Quantcast
Channel: Guides – Ebuyer Blog
Viewing all 305 articles
Browse latest View live

What is Internet Security and Anti Virus?

0
0

Anti Virus

Anti-Virus software is a crucial part of keeping your information safe. It protects your computer from malicious software, viruses and stops outside sources hacking into your computer.

Internet Security is the term used for a ‘full package’ of Anti-Virus security. This could include financial protection software, backup storage, mobile protection and anti-virus.

Internet security packages also offer protection when you deal with finances and purchases online. A computer without a security suit is vulnerable to a number of attacks, hacks and fraud opportunities the internet has lurking in its shadows.

Naturally an Internet security suite should not be used as a standalone wall against the big bad web. It should be used with an up to date system, updated files and careful internet browsing. A combination of these things will keep your online life protected.

So what is an Internet Security suite?

These are the major areas in which an internet security suite would protect you:

Malware – Is the techy way of saying “malicious software,” malware refers to software programs intended to damage or trick your computer. You will have heard them referred to as: viruses, Trojan horses, or worms-

Viruses, can destroy a computer’s hard drive by deleting files, programmes and corrupting software, they are the most common general category of malware

A Trojan horse is a software programs that masquerades as regular file but inside houses a  torrent of viruses and spyware. These programs tend to hide in harmless looking files like games or fake antivirus programs- Once downloaded the horse is free and the files get out to run amok on your computer

A Computer Worm is a type of replicating virus. It buries deep into your hard drive and replicates itself so many times, it eventually fills up your memory and slows the computer to a halt.

Spyware – Spyware is a form of malware that acts as a spy on your computer. It can gather data from a user’s computer without them even knowing. Information it seeks can include anything from card information, to keystrokes, to passwords and even to your location.

Phishing- Phishing emails are an attempt to lure the user into disclosing some of their important information. The most famous ridiculous Phishing email is from the ‘Prince of Nigeria, asking for a donation via credit card to help his country’. These ones are obvious but others can be much more convincing. Scammers have been known to replicate official bank and credit card emails. They would then send emails out to unknowing customers asking to update certain details. Once the customer entered their details, the fraudsters would have all the security information they needed to hack an account.

Spam- Unsolicited or irrelevant content you never signed up for. Often these spammy emails and messages can contain spyware. Anti-Spam programmes block out known spammy addresses and have options for manually setting trash bins for your own spammy emails

Here are few types of Internet security packages we have here at ebuyer:

Home use

Mcafee offer a full series of antivirus protection depending on the cover you need for your computer

mcaffe anti virus

McAfee AntiVirus Plus is the basic protection package. It will support you against Malware, run vulnerability reports and build a firewall so your computer is safe. This can be used by three computers at once for a year’s subscription.

McAfee Internet Security is a full protection suite.It will cover you against all the standard malware and viruses with the addition of an upgraded scanning engine and protection against spyware. It also has built in parental software and protection for your files.

McAfee Total Protection is the total protection package. It incorporates all the traits of the other editions like malware/spyware/virus protection with the addition of file encryption, quick scan time, social media protection and file deletion and shredding.

Business

Norton Internet Security For small business use, consider the Norton Internet Security Package. Norton offer a layers of protection and a fast scans to protect business from: Viruses, Online identity theft, bad files and websites, phishing scams, spyware, Spam and social media threats.

Multi device

kaspersky anti virus

It’s not just computer that needs protection, if you use the internet on a phone or tablet make sure you are just as protected as you would be on a pc. Kaspersky Internet Security – Multi-Device, can be used over a multitude of devices (three) running on various software packages including PCs, Macs & Android. The ‘flexible protection’ will let you mix and match which security you need on each device to avoid slowing down mobile devices.

 

 

 

 

For our recommend Anti Virus and Internet Security Products please click here

uk security home logo


Guide to Shredders

0
0

Shredders

Your identity is a valuable commodity and should be protected like you would any other treasured item.

Research shows that nearly a quarter a UK citizens have been a victim of identity fraud- the highest figure in Europe. A further 75% of people have been exposed to scams used by identity fraudsters.

Stopping identity theft is about monitoring what information you choose to allow out into the open.

One simple step to cut down you vulnerability is investing in a shredder. Bank statements, bills, receipts, credit card slips, and wage packets contain all the information needed for a fraudster to build a profile of you.

A study from ID Fraud campaign website stop-idfraud.co.uk shows 87% of people keep copies of personal information and 83% store at least some of these items in paper form.

52% of all fraud in the UK can now be accounted to fake identity details, or the impersonation of an innocent victim (Identity Fraud).

With a shredder you can safety destroy sensitive material that otherwise could be used by criminals to piece together a picture of you and impersonate an element of your life.

It’s not just in personal surroundings identity fraud hits. Consumer trust in business security is at an all-time low. “Just 5% of British people are 100% confident that the organisations they deal with treat their personal information in such a way that it will not accidentally fall into identity fraudsters’ hands” –stop-idfraud.co.uk

So what type of shredder is most suitable for you?

shredder level chart

Naturally you want to keep your files as secure as possible and depending on your environment, different shredders offer various options to aid destroying sensitive information. As the chart above shows there are three major types of shredder.

Strip cut- The standard line cut. These shredders are the most basic form of security, stripping paper into about 36 sheets. Although they will destroy the paper, these pieces can be easily pieced back together by criminals using computer software. These shredders are not recommended for information deemed sensitive. It’s advisable to only use strip cut shredders for destroying unusable paper.

Cross Cut – Cross cut shredders are a level above strip cut shredders as they will cut the paper both horizontally and vertically. Depending on what security level you purchase Cross cut shredders will cut paper into between 300-400 particles, that’s 10 times more than a strip shredder. These shredders are suitable for sensitive business material and home office use.

Micro Cut- Micro cut works like a cross cut shredder but with far more fine shreds. A4 paper is obliterated into anywhere between 2,000 and 6,000 pieces of confetti and is virtually impossible to piece back together. On many machines individual letters cannot be made out after a cut. Micro cut shredders are perfect for highly confidential documents and commercial use. Upper level ‘super micro cut’ shredders match the security requirements for government and financial sector use.

Take a look at some of the options you have when buying a shredder:

Home Office

shredder texet

Texet-MC146CD

This is the UK’s only Micro shredder for under £50! The Texet will take 6 sheets at a time and can shreds each sheet of A4 paper into over 2000 pieces. Its DIN 4 security rated and can hold 80% more paper than an equivalent cross cut shredder.

Small Office

Xenta M-0ND0-1

shredder xenta

The Xenta M-0NDO-1 is perfect for small office use. This Micro Shredder has a large 34L bin and can shred paper into 3000 pieces. It’s DIN 4 Security rated and can shred a sheet of A4 paper in under 6 seconds.  The M-0ND0-1 also shreds CDs, credit cards and staples with a separate opening and waste bin allows the separation of paper and CD/ credit card waste.

Fellowes 99CI

This cross cut shredder from Fellows is 100% jam proof and has safety in mind. The 99CL features SafeSense Technology which immediately stops shredding when hands come into contact with the paper entry, it’s also ultra-quite with SilentShred Technology minimising disruption to shared work spaces. The shredder can cut up to 17 sheets at a time, turning the paper into 3cm2 confetti.

Commercial

Fellows 425ci

The Fellows 425ci is a cross cut shredder designed for larger office use. The Jam Proof shredder can destroy 28-30 sheets at a time, turning A4 paper in 4x30mm cuts with ease. Its continuous duty motor allows full 24 hour shredding meaning ultimate efficiency is possible, no need to slow down in a busy office. The 425ci will also shred CDs/DVDs, Credit Cards, Staples and Paper Clips.

Rexel Auto+ 500X

shredder rexel

The Rexel shredder is perfect for multi-office use and large scale shredding. This Cross cut shredder can destroy a whopping 500 sheets in one cycle. It can also accept up to 10 sheets per manual shred. It has a dedicated cd/business car shredding port and is self-cleaning. The shredder will helpfully remove paperclips & staples before shredding, so no need to waste time fretting about jamming the blades with bit of metal. With security and safety in mind, the Rexel has the option of pin protected shredding and can automatically detect fingers near the blade.

Happy Shredding!

 

For our recommend shredder please click here

uk security home logo

What CCTV to use?

0
0

shutterstock_56864806

Winter is peak time for break-ins, with the longer nights providing more cover, criminals use the disguise of darkness to hide their activities.

Burglaries have been on the rise in the UK, figures show a 10% hike from 2011-2012 and experts are expecting that to have grown significantly thanks to the recent recession.

It’s in times like these that protecting yourself from crime is as important as ever. Video protection is one of the best forms of protections as it deters criminals or catches them in the act.

We’re going to look into a few options you have to protect you property using the latest Video recording techniques.

CCTV

cctv

CCTV or Closed Circuit Television is a video system intended for a limited number of viewers. CCTV is used for everything including banks, traffic and offices. Its gradual development has driven costs down and is now and inexpensive option to protect property or to be used as a Home Security System.

Securix SME4-R12-KIT

The Securix 4 Camera 4 Channel D1 CCTV System is a complete security system designed to protect your home or small business. The kit includes a 500GB DVR recorder so all captured video can be easily located, viewed and deleted. There are also two high resolution 540TVL outdoor cameras and two high resolution 540TVL dome cameras in the kit.

[TVL is the measurement in which security cameras are judged. Much like MegaPixel on your TV]

The Securix system is compatible with your iphone, meaning you can view real time alerts if movements occur on your property.

SMC4S CCTV Kit with 10.1in monitor

securix cctv screen

As with the previous Securix kit, this SMC4 combo set comes with a 500GB DVR and additional cameras. What sets this security system apart is that the DVR has a built in High Resolution 10.1” screen meaning you can set it up anywhere around the house or business to and watch in real time what’s going on. It’s perfect to set up in a small business where you need to monitor shop floor activity or in a separate room if you need to look after children. The 10.1” screen looks just like a traditional tablet so will not look out of place in a home.

The device is also compatible with most smartphone and Tablet operating systems including Apple, Windows and Android.

DVR

What is a DVR- A Digital Video Recorder is the device in which most home security systems record onto. Like an old VHS recorder the video is recorded on to a blank file, this can be SD Card, DVD, Hard Drive or cloud service. The advantage of a DVR is that it can store many files (hours of video) in a small location.

Homeguard 4CH & 8CH DVR 500GB

home guard cctv

For those wanting more flexibility with their home system, Homeguard offer 4 & 8 channel DVR’s that are ideal for large homes or businesses. These DVR’s are designed to be easy set up and can be used with a combination of security camera to suit anyone’s protection needs.

The 500GB hard drive can record footage continuously for between 25 – 100 days, depending on the number of CCTV cameras attached. The system also supports full 1080p HD with the ability select and deselect area’s for monitoring, meaning your alerts will not be triggered every time a garden tree moves.

Location Camera

Monitoring secluded locations or trying to trap fly tippers has long been an issue for security systems. The isolated areas these crimes tend to take place in usually don’t offer a constant power supply. This can also be the same for animal monitoring or farm security. This is where Location Cameras can come in handy.

Swan OutbackCam

swan outdoor cctv

This camera has been specifically built to stand alone and withstand the tough weather conditions. The OutbackCam is ideal for use in isolated locations. Its 100% battery operated and only automatically switches on when motion is detected, meaning you don’t need to sift through anymore useless empty footage that has drained your battery.

The camera and recorder are both housed in the same anti-corrosive, lockable shell. Video footage or still photos record directly to an SD card. When you’ve finished recording, simply insert the SD card into your computer to easily view captured video and images.

Secret Camera

cctv keyfob

You may not be James Bond but you can steal a few of his gadgets. The Swan Covert Keyfob is a micro-camera sheltered in a fake car Keyfob that can amazingly record in HD. The camera stores the video on a 2GB MicroSD card (will support up to 32GB) and take both pictures and video with a timestamp. The battery will last up to 60 minutes and is easily rechargeable via a USB

 

For our Recommend CCTV Products click here

uk security home logo

How to improve your privacy

0
0

Privacy

As people of the online revolution, we are becoming ever more inundated with stories regarding privacy invasion. Social media and websites have taken the brunt of the accusations but in truth privacy invasion is all around us.

How can you go about reducing your susceptibility to leaking information like a well-greased government whistle-blower? And how can you protect yourself in this technology rich world, where so many areas privacy can be breeched.

Privacy invasion is no longer only a celebrity bane, this encroaching on our behaviour has made it to the general public – It happens everywhere. Your internet activity is monitored, cellular movement are followed and consumer behaviour is tracked.

So what can you do?

Search Smart

shutterstock_155193296

Your first step should be to consider how you browse the internet. Assuming your Anti-Virus is up to date, the next stage of a potential privacy leak is a search engine. Google has a 94% share of the search market in Western Europe and as you can imagine, profits from its users data. Google uses personal information in a number of ways to tailor searches to the users needs, this detailed information can be used to market products directly at you. What Google know about your behaviour is quite amazing.

DuckDuckGo offers an anonymous search experience. The privacy focused software doesn’t track user information, searches are not tailored in any way to consumer behaviour and you are simply, an anonymous browser. Think of it as a blank search every time you go onto the website, your details can’t be sold to advertisers as there are no details to sell.

Real world

Amazingly one of the simplest deterrents to privacy invasion is often not considered. Always be aware of your surroundings.

If you travel and work on public transport, using laptops often- consider a Privacy Screen, like this, by Targus. The screen is a micro slim film that covers the front of a monitor, only allowing viewing from head on. Anyone sat at your side will not be able see what you’re working on.

privacy screen

WIFI

You wouldn’t hand your credit card to a shady store owner so why trust your details on a unknown WIFI network? Try and connect to networks that you know are legitimate. If you do connect to a public WIFI, make sure the ‘Public Place’ pre-sets are selected, meaning data is not shared over the network. Try and avoid going on websites that require accreditation details to be submitted, card numbers, bank logins etc….  A general rule is to always avoid purchasing products on unknown WIFI networks.

shutterstock_154973075

Encryption

The number of government leaks from lost hard drives and files found on trains is staggering, wars have be turned on less information slips. Simple encryption software protects your files if you do happen to be a forgetful member of parliament.

kingston_datatraveler_locker_plus_g2

USB Flash drives like the Kingston Data Traveller has built in Encryption. The DataTraveler Locker+ G2 hardware encrypts and password protects data saved on the device. Simply select a password during setup and be con­fident that all your data has a dual layer of protection. Flash drives can also be portioned meaning half of your drive can be open to use whilst still having half security protected. Almost like your own black box security within a shared device.

Wireless Routers

Sometimes a home network can be source of a serious breach in privacy. Amazingly some people’s home networks are still not password protected. It’s vital you set up some form of security question or password on your routers to prevent people either; jumping on the WIFI for free or causing more serious damage by using spyware and monitoring software to follow your activities.

Routers offer various forms of built in protection with varying levels for different products.

The ZyXEL SBG3300-N is ideal for business use, with multiple inputs the router has ADSL / Cable / Fibre or 3G connectivity options meaning you can upgrade connections easily. It also has great network speeds (Gigabit Ethernet & business-class N300 wireless) with a business-class firewall to protect users & files from threats & viruses.

For the home Asus’ mid-range router the RT-N53 contains a firewall for network security, with the additional features of flexible parental control. Meaning you can filter websites by restricting URL’s, type of site or even times of the day. You can also set up a guest network so visitors to your home can only access the internet, but have no visibility of your devices or files.

asus router

Backing up your files is always a great idea, especially if you travel around a lot or regularly update/edit software- Wireless routers can help with this too. Routers have the ability to share & secure your data files by using network attached storage (NAS), rather than just a standalone back-up hard drive for a single PC. The NAS device connects to the router allowing shared storage via the WIFI signal. Think of  it as your own personal cloud service, everytime you update a file it is saved onto your pc and the NAS drive. Its means you have remote access & back-up of files over any device that can send files via wifi.

For our recommend Privacy products click here

uk security home logo

How do you boot to Desktop on Windows 8?

0
0

win8 dsk

After the release of Windows 8.1 it’s now possible to recreate more parts of your old operating system to go alongside the new Windows 8 OS.

One of biggest changes here is the ability to now boot directly to your windows 8 desktop.

This means when you login, you’ll go directly to the familiar desktop screen, rather than the ‘new’ tiled start screen section.

The process is really simple:

Open the desktop screen

Right-click on the Taskbar and choose Properties

You will now have opened Taskbar and navigation properties, click the Navigation tab.

Under the start screen section tick the box Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in

Click the OK button to confirm the change.

win 8 desktop bootFrom now on, after logging in to Windows, the Desktop will be your default start screen. To undo the process simply un-tick the box.

There you go, Windows 8 with the comfort of all your old Operating Systems. enjoy

ebuyer-logo

How do you turn an Internal Hard Drive into an External Drive?

0
0

shutterstock_103713596

It seems like a pretty logical step. If you have an old internal hard drive you don’t want to use, can it be put to good use and converted it into an external drive?

Well the answer is yes… You can. And it’s easier than you thought. You just need a few extra parts and bit of forward planning.

It’s always a great idea to have an external drive as a backup just in case your PC does ever fail. If you have ever upgraded your computer or simply have old hard drives laying round it’s possible to convert the unit into an external hard drive.

As you can imagine by looking at the Internal Hard Drive, its lacks connections and protection for use in the big bad world. The SATA or IDE connections it comes with are only really useful if it is inside a computer. What you need to add is a way for it communicate with other bits of tech- Namely a USB or Firewire bridge.

For this you need an Enclosure [or 'Caddy' as they are known]. These cases are both converter, protector and holder for the internal hard drive.

Basics

Enclosures are boxes the internal drives sit in. They come compatible with two interfaces: IDE and SATA. Of the two, SATA hard drives are much more common now than IDE and are likely to be the one you need- Always check as the connections differ.

Size

Depending where your internal hard drive came from originally, the size of the drive will vary.

3.5 inch hard drives are used in desktop computers, with 2.5 inch drives found usually in notebooks.

3.5 inch drives are usually bigger, faster, and cheaper to buy, but a 2.5 inch device is naturally smaller and more portable.

Connection

Most external hard drives connect to your computer through USB (3.0, 2.0 and 1.1) or FireWire. Choose your connection type based on what your major use will be: Mac users focusing on video may consider Firewire as the computer is more suited to this connection. Your standard office backup user will find USB more useful.

Number of Bays

This option is useful for those wanting to backup large files or partition secure software. Some Enclosures offer different numbers of bays. Essentially how many internal drives it can hold in one box. A duel bay enclosure would hold two hard drives- double the storage of a standard enclosure.

Price

The enclosures tend to vary in price from £5-£100 depending on what you need it for.

A simple hard drive enclosure at around £5-10 will have one simple connection and be ideally suited for those wanting to use it as a straight back up.

£10-40 range is when you see a larger array of connection types, material qualities and speeds. These are aimed at those with more information to move: photographers, video editors and gamers.

£40+ enclosures tend to be the top speed specification, best used with high speed Hard Drives, many also have networking capabilities, meaning your hard drive is turned into a basic NAS drive- files shared via WIFI direct to a TV or tablet.

xenta hdd enclosure

How do you do it?

The process of housing the hard drive is very simple.

  1. Open the enclosure along the designated line. Some unscrew, others clip. Try and do it on a clean static free surface, to avoid contaminating the drive.
  2. Place the internal hard drive inside, if you have the right size it should be obvious how it lines up.
  3. Connect all the necessary cables. Usually, you’ll have a power source, SATA connection and holding clips…
  4. If it’s a 3.5” holder it’s likely you will need external power (included). A 2.5” will run off the USB connection.
  5. Then plug it into your PC and register it to your computer
  6. That’s it! Use your new external hard drive like any other external device!

Duracell Batteries

0
0

When using everyday gadgets, we often demand at least two things; power and reliability. Yet, the wrong choice of AA battery can sometimes let us down, meaning that it is important to consider all of the options available, no matter what you intend to use them for.

duracel

One of the most respected names in the world of batteries is Duracell, as it has long been associated with quality and value for money.

Duracell Plus Power AA is one of the company’s most popular products, as it gives reliable performance and long-lasting power for a whole range of different devices, whether it be a CD player, torch, electric toothbrush or television remote.

This value-for-money product is the result of Duracell’s typical attention to producing batteries of an exceptional quality that is almost unrivalled.

Indeed, there is a level of heritage associated with the brand that many competitors can only of dream of boasting, as it has been making quality batteries for more than 90 years.

It is this level of experience that has allowed the company to become one of the most recognisable brands in the world, with millions of customers considering it to be the best manufacturer of portable power in the world.

The company first came about due to a partnership between scientist Samuel Rubin and businessman Philip Rogers Mallory, who first met in the 1920s in Massachussetts, before working together to revolutionise battery technology.

The P.R Mallory Company soon began to sell mercury batteries to the military, which were seen as a better alternative to the carbon-zinc batteries that were being used in almost all applications at the time.

The Duracell brand itself was not born until 1964, with the name deriving from the term “durable cell”.

The name was allegedly confirmed when an executirve from P.R Mallory asked A-1 Durable Carpet  & Fabric Specialist Inc if they had a trademark on the term ‘Durable’.

The representative, who happened to be the son of the company owner, claimed that his father had originally set up a firm named ‘Duraclean’, before changing the name to be more like ‘Durable’.

Both agreed that Duracell was a better name for new battery, and a brand was born.

What is Powerline?

0
0

shutterstock_48226978

Powerline Networks are a way of generating great internet coverage throughout your home without using a signal booster. Powerline uses your home’s electrical wiring as a bridge for the internet signal between two points. Effectively turning your home into a giant internet cable.

Think about your house as a network of wires leading from room to room, socket to socket. All aspects of the house are covered and linked by a web of these power cables. The Powerline system piggybacks on these wires and delivers an internet signal via the electrical cables to its destination. You make use of what’s already built into the house.

Powerline works from standard wall sockets and usually comes in kits of 2, 3 or 4 adapter sets- They also can be used on a larger scale for small or bigger buildings.

powerline 1

How will it work in my house?

Let’s say you are struggling to get WiFi signal in your kitchen. Your router might be too far away and stuck behind a big thick wall. WiFi signal sometimes have issues when passing over long distance or with obstacles in the way. Powerline can remedy this by using the house wiring to go around the walls and deliver the signal direct.

So in this situation you would:

Plug in the main hub adapter to the wall socket closest to your modem- Link this with an Ethernet cable to the modem/router so the hub is ‘live’. Then plug the corresponding adapter in the room you want signal in- The kitchen in this case. Your internet signal is then sent from the main adapter hub through the electrical wiring to your receiver hub.

This receiver hub will then broadcast the internet signal either via WIFI (like your router would do) or via a linked Ethernet cable depending on which version of the Powerline kit you have.

powerline 2

Can I connect everything?

As long as all your rooms are powered from the same fuse box you can link to anywhere in the house. This included extensions, conservatories and even garden sheds. Just make sure that the plug your adapter fixes into is powered from the same fuse box as your hub.

What’s the difference between Powerline and a Booster.

WiFi Boosters are based on a wireless signal, whereas Powerline is a hard-wired connection. The WiFi boosters projects the signal to the next booster wirelessly like a beacon. They are technically more flexible (as you can boost anywhere) but the signal is far less reliable. It’s estimated you can lose up to 50% bandwidth when you wirelessly boost a WiFi signal.

A powerline adapter on the other had carries a much stronger signer via the wiring meaning the end product is a much higher bandwidth.

What about the signal strength

Although Powerline is the best option when boosting signal it will never carry as much bandwidth as a signal direct from a router.

Models vary in speed but a number of aspects can affect your ultimate speed. Old wiring, numbers of adapters and usage of sockets can alter the speed you achieve. For best results use standalone plugs, on new wiring with the highest connections possible.

powerline 3

Is it easy to set up?

Yes it is very easy to set up. All you need to do is plug the hub into a socket and Ethernet wire to the router. The second adapter goes into another socket. Then sync the two together and you’re away!

Why would I need Powerline?

There can be a number of reasons to use Powerline. It’s most effective when delivering internet signal to sockets that are well connected but where your WiFi struggles to reach.

It can be useful if you:

  • Want to boost a signal to an annexed room
  • Want boost a signal from an old Wireless Router
  • Struggle with signal upstairs or have a multi-floored house
  • Have a house with thick walls a WIFI signal struggles to get through
  • Have rooms with ‘dead spots’ of WIFI coverage
  • Are linking up Internet enabled TV’s/console that doesn’t have wireless capabilities
  • Want to access the internet in an extensions or conservatories (On the same fuse box)

 


What type of Headphones should I use?

0
0

Headphone-Header_2The current market for headphones gives the user a wide range of options for how they can listen to their music. If you’re on the go, at home or in public, headphones can be suited for all budgets, needs and styles.

Connections and types of Headphones can play a big part in how you listen to your music. Do you want something to listen to on the train? In the car? Or whilst you’re moving around the house? All these options can be accommodated for with the right type of connection.

If you’re looking for a particular connection type or are just seeing what’s available on the market, we’ve lined up three different categories of headphones with a few examples in the range.

These models are all ideal for the standard user: For music, film audio and audiobooks. We’re going to look at three different types of connections commonly available on headphones and how they’re used- These are: Cable, RF & Bluetooth

Headphones_Group

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Cable (Audio Jack connection)

An audio jack connection is the simplest link between device and headset. It is a cable between the headset and headphones. The natural advantage is the cable, unless broken, is a direct link between the device and ear that cannot lose contact. Most headsets have built-in cables but some are interchangeable, meaning you have option of upgrading to a higher connection or simply a different colour. Cabled headphones also have the advantage of not needing any external power.

ntune phone head

The Monster NCredible NTune are lightweight On-Ear cabled Headphones. The headset is designed to be a featherweight option for use all day whist still keeping a robust frame. We tested the headphones out and about during the day and were really impressed with the quality sounds and how comfortable the fit was on various head sizes. The Monsters were clear with a strong bass and produced a great sound for something of such small size . They struggled a little with noise cancellation on ultra-quiet tracks but on the whole felt like a good grade of kit. Designed as stylish and simplistic they wouldn’t look out of place on anyone out and about in town. The interchangeable cable has a ‘Control Talk’ microphone/remote for use with programs such as Skype or Mobile devices as well as doubling up as a stop/start button for your music on the go.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a great connection option for headphones as it cuts out the need for wires, whilst still keeping a pure connection. Bluetooth transmits signals over radio-waves at a short distance so the signal is strong and power efficient. It’s perfect for use with headphones as your personal area network (PAN) is at a short range, meaning the signal is strong giving you a great connection. Bluetooth is very power efficient and can be used at any point as long you’re in range of your twinned device. It’s a great technology to use if you’re in a car or the house and don’t want wires to tangle everything up.

xenta btooothThe Xenta BT507EBY are an entry level set of Bluetooth headphones ideal for use in a car or when you simply need your hands free. They are compact and minimalist so won’t take up much room and are charged via USB so no need for a bulky charger. The Xenta’s have a built in microphone and can take calls on the go. The sound quality is of a decent standard but not the same as standalone headphones or something of higher value. The headband style makes them perfect for runners and those needing to keeps their hands free.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Wireless RF

Wireless RF is the term used for other devices that use a radio frequency (RF), these headphones have a much larger scope of frequencies and can therefor transmit over a greater distance. RF devices can sometimes suffer in high traffic areas as other frequency can interfere with your signal, however this would only be in very busy areas. The RF headsets are fantastic for use around the home or in a large area. You can set up your broadcasting device in one room and listen to the signal in the garden.

Sennheiser RS110 II RF Wireless Headphones

Seeneiser_1

If you’re looking for a quality set of headphones in the mid-range price bracket the Sennheiser RS110’s are a fantastic option. Of the four we tried out for this article the Sennheisers’ were the best in overall sound quality and noise reduction. The wireless range is very impressive, we managed two floors and nearly 90 meters away before we lost the signal! The adaptive ‘Tune’ function on the headset meant we could change the frequency to find the strongest channel for optimum broadcast and no interference.

The RS 110’s receive a wireless signal from the transmitter, the box is a little bigger than you would usually find but Sennheiser believe it can broadcast the signal 150m under good conditions. These headphones are perfect for home use as you have freedom to walk around the house without the worry of losing single or getting tied up by wires.

Blaupunkt 112 Comfort Wireless Headphones

Blaupunkt_4

We were particularly intrigued by The Blaupunkt 112’s Wireless headphones. This set is almost a hybrid in headphone terms. It has the standard RF ability to broadcast over a decent range (30m) throughout your house, whilst also having the option of portability.

An ultra-small, USB charged, transmitter and long lasting battery life means the Blaupunkt’s are portable enough to be used on the go. Simply put the transmitter in your pocket and have the wireless headphones as you walk. Then when you get home, leave the transmitter around the house and use the wireless to walk free-reign around your home. It’s the best of both worlds and much easier option than interchanging between a Bluetooth or wired set.

The headphones come with a number of connectors to link your various devices and a spacious carry case if you need to store everything. Sound quality is again good quality but could be improved a little on external noise cancellation. The padded phones are very comfortable on the ear and mould nicely to your head shape.

Blaupunkt_3

Getting Started with your TV

0
0

shutterstock_105275996As Televisions have evolved over the years so have the techniques for getting the most out of the systems. The variations of TV’s on the market at the moment sometimes means its difficult gauge what you need to optimise your experience. We’re going to run through what a TV comes with out of the box and what you can do to get the most out of your fancy new system.

Setup

Unlike older TV’s, modern digital televisions require a little setup from the box. Most of the tuning is automatic but you need to be there to press buttons and insert the odd password.

Digital

Digital_blkmagEvery TV now comes with a Digital Tuner- That’s Freeview to you and me. All you need to do is plug the TV into your wall aerial or portable antenna and allow the system to auto-tune your stations. Many auto tuners will ask for your region, e.g. UK-Yorkshire, so that your signal is the strongest, it’s sometimes possible for your digital region to be outside your geographical region. So if you find yourself losing out on channels try the next strongest signal and re-scan.

SMART

If you’re buying a larger TV, the likelihood is that it will be SMART or at least SMART enabled. This means it will be able to connect to the internet so you can steam Movies, Music and Games. To do it you need to connect the TV to the internet and for this you need a WIFI Receiver or Ethernet connection.

Some TV’s have In-Built WiFi receivers like a laptop does- In this case all you need to do is go into the network setting and input your passcode to pair with the WiFi router.

Other TV’s have ‘Internet capabilities’ meaning you need to add an External WiFi Receiver like this Netgear Adapter or this LG Adapter. It’s important to note that not every adapter/receiver is universal. You need to make sure your wireless chipset in the TV is compatible with the adapter. Your TV’s manual will tell you what format you can use.

The third option is via an Ethernet Cable-Hard Wired. This is a direct link between you router and TV that carries the signal without WiFi. You can do this by simply running an Ethernet cable directly to your TV from the router or by using the Powerline system to carry the signal over further distances. [What is Powerline]

External Players

Large TV’s don’t come with built in DVD players so you may need to look at what’s available on the market so you can watch your favourite movies.

BLU-RAY

toshdvdIf your TV is 1080p enabled it may be worth looking at Blu-Ray Players. This is currently the highest standard format available for viewing external media and the quality is spectacular. Blue-Ray Players have the ability to play standard DVD’s so no need to throw your old collection away. It’s also worth noting many Blu-Ray Players are SMART-enabled so you can access various online video streaming services even if your TV is a standard model.

Media Players & TV Streaming

The rise of TV streaming services like Netflix, LoveFilm and iPlayer has seen consumers move away from rigid TV scheduling. Many SMART TV’s are contractually tied to one service or another, so to get all these options on one device you need a streaming player like the Roku box. This system broadcasts over 450 channels via a WiFi connection so you can flick between iPlayer, 4OD, LoveFilm and many more.

roku boxIf you want to play your own films, pictures and music on your TV it’s worth looking at a Media Player. These little boxes work as a go between from your storage drive to TV. Simply add all your files to your library and the Media player will convert them into a TV friendly format. Everything is done via WiFi so you can access you files with ease without rooting around for DVD’s.

If you are more Apple product inclined, Apple TV works on a similar premise by using files from your iCloud account to broadcast wirelessly to your TV, the device is then wired via a HDMI cable into your TV for a high quality connection.

appletv

Power Protection

With all these devices plugged into your sockets its worth considering a Surge Protected socket adapter. Turning these devices on and off at various times can cause power fluctuations in standard sockets, these surges in power can be lethal to certain devices. Surge Protectors are designed to manage power variations and individualise each application, making sure everything is safely managed.

Cables & Connections

shutterstock_79059355HDMI is the standard connection used between TV and device as, unlike RBG, it carries both Video and Audio- Cutting down the need for many cables.

Cabling from device to TV has long been a contentious issue. The cost of something like a HDMI cable can vary from £2 to over £100. There is undoubtedly a difference in quality between high and low end cables, however as to what difference you will see on your own TV is where the debate will rise. To get the best out of a BLU-RAY disk or games console on a high quality TV’s it may be worth investing in a Higher End HDMI Cable as the signal will be more responsive and clear. However for other use with standard devices that will not broadcast at such high standards there are some great value Standard HDMI Cables out there.

TV’s tend to come with 1-2 HDMI inputs, but with so many devices vying for the input how do you chose which one get priority? Well, you don’t have too- If you have a number of devices that all require a HDMI port simply get a HDMI Switch. Like a socket adapter the switch simply splits your HDMI signal, meaning you don’t spend half you TV time faffing with cables everything you flick between a DVD player and games console.

Apps and Control shutterstock_114917233

Universal remote controls have had their fair share of criticism, unreliability and occasional incompatibly has given them a bad name. Universal controls are good if they are programmed correctly, if the setup is rushed the remotes ability will be sketchy. Advice is to follow the instructions directly and don’t give up programming half way.

With smartphones and tablets becoming more popular Universal Remote Applications are on the rise and are becoming integrated with a lot of tech. Big brand TV’s firms like Sony & Samsung have their own remote apps for TV and some tablets have built in programmable universal remotes. As WiFi is developed further expect to see more WiFi remotes and apps hit the market.

Top 10 Cloud Storage Services

0
0

shutterstock_111596381Cloud storage has seen a huge rise in uptake over the last few years as more of our devices are used on the go. With big companies like Microsoft, Windows & Amazon beginning to wade into the market, who offers the best product if you’re looking to send your files to the big Hard Drive in the sky?

Here’s a breakdown on some of the most popular Cloud services available on the market today and what they can offer to the home/small business user. 

SkyDrive

skydrive

SkyDrive is Microsoft’s foray into Cloud technology and as you can imagine is one of the better designed services. The layout follows on with the Windows 8 tiled theme and is easily navigable when you’re involved. For those using Windows software SkyDrive is deeply integrated and is a great option for its ease of use. You get 7GB free to start with which can be easily upgraded to 50/100/200GB options.

What do you get for free? 7GB

Best Features –Usability over devices and integration with Windows.

Disadvantages- 200GB max storage at the moment and a lack of admin tools. 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

GoogleDrive

googledrive logo

Google jumped into the Cloud service in April 2012 with the GoogleDrive- A pimped up version of the very popular GoogleDoc’s format. The integration with google products and your account is seamless and the drag and drop upload it super easy. You start out with the free 5GB account and can upgrade for small amounts- 100GB is £4! As with many Google product Privacy is a bone of contention with Google’s ‘terms of use’ seemingly giving the company access to files that are uploaded to their servers.

What do you get for free? 5GB

Best Features- Silky smooth upload service and super cheap upgrade options.

Disadvantages- Can put up a bit of a fight on non-Google platforms and devices. Not available on Linux at all. Privacy issues have and will continue to be highlighted.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

DROPBOX

dropbox-logo1

Dropbox is one of the oldest and most popular standalone Cloud services. Released in 2008 Dropbox is very user-friendly and is already established across the various platforms. Dropbox allows users to create a special folder on each of their computers, where you can add files to, software then synchronizes the files and makes them available over the Cloud.

Dropbox is renowned for its file sharing system, simply post a link to your desired recipient and they can share files from your public Dropbox. You only get 2GB of storage for free but can earn more by performing basic tasks- Sharing on social media, recommending to friends etc…

What do you get for free?  2GB but you can earn up to 16GB

Best features- Super simple layout & features, easy install and universally used.

Disadvantages- It’s more expensive than its close competitors for ‘pro packages’.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

iCloudapple-icloud-logo-1

Those with Apple devices will be familiar with the iCloud service. If you need more space than the restricted Apple products come with iCloud offers additional storage.

Music purchased from iTunes doesn’t count against your storage limit. Obviously iCloud is perfect for use with the iPhone, iPad, iPod , and Apple TV. The software is geared more towards streaming than bulk storage so is much better for use with MP3’s and Videos rather than documents.

What do you get for free? 5GB

Best Features- Great for streaming and seamless integration with Apple products.

Disadvantages- Lacks a proper document storage system and doesn’t work well with non-Apple mobile devices.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Amazon Cloud

amazon cloud

Amazon have been a big part of the Cloud market in the business world but have been a little off the gas for the consumer market. Cloud has seen gradual improvements over the last two years and seen it split from the music streaming service Amazon Cloud Player. Amazon Cloud accounts get 5 GB of free storage, and like iCloud, music purchased through Amazon MP3 store doesn’t count towards the storage limit. If you are a regular Amazon customer or Kindle user it’s a pretty good shout but improvements need to be made to tackle the current in-crowd.

What do you get for free? 5GB

Best Features- simple, reliable and rewards Amazon users.

Disadvantages- File sharing is limited and the higher packages are more expensive than competitors.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

MediaFiremediafire-logo

For those wanting a lot for free MediaFire gives you 50GB straight off the bat- No cost. It also supports Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows and Android and iOS on mobile devices.

Naturally for something so big for no cost there’s going to be some drawbacks. Firstly you get Ad’s- this is removed for the paid version. There is an upload limit for standard users of 200MB per file.

All your files are not permanently stored on the server, files can be deleted by MediaFire due to “Account inactivity” which is a bit risky for Cloud storage. There have also been a number of reports of overzealous file rejection due  supposed “copyright infringement”.

What do you get for free? 50GB

Best feature – 50GB storage for free

Disadvantages- Ad’s & Risky storage policy for free users.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

BOX

Box logo

Box is a little more business aligned but can still be used as a consumer. The service is a great alternative if you don’t fancy one using one of the Big 5 services and their shaky privacy policies. The interface is simple and looks as good as any other service. You get a 5GB under the standard account but upgrading to the business model gets you about a Terabyte. The service is popular with small businesses due to the value for larger capacities.

What do you get for free? 5GB

Best Features- Business Orientated, great value, brilliant tech support

Disadvantages- Feels very business-like, 5GB free allocation lacks features

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

SugarSync

sugarsync-logo

For the platform hopping amongst you SugarSync is the best supported service over various devices. The smooth running file sync service will accommodate: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire, and BlackBerry. There’s no max file size for your uploads either so no need to worry about chopping files to fit. Many people in the tech industry enjoy SugarSync due to its reliability, control over choosing what to sync and support over major platforms.

What do you get for free? 5GB

Best Features- Intuitive, selective sync options and multi-platform use

Disadvantages- Cost for pro is high

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Mozy

mozy-logo

Although not the biggest name in Cloud storage Mozy has been around for a long time and has established itself in the market as varied option for both home and business. MozyHome, MozyPro, and MozyEnterprise offer different levels of storage for users. The MozyHome is particularly good value for those needing smaller size Cloud storage as a straight backup, cost is £4.99 50GB &125GB £8.99, you can bolt-on additional 20GB upgrades for £2 each. Mozy offers “One click restore” if you need to instantly download bulk files like system backups. The 30 day file retention means Mozy keeps unlimited versions of a file for up to 30 days.

What do you get for free? 2GB + Rewards for referring

Best Features: “Instant Restore”, established brand, low price for smaller ‘Home’ packages

Disadvantages- Power hungry when running alongside other programmes

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Otixootixo-logo

Want to have your cake and eat it? No problem. Although this technically not a Cloud service it is more of management client for Cloud services. Otixo is a single-stop platform for managing multiple Cloud storage accounts. Ideal if you have personal work account on, let’s say, GoogleDrive but have a corresponding work file on DropBox- Otixo lets you drag and drop files from each one and update as you go.

Otixo isn’t available for every Cloud service so make sure your service is eligible before you go ahead with it.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Poll

Is ripping a DVD legal?

0
0

shutterstock_83904403So you own a Movie on DVD and want to make a copy of it to put onto your Computer… Simple question, Is it legal for you to do so?

Well surprisingly, the answer is technically, no.

Under current UK law it’s still officially illegal to ‘Rip’ a protected DVD or BluRay. In fact it’s still illegal to reproduce any copyrighted media at all.  Doing so would break the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Digital Rights Management (DRM) for DVD’s.

The DVD’s are ‘covered’ by the Technical Protection Measure (TPM) placed on the disk which is the legal barrier that makes it illegal to rip the media. Think of it as a red tape seal around the DVD, not to be broken.

This is where it all gets a little confusing. Copying media on the DVD is allowed. Nevertheless, removing/breaking the TPM on the disk is illegal. The catch is you can’t do one without the other therefore making the whole process illegal.

Government officials are aware of the ridiculous contradictions in the process and are looking at rectifying the various legislations involved. However for the time being the process is still in a ‘grey area’ and by law, is illegal.

Hence why you won’t find big brand software like Microsoft/Apple offering DVD ripping software or building it into a Media Player.

John Townsend, Associate Solicitor at DLA Piper UK LLP explained the legal premise:

“Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 it is an infringing act to reproduce literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work in any material form, including storing it in any medium by electronic means.  This includes “format shifting” – being the transfer of copyright protected works into different formats (for example ripping music from a CD to create an mp.3 file).”

So why can I Rip CD’s?

shutterstock_119970892CD’s and the music industry work a little different to the DVD/Movie industry. The bottom line is that CD’s don’t have the same TPM on the disks, meaning you have the ability to copy media for personal use even though it is still illegal.

The law into digital copying is set to be amended on the back of the much publicised Hargreaves Report into copyright and intellectual property.

Mr Townsend continued to add “The Hargreaves review recommended introducing a limited private-copying exception for format shifting covering namely, the making of copies of lawfully owned works on different media for personal (and also immediate family) use.”

“Despite the current government endorsing these recommendations they have still not been implemented in UK law and subject to the content bring sold with express permission to format shift such format shifting remains a breach of copyright.”

The laws for copying music still haven’t changed, however the red tape has simply been lifted a little.  The advent of MP3 players to the market meant most people with a CD collection had to rip the media anyway to put it on an iPod anyway. 

Why are DVD’s & BluRays a special case?

In three words- Movie Industry Power. The money and influence behind some of the larger movie studios is massive. Copyright legislation simply hasn’t evolved with the times and the Movie Studios in the USA have fought tooth and nail to keep it that way. In this case, money talks and for the moment Hollywood is winning.

Is it Illegal everywhere?shutterstock_154065596

No, it’s a bit of mixed bag but the UK and USA are certainly in a minority. Countries like Australia have a ‘personal use’ policy, meaning you can make a duplicate of a media file you own and have purchased legally e.g CD/DVD/BluRay.

Closer to home, a clause in the EU Copyright Directive allows its member states to opt into a “personal use” section, meaning individual countries can allow their citizens to make a copy of legally purchased digital media for their own use. Most of Europe, with the exception of the UK, has opted into this in various forms.

Should it be legal?

Everyone can see the current law is outdated, awkward and simply boycotted, but would lifting the restriction completely be the way to go? Or would doing this ultimately damage the movie industry?

An argument against lifting the law completely is the ramifications of allowing easy distribution of a product- What’s stopping you sharing your ripped films with the world?

The music Industry had to combat piracy by shipping millions into downloads and streaming services- The Video Industry will have to continue following suit with downloads and steaming to stay profitable.

Another interesting argument against the lift is:  If you buy a copy of something once in your lifetime (a DVD let’s say) should you be allowed a permanent copy of it forever? In the past if you scratched a CD or unwound a VHS-you needed to buy a new one. Why should it be any different in the digital age?

What’s the next step?

The law is currently been kicked around parliament in the UK and experts believe a ‘reasonable compromise’ will be made next year. The US is however another story and their influence on the industry is incredibly strong/imposing.

Some companies are attempting to combat piracy by adding free downloads to DVD boxes. The DVD’s will come with a code or voucher to add into iTunes/Amazon so the user can claim a free download of the movie- Thus negating the need to rip from the disk completely.

For the time being however the law stands and technically you’re in breach of various copyright laws if you do chose to rip a DVD. Your property or not.

Opinion

As the law stands no copying of media whatsoever is currently permissible- So it’s interesting to find out what level of copyright infringement the public finds acceptable.

Do you think you are breaking the law by putting music on your iPod or tablet ? Do you copy media from DVD’s and CD’s…  and if so should it be legal?

How to disappear completely…Online

0
0

shutterstock_133875620Back in the day if you were a prominent bank robber or besmirched politician you could easily go “off radar” simply by unplugging your phone, changing your address or emigrating to Peru… easy stuff.

As we turn into 2014 how easy is it to remove yourself from the electronical world and how would you go about deleting yourself from the internet? Is it possibly to simply disappear from search engines, social media and online records or are we on there for good?

Well as you can imagine it’s a hell of lot harder than moving to Peru. The example we are going to take here is a moderate internet user that has major social media accounts but is not ‘in the media’.

This website JustDelete.Me offers advice and services for removing yourself from the online world. Let’s start with the basic stuff.

Deleting your social Media

delete facebook

Social media holds huge banks of information abour you and is usually one of the first things that will come up in a search for your name. Most social media websites have the option to deactivate an account, but this will simply postpone your activities meaning your data is still available. You will need to permanently delete your accounts to be fully off the radar. Most websites like Facebook and Twitter allow you to permanently remove your information after a cooling off period. Others however will only allow deactivation of an account.

If this is case you will need to create an alias to change all the default information to. Moving any search terms off your name to the pseudonym.

Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and LinkedIn all have relatively simple steps for removing your personal profile.

Hoover up those comments

Think about where you’ve commented and manually remove each and every one. It may be time consuming, but a simple account deletion will not remove comments you have already posted. If you can’t do it manually, you may be forced to contact the administrators to help delete the comments.

Cancel Your Email

shutterstock_2817255

This may need to done towards the end of your great purge, as many subscription services ironically ask you to confirm your withdrawal via a registered email.

Anyway, after unsubscribing you need to delete your email accounts. For free services like Gmail and Hotmail it’s a few simple steps and verification checks. Some paid for services do however require you to actually contact the company. This may either be via phone or email depending on their policy. It’s worth noting this make take a bit of time to complete.

Website affiliation

You need to remove any affiliations with websites that hold your details. This could range from simple logins to news services, user profiles or even online shopping. This one may be the most time consuming if you can’t remember what websites you’ve signed up to. Most websites have a cancel my account section but again some don’t offer the option so you need to go back to changing everything to your pseudonym.

Shopping websites have lots of details about you including card numbers, address and contact numbers.

A good way to remember all the accounts you have signed into is by filtering through your email inbox and systematically culling from there.

Blogs and articles

blog cancel

Blogs are notoriously difficult to remove from the internet as pages are cached in a number of various search engines. Websites like WordPress and Blogger don’t allow full deletion, just deactivation. In these instances you need to manually delete as many individual posts as possible and then change all remaining information to your pseudonym. Once again this will take time for the search engines to catch up and replaced cached files.

Subscription services & Online Games

This is another grey area where you information may not actually get deleted on ‘removal’ of an account. Services like Netflix and Lovefilm will keep you details retained just in case you want to re-join at some point. This means your email attached to the account is still searchable and any information you have on the account. Once again be sure to delete any information possible or change everything to your Pseudonym

Paid-for gaming services like Steam also have a similar policy, so make sure you remove any active games or credits from the account. It will usually, eventually be deleted due to inactivity if nothing is on it.

Cancel all mailing lists

Mailing lists sometimes work on a separate system to account logins so you need to trace your mailing list and completely remove yourself from their communications.

Online Record

personnel contact

Websites like 123 people, 192 people and White pages hold an alarming amount of information about your life. These services use national registers, phone books, national census and other material to conjure up an online contact list for anyone with any sort of presence- online or not.

You need to remove your online public records from these leading data sites… and it can take a long time! Each website needs to be contacted individually for you to ‘Opt-out’ of their service. Most of these companies require you to send an email directly specifying what you want removing i.e name, address, email etc…

Government databases also hold information on it’s citizens and require you to content them directly to remove details. You will also need a a pretty convincing story for your local government to remove all your details.

Mobile Data

With the influx of phones, tablets and phone technology, make sure your mobile data is not connecting to the internet. Take your contact details out of apps an services like GooglePlay and iTunes and remove any that use tracking services (which is most).

Disappear from Search- Link removal

google search

This is how websites that have had a bad reputation in the past build their rankings up again… Although you only want to do the first part, Link Removal.

Run searches on variations of your name to find anything you could have forgotten and remove it manually. This will literally mean contacting either the site webmaster or the search engine HQ itself.

It’s worth remembering search engines cache and save searches of old pages that could have already been changed by the webmaster. Since it’s not really in a search engine’s best interest to provide outdated results, these will generally disappear naturally over time.

Clean your computer

Your computer may be communicating with the internet via programmes and software. After de-registering from your software you need to restrict its access to the internet and only use you new approved identity.

What can’t you remove

delete ohhh

Some things unfortunately cannot be removed from the internet, unless you gain direct access to the system the information is on. These include:

  • Mentions of you in news items, blogs, videos etc.. That you have no login to.
  • Photos of you in other people’s online albums.
  • Interviews you’ve given that have been published online
  • Government-sourced information that is considered appropriate to keep publicly available.

How to: Save energy this Christmas

0
0

shutterstock_120988276It seems that not a day goes by without us being bombarded by the news of further increases in our energy bills. All of the so-called ‘big six’ companies have announced rises, leaving many of us wondering about the best way in which to stay warm and well-lit throughout this winter season.

Christmas is notorious for being a time of stretching our wallets and budgets to the absolute limit, so it could be argued that there has never been a better time to come up with ways in which we can save energy to keep the purse strings under control.

Of course, one simple way is to simply switch providers, but even if you do decide to take this course of action there are still a number of extra ways you can maximise the amount of cash you save.

One of the most basic tips is to just turn down your thermostat. There are always going to be times when we feel like there is simply no other option but to turn on the boiler and crank up the radiators, with the cold snap beginning to take a harsher grip on thermometers across the country.

Yet reducing the temperature of your home by just one degree celsius could make all the difference when your bill inevitably tumbles onto your doormat. In fact, figures from the Energy Saving Trust suggest that by a reduction of just one degree could help to cut your bill by ten per cent.

On a short-term basis, this might not sound like an overwhelmingly great deal, but it could knock £60 off your annual amount. That’s a saving too good to turn down for such a small change.shutterstock_154614863

Insulate

Heating your room is one thing, but without taking the right steps to ensure that you home is properly insulated, such steps will inevitably be in vain.

It is important to make sure that windows are not left open for prolonged periods, even though it can be tempting in order to get rid of steam or smoke when cooking.

Any draughts within the house should be addressed too and it is also important to close your curtains when the evening draws in, as this will prevent valuable heat from escaping.

Turn it off

It may seem obvious, but turning off electrical appliances when not in use is a great way to save money. It can be tempting to leave your Christmas lights on to impress the neighbours throughout the night, but the fact is that such an endeavour can often prove costly, not to mention that there are unlikely to be too many admirers of your stunning light show at three in the morning.

Finally, when it comes to cooking that all-important Christmas meal, there are still ways in which you can save energy.

When using your hob, always make sure you are cooking with the right-sized pan and be sure to keep lids on as much as possible in order to reduce heat loss.

The same goes for using the oven, as you should always keep the door closed whenever possible and try to make big batches of food (not that this should be a problem at this time of year), in order to make further savings.

Other ways you can improve your energy use include defrosting food overnight instead of putting it in the microwave and allowing warm food to cool down before placing it in the fridge.

Use Fiber-Optic Decorationsshutterstock_39085537

Fiber optic trees and decorations are a great option for energy efficiency as they only use a single light bulb located in the base of the unit. This means the who decoration is only powered from one source!

Turn it down and cover em’ up

To keep costs down consider dropping your thermostat down by a degree or two. The minor drop can save upto 10% on your heating bills and is usually unnoticeable. If you have multi room units, remember to only heat your active rooms. Simple quick fixes like keeping your windows shut and blocking drafts under door can also help you reduce the need for high heating costs.

Slippers are always the answerfrog slipper

Novelty slippers are both fun and frugal. keeping your feet warm can help you keep the house at a true temperature. Heat rises, and cold air falls, settling by the floor- So your whole body will feel warmer if your feet are warm.

Hats Help Heat

If you are really feeling the pinch, try wearing a hat indoor. You may look a little foolish ‘wintering up’ in your lounge but we loose about 45% of our body heat through our head- keeping it covered will help you fight the urge to flick the thermostat.

Switch to LED

led lights

Most LED lights use about 80-90% less electricity than a standard bulb. As Christmas lights are usually dimmed or covered anyway, LED’s are perfect low maintenance, low output options for the tree.

How do I find what Processor, Ram and Graphics card I have?

0
0

How do I find what Processor, Ram and Graphics Card I have?

It’s important to know the technical specifications of your computer. It means you can make an informed decisions on what type of software and programmes your system can safely run. But how do you find out what the technical specifications are?

Well it’s pretty simply all you need to do is open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)

How to:

The dxdiag box is basically a running measurement of your computers specifications. To access it you need to follow these steps.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Depending on what version of windows you have, either click “run” to open a new box or simply type in the open box at the bottom of the menu.dxdiag instrusctions
  3. In the Open box, type dxdiag then click OK or enter on your keyboard.
  4. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool should open
  5. On the “System Tab”, information about your Processor, Ram and Operating System is shown in the text below.
  6. Sound options are shown on the “Sound Tabs” and Graphics Card Info is on the Display Tab.dxdiag 2

 Why do I need to know this?

There’s no point in buying programmes or software your computer cannot handle.

Many programs require a certain standard of technical specifications to run effectively on your PC. For example a modern first-person shooter game will require a high-end processor, at least 4GB Ram and probably a graphics card. Anything less will slow the computer down and in some cases halt the game completely.


Go Pro vs AEE Action Camera

0
0

Go Pro vs AEE Action Camera

Action cameras are an awesome option for those wanting to record an array of footage in the toughest conditions. A good action cam should be able to stand up to a range of adverse conditions whilst also capturing quality video.

But what action camera should you use and what quality do you get from a top of the range option, compared to something that costs less?

We decided to test a top of the range Go Pro Hero 3 against a mid-range AEE SD Action Camera. We wanted to see what the difference in price equates to over the two devices.

In our test we wanted to establish what level of quality a budget Action Camera can offer and if the price tag of the Go Pro is really worth it?

Xscape

SKI, SURF and SKATE

We took the two cameras to the Xscape action Centre in Castleford to test the devices over three different sports- Ski, Surf and Skate.

We would test the camera on snow, water and hard ground to the review picture quality, sound, durability, low light capture, vibration and a water test.

Go Pro vs AEE

Since its introduction in 2010, Go Pro have been the market leaders in manufacturing rugged Action Cameras that produce a great quality image whilst staying super portable. However one of the biggest drawbacks to the GO Pro is its cost.  The Hero 3 is currently on the market at around the £300, that’s without any harnesses, stands or memory cards.

The AEE SD21 is relatively new fish to the Action Camera sea and will be hitting the market in early 2014 at around the £125-50 mark with many more accessories than its established rival.

What we liked

Go Pro

  • Low light video quality
  • Better slow motion
  • Turn-on inside the case
  • Easy to operate with gloves on
  • 4k capability
  • Great dynamic range

AEE

  • Comes with lots of extras as standard
  • New mounts are half the cost
  • Battery life
  • Laser sight mode
  • Much more affordable

The Test

Ski Zone

Xscape_1

Our first test was at Xscape’s SnoZone indoor ski slope. We were looking to test the picture quality, slow motion capture and ease of use at low temperature.

Go Pro

The first thing we noticed in -5 temperatures was the ease of use. You can turn the Go Pro on and control everything it inside its protective case.

The image and picture quality was great, very crisp and produced good colour rendering from the device.

The chest harness made for some good shots but the best were achieved using the pole attachment we created… think like long boom pole camera stand.

We accidently turned on the Wi-Fi mode for a short time and it severely drained the battery of the device, worth noting for those using it all the time.

We attempted some slow motion filming in 100fps and the Go Pro was brilliant at 720p. The filming made for some interesting shots, and the stability of the camera, even with our shaky camera rig, stayed well planted.

The lack of an LCD screen made it a little difficult to determine the correct framing.

AEE

The AEE was a little heavier than the Go Pro making the mounting a bit harder, but the harness still kept it steady.

The laser sight and the included LCD monitor made it super-easy to correctly frame our shots. We ended up using this as a guide to frame both the cameras, meaning the laser does appear in our comparison video- This can be switched off in the menu quite easy.

The battery on the AEE, even with the LCD screen attached, lasted so much longer than the Go Pro.

The array of buttons on the case made recording a little bit fumbly and the inability to turn the device on/off in its case was frustrating.

Slow Motion was not  quite as good as the Go Pro, even at the same 720p resolution. The dynamic range of the Go Pro particularly in the highlighted areas produced a nicer image.

FlowHouse

Xscape_6

Our next port of call was FlowHouse indoor surfing, great fun for those wanting to hone in their surf technique or body board. This test would challenge the audio quality and waterproof case.

Sound quality was pretty similar on both cameras, giving a useable and clear audio. The AEE seemed to peak sometimes when really loud noises occurred (like hitting the water) but the differences in the two were negligible.

Water proofing held up great on both cameras, even after our pro boarder battered them around doing tricks.

After the test we saw condensation did appear on the AEE housing, however this could have been to do with taking it in and out of the case In varying heat and the temperature mix from snow to indoor.

Its worth noting the Go Pro housing is only able to dive to 40m (more than enough for our test) whilst the AEE boasts an impressive 100m depth.

Battery life took a bit of a rinsing at this point, with the Go Pro battery completely dead after about two hours. Amzingly the AEE was still going strong and did so for the next six hours!

Outdoor test

As dusk settled we took the cameras outside for some low light testing. It was a bit of a disaster.

It was really dark outside, and both cameras struggled with trying to capture any quality images with such small image sensors. Neither cameras were really designed for night shooting but the go pro did out-perform the AEE in this area.

The AEE introduced a lot of noise and struggled with white balance in the orange glow of the street lights. The Go Pro still gave a grainy picture but the image was far more useable image.

As an additional test for fairness it would have been nice to try these cameras on a beach, in bright sunshine. However, our test was on cold December day in North Yorkshire not Sydney.  If our budgets ever increase we’ll run the test again.

Skate Park

Xscape_7

The final call for our Action Camera test was the Subvert indoor Skate Park. We enlisted the help of a few skaters to test the camera for durability and vibration.

The skate park was dimly lit and pushed both cameras to the limits in low light performance. Both produced a useable image but the Go Pro again had less noise and a nicer all round picture. The hard jumps, stops and turns really gave both cameras a shaking, but they both seemed to pick up decent video, which only became too wobbly a couple of times.

Using a pole stand for the cameras seemed to get nicer more stable shots, as there was no harness wobble. The use of the remote would be handy here, to control the system from afar.

By this time the AEE battery had valiantly given up after a stellar full day performance. We cracked into the additional battery pack which didn’t have an LCD screen. The laser sight came into its own here meaning we could accurately aim the shot, giving us more confidence in our framing.

In term of durability we had no issues with either camera both looking pretty solid after hitting the ground a few times and extensive movement in and out of the case.

Overall

Xscape_8

The Go Pro and AEE are both brilliant cameras to capture your action activities and make exciting home movies. We were really pleased with the quality from both devices.

The features of the Go Pro are undoubtedly of a higher quality, producing a better overall image and easier usability. It was the best camera on the day and was the choice of all our Pro’s. However the differences between the two may not be worth it for everyone, especially for the weighty £300+ price tag.

If it’s standard use you require, the AEE will fulfill your needs without having to re-mortgage your wife. It comes with more accessories and performs to a good standard for the price. It’s also a great option for those only using the camera on an occasional basis.

If it’s the sheer crisp quality and excellent dynamic range your put before the cost, then I guess you have already made up your mind. Go Pro It is.

Thanks to all the people that helped us out it the Xscape Centre Castleford. Thanks to SnoZone, FlowBoard and Subvert for their cooperation and loaning of their expert staff.

For more spec information visit www.gopro.com and AEE.

How to Install a Motherboard

0
0

#askEbuyerTV if you have any technical questions you want us to answer, and we’ll try and create a video and tutorial for the most popular.

Here’s a quick guide and video tutorial from EbuyerTV on how to install a motherboard.

What you need:

  • Motherboard
  • CPU
  • Ram
  • Cooling Fan
  • Thermal Paste
  • Antistatic mat or bag
  • Phillips-Head Non Magnetic Screwdriver

Instructions:

1-      Install the CPU into the motherboard. Before you proceed check that there are no bent pins on the motherboard where the CPU is housed. Once you are happy it’s in good condition place the CPU in the Motherboard the right way round. It will only go in one way. Once in place lock the CPU there by gently covering with the guard.

2-      Connect up the cooling fan. Apply a little thermal paste on top of the CPU housing, about the size of a pea. Place the fan on top of the CPU facing away from the CPU, securing it to the motherboard with the thermal glue. Then connect the fan wire to the corresponding connector on the motherboard.

3-      Fit the ram- Ram is super easy to connect. Simply line up the RAM block with the holder (DIM Slot) aligning to any guides or notches. Press down firmly and the clips should lock it into place. Repeat if you have more than one bank of RAM.

4-      Fix the motherboard into the computer case. Before starting you may need to apply some stand-off mounts to the pre-drilled holes so the motherboard is supported. Position the motherboard over the supports so the holes line up, then use the screws to secure the motherboard into place.

5-      Link up your cables- The look of these cables can vary between various models but the principles are still the same. First connect the CPU Power Cable to the motherboard power connector, these are usually 4 or 8 pin. Next connect the motherboard power cable it corresponding connector. Do the same for the USB Cable. After this connect the cables for Sound (speakers), Power Switches and LED Lights all to the motherboard

6-      Stand the computer up and check to see that everything stays attached. If so you’re good to go!

ETVLogo_Black

What does a Motherboard do?

0
0

shutterstock_94945096A Motherboard is the spine of your PC, it is the link between all the different components inside your computer. One of the major functions of a motherboard is to act as the “hub” to which other computer devices connect. A board can come in many formations to fit different needs and budgets.  

The Motherboard itself is a printed circuit board that allows the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components to communicate with each other.

There are huge variations in Motherboards from design, cases, power supply, size (Form Factor) and compatibility.

A motherboard from one manufacturer will support a single type of CPU and a few different types of memory. Other peripherals like video cards, hard drives and other components may not be compatible.

This means the choice of your motherboard can regulate your options when selecting components. It can control things such as what type of processor you can use, how much RAM memory it can have and what features it can support. This is why it is important to have a rough idea of what you need when selecting the right motherboard.

Websites like Computer Hope can offer advice on how to identify what the design of your motherboard is and components it will support.

Processors

An important feature to note on your motherboard is the socket used to hold the CPU. Different types of socket connections are found over various boards, each having varied configurations for the processor pins

This socket will determine the physical packaging of the processor that can be installed on it. In addition to this, the motherboards chipset will determine what specific model processors can be used with the motherboard.

Memory

As with processors, the type of motherboard can also impact the amount and format of RAM that users can install. Boards have a limit on the total amount of RAM they can support, but it’s often good practice to buy a board that has more memory room than you initially need, as RAM memory is often updated.

Form Factor

The layout of a motherboard is known as its “form factor”. The form factor affects where individual components can be placed and the shape of the computer’s case. There are several specific form factors that most PC motherboards adhere to, meaning they can fit into a standard cases. For a comparison of form factors check here.

Chipset

A Chipset is basically the middle man in a PC as it transfers data from part to part. The chipset is the spine that connects the microprocessor to the rest of the motherboard, therefore to the rest of the computer. On a PC, you will see two basic parts, the Northbridge and the Southbridge. All the components of the computer communicate with the CPU via the chipset.

Bus

A bus is the word for a circuit that joins one part of the motherboard to another. The speed of the bus is measured in megahertz (MHz) and refers to how much data can move across the bus simultaneously, better quality buses can handle more data at one time, therefore ‘quicker’ calculations.

Expansions Slots and Connectors

Expansion slots are hardwired options to you motherboard for adding additional components. The number and sort of expansion slots/connectors is important for what can be attached to the computer in the future. If you require specific connector or slot types, like USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt, you want to make sure your motherboard supports the connection. It is possible to get an expansion card to add connectors but performance is often much poorer than a direct integration into the motherboard chipset.

How to copy a CD and DVD to your PC

0
0

copy cd to pc

It’s one of the most commonly asked tech questions on the internet and can be a big part in learning how to use computers, so we’ve put together a brief guide on how to copy a CD & DVD to your PC

CD’s

CD come with various file formats and ways to extract the information. Depending on what information you have on the CD changes the way you extract the information.

Protected/Encrypted

Protected information on a CD will usually be Music. If you buy an official CD album/single there is a good chance it will be protected. To get the music onto a PC you need to use extracting software to ‘Rip’ (meaning copy and paste) the files from the CD. The most simple and easy to use programmes tend to be iTunes or Windows Media Player but any software that can ‘rip’ will work.

It’s a super simple process:

  • Insert the CD
  • You will usually be prompted with this dialogue box

audio rip box

  • Select the “Rip Music From CD Option”
  • The PC will then automatically import the CD into ‘My Music’ using Windows Media Player (or iTunes)- Should take a few minutes
  • When complete the Contents of the CD will be copied into the ‘Music’ folder and be accessible from Windows Media Player/iTunes or whatever software you use
  • Note you can chose any media player you like and the process will be similar.

Unprotected files

Many CD’s will have had files added without encryption. Pictures, Personal Recordings, Documents and Home Movies.

These files can be dragged and dropped from the CD to your computer.

The way to do this is to:

  •  Insert the CD
  • You’ll see a similar dialogue box as before, but this time press the “open to view files option”

Image-open-windows-folder

  • This will open to a screen with all the files in- They will be shown as separate icons
  • Select the files you want and drag them into the folder you want them in- In this case pictures are to be dragged to the ‘Pictures’ Folder

cd rip 2

DVD’s

DVD’s can carry much larger files and are therefore useful for Video.

For unprotected files you can use the same Drag & Drop technique for DVD as shown for CD’s

For Protected DVD’s the situation is a little different. As DVD’s tend to house movies the restrictions are far stricter. It’s technically illegal to Rip a movie from a DVD, even if it’s your DVD for personal use. It’s crazy, we all agree but that is the law. This is why the big firms like Windows and Apple don’t have official software that will rip your movies. This law has been challenged repeatedly over the years but rebuffed each time.

So, having said that, if you do have a DVD that you have the full rights to Rip the content for, all you need is software that will import the files. DivX, Roxio and a host of third party internet programs can help you there. Ebuyer does not endorse or review these programmes so check with an external source before you go ahead and rip.

The process from there onwards is as simple as importing a CD, but just takes longer due to its size.

How to turn your TV into a SMART TV

0
0
smartvbannerHow To Turn Your TV into a SMART TV Turning your regular TV into a...
Viewing all 305 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images