You are here: Home / Archives for Advancements

What Is Packet Switching And How Has It Helped Improve Speeds?

How has the invention of packet switching helped improve connectivity and speed between computers? Wireless transfer of information and high speed data transmission has benefited a lot from packet switching.

The human body has a single pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach. The same pipe takes food as well as water into the stomach. Once food and water reaches our stomach, it is processed separately and is absorbed by our body differently. As far as the pipe that runs from the mouth to stomach is concerned, there is no difference between food and water whatsoever.

Either we make the necessary changes when we consume the substance or our body processes and digests the substance differently after it reaches the stomach. The logic underlying packet switching happens to be the same. When the data is being transmitted, there is no distinction between voice, data, image, video or audio. As far as the medium is concerned, it is just a packet of data.

Once the data reaches its destination, it is processed through the right software application and the right coding and decoding program is applied to convert it into its original state. Circuit switching involves setting up dedicated lines for transmission of certain types of data. Telephone works with the help of circuit switching.

People realized that it made no difference to the medium whether voice was being transmitted or data. Hence, it was just a question of setting up the right check posts at the point of origin and the point of destination. This meant that the existing bandwidth could be used without any trouble whatsoever.

There was a time when the circuit could transmit data or voice. Today, everything is converted into packets and transmitted accordingly. This has reduced costs, improved productivity and enabled service providers to offer high speed data transmission at affordable prices.

Filed Under: 3G Networks, Advancements, Computers Tagged With: , ,

Steps For Transferring Data To Your Computer Using A Bluetooth Device

Making use of a Bluetooth built in cell phones is not a very difficult thing because one just has to access the Bluetooth menu to activate or deactivate the feature. Once this is done, it is just a question of searching for other devices. However, the process is slightly more complicated if you are making use of a Bluetooth dongle and transferring files between one Bluetooth enabled device and a personal computer.

If you are making use of a separate dongle, you will have to maintain it properly because it is sensitive equipment. On the other hand, having Bluetooth in built into the computer will simplify matters.

However, old computers do not have inbuilt Bluetooth option. Hence, transfer of data can become very difficult unless there is a connection with the help of the appropriate cable. Bluetooth is wireless and it is possible to transfer files from multiple devices simultaneously without any wired or cable connection.

Once the Bluetooth device or dongle has been fitted, one has to wait for the system to recognize the same. Recognition should not cause a problem as long as you are using a standard operating system offered by Microsoft or Linux. Even if the dongle is not recognized, there are many ways of manually searching for the device and identifying the same.

The Bluetooth device will come with its own set of drivers which must be run and installed at the appropriate time. Once this is done, the system will be Bluetooth capable and one can move on to the next step of searching for other Bluetooth enabled devices.

Once this stage is reached, the further steps remain the same for transferring files and shutting down the Bluetooth connection. It is advisable to permit only trusted devices to automatically give or take files from the computer. On the other hand, all other devices should seek and obtain specific authorization before any further transfer of information and data is permitted.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers, Gadgets Tagged With: , , ,

Using Bluetooth And Other Devices For Data Transfer – Do Not Ignore Security

TDK USB flash drive
Image by Le ciel azuré via Flickr

If your computer is a hub for all net activities in your office and if it is used as the main source of information for all data transfers, then it is imperative that you install a good quality antivirus and software application and a firewall in the device. The firewall will not hamper legitimate transfer of data. However, it will prevent unauthorized activities on your computer.

Having Bluetooth, infrared, USB, cable and net connection in the same computer means there will be multiple sources for transfer of data. In such a scenario, keeping track of all the possible options can be very difficult. By making use of a firewall, it is possible to switch on or switch off certain ports automatically.

If you refuse your Bluetooth device permission to access the internet, the hacker cannot make use of the computer, the net connection and the Bluetooth connection to steal data from your cell phone. On the other hand, if you leave your permissions open and if you permit the computer to interact with any and every Bluetooth enabled device around the periphery, then chances of loss of data or left of data will be very high.

Apart from the installation of the firewall, there are specific options and security features inbuilt in each and every device. Infrared devices must be placed adjacent to each other and there must be a clear path between the infrared ports before transfer of data can take place. Bluetooth devices always have the option of staying hidden so that others cannot see the Bluetooth enable device but the device can see all others who have hidden their Bluetooth connection.

The local area network, USB flash drives and wireless networks can be controlled with the help of the firewall. On the whole, make sure that all the necessary security infrastructure is in place before you proceed.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers, Gadgets Tagged With: , ,

A Look At The Evolution Of Data Transfer Methods Involving Computers

When the computer was invented, people focused on the best possible ways of transferring data and a digital file into the computer. This is the reason why the floppy disk was invented. Complicated technology was used to place the driver in floppy drives and the same was sold along with the computer or the software program.

However, the compact disc reader was invented very quickly because floppies were unreliable and could not contain large quantities of data. On the other hand, a 600 MB CD was more than sufficient to hold an operating system or big software applications without a difficulty. The biggest software programs would require two CDs at once. This was the maximum limit and software applications beyond one GB were considered unnecessary for the average individual.

As computers became more and more popular and became a part of the daily schedule, people realized that there ought to be a convenient way of transferring data out of the computer as well. There was no system for FTP so you could not just download filezilla and transfer files without external devices.  The floppy disk drive became more common and it was possible for individuals to transfer files using the floppy disk. However, it was the most unreliable method of transferring data.

There having innumerable instances where individuals have traveled with a floppy disk over long distances only to find that the disc has got corrupted. The CD writer, which was used by big companies to burn CDs, became more popular amongst the masses. Soon, CDs became the standard format for distribution of data in a reliable manner. However, these inventions had not sorted the basic problem related to data transfer.

It was just not possible to download ares and other file sharing software to transfer the files from one computer to another computer without using any physical medium. It was just not possible to transfer data with the click of a mouse. Rather, they always had some steps to be taken before one could successfully complete the transfer of data.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers Tagged With: , ,

Managing Resolution And Aspect Ratio Problems When Connecting Computer To TV

common (image) aspect ratio found in cinema.
Image via Wikipedia

There is a possibility that you may not be satisfied with the resolution of image on the television screen despite setting up the connection between your computer and the television properly. If you are facing this problem, then chances are high that you have not taken care of the resolution and the aspect ratio.

Most televisions have an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9. The former is commonly found in older divisions while the latter is commonly found in high definition television. On the other hand, the computer screen is not measured by the aspect ratio at all.

Rather, it is measured on the basis of pixels. Have you ever heard of any image of the size 800×600? If yes, then you know what resolution is all about. If you are not satisfied with the quality of image on the television, then chances are high that the computer has been set up for a specific aspect ratio while the television has a completely different aspect ratio.

The difference would be the same as what you would experience when you look at a mirror that is designed to distort the image rather than showing cleanly. In such a scenario, the best option is to let the operating system make the necessary alterations to the appearance on your own.

You may lose a bit of a screen real estate and may not be in a position to use the television screen completely. However, compromising a bit of a screen real estate is acceptable as long as you enjoy good quality visibility and resolution.

These issues assume significance only when you have a slightly older computer or a slightly older television. If you make use of recently purchased devices or recently manufactured televisions, you should not face any problems whatsoever. In most cases, the operating system is smart enough to adjust the resolution accordingly. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from making changes manually.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers, Gadgets Tagged With: , ,

Some Tips To Choose The Right Password For Your Wireless Connection

It is important to initiate steps to convert your wireless connection into a secure one as early as possible. The good news is that converting your wireless broadband connection into a secure one is not very difficult. There are specific security measures that you can opt for.

The simplest option is to assign a password to your wireless connection and make sure that it is known to only all those individuals who are authorized to access the same. Any other person who accesses the wireless connection will be requested to submit the password before proceeding.

Hence, the wireless connection will not be accessible to all those individuals who simply happen to be within the radius of your connectivity. Rather, it will be accessible only to those who have specific authorization to do so.

Do not make the mistake of assigning the password and concluding that your job is done. Just as you are advised to change the passwords of your bank accounts and mail addresses, you should change the passwords of your wireless connectivity as well.

Again, do not use those words and names which can be guessed very easily. Instead, try to go in for random numbers and keep them saved only in your wireless connectivity manager.

Many persons take care of all these tasks and then proceed to save the password in the cell phone as contact entry or on the desktop of their laptop. Well, you will be sending an open invitation to any and every hacker to access your wireless connectivity as and when he desires. You either have to memorize the password or you have to go in for such a combination which will be easy to remember but very difficult for other persons to guess.

Do not be satisfied with the protection offered by the router or the wireless connectivity manager. Make it a point to install a good quality antivirus program and a firewall as well.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Connecting Computer To TV – Makes It Easier For Aged Persons To Use Computers

The idea of connecting your computer to your television may seem very exciting. To access your hard disk and open all your files on the computer may seem very convenient. For starters, you will have a much bigger screen and will be in a position to enjoy images and movies much better. Secondly, it will be the perfect way to help your elders become computer friendly.

Many aged individuals shy away from using computers despite the fact that it offers many advantages simply because they are not comfortable with the view. When you have the screen stretched to fit a television, it is automatically going to become a convenient process.

While there are many advantages of connecting your computer to your television, it is important to keep in mind that there are certain technical issues to be considered. The screen of your computer is not just used for viewing content. It is also used for presenting the data in your computer and in easy to read format.

If you open a very big image on your computer screen, you will have to reduce magnification to view the same. In the same way, if you open a very small image on your television, you will find that the image is magnified to such an extent that it becomes completely distorted. Hence, the configuration and the sync between the file in the computer and the computer monitor should be maintained.

Hence, you may have to make minor changes to the size of your television screen. Do not expect each and every file to be blown up to fit the television’s screen. You can improve magnification but there are certain limits beyond which you will not enjoy the experience. You may have to incur minor expenditure if you have an up to date computer and the latest television.

Filed Under: Advancements, Computers, Gadgets Tagged With: , ,

Moving From Dialup To Broadband – Keep An Eye On Your Charges

Broadband internet access in Hotel.
Image by MJTR (´･ω･) via Flickr

The shift from dialup internet to broadband is very exciting things because broadband gives you speed that is many times more than the speed offered by dialup internet. However, many persons make the mistake of thinking that the speed comes for free.

There is a huge difference in the charges levied on dialup internet connections as compared to broadband connections. Since you can download huge chunks of data from the internet in very short space of time, the charges levied on broadband internet is always higher. Secondly, the account invariably has certain able to limits beyond which charges are determined on the basis of the amount of data you download.

While dialup internet connection was charged on the basis of the number of hours you are connected to the internet, broadband internet is charged on the basis of your usage. This is s smart move by the service providers because data usage will always be high when you have a broadband internet connection.

Since more work is done in less time, people end up spending more and more time on the internet until they reach the stage where their computer is always connected to the web. In such a scenario, the charges levied on the account can rise very quickly. Most service providers come up with a minimum limit below which the fixed amount will be charged.

Once the limit is crossed, the charges are levied on a per MB basis. Since broadband internet downloads data at high speed, you will find that your bill rises very quickly without any control.

The option of going in for unlimited internet seems feasible but that is going to cost to a lot of money because the service provider knows that you will be downloading lots and lots of data if you are permitted to download without any limits. Hence, it is advisable to keep these factors in mind when you were opting for broadband internet connection.

Filed Under: Advancements, Internet Tagged With: , , ,
Newer Posts »