SATA and PATA are standards for connecting Disk Drives. Hard disks are the heart of computer as they store the entire data of your computer on them. Choosing a right hard disk is an important aspect while buying a new computer. To do that, you need to know the difference between different types of hard disks. There are advantages for both SATA and PATA. The maximum speed (at factory production conditions) transfer of PATA is 133 MBps where as SATA has a maximum speed of 400-500 MBps. PATA requires as high as 5v but SATA requires less than 250 milli volts, one-twentieth of PATA.
One easy method to identify whether your hard disk is a SATA or PATA is to check the rear side of the hard disk. If the rear side contains a pin with 18 holes, then it is a PATA hard disk else it will be a SATA hard disk (SATA will have a very thin data cable as compared to PATA). It is good to buy a SATA hard disk than a PATA hard disk due to its advantages. It is important to know that, the computer model decides whether it is a PATA or SATA. All other devices connected with a data card have to be of same type.
What is difference between SATA and PATA hard disks?
Webmasters tools : Browsershots - Test your web design in different browsers
Recently, I have come across as a useful site helpful for webmasters and I like to share it with you. This site help the webmasters to test the appearance of their site in various browsers across various platforms.
Overview: Most of the webmasters are creative enough in designing the sites but the main problem for them is the compatibility of their site in various browsers like Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer etc and in various operating system like Windows, Mac, Linux etc This is because no one will install all the web browsers and check their sites, moreover web masters don't care about them because 90% of their designs are suitable in the popular browsers and the last 10% compatibility test is a tedious task. Hence they check only in some popular browsers and leave them.
The site is Browsershots - Test your web design in different browsers
Official description: "Browsershots makes screenshots of your web design in different browsers. It is a free open-source online service created by Johann C. Rocholl. When you submit your web address, it will be added to the job queue. A number of distributed computers will open your website in their browser. Then they will make screenshots and upload them to the central server".
This is a open source project which uses 104 computer to make browser screenshots voluntarily. Although this is a free service, there is also premium service which can e acquired by donating $15 or 10 Euros per month or $150 or 100 Euros per year. Your screenshots will be ready in 30 minutes.
Features:
- They provide all the operating systems and browsers supported by that OS
- You can see the screen shots of your site at any time using http://browsershots.org/http://www.yoursite.com/
- You can download all the screen shots to your computer in a single click
- You can request the new screen shots your site or blog at any time
- You can know the full details of screen shot at any time like hardware, file size in the browser of that particular operating system
- You can also check the functionality if your site's extra features like Java, flash, Javascript, screen size(800x600, 1024x768...) and color depth (32 bit, 16 bit,...)
- You can also report bout the screenshot that you get from them if you wish.
- Your screenshot requests will be processed immediately.
- You will often get 30 to 50 screenshots within 2 to 5 minutes.
- Get screenshots of any web address, as often as you want.
- Instant activation when you pay with PayPal.
- No need to extend requests to avoid expiration.
- Your screenshots are private (only you will see them, or somebody who already knows your URL).
- Ad-free web interface.
- Dedicated email support from johann@browsershots.org.
- Your payment supports an open-source project.
- The best thing is you get them at free of cost by just a request which doesn't require more than 2 minutes but it takes 30 minutes to get your shots.
- The large quantity of browsers of different Operating systems is very impressive feature but unfortunately you will not get all the requested screenshots as some servers/computers are having very less uptime.
- There could have been more features like time taken to load the page, some suggestions basing on the appearance and behavior of site in those browsers.
- As it is a open source project done voluntarily by a few people, they are unable to store the screenshots that are produced during the request, so you have to request them again to get them if you are asking them after your individual time.
- You can download the files in one time is a good feature but they will be deleted after a short amount of time which is rectified in premium service.
- The price should have been a bit lower like $10 per month.
Fury as XP automatically installs Desktop Search
Microsoft has also been forced to give Vista users a choice over their desktop search software, after Windows Live search was set as the default in the OS. 
IT departments have found that the update has been installed company-wide, which could have large implications for performance. The application uses an index to speed up search results, which many claim is slowing down their PCs. Those who have tried to uninstall the program have not only been forced to restart, but have found that Windows again attempts to install the program unless specifically told not to.
Last month, Microsoft was accused of installing "stealth updates", even on machines configured not to automatically update, prompting Microsoft to be more transparent about the update process in future.
"This is helpful and important feedback, and we are now looking at the best way to clarify WU's [Windows Update's] behaviour to customers so that they can more clearly understand how WU works," said Nate Clinton, product manager for Windows Update, after the incident.
New Features in Blogger : Add customized search box, change template fonts and colors and enhanced editor
Willa!!! Blogger is getting better day by day and I am happy to see this; Today when I am trying to post an article on blogger templates, suddenly I found some small exciting changes for which I am looking from a log time. In this post, I will tell the new features and the features that I have observed just an hour ago.
1. Add Customized Search engine to your blog: You can add this gadget from Layout > Page elements page of your blog. This is one of the best tings blogger has update; till toady bloggers used customized code for personal search search engine of their blog. Blogger did a good thing in providing this feature by itself.
- It is an ajax script, and hence the time it takes to load the pages is very fast. The results appear in the main wrap of the blog.
- You can show the results from your own blog, from Google and linked from here (Searches the pages you've linked to from your blog posts).
- There is preview in the gadget itself and, you can test your it there only.
- The bad thing is many rely on Google customized search for increasing their ad revenues from Google adsenses.But now you can't keep this ad code in the blogger provided gadget.
- The resulted pages will be opened in a new window; there could have been an option for choosing whether to open it in the same page or in a different page.
2. Change Template Font and Color: The Bloggers always fond of using the new template. The bloggers including me faced a bit difficulty in changing the colors that matched the template and the fonts required for different parts like blog title, post title, description etc.
The Good and Bad:
- You can use this feature from Layout > colors and fonts option of your blogger. The good thing about this is you can immediately see the preview of your template and also there is an option to "revert to default template".
- An extra option of shuffle blog colors simplifies the work further.
- After doing everything and seeing the preview, you can either save the changes to get the new colors for your template or clear edits to keep the old blog template itself.
- You can keep the palette either in the same page or use pop-up option to open the palette in a new dialog box.
- A handy feature Colors that match your blog will suggest you better colors.
Emails + IMs = The Orgoo
Orgoo the new Los Angels based web service is going to be a popular for some
of the internet freaks. Not only does it emulate Outlook-style desktop mail applications extremely well, it also integrates instant messaging from all of the major IM providers directly into the interface. If you are looking for a service-independent webmail/IM service, you’ll want to check this out. This is a great feature that is going to come in internet.
The key feature of this web service is it can be used to read emails from multiple platforms and also chat in multiple IMs . Earlier there used to be sites like Meebo, imo, radiusIM, koolIM that support
Like Oddpost, Orgoo is an Ajax webmail service that lets users access their favorite email accounts via POP or IMAP access. Both Gmail and Yahoo offer IM integration within their webmail applications, but neither allow users to log into other third party services. Gmail allows Gtalk only, and Yahoo allows Yahoo IM only. Orgoo is service-independent and so users who have email in one place and IM in another (or use multiple services for both) will find this to be a much more useful application.
Orgoo will offer users 3 GB of storage for free. The service is currently in private alpha testing with a handful of USC students only but will be expanding in the coming weeks to a larger group. So, register now and they will send u a mail when you have got an account. Good luck.
Why to have an external keyboard and mouse to a laptop?
Most of the laptop user feels difficult in using the built-in mouse initially. Later they get acquainted to that them and use them properly. It is a better option of using an external keyboard and mouse for your laptop than the built in. The reason is, after using the keyboard for a year, scratches fall on the letters of the keyboard and also the letter on them is wiped out slowly. This hampers the appearance of the laptop. Controlling of mouse is easy when you use an external mouse because there are difficulties in dragging and clicking the built-in mouse.
It is important to know what kind of mouse is supported by your laptop. Here is the way for determining it. There are two types of ports for inserting a mouse. IF the port is a round one, then your laptop requires a PS/2 mouse. But most of the new laptops that are available in the market are having USB port. Remember, USB port mouse can be converted into a PS/2 mouse by just adding a small piece at the end and vice versa. Since, these two don’t cost you high amounts, it is better to buy them and use instead of built-in keyboard and mouse.
What is the use of UPS for a computer?
UPS is an electrical device used for effective supply of power to computer. UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply. All the power supplied to the computer has to pass through it and then reach the computer peripherals. UPS makes sure that the power supply to the computer is always in the sustainable range of the computer. It rectifies the fluctuations and also the spikes of the current and ensures the supply of uniform current flow. UPS is different from emergency power system both in the functionality and operations. UPS will be running as long as the computer remains on but inverter gets switched immediately after the power cut.
If the current amplitude is too high, this may damage the computer and then UPS halts the power supply to the computer and protects it from damage or burning out. UPS also acts an extra power supply for a small period of time in which you can save your important data avoiding the data loss. Is it required to UPS buy for a computer? This depends on your house-hold power supply, if your computer receives too many variations in the amplitude of current, it is better to use a UPS because it is good to save 20,000 rupees computer with a 1,200 UPS. Most of the electric supplies are now well controlled. Hence it is not a mandatory item to buy. If you have frequent power cuts making loss of your data, then better buy it.
iTunes - Listen to the music in a different world
iTunes the award winning music player and most widely used player over the world. iTunes is the easiest way to organize, share and listen to music on your computer.Enjoy iTunes, the best friend an iPod will ever have! Working on your Windows OS. Its a digital Media player, as its output has a great clarity and no other media player can compete this in present days.
You can get the latest version of iTunes here.
iTunes is more than local music :
iTunes music store: The iTunes Music Store offers Windows users the same online music store as Mac users, with the same music catalog, the same personal-use rights, and the same 99-cents-per-song pricing. With music from all five major music companies and more than 600 independent labels, the iTunes Music Store catalog now offers more than 1,000,000 songs. Features include a free download with no hidden charges for extra features, MP3 and pristine-quality AAC-encoding from audio CDs, smart playlists, more than 250 free Internet radio stations, and the ability to burn custom playlists to CDs and MP3 CDs, to burn content to DVDs to back up an entire music collection, and to share music via Rendezvous over any network, cross-platform.
TV Shows: You watch them at home. Now download them and take them on the road with the new iPod. Shop for your favorite NBC, ABC and Disney TV shows, only on iTunes.
MiniStore: Discover new music as you enjoy your collection or import new CDs with MiniStore — right from your iTunes library.
Sync Home Movies: Create iPod-compatible versions of your own movies using iTunes.
AirTunes Enhancement: Simultaneously stream the same song wirelessly to up to three home stereos or powered speakers — using AirPort Express with AirTunes.
Requirements:
- 2.0 GHz Pentium class processor or better
- 512MB RAM
- 32MB video RAM
Pros :
- Its quick, fast
- Hasn't crashed yet (for me anyway)
- Works great with Vista, access to iTunes Store, fast cataloging and searching, party mode, playlists, CD burning
- Has the greatest integrity with iPods.
Cons :
- Delay at startup, bulky software (about 70MB overhead), doesn't support any mp3 players besides iPod (without extra software anyway)
- Takes a lot of time in installing and uninstalling it
- I don't understand what is the need of installing quick time player for installing iTunes
- Bugs especially in updates. Many people cannot get the latest version to work on their PC
Say Goodbye to your ipod or music player while you are surfing
A very good news to all the music lovers cum internet freeks. Previously people used to carry out their ipod or a music player to listen music while they are on browsing, this is because there won't be anyone who don't like music. It used be a bit uneasy to carry a music player at all the time to cafe or anywhere where you want to listen to music while moving over internet.
Say goodbye to ipod or music player with Anywhere.Fm
This site is in its beta version, allows you to upload all your itunes library into the site. You can open this site and listen to your music at any time. Like a host of other music startups, Anywhere.fm has also added music discovery features. While not as robust as Last.fm.
Here is a screenshot of the site, have a look at it.
Users can browse through the free music, friend's radio, browse communitys available if you haven't uploaded any. But all these music plays aftwer streamin due to copyright concerns. You can upload into the site directly from your harddisk. And if you have lots of music, you can download their uploader and upload from your desktop.
And you can also invite your friends to listen to their songs. What is the good feature of this site is, it just take 20 seconds to register an account. It claims that it has nerly 442,000 songs at the time of writing this post. And it promises to come up with many more features in forth coming days.
So have a nice time there and say good bye to all your music players.
