PhotoScape

Photoscape is a fun and easy photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance photos.

FREE DOWNLOAD

• Viewer: View photos in your folder, create a slideshow
• Editor: resizing, brightness and color adjustment, white balance, backlight correction, frames, balloons, mosaic mode, adding text, drawing pictures, cropping, filters, red eye removal, blooming, clone stamp
• Batch editor: Batch edit multiple photos
• Page: Merge multiple photos on the page frame to create one final photo
• Combine: Attach multiple photos vertically or horizontally to create one final photo
• Animated GIF: Use multiple photos to create a final animated photo
• Print: Print portrait shots, carte de visites(CDV), passport photos
• Splitter: Slice a photo into several pieces
• Screen Capture: Capture your screenshot and save it
• Color Picker: Zoom in on images, search and pick a color
• Rename: Change photo file names in batch mode
• Raw Converter: Convert RAW to JPG
• Paper Print: Print lined, graph, music and calendar paper
• Face Search: Find similar faces on the Internet

Microsoft Launches Browser Security Website

 

Microsoft have launched a new website aimed at helping people identify how secure their web browser really is. www.YourBrowserMatters.org will tell visitors in a simple score from 0 to 4 just how secure they are when they go online.
In a blog post today, the company said that 24.4% of all web browsers are outdated and insecure. Of this 15.2% includes Internet Explorer 6 and 7 (it’s odd that Microsoft are suddenly now calling IE7 insecure) and 7.5% are older versions of Mozilla Firefox.
In their breakdown by country the USA appears to be the worst offender with just under 22 million computers using insecure browsers. Brazil is second with just over 7 million, France is third with 5 million, the UK has 4.2 million and China has just under 4 million. I’m not completely sure where this fits with Microsoft’s IE6 Countdown site which states that more than 25% of all browser usage in China is still IE6.

Microsoft’s stats say that this 24.4% equates to around 340 million PCs worldwide. In a statement they said…With that in mind, we’ve partnered with the Anti-Phishing League, Identity Theft Council, and Online Trust Alliance to raise awareness of the critical role browsers play in online security and make it as easy as possible for people to protect themselves.
The new website itself does more than just give your browser a health rating. There is useful information there on what malware is, with a useful video for the uninitiated. There is also information on what modern browsers do to keep people safe when they’re online and also help and advice on how you can stay safer when you’re online.
Oddly, what the browser doesn’t do is bring the latest version of Internet Explorer front and centre, instead relegating it to a small download button hidden away on the website’s last page. This is probably a very good idea given the organisations that Microsoft has formed alliances with for this project.

 

Adobe InDesign Tutorial

Adobe Indesign Free Tutorials

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What Is a Core Switch Backplane?

Function

A core switch located on a backplane connects edge switches. An edge switch is a switch placed where two network's hardware systems meet. Examples of edge switches include multiplexers and routers. Edge switches are also referred to as service or access nodes.

Identification

Core switch backplanes are often referred to as tandem or backbone switches. A computer's core is synonymous with its central processing unit (CPU.)

Features

The word "backplane" is often considered to be synonymous with a computer's motherboard. They control computing paths through socket connections not only to other circuit boards, but also to expansion cards and other electronic devices.

Backplanes are considered active if they contain circuitry that conducts computing functions. Passive backplanes do not contain circuitry and are not responsible for anything but serving as connectors.

BIOS Resource Conflicts

Symptoms

The computer can manifest a range of symptoms if a resource conflict is present. The system may freeze or hang, especially when a peripheral device is in use. The computer or peripheral devices may make excessive noise during operation. Sound from an audio card may be distorted or unclear. The screen may display random characters. The mouse may move very slowly or not work at all. The printer may print nonsense. Applications may crash or experience random errors. The computer may be unable to format media. Data may incorrectly transfer from various devices.

Static Resource Conflict

If your system BIOS reports a "Static Resource Conflict," it is most likely due to a Plug and Play device. PNP devices are peripherals, such as video or audio cards, which work with the computer system without installing additional software. The user simply plugs the device into the computer's system board. The BIOS may misread the location of the PNP device and assign more than one location to it. Possible solutions for this problem are: rebooting the system, updating or flashing the system BIOS, updating PNP device drivers or removing the PNP device.

Device Manager

If your system detects a resource conflict, you may be able to solve the problem in Windows. Getting to Windows may require that you start the computer in Safe Mode. The Device Manager shows what resources each peripheral device uses. You can disable these devices through the Device Manager, if needed.

Hardware Issues

Hardware incompatibility may cause resource conflicts. Your system may not be able to support all peripheral devices equally. Consult your computer user's manual for device compatibility. Most manufacturers offer online support to ascertain device compatibility, even for legacy systems and hardware. In addition, outdated hardware drivers may be responsible for resource conflicts. Check with your computer manufacturer for driver updates.

Viruses

If the system BIOS detects a resource conflict, but none exists, a computer virus or malware may be responsible. Perform a complete system scan using your preferred anti-virus application. Free applications are available online if you do not currently have any installed. Removing the virus should remedy the conflict.

Comparing Portable Scanners

Bundled Software and Compatibility

1. Some scanners come with bundled software and others do not. The software is not necessary, but it can speed up the process of scanning and organizing documents. Look for a scanner that has comes with bundled software.
   Your computer needs to meet the minimum requirements and have the correct operating system in order to run the software. If requirements are not met, the scanner will not work for your computer.

Scanning Speed

2. Scanning speed varies per model. For fastest speeds, choose a scanner with a low resolution and black and white output. A higher resolution and color output will cost you in speed, but the scan will be higher quality.
   The power source also affects scanning speed. A scanner with an AC adapter will scanner faster than one powered through a USB port.

Weight

3. Another factor to consider when comparing portable scanners is weight. When traveling, a lighter scanner might be important to you. Typically the power source is not included in the stated weight.

How to Use Bluetooth on a Desktop PC

Instructions

1. 1
   Insert a Bluetooth adapter into your computer's USB port, if the computer doesn't have one built in. Windows will find drivers for the device and install them automatically.
2. 2
   Make the Bluetooth-enabled device you want to connect to your computer discoverable. This will vary depending on the device, so refer to the manual if you're not sure how.
3. 3
   Click the "Start" button on the Windows task bar, then select "Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Bluetooth Devices" to view the list of nearby Bluetooth devices. Click the "Add" button and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. 4
   Type in the Bluetooth passkey. Some devices have a default passkey of 0000 or 1234. With others, you manually generate a key by typing it in on the device. Once the process is complete, you are ready to start using your device.

DIY Touch Panel

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Touch screen adapter
• 
  

1. 1
   Place your touch screen adapter panel over the front of your computer screen. Align the panel so that its sides and corners are flush with the sides and corners of your computer screen. Make sure to purchase an adapter the same size as your computer screen.
2. 2
   Clamp the side of the adapter panel to the side of the computer screen.
3. 3
   Plug the USB cable that is attached to the panel into an available USB port on your computer.
4. 4
   Restart your computer and wait for the panel to calibrate.
5. 5
   Use the plastic stylus pen to write on the touch panel as if it were a tablet PC.

Synaptics Mouse Driver Problems

Driver Replacement

If the mouse pointer fails to operate correctly after upgrading the operating system, you cannot change the software's advanced settings or the mouse wheel on a PS/2 or USB mouse does not operate, you need to replace the outdated, malfunctioning or inappropriate Synaptics driver with a new one. Since each manufacturer has its own specific hardware setup, download the driver from the system manufacturer's website.

Erratic Mouse Behavior

Erratic or randomly jumping pointer problems on a Synaptics device may be addressed from the software driver's settings. Change the "PalmCheck" and "Touch Sensitivity" settings from the device's Properties window in the Control Panel.

Driver Conflicts

The Synaptics driver will not operate correctly if another conflicting mouse driver is installed. You must remove any other drivers and sometimes reinstalling the correct Synaptics drivers is necessary to restore functionality.

DIY USB Powered Microphone

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• XLR-to-USB adapter
• 
  

1. Connect your microphone to the XLR port on your XLR-to-USB adapter.
   
   
2. Connect the small end of the USB cable that comes with your converter to the proper port on the bottom of the device.
   
   
3. Connect the larger end of your USB cable to an available USB port on your PC. Since the necessary drivers are already built in to the adapter, your PC will automatically accept your microphone

How to Add Hebrew to Windows

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" menu and click "Control Panel."
   
   
2. Click the "Change keyboards and other input methods" link in the "Clock, Language and Region" section.
   
   
3. Click the "Formats" tab. Select "Hebrew (Israel)" in the drop-down box. Click "Apply."
   
   
4. Click the "Keyboards and Language" tab and click the "Change keyboards" button. If you want to use Hebrew as the default input language, click on it; otherwise, leave it set to "English."
   
   
5. Click the "Administrative" tab, then the "Change system locale" button. This launches the "Region and Language Settings" dialog box. Select "Hebrew (Israel)" in the "Current system locale" drop-down list. Click "OK." Restart your computer.

NTFS Hard Disk Recovery

Windows Startup Repair

You can recover your hard disk using the Windows 7 installation disk. After booting your computer from the installation disk, by placing the Windows 7 installation disk in the hard drive and restarting you computer, click on the "Startup Repair" option when the disk's menu comes up. This option will attempt to repair corrupted files to make your Windows hard disk bootable again.

System Restore

If the Startup Repair option cannot fix your operating system, then you can restore your disk to its factory state using the installation disc's System Restore option. This will make your disk bootable again, but you will lose your personal files in the process.

File Recovery

If you will need to restore your system, you can run file recovery software to retrieve important personal files before you restore the system and loose your files. One such program you can download for free is NTFS-Reader.

What is a ccApp.exe File?

Function

Norton Antivirus applications use the ccApp executable to scan emails for viruses and to provide real-time auto-protection against worms, Trojan horses and viruses for the computer. When Windows loads, the ccApp.exe also loads as a virtual device driver.

Common Issues

When the user sends email, the ccApp.exe will use all of the computer's CPU or processing power. Users of Norton Antivirus software also complain that the ccApp.exe takes up a disproportionate amount of memory. However, disabling the executable will stop the antivirus software from working.

Dangers

Because the ccApp.exe has been installed on many computers, spyware companies and virus and worm writers try and camouflage malicious code as a genuine Symantec Common Client Application. To check for malware, check for duplicate copies of the ccApp.exe that simultaneously running on the computer.

How to Update BIOS From the Windows Recovery Console

Things You'll Need:

• Updated BIOS on a floppy, CD or flash drive
• Windows Recovery Console CD

1. 1
   Navigate to the computer manufacturer's website and download the latest BIOS version program folder to a floppy, CD or flash drive.
2. 2
   Load the Windows Recovery Console located on the Windows XP, XP Pro, Windows 2000 or other bootable CD that came with the computer and boot the computer from the CD.
3. 3
   Load the floppy, CD or flash drive containing the updated BIOS and make note of the bay drive letter into which the media is loaded.
4. 4
   When the computer prompts you, enter the DOS command "cd" or "chdir" followed by "[drive:][path]" (all typing done without the quotation marks) to go to the updated BIOS on the floppy, CD or flash drive. Type "cd\ F: or "chdir\ F:" if the floppy, CD or flash drive is loaded in the "F" drive bay.
5. 5
   Using the DOS "dir" command, read the contents of the folder containing the updated BIOS.
6. 6
   Open the "readme.txt" file by typing "readme.txt" and pushing "Enter."
7. 7
   Follow the instructions in the "readme.txt" file. Procedure varies with each computer, but generally executable files open and run automatically.
8. 8
   After completing all the instructions in the "readme.txt" file, the computer should reboot automatically. If not, manually reboot the computer.