Monthly Archives: July 2022
Which Laptop Is Right For You?
Which Laptop Is Right For You?
Laptops have often been thought of as simply a small, portable computer that can be taken anywhere you go (within reason!). There are actually four different types of laptops varieties currently available however, and it is important to know the differences between them, as prices, features and performance can vary greatly between these laptop genres:
Ultra light Laptops – Known as sub notbooks or ultra-portables, these laptops usually weigh no more than 4 pounds, and people who travel frequently usually love these types of laptops. Because these laptops weigh very little, they are easy to lug around in a backpack or laptop briefcase…but they are also very small. Typing on Ultra light Laptops, especially if you have large hands, is downright difficult and uncomfortable…make sure you bring along an external keyboard that you can hook up to your ultra light once you arrive at your destination. Ultra light laptops usually lack a CD Rom drive as well, so make sure you have the proper attachments before leaving home. Battery life on Ultra light laptops is usually excellent however!
Notebooks – This type of laptop usually weighs between 4-6 pounds, with screen sizes from 12-15″. As the laptop grows in size, battery life usually goes down as there are usually more devices and a larger screen to power. The Notebook is considered a ‘regular’ laptop, and usually has a large opening on the side where you can plug-in different devices like a CD-Rom drive, floppy drive, or wireless PCMCIA cards.
Standards – These laptops are the most commonly purchased types of laptops…they offer a full range of built-in features, including wireless connectivity, CD/DVD drives, network interfaces, multiple USB 2.0 ports, nice sized screens (usually 15″) and a keyboard that is easy to type on. You won’t need to pack along a lot of extra attachments for the standard laptops which is nice. Also, the best deals, discounts and prices can usually be found on standard laptops from all of the major laptop manufacturers.
Extra Large/Gaming – These bests are best suited as a ‘desktop replacement’. They are usually much faster, louder and have 17″ screens in most cases. The battery life is only about 1-2 hours as these laptops really burn through the power. Their faster processor speeds, larger screens, larger keyboards and heavier size makes them perfect ‘home / gaming machines’. Expect extra large laptops to weigh in excess of 8 pounds. These specialty laptops are also some of the priciest, and will almost always have all options built-in…no need to pack around an external keyboard or CD-ROM drive with these laptops…just make sure you bring a couple extra batteries though!
Make sure you purchase the laptop that will work for your needs, whatever they may be…buying a laptop that is too heavy if you are a frequent traveler will leave you exhausted from hauling it around. Buying an Ultra light laptop if you are a gamer will leave you disappointed. Make sure you evaluate your needs before purchasing your next laptop, and you’ll be smiling instead of grimacing in frustration!
Programming CNC Machines With G-Codes
Programming CNC Machines With G-Codes
Ever since the industrial revolution started, the demand to create precise instruments and products is an important factor in large scale manufacturing. Belts, screws, Drills and all movable parts needed to create other products in the assembly line must all be exact and compatible, thus extra care must be taken in order to ensure that all moving parts match perfectly. Computer Numerical Controlled programming has become an extremely important part of this process.
Computer Numerical Controlled Machines are useless without any programming. CNC’s rely on pure hard codes in order to execute commands that the Machine Operator wants to do, therefore not only is it needed to learn the mechanics of the whole Computer Numerical Controlled Machine but it is also at the utmost importance that the Machine operator knows how to communicate with the machine, and that is by using G-codes.
Preparatory code/ functions or much commonly called as G-codes are functions in the Computer Numerical Control programming language. The G-codes job is to manage the position of the tool as well as control the step by step commands during the actual work. Basically the G-codes are the most important part of the Computer Numerical Control Programming algorithm.
There are other codes involved in the programming of CNC’s such as M-codes that manages the machine, T-codes for managing the tools, and F-codes for the tool feed and tool speed controls. All of these codes are created in a Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.
G codes as well as the others use the RS-274D as the recommended standard for the Computer Numerical Controlled Machines. This standard was developed by the Electronic Industry association during the 1960’s. These standards provide a basis for the creation of Computer Numerical Controlled Programs.
First designs of these standards came from punched paper tapes as the medium standard for data interchange, but now ASCII character bit patterns are the standard for the representation.
G-Codes
Lets discuss the g-codes further, as what I have said earlier G- codes constitute only a part of the Computer Numerical Control Program, in the whole programming algorithm, they are denoted by the letter G, Basically it is a code telling the machine what kinds of actions to perform in a step by step basis, examples of these actions would be rapid move, controlled feed moves that would bore holes, a work piece cut routed to a specific dimension, change a pallet, and set a tool information such as offset.
After creating each part of the codes, the algorithm is compiled in the Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. The CAM software basically use translators called post processors to output the code optimized for a certain machine type. Often times, post-processors are often used to allow users to enable further customization.
G-codes can also be used to create outputs for Computer Aided Design systems used to design printed circuit boards (PCB). Any software must be customized for each type of machine tool that it will be used to program. Some G-codes are written by hand for volume production jobs.
Some Computer Numerical Controlled machines use conversational programming. Conversational programming is an easier way to program CNC machines because it is more “user friendly” because it uses a wizard like program that hides the G-codes into plain view. Some Popular examples of this kind of CNC machines are the Southwestern Industries’ Proto TRAK, Mazak’s Mazatrol, and Mori Seiki’s CAPS conversational software.
Conclusion
With these kinds of further sophistication in programming Computer Numerical Controlled Machines, it is expected in the future that programming would be much easier for its machine operators.
Related Computer Part Articles
The History Of Arcade Games
The History Of Arcade Games
Gaming today is a recognized element of our cultural scenery, even to people who are over thirty or who can barely recall the time before arcade games were invented. Gone are the days when you would play Pac-Man or the famous Mario Brothers game. Although they are still played and enjoyed today, they have been enhanced into dimensional games and versions. People will never forget the old games and that’s a good thing because there is a history here that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Gaming is not a recent breakthrough. Arcade games began many years ago. They weren’t as acceptable as they are now. Artifacts from Egypt and Sumeria have revealed that our ancestors enjoyed playing board games thousands of years ago.
The electronic games we have now required the creation of electronic computers. The early computers were slow and prone to failures. Early programmers felt obliged to waste their time by programming these computers to do things like tic-tac-toe. When World War II ended, electronic computers started becoming standard equipment in the more progressive laboratories. Soon afterwards, they were incorporated with large corporations, establishments and companies. It can be argued that university students were the first game programmers, exploring their fantasies and sci-fi visions into digital applications which we are still using. Their imaginations have turned gaming into a digital masterpiece.
The perception of establishing an electronic game system to the screen or the television was invented by Ralph Bauer during the early 1950’s. This made the first game possible. After that, he introduced and presented his ideas to Magnavox, a television company. The company liked his ideas and inventions so well that they have released a sophisticated version of Bauer’s “Brown Box” prototype, known as the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. By today’s standards, the Odyssey was prehistoric, displaying only spots of light on the screen. It also required the use of translucent plastic overlays to replicate the appearance of the game.
The first truly popular console system was known as the Atari 2600. It was released in 1977. The Atari made use of plug-in cartridges in order to play a variety of games. The popularity of Space Invaders was a breakthrough and it became a best seller during that time. The computer games written for the TRS-80 and Apple II computers were attracting interest at this time.
There are several books and articles about the history of arcade games.
Getting The Right Laptop For You
Getting The Right Laptop For You
Are you looking to buy a new laptop computer? With so many laptop models available in the market today, with each sporting many different features, choosing what kind of laptop to buy can be confusing. You need to consider carefully just what kind of laptop you should get before you take out your credit card. In this way, you know you will end up with a machine that is just perfect for your needs.
Your needs are what you must take into consideration when you go out to buy a laptop. Many people have different uses for their laptops. Some get laptops that they can work with while traveling. Some just want a machine that will replace their desktops and give them the mobility that their desktops cannot possibly give. Some look at their laptops as extensions of their home entertainment systems or use them for intensive gaming. Before you buy a laptop, you need to determine first the purpose for which you will use it.
People who need to be on the road or in the air a lot – business executives, journalists and freelance consultants, to name just a few – need a laptop that is easy to carry, does not use up power so much and is small enough to be used conveniently in cramped seats on the train or in an airplane. If you are going to do a lot of traveling, these factors should count a lot when you choose your new laptop. You will be lugging this machine a lot, so it would be great for your body if your laptop is small and ultra-light. And because you would be moving a lot, you should choose a laptop that has a long battery life or is low on power consumption. It would be horrible to find your computer shutting down on you while you are in the middle of something, and you either do not have extra battery packs or far away from a place wherein you can plug in your computer.
The typical laptop computer used by travelers is a machine that weighs no less than four pounds and has a 12-inch screen measured diagonally. The size of the hard disk may be too small and limited for you, so it is important that the laptop you will use for traveling has a built-in DVD/CD-RW combination drive. This will adequately address your storage needs. The capacity for wireless networking is also necessary in ultra-light laptops, in case you want to access the Internet while you are on the go.
If size and weight are important factors that travelers should look at when buying a laptop, power and performance come first for the gamer. Laptop computers that are meant to be used by gamers are packed with a large-size hard drive, memory that is 512MB or more, a powerful video card and sound card, a built-in DVD/CD-RW, networking capabilities and a widescreen display. Most of the popular computer games today are power-gobblers that can stretch the performance of a computer to its limit; a gaming laptop should be able to meet the resource demands of these power-hungry computer games. Also, laptop computers that can be used for gaming are also great extensions of a person’s home theater and entertainment system.
When you choose a laptop for your gaming needs, it does not really matter if the machine is light enough or has a long battery life. You would not be carrying it around a lot and it is highly likely that it will be plugged to a main power source all the time.
A laptop that shall be used at home or in the office is often a toss-up between size and power. Just like a gaming laptop, a laptop that shall be used primarily for business or home computing must have a wide screen – around 15 to 17 inches. A wide screen is easy on the eyes, and if this is the kind of computer that you need, you would be looking at it a lot. It does not have to be as powerful as a gaming laptop, but it nonetheless needs to be powerful enough so that digital manipulation and PowerPoint presentations would not be difficult for you to do. Having the basic multimedia capabilities would be welcome as well.
It is likely that the laptop you will be buying for your office or home computing needs is something that will replace your desktop computer. Desktop computers often have features and capabilities that laptops can only have as external peripherals connected through USB. Here is a handy tip you can use when looking for a laptop that is supposed to replace your desktop computer: If the laptop weighs more than three kilograms with all its peripherals plugged in, then you should not be looking for a laptop. What you need is a new desktop.
Choose your laptop wisely according to your own computing needs.
5 Desktop Computer Hardware Myths Exposed
5 Desktop Computer Hardware Myths Exposed
The big boys in the computer industry want you to continue thinking the way you are. The major desktop computer manufacturers thrive on consumers lack of knowledge and old ideas about desktop computers and computer hardware to drive sales of new desktop computers.
It works in their favor to keep these myths alive, because their business depends on it. So what are they?
Myth 1: You need top of the line computer hardware
Maybe some years ago this might have been true with older computer hardware, but times have changed. When computers were much slower than they are now, the latest version of any computer hardware increased speeds noticeably and allowed new possibilities from your desktop computer.
Those increases from computer hardware no longer yield such a huge increase in performance. With the basic uses of the desktop computer set and been in place for a while now, speed increases no longer result in real world benefits for most desktop computer users.
What was great computer hardware last year is still good enough now.
Myth 2: Computer hardware is the domain of Geeks
When personal computing was coming into its own, you really did need to be a Geek to know what was happening. For those old enough to remember, imagine life without Windows and hacking away at the command line, as used to be the case. Some still do, but I wouldn’t want to do that again.
Desktop computers are such commonplace that the basics of computer hardware can be understood and researched with the minimum of hassle. The ball is on the consumers side of the court. You no longer need to be a geek, just a little knowledge that is now readily available.
Myth 3: A faster desktop computer will speed up the Internet
Possibly. If you are running 5-year-old computer hardware this might be the case. But the real reason for the increase in speed is usually not the computer.
Internet speed is related to your connection speed. If you have a dial up connection, it’s going to be quite slow. When you upgrade your desktop computer and they throw in a cable internet, or DSL package the improved speed is from the faster connection, not the computer. Both cable and DSL can offer more than 10 times the speed of a dial-up connection. The computer has little to do with it.
Myth 4: To speed your computer up, upgrade!
New computer hardware is a very obvious way to speed things up. Even I have gone for new parts purely for this reason.
But it’s definitely not the only way.
Various factors play into overall speed. On a purely physical level, upgrading memory is still a fantastic way to get things to move along a little faster. But apart from this the main things that slows things down on the programs and other stuff you have on the computer.
Over time, as more programs are put on and taken off and changed, things get left behind, and things get forgotten. When your computer starts, many things get loaded into memory and each one of those takes that little bit more of the computers resources. When you switch to a new program and don’t remove the old one, the older one will still use resources.
Myth 5: Big brands are the best
Big brands essentially piece together a computer. They pick and choose the pieces to make a computer package. They also choose some software, give a warranty and then sell it to you.
Dell computer company has become well known for its customer service. This is the best part about Dell computers. The downside is there are limited choices. They pick what goes into the computer, which are often quite expensive parts. They are motivated by the suppliers to put more recent parts into their computers, keeping the prices at the same level and maintaining the “to get more, pay more,” mentality.
You don’t have the power of these big guys, but you have something more. Choice.
Your pick of parts for your desktop computer will allow you to put together something completely tailored to your needs. Put the money where you need it most, into the computer hardware that makes the biggest difference to you, and in the end getting a desktop computer you will fall in love with, rather than despise.