Scrapbook Page Ideas and Savings Too

September 27th, 2007 | Digital Cameras

Scrapbooking high tech? Hardly.

But let’s think outside the box for just a second…

99.999% of scrapbooks contain photographs, right? And 99% of all photographs these days are taken with digital cameras, right? So let’s just consider scrapbooking a relatively low-tech extension of a very high-tech industry.

Now that we got that out of the way, this post is just to inform you that, not only is RitzCamera.com currently offering 15% or more off of their scrapbook supplies, but they have a new page which categorizes the products by theme: Holidays, special events, school & graduations, weddings & anniversaries, vacations, etc. Even individual Disney characters are represented.

So, if you enjoy scrapbooking, you can also enjoy saving money and getting some great scrapbook page ideas by perusing Ritz’s scrapbooking themes page.

Scrap on!

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Tips for Keeping Your Computer Secure From Viruses

September 15th, 2007 | Antivirus Software

It’s getting harder and harder to protecting your computer from a growing array of viruses, trojans and worms. While you may feel a bit paranoid, you simply can’t leave your guard down for one second. Even corporate giant Microsoft and the Federal Government have found their own systems compromised on more than one occasion.

If you were online in earlier, more innocent times, life was simple then in terms of computer viruses. It was easier to catch and eradicate a virus because floppy disks were the primary way in which a virus were transmitted. Computer users simply scanned all floppy disks before they loaded them to their systems.

The growth of the Internet, both in terms of the sheer number of users and the speed at which data could move, changed all that. No longer could a computer user just worry about floppy disks as points of entry, but they now had to worry about email, email attachments, peer-to-peer file sharing, instant messaging, and software downloads. Today’s viruses can attack through multiple entry points, spread without human intervention, and take full advantage of vulnerabilities within a system or program. With technology advancing everyday, and the convergence of computers with other mobile devices, the potential of new types of threats also increases.

Luckily, the advancement of antivirus software has kept pace with current virus threats. Antivirus software is essential to a computer’s ability to fend off viruses and other malicious programs. These products are designed to protect against the ability of a virus to enter a computer through email, web browsers, file servers and desktops. Additionally, these programs offer a centralized control feature that handle deployment, configuration and updating.
Here are a few simple steps to help you protect your computer against the threat of a virus:

1. Evaluate your current computer security system.

With the threat of a new generation of viruses able to attack in a multitude of ways, the approach of just having a antivirus software program alone has become outdated. You need to be confident that you have protected all aspects of your computer system from the desktop to the network, and from the gateway to the server. Consider a more comprehensive security system which includes several features including antivirus, firewall, content filtering, and intrusion detection. This type of system will make it more difficult for the virus to penetrate your system.

2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently.

If you have a windows operating system, start by going to the windows Updates site and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your windows computer.

3. Only install antivirus software created by a well-known, reputable company.

Be sure you get antivirus software that is updated regularly. Even better, get antivirus software that is updated automatically by the vendor. This feature can bring you peace of mind in knowing that your computer will have protection from the very latest viruses even if you forget to update your software. Become familiar with the software’s real-time scan feature and configure it to start automatically each time you boot your computer. This will protect your system by automatically checking your computer each time it is powered up.

4. Make it a habit to always scan all new programs or files no matter from where they originate.

5. Exercise caution when opening binary, Word, or Excel documents of unknown sources especially if they were received during an online chat or as an attachment to an email. If, when you open these files, the program asks you to “allow macros,” close the file immediately.

6. Perform regular backups in case your system is corrupted. It may be the only way to recover your data if infected.

Just taking these simple precautions will increase your computer security substantially. You must be vigilant since it’s clear that the hackers and virus programmers never rest.

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Home Theater TV - 3 Televisions You Should Consider

September 12th, 2007 | HDTV, HDTV Deals

Okay, you are either planning to upgrade your home theater tv or looking to start from scratch and you’re thinking television.

Should you consider LCD or plasma? All pertinent questions and in this article we’ll give you three screens worth considering.

Sony

The Sony KDL40W3000 HD TV is a good performer with several excellent features. Home theater aside, this particular model is excellent for games users so bear this in mind when shopping for a tv.

There are plenty of features to consider with this model and depending where you shop, you could be expected to pay anywhere from $1600-$2500. This set features a high definition multimedia interface with PC connectivity. Apart from the brilliant color, this smart set also has the ability to adjust automatically the brightness levels in conjunction with the levels in the room.

One of our favorite features is the ability to use a screen freeze function for purposes such as gathering information before it disappears. It’s a typically well put together Sony product and well worth considering.

Samsung

Samsung have won a lot of friends with their 46 inch LNT4665F LCD HD model. This lightweight set has the performance output to match and one of it’s big features is a glossy screen and excellent contrast. With 3 HDMI inputs, plus two component video and PC input this set is not lacking in the feature department. This could stretch some budgets but at between $1800 and $3500 it is hard to beat.

Panasonic

In the world of plasma, Panasonic have the TH42PX75U 42 inch HD model which is an excellent buy particularly for those on a smaller budget. It has you covered in the sound department as well with a 20 watt speaker system which doesn’t skimp on power.

If Plasma is your interest then this is a tough set to go past. Choosing the right set is one of the toughest things to do when considering your home theater tv so spend a little time making your decision and the three sets listed a well worth investigating a little further.

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