate power source
* Convenient - your computer should recognize the additional drive as soon as you insert it into the USB port
* Ideal for backup
* Larger storage capacity then many other portable devices
* More portable than ZIP drives, CD's and Diskettes
* Quick transfer rate (approx. 1Mb/sec)
* Edit, rewrite, delete as many times as desired
* Help desk personnel can use Flash Drives as a portable toolkit that includes system updates and recovery tools.
The downside…
* More expensive than other portable devices
* Viruses - The portability and compatibility of the Flash Drive increases the chance of spreading viruses. In many cases viruses carried by a Flash Drive will not be detected as most antivirus software is reactive and only recognizes known viruses
* Theft - a Flash Drive can make it easier for data to be stolen from an unlocked PC
* Little Security - the size and weight of the Flash drive makes it very easy to misplace. Most have little or no security features and data is accessed easily. Some Flash Drives do have built in security; either a password or in some cases a finger print system - but this comes at a price.
Article by David Haysom. David is the eCommerce Manager for OfficeRocket http://www.officerocket.co.nz/. OfficeRocket is an online store that offers a wide range of office supplies including computer data storage media.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Haysom
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
MP3 is Music to Ears
Making it that much easier for people to enjoy their favorite tunes MP3 players have revolutionized the music systems. All earlier musical formats, including records, cassette, and CDs could never give the sheer convenience of MP3 players. It enables a listener to create personalized music lists and carry thousands of songs along without having to be burdened by a number of discs in a pack.
The MP3 player, along with the hundreds of songs it can store, is a device tinier than a pack of cards. Compared to a CD player and a case to store the discs, this is more manageable and far more compact.
It is features and advantages such as these that have made MP3 players the toast of music lovers the world over. You could buy MP3 players from a variety of models in different shapes and sizes through which manufacturers try to build a wide and varied customer base. To make the deal even more attractive, players are integrated with some add-ons.
MP3 players makes a disc jockey out of you, letting you pick songs of your choice and arranging them in your preferred sequence the way you would like to hear them. It is the power of having thousands of songs at your fingertips. You can arrange songs in a play list in the order of genre, the singers, or simply mingled randomly. You could start creating a play list by first identifying the songs you want from a sea of sources available on the Net or around.
It is possible also to convert your collection of songs stored in audio CDs into MP3 files using the ripper and encoder software. Quite a few MP3 players available in the market are already equipped with the software required. Aided by a ripper, you could copy a song from the CD onto the hard disk of a computer. With the help of an encoder, the song could be compressed into the MP3 format. Encoded songs can be downloaded on the MP3 player and there you have a treasure of music to enjoy.
Copyrights protected article written by Andrew Stratton for Surveillance Technology. More articles and information about the Music and Entertainment can be viewed easily altogether at this location http://www.surveillancetechnology.com/entertainment-system.htm. Please be free to explore the website for more information on every surveillance products and their features.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton
The MP3 player, along with the hundreds of songs it can store, is a device tinier than a pack of cards. Compared to a CD player and a case to store the discs, this is more manageable and far more compact.
It is features and advantages such as these that have made MP3 players the toast of music lovers the world over. You could buy MP3 players from a variety of models in different shapes and sizes through which manufacturers try to build a wide and varied customer base. To make the deal even more attractive, players are integrated with some add-ons.
MP3 players makes a disc jockey out of you, letting you pick songs of your choice and arranging them in your preferred sequence the way you would like to hear them. It is the power of having thousands of songs at your fingertips. You can arrange songs in a play list in the order of genre, the singers, or simply mingled randomly. You could start creating a play list by first identifying the songs you want from a sea of sources available on the Net or around.
It is possible also to convert your collection of songs stored in audio CDs into MP3 files using the ripper and encoder software. Quite a few MP3 players available in the market are already equipped with the software required. Aided by a ripper, you could copy a song from the CD onto the hard disk of a computer. With the help of an encoder, the song could be compressed into the MP3 format. Encoded songs can be downloaded on the MP3 player and there you have a treasure of music to enjoy.
Copyrights protected article written by Andrew Stratton for Surveillance Technology. More articles and information about the Music and Entertainment can be viewed easily altogether at this location http://www.surveillancetechnology.com/entertainment-system.htm. Please be free to explore the website for more information on every surveillance products and their features.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton
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