Apple iPad or Kindle Fire ?

When Apple first released the iPad, the device was peerless in its capabilities. Now, other manufacturers have come forward with their own devices to give consumers more choices in the tablet computer market. Among these is Amazon's latest version of its Kindle eReader, the Kindle Fire. The device does not have all the features and powerful hardware of an iPad, but matches many of its features with a substantially lower price tag.  

Operating Systems

The iPad, like Apple's other mobile devices, uses the iOS mobile operating system while the Kindle Fire uses a modified version of Google's Android operating system. Without violating the device’s terms of service, you can only download apps for your iPad from Apple's App Store. The Kindle Fire’s Android operating system allows you to get apps from Amazon's App store or manually install them by sideloading APK packages. It is technically possible to install apps from the Google Marketplace onto your Kindle Fire, but Google requires you to have your device registered with a Google account. The Kindle Fire does not give a standard method for registering your device to a Google account, so installing apps from the Google Marketplace is technically possible but practically difficult. The Kindle Fire's operating system also allows you to use the device without ever connecting it to a computer, whereas the iPad requires you to use a computer for certain configuration and maintenance tasks.

Uses

Both the Kindle Fire's Android operating system and the iPad's iOS are app-centric, so many of their uses overlap. The Kindle Fire's function as an eReader is mirrored by the iOS Kindle app, which lets you read any of your Kindle books on your iPad. The iPad can also download apps to purchase and read ebooks from Amazon's competitors. The devices' ability to use major social networking sites, play games and use professional productivity software also comes from the apps you can download from the device's respective app store. Apple's app store has a larger selection of apps, which allows you to use your iPad for more purposes than the Kindle Fire, but Amazon is working on increasing its own store's offerings to expand the Kindle Fire's functionality.  

Media Options

One of the major draws for both the iPad and the Kindle Fire is their ability to store and stream multimedia content. In addition to third-party apps that allow you to stream music or video from a variety of sources, both devices have their own interface for using your music, movies or TV shows. The iPad synchronizes your multimedia content through iTunes, which lets you select which items from your iTunes library you want to put on your iPad to play later. The Kindle Fire lets you sideload music and videos through a USB port, stream music from your Amazon Cloud Drive and stream movies or TV shows from your Amazon media library. You can play media that you physically stored on your device anywhere, but if you want to stream your media from the Internet, you will need to either connect to a Wi-Fi network or have a mobile broadband-capable device. You can choose between a Wi-Fi only or broadband-capable iPad, but the Kindle Fire only comes in Wi-Fi models.  

Hardware Specs and Price

The Kindle Fire does not try to compete with the iPad on hardware specifications. The iPad is a larger device. It also has an LED screen, compared to Kindle's IPS screen; a ten-hour battery life, compared to Kindle's eight-hour battery life; and its smallest hard drive size is twice the size of the Kindle Fire's 8GB drive. Unlike the iPad, the Kindle Fire does not have a camera and the Kindle Fire's 1GHz dual-core processor is not as powerful as the iPad's 1GHz dual-core processor. The area where the Kindle Fire competes with the iPad is in its price. For similar features, the Kindle Fire costs about $200, whereas the iPad can range from about $500 to more than $800. The iPad was not the first consumer tablet computer to go on the market, but it was the first one to meet with wide commercial success. The device's hardware and price reflect its target market of consumers who want the most technologically advanced tablets and are willing to pay accordingly. The Kindle Fire specifically sets itself apart with its price to target consumers who want the capabilities of a tablet computer, but would prefer to forgo having the latest and greatest hardware to save hundreds of dollars.

Source : eHow

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Reinstall Your Mac OS X

Although rare, there are times when it is necessary to reinstall your Mac OS X operating system. With all of the different installation options this process can seem overwhelming and complicated; this article should help you make sense of the entire installation process.

Note: The steps in this article apply for version of Mac OS X up to and including Leopard. Snow Leopard has a similar process but will "Archive and Install" by default. To preform an "Erase and Install" on Snow Leopard you must erase the drive using Disk Utility before running through the installer.

Please Follow these steps carefully to prevent loss of data if you are reinstalling.

Back Up Before You Reinstall

Before performing any type of reinstallation, be sure to back up your personal files. Even when using the Archive and Install feature there is always a chance of data loss.

1. Decide on a backup location.

• External Hard Drive: this is the preferred method as a hard drive is capable of holding large amounts of data.
• CDs/DVDs: this is only an option if the computer is currently bootable and has a disc burner. CDs and DVDs are limited in their capacity, however, they are readily available.
• On-line Storage: if you have an FTP server or MobileMe account you may be able to back up your files on-line.

2. Decide what to backup.

• Personal Files: your personal files are located in your home folder. These include documents, pictures, movies, etc..
• Applications: it is generally not recommended that you back up applications, as people have a tendency to back up all of their applications including ones they no longer use. The reinstallation may be an opportunity to get rid of some of the unused applications, as you can easily reinstall them as they are needed.
• System Files: system files should not be backed up as they will be reinstalled during this process.

3. Enable the Root user on your computer. 

• Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
• Open Directory Utility in /System/Library/CoreServices.
• Click the padlock icon and enter your Administrator login.
• Select the "Edit" menu, and choose Enable Root User.
• Choose a password for the root user and click "OK".
• Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
• From the Finder's Go menu, select Utilities.
• Open the Directory Utility.
• Enter your administrator password and click "OK".
• Select the "Edit" menu, and choose Enable Root User.
• Choose a Root user password and click "OK".
• Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and Earlier Versions
• From the Finder's Go menu, select Utilities.
• Open the NetInfo Manager Utility.
• Find and click on the lock icon on the Manager window.
• Enter an administrator password and click "OK".
• Select the Security menu, and choose Enable Root User.
• Choose a Root user password and click "OK".

4. Log out of your current account.  

• Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
• Select "Log off <account name>".

5. Log in as the Root user.

• On the log in screen click "Other".
• Enter "Root" as the new name.
• Enter the password you created.

6. Using the Root user, drag the files and folders you decided to preserve to your backup location. 

• Personal files can be located by opening "Macintosh HD" and clicking the "Users" folder.

Select an Install Type

Mac OS X has three main reinstall types. Before you proceed it is important that you understand the differences between each. Choose carefully which type you would like to perform.

Archive and Install

• Available in Mac OS X 10.2 and later, an Archive and Install will automatically move existing system components to a folder called "Previous System". The Archive and Install will then proceed to reinstall Mac OS X.
• The Archive and Install will also preserve user account information and personal files. however, before proceeding with usage of the computer all software updates will need to be completed unless you are on Snow Leopard in which case the updates are preserved.

Archive and Install (Not Preserving User & Network Settings)

• Similar to the Archive and Install method, this option will move the existing system components to a "Previous System" folder; however, it also moves the user accounts and network settings to this location.
• If you follow this type of installation, you will need to recreate your accounts and reconfigure your network settings; however, your personal files are preserved on the hard drive and can be retrieved.

Erase and Install 

• The Erase and Install - as its name implies - will completely erase the contents of the hard drive before reinstalling Mac OS X.

Reinstall Mac OS X

1. Insert your Mac OS X Install DVD or Installation Disc 1.
2. Restart the computer and hold down the letter "C" as the computer starts up.
3. Continue to hold down the letter "C" until you see a grey screen with an Apple and a small spinning gear.
4. Select your language on the Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer screen and click "Continue".
5. Click "Continue" on the following screen.
6. After reading the Software License Agreement, click "Agree".
7. Select the volume to which you are going to install. "Macintosh HD" is the default name.
8. Click the "Options" button in the bottom corner of the window and select your installation type.
9. Click "OK" and then "Continue". You will be presented with a confirmation window at which point you can click "Install" to proceed.

After the Installation

After any type of installation there are a number of steps you should take to bring the computer back to a usable state.

1. Connect to the internet and run Software Updates. 

1. Click the Apple icon in the top left of the screen.
2. Select "Software Update"
3. Install all available updates.

2. Run a quick Repair Disk Permissions.

1. From the Finder's Go menu, select Utilities.
2. Open Disk Utility.
3. Select "Macintosh HD" on the left hand side of the window.
4. Click "Repair Disk Permissions" and allow the scan to complete.

3. Restore any files that you backed up to the location of your choosing.
4. Reinstall any software affected by the reinstall.

Things You'll Need

• A location to backup important files.
• Your Mac OS X Install & Restore CD/DVD or a retail OS X Installation Disc.

Tips

• Although the Archive and Install is the preferred method, some third-party applications, such as Microsoft Office, may need to be reinstalled as a result.
• Always complete any official Apple Software Updates after reinstalling the operating system.

Warnings

• Before performing any type of reinstallation, always back up your files. Even when performing an Archive and Install, errors during the installation process could result in a loss of data.
• When performing an Archive and Install, use the installation CD for the current version of the operating system that installed on the computer. For example: If your computer came with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) but you upgraded to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), Archive and Install using the Leopard CD's.

 source : WikiHow

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Mantain Your Laptop Battery

If your laptop battery quickly broken? or your laptop's battery does not last long? maybe it happens because you are less able to care for your laptop battery. The following general advice should you do with your laptop battery.

1. Don't incinerate or expose laptop battery to excessive heat, which may result in an exposure.
2. Don't pierce, hit, step on, crush or abuse the battery .
3. Don't modify or disassemble the laptop battery.
4. Don't place battery for notebook in device for a long period of time if device is not being used.
5. Don't expose laptop battery to water or other moist matters.

Source : WikiHow

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Wireless Network Solutions: Complete Coverage When You Need It The Most

As a prominent company head, you realize the importance of your employees being mobile, as they are required to attend numerous meetings and meet with clients out of the office. Today, where everything is digitalised, it becomes very important that your employees are equipped with wireless technologies. Hire wireless network expert services and ensure your employees are always connected.

For the success of your firm it is very important that your employees create an impeccable first impression. How embarrassing would it be if one your efficient executives is on a lunch meeting with one of your prospective clients and when they switch on the laptop to demonstrate your company's success, they cannot even access the internet? Certainly, not making use of the advanced standards wireless network will earn your company negative points and this could even lead to you losing out on the account.

In your bid to increase the mobility of your employees you experiment with various hasty techniques for quick solutions. However, there are increased chances of them not working for you. An added problem with installing flawless wireless network is it requires implementation of multiple procedures that complement one another, making it an extremely time consuming and rather complicated process. So how do you decide which rigorous solution will best suit your business and get you in the good books of your prospective clients?

An ideal solution is to rope in the services of an expert wireless network service, as they will assure that the WLAN is designed to become an integral and a rather logical component that contributes to your solid network infrastructure. Also ensure they offer the updated standard boost along with other fully secured wireless networks that are easy to measure and managed remotely. Thus ensuring you get better return on your investment.

As you set out to look for a proficient service provider make sure they kit your network with a highly compliant and robust wireless platform. This will help support your business's high-bandwidth applications which will help provide your employees with greater mobility. Meanwhile, it also ensures they will be able to access high volume data at all times, thus enabling your employees to deliver enhanced presentations to your clients.

Also, to avoid high internet bills and to maintain privacy it becomes very important that no one intercepts your Wi-Fi network. Nevertheless, attaining maximised security is not easy, especially with increasing incidences of hacking and data transferring by unauthorized sources. In order to control these illegitimate activities, it requires implementation of rigorous and complicated security procedures, making it a complex and an extremely time consuming task.

A reliable wireless network solutions provider understands the need for a secured network aptly and so, makes sure they deploy the latest technologies that will maximise your network's security. Also owing to their expansive experience, they are able to implement robust front line security measures for native TDM and Ethernet transmission on a single platform of your Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint architectures flawlessly. Thus assuring that only authorized individuals and devices can access your company network securely.

So, to provide your employees with greater mobility and to see your business succeed beyond imagination, opt for a proficient and respectable wireless network solutions provider. Thus, ensuring Wi-Fi becomes an integral part of your network system, so that your executives get greater mobility and receive coverage securely when they most need it.

Article Source: ErzineArticles

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How to Break a BIOS Password

Have you ever been locked out of an old computer by a forgotten BIOS password? There's no need to get frustrated. It is relatively easy to bypass this safeguard.

STEPS

1. Power off the computer and make sure that it is unplugged.
2. Open up your computer case. You need physical access to the motherboard to complete this procedure.
3. Find a circular, (mostly) silver metallic object on the motherboard. This is the CMOS battery. 
4. CAREFULLY remove the CMOS battery, avoid touching it with your fingers, and leave it out for about 120 seconds. This will flush the CMOS memory which stores the BIOS password and all other configuration. (See Warnings) 
5. Set the battery back into place and power on the computer. 
6. The computer should then warn you that the CMOS configuration could not be found. You can either reconfigure it yourself or restore defaults. Restoring the default configuration should be fine. 
7. You will notice that the BIOS password has been cleared and you can boot without it. You may reset the BIOS password to something else by going into the BIOS configuration and setting a new User Password (The Supervisor Password controls access to the BIOS, NOT the computer!)

LAPTOP

1. Remember that laptops can be trickier, especially if it's a newer model. If it has a security chip on the motherboard forget about it. You either have to physically remove the chip or contact the mfg for the "master" password. If you can boot up off of a cd or floppy try any of these methods:
2. Create a Win98SE bootable media "or anything that lets you boot into MS-DOS" and boot off of it.
3. When the A:\> prompt appears type debug and press enter.
4. You will then only see a "-".
5. Type o 70 2E "include the spaces" and press Enter.
6. Type o 71 ff "include the spaces" and press Enter.
7. Type q and press Enter.
8. Here are a list of common mfg backdoor passwords:
   • AWARD BIOS
     • AWARD SW, AWARD_SW, Award SW, AWARD PW, _award, awkward, J64, j256, j262, j332, j322, 01322222, 589589, 589721, 595595, 598598, HLT, SER, SKY_FOX, aLLy, aLLY, Condo, CONCAT, TTPTHA, aPAf, HLT, KDD, ZBAAACA, ZAAADA, ZJAAADC, djonet, %øåñòü ïpîáåëîâ%, %äåâÿòü ïpîáåëîâ%
   • AMI BIOS
     • AMI, A.M.I., AMI SW, AMI_SW, BIOS, PASSWORD, HEWITT RAND, Oder
9. Other passwords you may try (for AMI/AWARD or other BIOSes) - LKWPETER, lkwpeter, BIOSTAR, biostar, BIOSSTAR, biosstar, ALFAROME, Syxz, Wodj gvs
10. Dell XPS M1210 = xceaxn05

TIPS

• If you looking for Sony PCG Series BIOS Master Password try this one: http://elektrotanya.com/?q=hu/content/sony-pcg-series-bios-master-password
• Depending on the manufacturer of your motherboard, you may be able to use what it is called a "backdoor password" to bypass the password problem. Try looking at the external links for possible passwords.
• Remember that passwords are Case Sensitive. The last two passwords in the AWARD BIOS list are in Russian.
• Sometimes the bios reset jumper has a "handle" and is colored a bright color to make it easy to locate. Also, look in your case near the bottom. If it is a manufactured computer then it probably came with a little sticker with the jumpers and the location of the reset jumper.
• If you're really stuck, the PC manufacturer can often give out a "reset password" if you can prove you are the owner. This works with Dell but they usually charge.
• B. By Using Software:
• I have found that BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is the most effective.:
• BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is a program that works instantly to remove any lost or forgotten BIOS/CMOS password. Simply boot your PC to DOS and execute the program, and get access to forgotten BIOS/CMOS passwords in just seconds
• If you want your bank account emptied and a virus installed, just go to the SCAM website:
• BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool Service: http://www.biospasswordrecovery.com/
• Notice that they don't have any contact information (but happily says to go to the non-existent "Contact Us" page for an instant email if you have any trouble with their amazing software!) I really wish someone would prosecute the people who set up scams like that. Then again, since they rarely do prosecute, I should consider setting some up myself!

WARNINGS

• In rare cases, the battery may be soldered into the motherboard and very difficult to remove. If this is true, you may need to find a jumper near the battery that achieves the same result. If you don't know which jumper it is, you CAN test them all. Unplug (really unplug, not just power off) the computer, and start a methodical change in all the jumpers positions, change one, count to ten, change it back, move on the next. After completing the lot of them (on older motherboards this could take a while) plug the PS back in, and boot up. You may risk damaging your computer with this procedure if you are not careful.
• Some notebooks such as IBM's ThinkPad render useless when the BIOS password is being tried to reset.
• Don't just start pulling jumpers on the motherboard. Make sure you know where it was and in what position in case anything goes wrong put it back.
• If you turn your computer on and it makes strange noises / beeps, you should contact the vendor, manufacture, or a tech guy to fix it.
• When a BIOS is locked with password, a checksum of that password is stored to a sector of the FlashROM - this is a chip on the motherboard of the laptop which also contains the BIOS and other settings. For most brands, this checksum is displayed after entering an invalid password for the third time. using this number a password can be calculated. Which is the reason this number is displayed and is the way the OEM tech support calculates a password. Dell laptops use the service tag.

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