The computer is a complex device with infinite capabilities– surely, it is as powerful as it is because of the components that make it. So have you ever wondered what’s inside that plain old rectangular box sitting on top of your office table?

The following is a list of the seven major components inside a regular computer.

Motherboard (A).

The motherboard is the green area on the image below and the word “mother” should already give you a general idea about its functionality. Every important component is either placed on it or connected to it in some way. It provides all the sockets that enable all these components to communicate with each other.

The even major components of a computer.

The motherboard is also called a “mainboard”, a “mobo” or in the case of Apple computers, a “logic board”.

CPU or Processor (B).

CPU is an acronym for Central Processing Unit –and no, we are not talking the big fan that sits on top of the motherboard, but rather, what’s under it.

The processor is the brain of the computer because it performs all the calculations needed for the computer to work properly.  It plays a significant role in almost all of the major tasks performed by the computer, like running the software or processing the data that you are working on. It is the smallest of all the seven basic components of a computer and also the most expensive. Without it, your computer will be nothing but an expensive piece of junk.

Intel Processor

RAM (C).

RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory.  It holds the software and the data that currently runs on your computer and allows all these information to be accessed by the processor in random order. It is therefore responsible for holding information from one process to the next.

The RAM can hold the data for as long as the computer is powered on. It basically works like an average person’s short-term memory.

RAM (random Access Memory)

You can always upgrade or speed up your computer by adding more RAM to it. A typical motherboard has a couple of extra slots where you can put additional RAM sticks, like in the image above.

Videocard (D).

A video card is also known as a graphics accelerator card or a display adapter. Its primary purpose is to create the images that display on your monitor.

NVIDIA Video Card

Some motherboards already have generic video cards built into them– but that would only work if you’re not too keen about graphics or how fast they load on your computer. Video cards are used to optimize video games, 3D animation or anything that involves graphics.

Power Supply (E). The power supply is the source of a computers electrical power. All the major components need electricity in order to run, so pretty much everything is connected to the power supply.

Power Supply

The power supply converts electricity from a regular outlet to a suitable amount of voltage needed by a specific component to operate. It usually comes with its own cooling fan to eliminate excess heat.

Hard Disk Drive (F). Shutting down a computer erases all the data that is stored in its RAM. That means that a permanent storage is needed to retain information even if the computer is off. 

The hard disk is a magnetic disk which can store large amounts of computer data such as documents, files and applications among many others. The amount of data that can be stored in one hard disk is often measured in gigabytes (1 billion bytes).

Hard Disk

Optical Drive (G). The optical drive is the component uses that laser light or electromagnetic waves read or write data on CD’s and DVDs. Though a computer can still  function without it, an optical drive is a standard feature in most computer set-ups because most consumer media like music, video and software drivers are distributed in disc form.

Optical Drive

Writing or “burning” your files to a disc is a great way to transfer or share information without having to transport your bulky computer everywhere. You can also use discs to backup your important files.

If you want to know about computers and how it can help your small business, contact us. We will be more than happy to help you with any of your concerns.

Always use a surge protector to guard your laptop from power surges.  It can happen anytime, anywhere and especially in places where electricity is unstable. A sudden increase in the amount of electricity may not destroy your laptop at once, but it does have a long term effect.

Belkin Surge Protector

2.

Invest in a good laptop bag. A well-padded and insulated bag will protect your laptop from unexpected bumps that may contribute to its wear and tear. Make sure that it has a lot of additional storage compartments to avoid scratches on your machine.

Booq Laptop Bag

If you are traveling, don’t carry your laptop inside a bag that screams, “Laptop Inside!”.  That will only entice thieves into making you their next target. Disguise your computer by using less obvious handbags or backpacks that are also specially designed for carrying them.

3.

Speaking of thieves, make it a point to buy a sturdy lock for your laptop. It’s going to come in handy when you have to leave your laptop unattended for several minutes.  It slips right into the Kensington security slot that is found in almost all laptops.

Kensington Security Slot

4.

Don’t drink or eat anything while you’re working.  Laptops don’t like water and bread crumbs anywhere in it’s body so you have to respect that. A good amount of liquid may cause the laptop to short-circuit and morsels of food may settle in between the keys.

Keyboard Spill

5. Don’t put your laptop on the floor or anywhere your children or your pets can reach them. If the words “children” and “pets” doesn’t scare you, try imagining a big adult foot accidentally squishing your expensive laptop.

Believe me, doing away with this nasty habit can save you from a lot of mini-heart attacks. I’ve been there.

Laptop on the Floor. Tsk. Tsk.

6.

Avoid placing your laptop on soft surfaces like rugs and bedsheets while its running. Fibers or dust may cause overheating by blocking the air vents under your laptop.

Give your laptop as much ventilation as possible. Keep it away from hot objects and warm environments.

Overheating Laptop

7.

Unless you are an expert on computers, never try to repair your laptop by yourself.  Laptops are different from desktop computers because they have smaller components and a more complicated design.

Do-it-yourself tricks will save you a few bucks or do just the opposite. Let a qualified professional do it for you or better yet, ask tech support. Holding for the next available technician can be worth it sometimes.

Laptop Repair

8.

Don’t expose your laptop to a cold environment or place it there for a long period of time.  Cold temperature alone will not harm your laptop, but moisture will. The liquid that is formed inside your laptop due to a sudden change in temperature will cause it short circuit.

The Process of Condensation.

9.

Bring an ethernet cable anywhere you go. Everyone’s using wireless nowadays but you’ll never know when you’ll need one. Bringing items like a mouse, a universal adapter or a fully charged extra battery won’t hurt either.

Cat5 Ethernet Cable

10. This is the last and most important tip of all. Back-up your files! Just like any other machine, you’ll never know when your laptop will crack open or swim on water. Laptops have a higher risk for wear and tear because you carry them everywhere.

A broken laptop is the least of your worries when all of your important files are erased. Unlike new laptops, you can’t buy important family pictures and office documents anywhere. A lot of people make the mistake of waiting for tomorrow to back up their data and deeply regret it when something disastrous happens. Don’t be a statistic.

File Back-Up

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the practice of increasing a websites rank in different search engines via natural techniques. It helps a website attract more visitors by increasing  its visibility throughout the web.

Internet users tend to click on links according to what they see first, from left to right and from top to bottom, on any web page. The website that emerges on top of the search results page, usually gets the most number of incoming traffic. Those that don’t appear on the first ten pages, however, become virtually non-existent.

Google Search

Some companies here in St. Louis use SEO as a powerful marketing tool for their business– considering the number of users searching the internet for products and services everyday.  It goes without saying that the website with a higher search engine ranking can attract more potential clients.

Website optimization massively relies on the proper use of keywords or keyphrases. A keyword/keyphrase, as mentioned in the previous blog entry, is a word or group of words that users type in search engines to find certain articles, products or services. It is therefore every websites aim to rank highest in keywords related to their industry.

One of the best SEO tools I’ve seen so far is a Firefox plug-in called SEO Quake. It’s free, it’s complete and it only takes seconds to install. The SEO toolbar that appears on top of the webpage after installation, will display you everything you need to know about any website you go to.. pagerank, backlinks, keyword density– the whole nine yards.

There are a lot of techniques related to SEO, one which primarily involves editing a websites html code to make it relevant to specific keywords. It removes roadblocks that prevent search engines from indexing the website. Other techniques involve, link building, creating sitemaps, finding the best keywords, installing web analytics, writing unique content and the list goes on and on. Most of these techniques are taxing and time consuming– not to mention, complicated.

SEO Techniques

Straightline Technology Group offers you the option to optimize your website without neglecting the other areas of your business. We are going to start by creating a search engine friendly website to carry your products and services in the online market.  Our expert team will also take care of search engine optimization, web development and web maintenance.

Our main goal is to make you an important player in your line of business here in St. Louis. Contact us now to make your website count.

Asimo by Honda Motor Co.

Asimo is the name given to Honda’s experimental humanoid robot that can distinguish objects, gestures, faces, environments and sounds. A camera embedded inside its head enables the robot to interact better with humans. Sound and movement sensors are also installed in its body.

Contrary to popular belief, the term Asimo is not a reference to Isaac Asimov, the famed writer of the Three Laws of Robotics. Instead, it is an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility.

Three Laws of Robotics by Isaac Asimov

The original Asimo was made to obey voice commands and natural human movements. Further research, however, explored the possibility of instructing the robot by mere thought and without surgically embedding electrodes inside the brain.

Honda, along with Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation, developed the BMI or Brain Machine Interface Technology. This system uses a sensor-laden head gear that measures brain activity and analyzes thought patterns thereby enabling the user to control Asimo. If you think that remote control and push button switches are convenient enough— think again.

NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) & EEG (electroencephalography)

The BMI Technology uses EEG (electroencephalography) to measure slight electrical impulses that occur in the scalp which occur when the user is thinking and NIRS (ear-infrared spectroscopy) to measure blood flow inside the brain. The complex data is then processed into a command that the robot can understand.

Brain Machine Interface Technology

With a 90% accuracy rate at this stage of the experiment, it won’t be long until Asimo will be perfected. I won’t be surprised if in the next five years, robot servants and assistants will already be available in the market—of course, to those who can afford it.

Click the following video to see a Mind-controlled Asimo Robot in action.

Mind-controlled Asimo Robot

Chances are, your computer has been attacked by a certain type of malware. Malware is a mix of the words “malicious” and “software”. It is used to refer to any computer program intended to intrude, annoy or attack your computer system without your knowledge and consent.

These following are common types of malware that you would most likely encounter if your computer is connected to a network. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe any malicious software that infiltrates computer systems and causes a substantial amount of damage. To put it simply, these are things that you don’t want to have inside you computer.

Virus

A virus is a self-replicating computer program that attaches itself to a file in the computer, thereby corrupting it. This potentially harmful form of malware can infect one computer after another when it is sent over a network or transferred via removable media such as CDs, hard disks, and USB drives. Viruses can be disguised as attachments of image, audio and video files. The word “virus” is often inaccurately used as a general term for all types of malware, even those that cannot replicate themselves.

Worm

A computer worm is a type of malware which can also replicate and send copies of itself to other computers. Most worms are created to eat up network bandwidth and disk space while some are created to really destroy. Worms and viruses can cause serious damage by attacking essential system resources, eventually causing your computer to crash– or freeze at the very least.

Trojan Horse

Just like the horse figure that allowed the Greek attackers to infiltrate the city of Troy without being seen, this form of malware also deceives by appearing like harmless software to unknowing users while sneaking a potentially harmful package into their computer system. Free software like screensavers, games or anti-virus software (ironically) that you can easily download from the internet are the most common vehicles for Trojans to invade your computer.

Trojan Horse

Spyware

A spyware is a malicious software installed to a computer to secretly gather information and monitor its users. That being said, spyware programs can collect your personal information and internet surfing patterns without you knowing it. They can also take over your computer by installing unwanted programs, changing some of your computer settings or redirecting your web browser to another page.

Adware

Adware is a shortcut for advertising-supported software. It is a software package that plays automatically or downloads product advertisements to your computer after installing the software bundled with it. These advertisements sometimes interrupts your work by popping up on the screen while you are using an application. Product manufacturers often use this adware to encourage users to buy a “licensed” copy of the product so they could get rid of the advertisements.

Crimeware

Crimeware is a more sophisticated type of malware that is specifically designed for financial crimes and identity theft. It is used by cyber criminals to access online financial accounts and complete unauthorized transaction all for the purpose of extracting funds from companies or individuals that transact their business online.

A crimeware can secretly install a hardware or software which takes note of the keys struck by the user on the keyboard, thus, enabling the criminal to collect sensitive information like passwords, usernames or even credit card numbers.

Anti-Malware

The best way to prevent malicious software from attacking your PC is to install anti-malware products in your computer before connecting it to a computer network or the internet. This may cost you a bit more than just downloading a free anti-malware from unknown sources but it will definitely help you sleep better at night. It is also a good idea to update them on a regular basis. After all, an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure.

Now you’re asking.. are PCs more vulnerable to viruses compared to Macs? Can both of them run Microsoft Office? Is a Mac really better than a PC? Are Macs better at managing photos and videos? Can both of them be connected to the same network? Do PCs always have trouble talking to new peripherals? Are PCs better in an office environment? Is it easier to upgrade a PC than a Mac?

Well my answers are yes, yes, it depends, probably, yes, no, yes, definitely— but that’s just me. The truth is, not all of the questions about computers have “yes” or “no” answers. There are a lot of gray areas that you should discuss with an expert because there is more to these machines than just specifications.

I have here a compilation of “Get a Mac” commercials that you might want to watch. American actor Justin Long and humorist John Hodgman star as the cool Mac and dorky PC, respectively. The ads are amusing and slanderous at some point, but I had fun watching it.

Get a Mac (1)
Get a Mac (2)

This was Microsoft’s answer:

I’m a PC (1)
I’m a PC (2)

If you are a St. Louis small business owner who wants to increase office productivity by creating a local area network for all of your computers, then Straightline Technology Group has the perfect IT package for you. We are offering you a road map to all of your technological needs minus all the hassles.

Whether you’re running Mac OS X or Windows XP using a number of different computers in your office, our team of experts will go the distance to help you manage them.

We have a full line of network implementation services that that will help you create an efficient and productive working environment. That being said, you can skip on reading all those manuals and go straight to making the technical decisions.

Click here for a free quote on all of our IT Services. You can also call us at 636-978-5400 for all your technology questions. You can ask us anything!

USB Coffee Warmer

It’s the most convenient thing to have on your on your desk for your daily caffeine fix. It can heat your coffee to an ideal drinking temperature (104 - 176 degrees F)  in a few minutes. That means that you’ll never have to sip cold coffee on a lazy Friday afternoon ever again. This device has a 1.5m USB cable that you can readily plug into your laptop without installing anything. It’s very convenient!

A USB beverage chiller is available too in the market, but that’s another story.

USB Coffee Warmer

Dimensions: 9cm x 11cm
Cost: $14.75
! 2.5W @ 5V DC

Voice Activated Biometric Safe

Do you have anything to hide, literally? If you answered yes, then you probably need one of these– a Voice Activated Biometric Safe. It is a product specially made to secure your important belongings without having to carry a bunch of keys everywhere you go.

Discovery Voice Activated Biometric Safe

This high-tech gadget operates using the latest voice recognition and biometric verification technology. It will only open if it matches the sound waves of your voice.

The device produces an alarming sound when someone forcibly tries to open it. The ironic thing though is it only weighs 1.4 pounds (roughly .64 kilos), making it really easy for anyone to carry. But then again, who would want to be spotted carrying a stolen voice activated biometric safe?

Dimensions: 14.6cm x 16.5cm x 19.7cm
Cost: $29.99
! can be operated by 3 AA batteries

Babble Voice Privacy

If you don’t want anyone in your office to eavesdrop on your confidential phone conversations, then this device is perfect for you. It has the ability to emit a babbled sound wave of your pre-recorded voice to make conversations unintelligible to people nearby. The device turns your normal speaking voice into the sound of a small crowd talking at the same time, making it impossible to understand.  The volume of the blabbering sound adjusts itself to the volume of the conversation.

Herman Miller's Babble Voice Privacy

Dimensions: 15.2cm x 7.6cm (est.)
Cost: $395.00
! works with any standard power outlet

Electronic Spa Massager

Head Spa Massager

The office can be very stressful place specially when it’s crunch time. What better way to relive your stres than by having your own Electronic Head Spa Massager. It is a fusion Italian design and Japanese engineering so it should be good. The waves of tiny electronic pulses will feel like hundreds of tiny fingers massaging your scalp. Ah, just imagining that relaxes me already.

You will probably look like a Stormtrooper in a Star Wars movie when you’re wearing this. I’m not even sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing but really, the main purpose of this device is to make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Dimensions: 25cm x 20cm (est.)
Cost: $49.95
! can be operated with rechargeable batteries

Bacteria Killing LCD Monitor

Our high definition computer screens just got better. Aside from a 1200:1 contrast ratio, the PBM-978PS LCD monitor from Korea also features a 5ms response time and a wide-viewing angle.

Bacteria Killing LCD Monitor

This “Negative Ionization” LCD monitor  also acts as an air purifier by emitting negative ions into the surrounding. Negative ions attract positively particles such as dust, mold and bacteria and bonds with them to produce a larger pieces of dirt that can be seen by the naked eyed. This will eliminate harmful air born particles floating in the air. A good viewing experience and a healthy working environment– that’s hitting two birds in one stone!

Dimensions:  48cm
Cost: $500.00
! works with any standard power outlet

Google Adsense Ads

Flat-rate PPC and Bid-based PPC are two of the most popular arrangements to determine the cost per click. Flat-rate PPC allows you to negotiate a fixed rate for each click a user makes. The Bid-based PPC however lets you bid on keywords that you think are relevant to your target market.

If you have a company selling antique furniture for example, you can bid on keywords like “antique” or “furniture” and keyphrases like “antique furniture” or “old furniture”. These are words that users type to search for antique furniture on the net. The auction is typically hosted by a publisher or by advertising networks such as Google Adsense, Bidvertiser and Adbrite.

Keywords or Search Terms

Pay-per-click advertising is a very effective way of driving customers to your website without paying a monthly fee for ad spaces. When using PPC, there is an estimated 1%-10% chance for users to click on your ads and eventually go to your website because they will be presented with ads that are related to their searches.

Geographic limitations are not a problem with PPC ads. If your business is based here in St. Louis, you actually have the option to choose locations that are near or within the St. Louis area only. This feature enables you to control the amount of money you want to spend on your advertising campaign without sacrificing the results.

The pay-per-click scheme, given its advantages, also has its weakness. Scammers can impair its integrity by committing an internet crime popularly known as click fraud. They are able to do this by clicking ads over and over again without being detected.

Due to this rampant abuse, Google and other advertising networks commit themselves to developing advanced tracking systems that would prevent click fraud from happening. This solution has garnered its own share of controversy but its ultimate goal is to assure advertisers that they are not paying for void clicks. On top of all these, advertising networks address transparency by providing advertisers with detailed PPC reports. This allows advertisers to see where the clicks are coming from.

Straightline Technology Group Website Services

The possibility of converting user clicks into sales is endless if you have a good product to back it up. Your product also needs an attractive and easy-to-navigate website to appeal to its buyers. Straightline Technology Group offers you a wide variety of services on web development and planning. We can assist you from conceptualizing the website, creating it and all the way to marketing it online. Contact us now!

In this day and age, internet users go to social bookmarking websites like Digg, Y!Buzz, Technorati, Furl, StumbleUpon and del.icio.us to solve this problem. Social bookmarking allows users to bookmark, classify, search, organize or share files and web pages they find on the internet.

Social Bookmarking Websites

The internet is a great big world of information. One can only keep up with thousands of websites and millions of different articles that are created everyday. If finding a reliable piece of article is not hard enough, try reading through 100,000 pages of Google search results. A person who wants to read about “search engine optimization” can open twenty websites at a time and see SEO definitions written in twenty different ways. If he closes a web page, it will be difficult for him to backtrack it later.

A social bookmarking system enables users to categorize articles by using one-word descriptors called tags so that other users can find it.  It allows users to share articles via e-mail or embed them into their blogs. The comment feature and rate system also encourages a healthy exchange of ideas among them.

Digg Homepage

Information overload and link spamming aside, social bookmarking websites can become a treasure trove of interesting stories and an archive of our favorite articles. They are also great platforms to promote and advertise websites for free. Digg alone has an estimated 33.5 million site visitors every month. One can only imagine the exposure a single website can get by just submitting relevant articles.

A blog is made up of individual articles consisting of texts, videos, images and links to other websites. The latest entry is usually seen first on the page.

Contrary to popular belief, a blog is not only an online diary for personal experiences. It can be— but not necessarily. A blog can also focus on diverse topics like food, making money online, news headlines, household tips & tricks, cars, stock market, technology and gadgets. It can also feature controversial themes such as politics and religion. Some blogs allow comments after each entry to encourage a healthy discussion among its readers.

Popular Online Blogs

A blog can be used in an unlimited number of ways. A world traveler, for example, can set up a photoblog to update his friends and family about all his travel experiences. A food enthusiast can create a blog to document his trips to restaurants around the city and even feature his favorite recipes.

A laptop company, on the other hand, can create a corporate blog to reach out to its employees and inform its clients about its newest products and services. A corporate blog takes on a more serious approach to blogging. It is used by a number of businesses to develop brand awareness and a good reputation in the market. It also improves their websites visibility in search engines like Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Corporate blogs educate customers about certain products and create an avenue for manufacturers and consumers to communicate.

Blogging is indeed a great equalizer. It is a venue where people from different walks of life can give their opinion about a certain topic without being judged or persecuted. A blog is for anyone who has something to say regardless of race, social status, economic standing or educational background. Popular bloggers like Darren Rowse, John Chow or even St. Louis’ own Steve Patterson already have a certain level of influence to their readers.

Steve Patterson

Steve Patterson has been blogging about St. Louis New Urbanism and local politics for several years now and has a dedicated following not only in St. Louis but nationally as well.   Wether you agree with his politics or not you cannot argue with the effectiveness of his blog.   

If you want to create a customized blog for your company, contact us.