Monthly Archives: August 2022
What You Need to Know About a Computer Programming Course
What You Need to Know About a Computer Programming Course
Computer programming may seem like a highly complicated discipline but at its roots, every program actually begins as a simple set of instructions. Computer programming is essentially the design of a simple program in order to create a more complicated program. It is currently one of the most sought-after courses and is also a career that presents plenty of opportunities in a very exciting field. If you’re curious about what taking a computer programming course will be like, here are some important information you can use.
The course
Computer programming is one of the disciplines under computer science. It requires study and practical application of theories and concepts. Simply put, computer programming is the process of writing and creating a group of instructions that a computer can read and execute.
Computer programming is not a single, one-size-fits-all discipline. For one, the task of programming (or coding) involves several computer languages. These languages have different uses and as such, will often require a different set of instructions. JavaScript, for example, may be a computer language but it is not the same as HTML or COBOL or Visual Basic. There are also certain sub-disciplines in computer programming that lead to a specific field of specialization. Students must determine which field of computer programming they want to focus on. If they want to work for companies that create video games, for example, they will have to choose courses that teach graphics and animation, among others.
In the course of study in computer programming, a programmer must be able to learn multiple concepts and theories on top of the technical stuff, such as computer language conventions, elements and important operators used to create a source code that will later produce a computer program.
Computer programming is an essential phase in the development of software and is an integral part of software engineering.
How learning is obtained
There are two major ways computer programming can be learned – through classroom type instruction or online, as part of a distance learning program. Classroom type instruction is still the most common way of attending classes for students but online classes are fast becoming the method of choice.
What to expect from the course
A computer programming course is usually composed of lectures and hands-on assignments. The instructor uses lectures to teach theories and concepts in programming and to provide students with an introduction to the discipline. Generally, students will be listening to lectures while using computers, a way for instructors to allow participants to immediately apply what they have learned.
Other than access to a computer, students may also be required to obtain textbooks to be used as references during coursework. Some lessons, such as those used in online classes, may also be downloaded from a website.
Who should take the course
Computer programming is not for everyone. Just because you love computers and have sufficient curiosity about how they work doesn’t always make you the ideal candidate for this course. Computer programming requires a lot of patience, attention to detail, creativity, logic and common sense. It also requires careful study and understanding of certain subjects such as mathematical and engineering concepts.
What to expect upon completion of the course
Once a course has been completed, a computer programmer is ready to be hired for entry-level jobs in companies that design software. If the programmer chooses a higher level of study, he can also increase the chances of being hired for higher pay, particularly if he chooses a field of specialization. A computer programming course can provide a graduate access to different fields as well, including banking, finance, research & development and database administration.
You Can Make Money From Online Gaming Without Gambling
You Can Make Money From Online Gaming Without Gambling
Playing games is as American as…(I like to said apple pie, but I remembered that my english teacher told me to stay away from cliches when writing). Let just say that a large number of Americans, both young and old, play games. A very large number of them are active in computer gaming online. And, their numbers are growing.
Whether you are into online gaming or not, you have likely heard how popular online gaming has become. Close to half of American households have some type of internet access (a majority with high speed connections). The growing adoption of broadband has resulted in an ever expanding push by content providers to offer more and more online video and games. If you have teenage children, you have seen first hand how additive the internet can be. But did you know that a very large percentage of American adults play computer and video games online? Not only do adults play games online, but those that play have been playing an average of 12 years.
It is for certain that the number of people playing games online is not getting smaller. In fact, now that it is possible to win money playing games online, the number of people playing is rapidly increasing. Online gambling was exploding until it was made illegal in America, but my reference to winning money playing games online was not including gambling (more on that later). Fifty-three percent of games players expect to be playing as much or more ten years from now, and the “newbies” are beginning to play in large numbers every day.
I recently saw some research that stated that the fastest growing segment of the internet were women. What does this mean for online gaming? Thirty-eight percent of game players are women. If more women are going online than men, it can only mean that the female presence on online gaming sites will also increase. As I mentioned earlier, you can win money playing games online. No disrespect, but I personally do not know any woman that does not like money. I believe that it is a safe bet to say that the number of woman gamers online will help to increase its popularity. Today men spend more time playing games that women, but the gap will continue to narrow until women will move ahead in playing online games.
Again, let me point out that it is illegal to gamble online in the USA. I point that out so that no one will assume that I have been discussing gambling online. No! I was motivated to share these thoughts because I have discovered a way to make money online from online gaming without gambling
The Evolution of Technology – The History of Computers
The Evolution of Technology – The History of Computers
While computers are now an important part of the lives of human beings, there was a time where computers did not exist. Knowing the history of computers and how much progression has been made can help you understand just how complicated and innovative the creation of computers really is.
Unlike most devices, the computer is one of the few inventions that does not have one specific inventor. Throughout the development of the computer, many people have added their creations to the list required to make a computer work. Some of the inventions have been different types of computers, and some of them were parts required to allow computers to be developed further.
The Beginning
Perhaps the most significant date in the history of computers is the year 1936. It was in this year that the first “computer” was developed. It was created by Konrad Zuse and dubbed the Z1 Computer. This computer stands as the first as it was the first system to be fully programmable. There were devices prior to this, but none had the computing power that sets it apart from other electronics.
It wasn’t until 1942 that any business saw profit and opportunity in computers. This first company was called ABC computers, owned and operated by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. Two years later, the Harvard Mark I computer was developed, furthering the science of computing.
Over the course of the next few years, inventors all over the world began to search more into the study of computers, and how to improve upon them. Those next ten years say the introduction of the transistor, which would become a vital part of the inner workings of the computer, the ENIAC 1 computer, as well as many other types of systems. The ENIAC 1 is perhaps one of the most interesting, as it required 20,000 vacuum tubes to operate. It was a massive machine, and started the revolution to build smaller and faster computers.
The age of computers was forever altered by the introduction of International Business Machines, or IBM, into the computing industry in 1953. This company, over the course of computer history, has been a major player in the development of new systems and servers for public and private use. This introduction brought about the first real signs of competition within computing history, which helped to spur faster and better development of computers. Their first contribution was the IBM 701 EDPM Computer.
A Programming Language Evolves
A year later, the first successful high level programming language was created. This was a programming language not written in ‘assembly’ or binary, which are considered very low level languages. FORTRAN was written so that more people could begin to program computers easily.
The year 1955, the Bank of America, coupled with Stanford Research Institute and General Electric, saw the creation of the first computers for use in banks. The MICR, or Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, coupled with the actual computer, the ERMA, was a breakthrough for the banking industry. It wasn’t until 1959 that the pair of systems were put into use in actual banks.
During 1958, one of the most important breakthroughs in computer history occurred, the creation of the integrated circuit. This device, also known as the chip, is one of the base requirements for modern computer systems. On every motherboard and card within a computer system, are many chips that contain information on what the boards and cards do. Without these chips, the systems as we know them today cannot function.
Gaming, Mice, & the Internet
For many computer users now, games are a vital part of the computing experience. 1962 saw the creation of the first computer game, which was created by Steve Russel and MIT, which was dubbed Spacewar.
The mouse, one of the most basic components of modern computers, was created in 1964 by Douglass Engelbart. It obtained its name from the “tail” leading out of the device.
One of the most important aspects of computers today was invented in 1969. ARPA net was the original Internet, which provided the foundation for the Internet that we know today. This development would result in the evolution of knowledge and business across the entire planet.
It wasn’t until 1970 that Intel entered the scene with the first dynamic RAM chip, which resulted in an explosion of computer science innovation.
On the heels of the RAM chip was the first microprocessor, which was also designed by Intel. These two components, in addition to the chip developed in 1958, would number among the core components of modern computers.
A year later, the floppy disk was created, gaining its name from the flexibility of the storage unit. This was the first step in allowing most people to transfer bits of data between unconnected computers.
The first networking card was created in 1973, allowing data transfer between connected computers. This is similar to the Internet, but allows for the computers to connect without use of the Internet.
Household PC’s Emerge
The next three years were very important for computers. This is when companies began to develop systems for the average consumer. The Scelbi, Mark-8 Altair, IBM 5100, Apple I and II, TRS-80, and the Commodore Pet computers were the forerunners in this area. While expensive, these machines started the trend for computers within common households.
One of the most major breathroughs in computer software occurred in 1978 with the release of the VisiCalc Spreadsheet program. All development costs were paid for within a two week period of time, which makes this one of the most successful programs in computer history.
1979 was perhaps one of the most important years for the home computer user. This is the year that WordStar, the first word processing program, was released to the public for sale. This drastically altered the usefulness of computers for the everyday user.
The IBM Home computer quickly helped revolutionize the consumer market in 1981, as it was affordable for home owners and standard consumers. 1981 also saw the the mega-giant Microsoft enter the scene with the MS-DOS operating system. This operating system utterly changed computing forever, as it was easy enough for everyone to learn.
The Competition Begins : Apple vs. Microsoft
Computers saw yet another vital change during the year of 1983. The Apple Lisa computer was the first with a graphical user interface, or a GUI. Most modern programs contain a GUI, which allows them to be easy to use and pleasing for the eyes. This marked the beginning of the out dating of most text based only programs.
Beyond this point in computer history, many changes and alterations have occurred, from the Apple-Microsoft wars, to the developing of microcomputers and a variety of computer breakthroughs that have become an accepted part of our daily lives. Without the initial first steps of computer history, none of this would have been possible.
Acer Aspire 3004WLCi – A Quick Review
Acer Aspire 3004WLCi – A Quick Review
I recently found myself in need of a new laptop. With a tight budget and moderate needs, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to find a product that would do what I wanted and still be in my price range.
As a Network Technician and a Web Designer, I needed a machine that would have enough storage to store all my software, projects for my clients, and still be able to handle an occasional temporary operating system backup from a client’s machine. The qualifying candidate also had to have a decent amount of RAM and a reasonably fast processor to keep up with the demands of multitasking and using Studio MX ’04 on a daily basis.
At first, I checked the auction sites, the refurbished outlets, and the wholesale warehouses. I found a few good deals for under 0, but nothing that would handle the processing load that Studio MX 2004 would place on it. The average machine had 256MB of PC133 RAM, a 20GB HDD, and a 1.0GHz Pentium processor. Not too shabby for a student machine, but for daily service in the fields I work in, not nearly enough space or power to keep up with my demands.
I quickly realized that a new laptop would be needed in order to meet my needs. Realizing that most decent laptops are priced at over ,000, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot when I started shopping around. However, to my surprise, a local retail chain had a special running on the Acer Aspire 3004WLCi for 0 after a 0 rebate. This was the top end of my budget, but the specs were far more than what I thought I would find in this price range.
Quick Specs:
AMD Mobile Sempron 3100+ (1.8GHz) w/ 256K L2 cache
512MB DDR333 SODIM RAM (expandable to 2GB)
60GB 4200rpm Hard Disk Drive
15.4 Wide Screen WXGA Monitor
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
3 USB 2.0 Ports (1 front / 2 side)
Front Audio / Microphone jacks
Integrated Microphone / Speakers
Integrated Audio Controller
Integrated Video Controller (up to 128MB shared)
Integrated 56Kbps Data/Fax Modem
Integrated 802.3 10/100 Ethernet NIC
Integrated 802.11b/g WiFi
Maximum screen resolution: 1280 x 800
External monitor maximum resolution: 2048 x 1536
One type II PCMCIA Slot
AC Power Adapter / 4-cell lithium-ion battery
1.5″Hx14.3″Wx11″D / 6.2lb. w/ Battery
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2
OK, before I go into the Pros and Cons of this system, let me first say this… As a Network technician, I’m a bit of a stranger to Acer products. I’ve seen them before, but I’ve never used them. In an industry dominated by Dells and HPs, Acer seemed more of an “off-brand” to me. With that in mind, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot for my money. Fortunately, I was not disappointed, but neither was I entirely wrong.
Also, it is worthy to note that before I used this machine, XP Home was trashed in favor of XP Professional SP2 and I went through the system and performed several minor software performance tweaks on the operating system; all of which can be performed using the native Windows XP Pro utilities.
Pros:
The Acer Aspire 3004 WLCi is a reasonably powerful system for 0. Even at the original 0, this system is hard to beat in the performance department. The Sempron 3100+ processor is surprisingly fast and capable. It handled running Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft OneNote 2003, Firefox 1.5, Internet Explorer 6.0, Opera 8.5, Resize Browser, CPick, Java JRE, NOD32 Anti-Virus, Hotmail Popper, and several system services and minor utilities running in the background simultaneously and didn’t complain or produce any unacceptable sustained CPU usage spikes. This is partly due to the generous and fast 512MB of DDR333 RAM, but even so, the processor surprised this long-time AMD user.
The 60GB hard drive provides an ample amount of storage for average users. It is on the lower end of my requirements, but sufficiently large enough to handle all my installed software, over 12GB of service software needed for service calls, all my client projects, and it still has enough space left over to easily accommodate a 20GB client system backup.
In addition, this system has a very good Broadcom WiFi controller. In my 3 story townhouse, which has excellent insulation, this system can be used anywhere in my home with a signal strength of “Very Good” to “Excellent”.
The system is ergonomically laid out. I have rather large hands, and most modern laptops are entirely too small for me to realistically use for any extended period of time. Usually, within 20 or 30 minutes, my wrists and hands begin to ache from trying to maintain a very unnatural position in order to type the documents I’m working on. Not so with the Aspire 3000 series. These laptops have a relatively large chassis with a keypad that is almost perfect for someone with large hands. I’ve actually found that I can type nearly as fast (roughly 35wpm) on this laptop as I can on my desktop system that has an ergonomic split keyboard (40wpm).
Cons:
If you’re looking for a Multimedia system, or if you plan to do any graphics intensive gaming, keep on looking; this system is not for you. Even with the widescreen WXGA display, this machine is not well suited for watching DVDs. The integrated video controller is only acceptable and the monitor requires a lot of “fiddling” with in order to find the “just right” position for viewing. Furthermore, the glare on the screen of this unit is terrible. I’ve found that in most brightly lit rooms I’m spending more time straining my eyes to see past my own reflection. Also, the viewing angle is unimpressive. If you try to view the screen from anything greater than 15 degrees in any direction, you’re either looking at a washed out or negative variation of the original. I’ve never been a big fan of LCD. I’ve always felt that a high quality CRT always looks better, but this screen is more reminiscent of a LCD of three years ago than a brand new product.
The integrated audio and video controllers are a definite sore spot as well. I’ve always preferred expansion controllers over integrated controllers, but in this price range, I knew I would be stuck with the so-so quality of an integrated controller. No surprise here. As usual, the quality and performance is sub-par with these controllers, but for my needs, they do the job. However, if you plan on listening to any audio playback on this machine, you had better pack a quality set of headphones. The tiny speakers on this machine are terrible sounding. Again, no big surprise.
Now, about battery life. I don’t know who was in charge of defining this aspect of this machine, but they need a checkup from the neck up. Battery performance on this machine is absolutely unacceptable. Unless you tune the system down significantly, it is very difficult to squeeze more than an hour of real usable time out of this system’s battery life. The manufacturer states that it will run for 1.5 hours on the battery. I’ve never been able to get more than an hour out of the unit. In this day and age, this is not acceptable. Fortunately, there are very few occasions when I need to use this system where I’m not close to a power outlet.
My only other major complaint is the lack of expandability of this system. You get two SODIM memory card slots (filled with 256MBx2 sticks from the factory), three USB 2.0 ports and a Type II PCMCIA slot on this machine, and that’s it. No internal expansion capabilities, no firewire, no serial or parallel connections, and you cannot swap out the combo drive easily. Given the price range of this system, I’m really not surprised, but I am a bit disappointed. Fortunately, there are an abundance of USB adapters available that allow me to do whatever is needed.
Summary:
If you just need a basic system for work or school related tasks the Acer Aspire 3004WLCi is a solid performer that can handle average use with ease. I would definitely recommend this unit to college students or traveling professionals who need an inexpensive, user-friendly laptop, but who do not plan on using their laptop on batteries very often, or who do not intend on playing many games or movies. For the price conscious consumers out there, this system is definitely worth the money. In my humble opinion, you get more than what you pay for, but not by much.
Find More Gaming Laptops Articles
High Performance Computer – What You Must Consider To Play Modern Games
High Performance Computer – What You Must Consider To Play Modern Games
Even though the video game consoles of today have taken over all the old systems the PC games of today are still some of the number one rated games on any system. The way the computer works is different then what kind of graphics that you will have in your Xbox or Playstation. You will have a motherboard with either single or double graphics card ability. If you have an SLI ready motherboard then that means that you have the best motherboard that money can buy and you also have the best graphics as well. You will be using two graphics cards over the power of one which will make your computer not only not lag but will make the image clearer then purified water.
The big thing about computers and playing video games on them is you can keep upgraded your computer without having to buy a whole new system. You can however upgrade your other video game systems but then it becomes illegal to play your upgraded systems online like you like to play. That is because they sell the systems how they want them to be played if they had wanted everyone to be aim botting then they would have given you that privilege but you cannot and therefore you just need to spend your upgrading money on your computer unless you are “modding” out your Xbox and you plan on just playing on other servers and not the main Xbox live feed.
PC gamers are always looking for the next best piece of technology to help them get an edge in their online games. Heck, they’ll take a minor boost in a games frame rate if it means shoveling out a few hundred bucks for a new video card or processor; but, with so many hardware configurations and different applications, what exactly is a high performance gaming computer?
There is no single computer that is going to outperform every other computer on the market. Sure, one computer might be optimized for high a high frame rate, but that might come at the cost of being ale to multi task, while another computer may place emphasis on multitasking and being able to play a game at a lower frame rate while still being able to use a web browser.
A truly high performance gaming computer is one that has been optimized to perform as specific task, whether it’s playing one game (like Counterstrike), or playing a game and using several applications (like World of Warcraft and a browser). These machines have been optimized to the point that doing something else – such as multitasking – is discouraged.
If you want to really play games on your computer flawlessly then you are going to have to spend some money to make the computer that you want. You are going to need at least 2 gigs of RAM. A good graphics card as well. You just need to go to online and you will be able to get a good gaming computer for under 00. I mean everything that you want and top of the line for that price.
Find More Gaming Computer Articles