My System Journal

With the launch of the Windows 8 ecosystem, it’s abundantly clear that they have put their best foot forward when it comes to creating innovative products. However, there are certain issues that don’t seem to be resolved just yet.

With that said, here are the 3 worst features of the Windows 8 ecosystem:

#1: Common interface with no apps

Compared to Apple and Google, Microsoft has a dearth of apps at its store. To tell you how bad it is, there are no apps for Instagram, Twitter or even Facebook just yet. With this crucial element now in the hands of third-party developers, one will have to wait and see if this affects the Windows ecosystem as a whole in a positive or negative in a few months from now. Worse still is the fact that the Windows Store isn’t unified for all devices but has been segregated for each type of device.

This means that if you buy Microsoft Office, it will not be accessible across all devices but just for the one you’ve bought.

#2: The confusion surrounding Windows RT

Most consumers blame Microsoft for misleading them to believe that the applications that can run on Windows 8 can run on Windows RT as well. If you must know, Windows RT will not run any application except for those that come pre-installed such as Microsoft Office, certain legacy applications as well as the file management system that you’ve seen with earlier versions of Windows operating systems.

#3: The inclusion of advertising – everywhere

Unlike Android or even Apple, Microsoft makes no attempt to limit their efforts to promote their apps or content. While the other two services do not interfere with your choices, they most certainly stay out of the way.

With Windows 8, whether you access the Music, Video or Games apps, they come across as sales tools and not apps designed for users – and it’s throughout the new operating system. Advertising has become part of the norm, and unashamedly so.

It’s been a few months since Windows 8 was launched. However, this release seems like a shift for Windows users because of the number of auxiliary products and services that have sprung up to support the operating system. And they’re here to stay, whether users like them or not.

With that said, here are three of the best features of the Windows 8 ecosystem:

#1: The Introduction of Tablet-Laptop Hybrids

Not only is Windows trying to move their users, both old and new, to the touch experience, with their latest operating system but have also backed the idea that tablet-laptop hybrids are the future of computing. With Surface RT being the first time Microsoft is venturing into the world of hardware, which puts it in direct competition with its hardware partners, this will only pave the way for innovative and cheaper computers for the Windows 8 ecosystem in the future.

#2: A unified experience across all platforms

Since touch is the cornerstone of Microsoft’s Windows 8, its ability to deliver a unified experience across all platforms, whether tablets, laptops or desktops is far better than what Apple has been able to come up with, being divided between Mac OS and iOS.

Better still, what binds them all together is the new Microsoft account sign-in that easily synchronizes settings on all Windows-based hardware and services that you might be using.

#3: Windows Store

With Apple getting an app store and Google following suit, Microsoft has also jumped into the fray. The Windows Store, or as it is known, not only has apps for the Windows Phone but also for desktops as well.

With Microsoft encouraging developers to create apps, the old method of installing program directly from the internet will slowly be done away with. Not only will this ensure that the apps downloaded will still keep a user’s computer safe but will ensure that it works well with the Window 8 operating system – standards that have been set by Microsoft for third-party developers.

While changing old hardware such as your processor or graphics cards might seem to be a viable solution if your computer seems sluggish when playing the latest video games, there are other alternatives as well.

 

So, here are 3 ways to speed up the latest video games without buying new hardware for your PC:

 

#1: Graphics Driver updates

 

Most gamers commonly use graphics cards such as AMD Radeon or NVIDIA GeForce and it’s in their best interests to keep their graphics card drivers updated. And no, you can’t depend on the disk that you initially installed the drivers from or even Windows Updates to get the latest updates. Just to make sure, it’s a good idea to go the NVIDIA or the AMD site instead.

 

#2: Free up CPU/Memory Resources

 

Another way by which you can get your games to run faster is by freeing up CPU or memory resources, and the most common way of doing this is by disabling startup programs that you would not use. In Windows 8, you can do this through ‘Task Manager’ while in Windows 7, you can use MSCONFIG. However, CCleaner is probably the easiest way to go about freeing up system resources to have your game run faster.

 

#3: Adjust in-game settings

 

Probably the most effective way to increase game performance is to adjust in-game settings which will result in a drop in image quality but still ensures that your game will run faster. Usually, options such as reducing antialiasing, texture and resolution will ensure that you game runs smoother without affecting the image quality too much.

If you live in an area that has a high crime rate or if you have children that are now old enough to drive you may want to consider using vehicle tracking to ensure that your child is safe and you always know where your vehicle is in the event that it’s lost or stolen. The price that you will pay will be worth the peace of mind that it gives you at all times.

 

Whether you are choosing to use the product for personal use or for your business you will be giving yourself the safety that will keep your vehicles from being permanently lost or stolen and to help cut down on potential replacement costs that would occur if you were unable to locate the vehicle.

 

More and more businesses are choosing to use fleet management especially car lots, rental companies and other companies that require the use of several vehicles. The actual cost associated to purchasing this type of product will vary depending on which company that you choose to use and the actual products that you need to buy. By choosing to use gps tracking you may also save money on your insurance each year giving you the discount that you need to invest money in more important things for your home or business. The gpstrackit.com has helped tons of companies keep track of their company cars and to prevent big losses when one of their vehicles were stolen or lost by using the tracking product to locate it fairly quickly.

Keeping your data safe is important, no matter whether you are a small business or a big enterprise.

 

By definition, encrypting your files ensures that only you and the intended receiver are able to read what has been sent to him or her. However, before you learn how to enable this feature, it’s important for you to create strong passwords or else it defeats the purpose of encryption in the first place.

 

So, here is how you can use Encryption in different ways so as to keep your data safe:

 

#1: Hard Drive

 

While you do have a login screen for your PC or laptop, a thief can easily access your data by opening your system and hooking it up to another computer. This is where Microsoft’s BitLocker comes in and all one has to do is go to Control Panel, System and Security and BitLocker Encryption and select the drive for the ‘Turn On Bitlocker Encryption’.

 

However, as an alternative, one can use DiskCryptor or TrueCrypt for full-disk encryption.

 

#2: External and Thumb Drives

 

For external and thumb drive, you’ll have to use the ‘BitLocker To Go’ option by going to the BitLocker Menu and selecting the “Turn On BitLocker” selection next to the USB or external drive.

 

#3: Internet Traffic

 

If you travel regularly and work while doing so, using an unsecured connection, it’s very easy for hackers to break into your system. For this, the best solution is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) which creates a protected ‘tunnel’ to a third-party server. Since the data, which can be sensitive in nature, is encrypted, it is unreadable to the hacker even if intercepted.

Today most people are familiar with GPS tracking on devices such as phones and cars in order to see just where something is located at any given time. This is proven effective for a number of different things in life, ranging from social situations through the application of GPS location tracking for photography to actual security measures by using GPS locators and items such as vehicles to help prevent theft. Real time GPS vehicle tracking goes beyond simply locating a vehicle, however, and allows for companies utilizing fleets of vehicles to be able to do more with those vehicles that they have been they may have thought previously possible.

But not only simply letting an individual know the location of the vehicle the providing constant information flow to a centralized system for tracking fleet managers can be sure to have the latest information on all of their cars, trucks or other vehicles at all times. This information can include items such as fuel levels, vehicle conditions, travel speeds or other factors to improve safety and can even allow in some cases for the remote control of the vehicle for many functions such as both door and engine control.

Utilizing a typical LoJack or LoJack base technology for truck tracking and other purposes companies such as gpstrackit.com are able to provide comprehensive business solutions for those managing fleets of vehicles so that they can ensure that their vehicles are not only being used appropriately but are maximize that all times to their fullest potential.

Theres every chance that a Windows PC might slow down drastically even if it is working in prime condition when you first bought it.

 

Reason being: there are several ways by which junk can accumulate on your PC, and which has to be cleaned up from time to time in order to work at its very best.

 

So, here are 3 ways by which you can speed up your computer:

 

#1: Update your Computer Regularly

 

The vulnerability of Windows and its programs are well-known and documented these days, and it bodes well for Windows users to remain updated with the latest patches and security updates as well if they want their computer to run in optimum condition. This pertain also to antivirus as well as anti-malware utilities that you might have on your computer along with your browser plug-ins and other applications.

 

#2: Uninstall Unnecessary Applications

 

Another aspect to watch out for is the unnecessary addition of numerous programs to your computer. These programs can be added onto your system for a number of reasons and this includes either being negligent on the part of the user, clicking OK to a dialog box that offers programs or even because of unpatched loopholes in the operating system as well as commonly used applications. Alternatively, if left ignored, these programs will clutter your computer but also use precious system resources.

 

#3: Remove unnecessary Startup Programs

 

This is probably one of the best ways to speed up the overall performance of your computer and one can use CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) so as to remove unnecessary programs that run at startup. If you disable these programs from startup, you will free up system resources for tasks that are more important to you.

If there’s anything that’s true about power supply units (PSUs), it is that most people don’t give much thought to purchasing one that works best for their system.

 

It’s a travesty considering how important these power supply units are to a system’s stability and long-term use.

 

While there are several factors that have to be taken into consideration when it comes to PSUs, here are 3 factors that will help you pick the best power supply units:

 

#1: Output

 

Simply put, a PSU with higher wattage can supply more power, and should be a factor that you take into consideration. While most desktop power supplies have a power output rating ranging from 200 to 1800 watts. So, focus on picking a PSU not for its pea power but based on the number for continuous or sustained power.

 

#2: Efficiency

 

Taking a PSU’s efficiency ratings into consideration is important because it not only has better components but more importantly, wastes less power and generates less heat. For example, if the efficiency rating of any power supply unit is 80 %, it means that the unit will supply 80% of its rated wattage and lose 20% to heat.

 

#3: Single or Multi Rail

 

While there is a good reason to use either type of PSU as they are both safe and work equally well. In other words, there is very little between the two when it comes to if one compared both their advantages or disadvantages. However, if you are building a powerful system, then a multi-rail system works best in providing an extra layer of safety.

Despite the fact that Windows’ still continues to enjoy the lion’s share of the operating system market, the truth is that it experiences something that Linux systems never do – crashes. Yet it’s not all bad news, thanks to the creation of ‘crash dump files’ which saves your information before the crash occurs – an excellent tool to use if you want to troubleshoot the error. So, here are steps that will show you how to use dump files as you work towards a solution:

#1: How to Set Up a Dump File
Follow the path: Start > Settings > Control Panel > System. Once this is done, select the ‘Advanced’ tab and ‘Settings’ which is under the ‘Startup and Recovery’ header. Finally, look for the list titled ‘Write debugging information’ and pick the small memory option.

#2: Using the Dump Check Utility For this, you will have to first insert the Windows CD-ROM and open the Support/ Tools folder.
Once you do this, run the Setup.exe file to install the content of the folder. Now, open the Dumpchk.exe and scan the options for reading and downloading the file some of which include extra file validation, dump exam, dump validation, image search for the dump exam and symbol search for the dump exam.
Now, run the scan and read the output and what you will obtain a report of all the errors that Dumpchk.exe has found.

#3: Debugging the Dump File
The first step is to download the Windows debugging files from their website and install it on your computer. Now open the dump file by selecting ‘Start’ and then ‘Run’. Now type the string ‘cmd’ and ‘OK’. After this, type ‘cd c:\program files\debugging tools for
windows’ and hit Enter to open the folder. Now load the dump file by typing ‘windbg -y SymbolPath -i ImagePath -z DumpFilePath’. Finally,

in order to open the dump within the debugging software, type ‘kd -y srv*c:\symbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols -i c:\windows\i386 -z c:\windows\minidump\minidump.dmp’.

One of the most common reasons for computer failure is due to the accumulation of dust around its components and fans. Hence, it is a good idea to carry out maintenance every three months in order to clean the PC as well. On the other hand, the presence of malicious programs on your computer as well as the space remaining can also affect its performance.
So, here is a list of steps that one can follow in order to keep their PC in mint condition:

#1: Windows Disk Cleanup can help you remove ‘junk’ files
The more free space you have on your drives, the better your PC performs. Using the Windows Disk Cleanup will result in cleaning up the drive which contain unnecessary files and which may not be in use either.

#2: Install an anti-virus security application
Even though most manufacturers include an anti-virus with your system when you buy it at first, it’s a good idea to use it regularly. One way to do this is by setting it up to run everyday at a certain time or when the computer starts. If you don’t have an anti-virus, you can easily buy one over the internet.

#3: Download the latest software and driver updates This is another simple task that one must carry out regularly, and most of these drivers or software updates can be obtained from the manufacturer’s website. There are options in Windows to check for these updates.

#4: Cleaning your Computer
While there are several help files and instructions which you can use to clean your computer, it’s advisable that you hire the services of a professional especially if you’re not an advanced user.