Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama Back to School Event
Arlington, VirginiaSeptember 8, 2009
The President: Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today? I’m here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we’ve got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I’m glad you all could join us today.
I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it’s your first day in a new school, so it’s understandable if you’re a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you’re in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could’ve stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.
I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.
Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."
So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I’m here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year.
Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.
I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn.
I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox.
I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve.
But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.
And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.
Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.
Maybe you could be a good writer – maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper – but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor – maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine – but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.
And no matter what you want to do with your life – I guarantee that you’ll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You’re going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.
And this isn’t just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.
You’ll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment. You’ll need the insights and critical thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You’ll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.
We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.
Now I know it’s not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.
I get it. I know what that’s like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn’t always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn’t fit in.
So I wasn’t always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I’m not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.
But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn’t have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.
Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right.
But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.
Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.
That’s what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.
Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn’t speak English when she first started school. Hardly anyone in her hometown went to college, and neither of her parents had gone either. But she worked hard, earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University, and is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin Perez.
I’m thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who’s fought brain cancer since he was three. He’s endured all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer – hundreds of extra hours – to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind, and he’s headed to college this fall.
And then there’s Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods, she managed to get a job at a local health center; start a program to keep young people out of gangs; and she’s on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.
Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren’t any different from any of you. They faced challenges in their lives just like you do. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.
That’s why today, I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you’ll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.
Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.
I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things.
But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won’t love every subject you study. You won’t click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.
That’s OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who’ve had the most failures. JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
These people succeeded because they understand that you can’t let your failures define you – you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn’t mean you’re a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn’t mean you’re stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.
No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work. You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song. You’ve got to practice. It’s the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good enough to hand in.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust – a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.
And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.
The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.
It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.
So today, I want to ask you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?
Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Let the Battle begin!
The war of who leads in the internet search business just got hotter as t microsoft has sucessfully been able to get yahoo's agreement on their search business. This might be a threat to the giant in the internet search business-google. Google is also trying to explore by announcinig its own operating system read more here.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/Regulators-Likely-to-Green-Light-Microsoft-Yahoo-Deal-67735.html?wlc=1249168415
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/Regulators-Likely-to-Green-Light-Microsoft-Yahoo-Deal-67735.html?wlc=1249168415
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Before You Buy that Phone!
Mobile phones have become a fashion statement. They come in different brands and catchy models for all kinds of users. The mobile phone sector has made a significant impact on the field of communication with new technologies and better connectivity.
What kind of mobile phone are you looking for?
There are many fancy models flooding the market, but you should choose a model depending on your mobile phone requirements. A mobile phone should offer exemplary service for the money you pay. These days mobile phones use sophisticated operating systems which perform most of the applications of a laptop. A businessmen or an itinerant person can go for smartphones with a good web browser, e-mail facility and other in-built applications. If you are looking for entertainment options, then choose a phone with an MP3 player, FM radio or camera. There are also some basic models for buyers who do not want to pay for sophisticated mobiles.
How are mobile phones classified?
Mobile phones are classified based on their design and service provider.
Design:There are many designs and models available. Candybar models are the most common design. They are narrow and easily fit into a protective case. Flip phones are compact phones that open up to reveal a keypad and screen. The design prevents accidental dialing. Slider phones have a keypad that lies underneath the screen, giving it a small and chic look. There are some models with swivel keypads or screens that allow for two-handed operation when used horizontally. There are also tons of mobile phone accessories to jazz up your phones appearance.
Network:There are two mobile phone networks, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Each of these technologies follows different ways of transmitting voice and data. GSM is the most widely used worldwide mobile phone network. There are many GSM phones on the market from manufacturers of quality brands. Phones with tri-band or quad-band GSM can operate on multiple frequencies and can be used abroad.A CDMA network enabled phone is just meant for a particular network provider. There is a small range of handset models which cannot be used with other providers. This network provides a greater coverage area but has some pitfalls, such as limited call plans.In Australia, there are three GSM phone companies with their own networks, Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. Telstra also has a CDMA network.What features does a good mobile phone have?Mobile phones have an expansive array of features. Some meet your basic needs while others are much more advanced and give you wider options.
Ergonomics:Every phone comes with its unique design and look. Most mobile handsets, with the exception of 3G models, are compact. Manufacturers are trying to add more features to mobiles while retaining their small size with the help of flip phones, rotating screens and sliding keyboards. If you are a beginner, you would be better off with an easy to use intuitive interface. You can opt for more rugged phones if you will be using your mobile extensively.
Multimedia and Gaming Options:
Traveling can be fun with features such as an FM radio and MP3 player on your mobile. Consider mobile phones with memory card slots, as storage capacity becomes especially important for multimedia phones. Models that have an FM tuner will play music without the need to fill the phone with files or worry about storage capacity. Other mobile phones support streaming video and video conferencing. A Java-enabled phone can be used for downloading games as well as web browsing.
Cameras and Video Recorders:
Mobile phones can be used as a digital camera or a video recorder. You can take a picture anytime or shoot a video with most recent models. Some handsets have a very low resolution, but many newer phones have scaled up to 2 megapixels for improved picture quality.
Web Browsers:Phones with a web browser allow you to send and receive mail through Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail. You can also receive ISP mail through POP3 programs like BigPond and OptusNet, to name a few. Some phones feature Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browsers for wireless Internet access. Few higher-end consumer models are capable of providing full HTML browsers.
Connectivity:Bluetooth technology allows you to exchange or sync files with other mobiles or devices, such as PDAs. Infrared enabled phones can also be used for synchronizing with a computer or transferring files to a device. However, the device you are sending or receiving files with must be in your line of sight.Speakerphone and Conference
Calling:A speakerphone is a great choice for multitask. This hands-free option lets you talk while you drive. It is also useful for making a call while in a group. A large number of mobile phones support conference calling for business users or caller groups.
Memory:While the standard internal memory of a mobile range between 10 MB and 96 MB, a gaming or MP3 phone may have up to 500 MB of internal memory and come with a separate memory card slot. To get the best use out of your new mobile phone, go for expandable memory slots. They let you store a large number of files on the multimedia phone.
Battery:Generally, the charge carrying capacity of a battery depends upon the features and usage of the phone. Standby times vary between 10 days and 14 days while talk times range between two hours to eight hours, approximately. The most commonly used battery type is lithium ion, as it has a low self-discharge rate and a high storage capacity.
Other Applications:Every mobile phone has a phone book that lets you store your contacts. Some models include a voice dialing feature that lets you make calls without using the keypad. Almost all standard handsets offer organizer applications such as a calendar, alarm clock, stopwatch and calculator.What accessories are available for mobile phones?There are many mobile phone accessories available for your mobile. You can personalize your phone with changeable faceplates and mobile phone cases. The two most sought after accessories for a mobile are Bluetooth headsets and car chargers.
Headsets:If you are the kind of person who needs to use a mobile phone all day long, a bluetooth headset would be a sensible option. You can conveniently have a hands free conversation using Bluetooth technology.
Car Kits:Plug your mobile phones into car kits to utilize the car’s battery power, speakers and aerial. You can enjoy music from your phone in the car with these kits. The aerial and speakers provide enhanced sound quality.
What kind of mobile phone are you looking for?
There are many fancy models flooding the market, but you should choose a model depending on your mobile phone requirements. A mobile phone should offer exemplary service for the money you pay. These days mobile phones use sophisticated operating systems which perform most of the applications of a laptop. A businessmen or an itinerant person can go for smartphones with a good web browser, e-mail facility and other in-built applications. If you are looking for entertainment options, then choose a phone with an MP3 player, FM radio or camera. There are also some basic models for buyers who do not want to pay for sophisticated mobiles.
How are mobile phones classified?
Mobile phones are classified based on their design and service provider.
Design:There are many designs and models available. Candybar models are the most common design. They are narrow and easily fit into a protective case. Flip phones are compact phones that open up to reveal a keypad and screen. The design prevents accidental dialing. Slider phones have a keypad that lies underneath the screen, giving it a small and chic look. There are some models with swivel keypads or screens that allow for two-handed operation when used horizontally. There are also tons of mobile phone accessories to jazz up your phones appearance.
Network:There are two mobile phone networks, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Each of these technologies follows different ways of transmitting voice and data. GSM is the most widely used worldwide mobile phone network. There are many GSM phones on the market from manufacturers of quality brands. Phones with tri-band or quad-band GSM can operate on multiple frequencies and can be used abroad.A CDMA network enabled phone is just meant for a particular network provider. There is a small range of handset models which cannot be used with other providers. This network provides a greater coverage area but has some pitfalls, such as limited call plans.In Australia, there are three GSM phone companies with their own networks, Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. Telstra also has a CDMA network.What features does a good mobile phone have?Mobile phones have an expansive array of features. Some meet your basic needs while others are much more advanced and give you wider options.
Ergonomics:Every phone comes with its unique design and look. Most mobile handsets, with the exception of 3G models, are compact. Manufacturers are trying to add more features to mobiles while retaining their small size with the help of flip phones, rotating screens and sliding keyboards. If you are a beginner, you would be better off with an easy to use intuitive interface. You can opt for more rugged phones if you will be using your mobile extensively.
Multimedia and Gaming Options:
Traveling can be fun with features such as an FM radio and MP3 player on your mobile. Consider mobile phones with memory card slots, as storage capacity becomes especially important for multimedia phones. Models that have an FM tuner will play music without the need to fill the phone with files or worry about storage capacity. Other mobile phones support streaming video and video conferencing. A Java-enabled phone can be used for downloading games as well as web browsing.
Cameras and Video Recorders:
Mobile phones can be used as a digital camera or a video recorder. You can take a picture anytime or shoot a video with most recent models. Some handsets have a very low resolution, but many newer phones have scaled up to 2 megapixels for improved picture quality.
Web Browsers:Phones with a web browser allow you to send and receive mail through Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail. You can also receive ISP mail through POP3 programs like BigPond and OptusNet, to name a few. Some phones feature Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browsers for wireless Internet access. Few higher-end consumer models are capable of providing full HTML browsers.
Connectivity:Bluetooth technology allows you to exchange or sync files with other mobiles or devices, such as PDAs. Infrared enabled phones can also be used for synchronizing with a computer or transferring files to a device. However, the device you are sending or receiving files with must be in your line of sight.Speakerphone and Conference
Calling:A speakerphone is a great choice for multitask. This hands-free option lets you talk while you drive. It is also useful for making a call while in a group. A large number of mobile phones support conference calling for business users or caller groups.
Memory:While the standard internal memory of a mobile range between 10 MB and 96 MB, a gaming or MP3 phone may have up to 500 MB of internal memory and come with a separate memory card slot. To get the best use out of your new mobile phone, go for expandable memory slots. They let you store a large number of files on the multimedia phone.
Battery:Generally, the charge carrying capacity of a battery depends upon the features and usage of the phone. Standby times vary between 10 days and 14 days while talk times range between two hours to eight hours, approximately. The most commonly used battery type is lithium ion, as it has a low self-discharge rate and a high storage capacity.
Other Applications:Every mobile phone has a phone book that lets you store your contacts. Some models include a voice dialing feature that lets you make calls without using the keypad. Almost all standard handsets offer organizer applications such as a calendar, alarm clock, stopwatch and calculator.What accessories are available for mobile phones?There are many mobile phone accessories available for your mobile. You can personalize your phone with changeable faceplates and mobile phone cases. The two most sought after accessories for a mobile are Bluetooth headsets and car chargers.
Headsets:If you are the kind of person who needs to use a mobile phone all day long, a bluetooth headset would be a sensible option. You can conveniently have a hands free conversation using Bluetooth technology.
Car Kits:Plug your mobile phones into car kits to utilize the car’s battery power, speakers and aerial. You can enjoy music from your phone in the car with these kits. The aerial and speakers provide enhanced sound quality.
Printer Buying Guide
Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Epson and Lexmark are responsible for the majority of inkjet printer sales and printer supplies in the global consumer market. If you have plans to buy an inkjet printer, this article will definitely help you in arriving at the right choice.
What are the different types of inkjet cheap printers available in the market?
Basic Inkjet Printers:
If you need to print web pages, spreadsheets and text documents, a basic inkjet printer that uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and key) or black ink will best suit your needs.
Inkjet Photo Printers:
To create higher-quality photo prints, use six-color inkjet photo printers with CMYK ink as well as light cyan and light magenta. Do you want to print photos directly from your digital camera? Go for inkjet photo printers with an LCD preview screen, PictBridge to transfer images directly from your digital camera over USB and media card slots compatible with the memory cards you use in your digital camera.
Portable Inkjet Printers:
You should select a printer that weighs less than 5 pounds if you travel a lot on business.
Inkjet Multifunction Printers:
This printer allows you to print, scan and copy, all at the touch of a button. However, you will you have to compromise a little on quality. Printers with faxing capabilities are also available.
What is the maximum printing speed of an inkjet printer?
The speed of an inkjet printer is measured by the number of pages it can print per minute (ppm). A standard inkjet printer has three levels of quality settings: draft, normal and best. The speed decreases if you want high quality outputs. Manufacturers test the speed of a printer by printing basic text at the lowest quality setting, If you plan to print at normal quality settings, the real speed is likely to be about half the speed stated by the manufacturer.
If you often print graphics with your inkjet printer, speed is an important factor. Based on your printers system configurations, print mode, page coverage, document complexity and software, print speeds vary. In a standard inkjet printer, print speed for black text differs between 1 to 28 ppm. For color photos and graphics, speeds range from 1 to 20 ppm.
What resolution is good for quality printing?
Another area you have to concentrate on is print resolution. Printers are identified as being of good quality if they feature print resolutions in excess of 1440 dots per inch (dpi). The maximum color resolution that an inkjet printer generally has is 2400 x 1200 dpi. Some high-end models have up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. Look for a resolution of least 600 x 600 dpi for text printing and a minimum of 1200 x 600 dpi for graphics and photos. It is important to remember that the quality of output does not depend upon the resolution alone. It also depends upon the inkjet system used by the manufacturer and the colour management system.
In what way can memory capacity and memory card slots assist you?
Memory capacity should be a major factor when buying an inkjet printer because the built-in RAM cannot be expanded. You should check how much RAM is included with the printer you intend to buy. Basic models have 768 KB of RAM while the standard photo model comes with at least 8 MB of RAM for printing high-quality images.
Several inkjet printers feature memory card slots that support CompactFlash, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Secure Digital/MultiMedia Card and XD-Picture Card as well as other more advanced memory cards. Before buying a printer, confirm that it can read the memory cards that you already own.
Are you looking for a printer to share?
If you want to share a printer with other computers over a home or business network, you should check to see whether it has a wired or wireless connection. Inkjet printers connect to your computer through a USB or FireWire (IEEE 1394) port. Today, many printers use Wi-Fi technology to print wirelessly. Some models of inkjet printers are network-ready right out of the box, while others come in standalone and network-ready versions. The most expensive option is an inject printer that support a network add-on. However, this model may be more economical in the long run if you want to share the printer with other people.
What is the paper handling capacity of the printer?
The paper handling capacity should be of great concern to you if you print frequently or in bulk. In such cases, search for a printer that can hold a large quantity of paper at a time. Many inkjet printers have paper trays that take up to 250 sheets. Inkjet printers with ship paper trays can handle only 100 or 150 sheets and envelopes. Few business-oriented models feature option of additional paper trays.
Which type of printer cartridge is better?
Every standard inkjet printer comes with four ink colors based on the CMYK color method. Normally, the cyan, magenta and yellow inks are packaged in individual containers within a single cartridge. A separate cartridge with black ink is also included.
Today, most professionals use three types of inks for their inkjet printers. Solvent inks are low in price and used for producing vehicle graphics, billboards and banners. UV-curable inks dry quickly and are mainly used for good images. For better color and durability, dye sublimation inks are preferred.
While purchasing an inkjet printer, find out which type of ink cartridges it takes and ensure that replacement of these cartridges is easy. Also check whether you can replace individual ink cartridges or you have to replace the entire bunch at once.
Which are the inexpensive head designs for inkjet printers?
Every inkjet printer has either a fixed or a disposable head design. The fixed head design is built-in and lasts for the entire life of the printer. Most inkjet heads feature micropiezo technology for precise dot placement. With this fixed design, you do not have to replace the head every time the ink runs out. The disposable head design comes with ink cartridges. You will have to replace both the cartridges and print head once the ink is exhausted.
What are the consumables in an inkjet printer?
Many models of inkjet printers have detachable drums, printer ink cartridges, developer units, fusers and a few other components which need occasional replacement. Combining all these consumables into one cartridge is the best approach. Replacing an integrated cartridge is less expensive when compared to the expense of replacing individual consumables at a time. But if one component fails in an integrated cartridge, then you have to replace the cartridge itself. Also, find out the cost for per-page printing as it differs among cheap printers. The per-page printing cost can be calculated by dividing the price by the evaluated output of a cartridge.
If inkjet is not for you, consider laser printers.
What are the different types of inkjet cheap printers available in the market?
Basic Inkjet Printers:
If you need to print web pages, spreadsheets and text documents, a basic inkjet printer that uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and key) or black ink will best suit your needs.
Inkjet Photo Printers:
To create higher-quality photo prints, use six-color inkjet photo printers with CMYK ink as well as light cyan and light magenta. Do you want to print photos directly from your digital camera? Go for inkjet photo printers with an LCD preview screen, PictBridge to transfer images directly from your digital camera over USB and media card slots compatible with the memory cards you use in your digital camera.
Portable Inkjet Printers:
You should select a printer that weighs less than 5 pounds if you travel a lot on business.
Inkjet Multifunction Printers:
This printer allows you to print, scan and copy, all at the touch of a button. However, you will you have to compromise a little on quality. Printers with faxing capabilities are also available.
What is the maximum printing speed of an inkjet printer?
The speed of an inkjet printer is measured by the number of pages it can print per minute (ppm). A standard inkjet printer has three levels of quality settings: draft, normal and best. The speed decreases if you want high quality outputs. Manufacturers test the speed of a printer by printing basic text at the lowest quality setting, If you plan to print at normal quality settings, the real speed is likely to be about half the speed stated by the manufacturer.
If you often print graphics with your inkjet printer, speed is an important factor. Based on your printers system configurations, print mode, page coverage, document complexity and software, print speeds vary. In a standard inkjet printer, print speed for black text differs between 1 to 28 ppm. For color photos and graphics, speeds range from 1 to 20 ppm.
What resolution is good for quality printing?
Another area you have to concentrate on is print resolution. Printers are identified as being of good quality if they feature print resolutions in excess of 1440 dots per inch (dpi). The maximum color resolution that an inkjet printer generally has is 2400 x 1200 dpi. Some high-end models have up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. Look for a resolution of least 600 x 600 dpi for text printing and a minimum of 1200 x 600 dpi for graphics and photos. It is important to remember that the quality of output does not depend upon the resolution alone. It also depends upon the inkjet system used by the manufacturer and the colour management system.
In what way can memory capacity and memory card slots assist you?
Memory capacity should be a major factor when buying an inkjet printer because the built-in RAM cannot be expanded. You should check how much RAM is included with the printer you intend to buy. Basic models have 768 KB of RAM while the standard photo model comes with at least 8 MB of RAM for printing high-quality images.
Several inkjet printers feature memory card slots that support CompactFlash, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Secure Digital/MultiMedia Card and XD-Picture Card as well as other more advanced memory cards. Before buying a printer, confirm that it can read the memory cards that you already own.
Are you looking for a printer to share?
If you want to share a printer with other computers over a home or business network, you should check to see whether it has a wired or wireless connection. Inkjet printers connect to your computer through a USB or FireWire (IEEE 1394) port. Today, many printers use Wi-Fi technology to print wirelessly. Some models of inkjet printers are network-ready right out of the box, while others come in standalone and network-ready versions. The most expensive option is an inject printer that support a network add-on. However, this model may be more economical in the long run if you want to share the printer with other people.
What is the paper handling capacity of the printer?
The paper handling capacity should be of great concern to you if you print frequently or in bulk. In such cases, search for a printer that can hold a large quantity of paper at a time. Many inkjet printers have paper trays that take up to 250 sheets. Inkjet printers with ship paper trays can handle only 100 or 150 sheets and envelopes. Few business-oriented models feature option of additional paper trays.
Which type of printer cartridge is better?
Every standard inkjet printer comes with four ink colors based on the CMYK color method. Normally, the cyan, magenta and yellow inks are packaged in individual containers within a single cartridge. A separate cartridge with black ink is also included.
Today, most professionals use three types of inks for their inkjet printers. Solvent inks are low in price and used for producing vehicle graphics, billboards and banners. UV-curable inks dry quickly and are mainly used for good images. For better color and durability, dye sublimation inks are preferred.
While purchasing an inkjet printer, find out which type of ink cartridges it takes and ensure that replacement of these cartridges is easy. Also check whether you can replace individual ink cartridges or you have to replace the entire bunch at once.
Which are the inexpensive head designs for inkjet printers?
Every inkjet printer has either a fixed or a disposable head design. The fixed head design is built-in and lasts for the entire life of the printer. Most inkjet heads feature micropiezo technology for precise dot placement. With this fixed design, you do not have to replace the head every time the ink runs out. The disposable head design comes with ink cartridges. You will have to replace both the cartridges and print head once the ink is exhausted.
What are the consumables in an inkjet printer?
Many models of inkjet printers have detachable drums, printer ink cartridges, developer units, fusers and a few other components which need occasional replacement. Combining all these consumables into one cartridge is the best approach. Replacing an integrated cartridge is less expensive when compared to the expense of replacing individual consumables at a time. But if one component fails in an integrated cartridge, then you have to replace the cartridge itself. Also, find out the cost for per-page printing as it differs among cheap printers. The per-page printing cost can be calculated by dividing the price by the evaluated output of a cartridge.
If inkjet is not for you, consider laser printers.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Before You buy that Laptop
A laptop is the ideal replacement for your desktop computer. The greatest advantage of a laptop is its portability. Unlike desktop computers, you can easily move a laptop around your home, carry it to work or class and take it with you when you travel. Laptops are a big investment, so before buying one, you should consider many factors like the manufacturer, performance and features.
What kind of laptop user are you?
A home user wants all the features of a desktop PC in the form of a notebook. If you are a home user, then choose a notebook which is easy to carry and comes with the most basic computer applications. Students should opt for an affordable laptop which is light and durable. Frequent fliers need slim notebook models with long-lasting batteries. A business user should purchase a laptop with plenty of hard disk space and advanced security features while a gamer needs a fast processor and the latest graphics card.
What are the different kinds of laptop computers available?
Laptops for Entertainment:
Multimedia laptops are always more expensive and heavier than your standard model. These laptops come with a powerful processor, abundant memory and a large hard drive. You can use these laptops as a mobile DVD player, MP3 jukebox and a digital photo album. If you buy a TV tuner card, you can even use your multimedia notebook as a television set. These notebooks are ideal for PC gaming.
Laptops for Business:
Laptops especially designed for business use are ultra portable. These laptops are durable and more secure than the basic laptop. They are best suited for consumers who are always on the move. A good business laptop should offer a fingerprint reader or SmartCard support to prevent data theft. These notebooks usually have advanced computer applications and wireless capabilities, so you can work even when you are away from your desk.
Laptops for Home:
The home user typically uses a laptop for checking mail and browsing the web. These laptops perform general tasks. A high speed processor is an unnecessary luxury and tends to be wasted on most home users. Opt for a notebook with at least a 14-inch screen and a comfortable keyboard. These laptops are generally heavy, weighing more than 4 kg at times. Their average battery life is less than three hours.
What constitutes a good laptop?
Ergonomics:
If you are going to use your laptop extensively, then you need to be comfortable with the keys. Try a laptop with slightly larger keys to avoid straining your fingers from typing. Most laptops come with a touch pad or a tracking pointer instead of a mouse. If you are a PC gamer, buy a separate mouse which can keep up with the fast-paced action on screen.
Operating Systems:
The Windows XP Media Center Edition is a good operating system for entertainment laptops. It makes optimal use of multimedia features like TV tuners, radio tuners and media players. If you are a professional who prefers Apple notebooks but are concerned about compatibility, check out the dual boot models by Apple that allow you to install and run Windows as well as Mac OS X. If you prefer PCs, Microsoft Vista is an ideal alternative to Windows XP. Vista comes in several editions, including Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium for the home user, Vista Business for the professional and Vista Ultimate for the best of both worlds.
Memory and Storage:
All data and applications are stored in the RAM (random access memory). Many laptops commonly use 256 MB of RAM. Most business laptops and entertainment laptops come with 512 MB or more of RAM. The more RAM you buy, the more data you can store.
The hard drive stores all programs and files. For the average home user, a 20 GB hard drive will more than suffice. If you buy a laptop for entertainment or business purposes, a 60 GB hard drive will better serve your needs. Some entertainment laptops even have multiple hard drives for better performance. Hard drives come with different speeds. Most laptop hard drives have a speed of 5,400 rpm. However, faster hard drives go up to 7,200 rpm.
Display:
The size of a laptop is based on the size of the screen. Screen size starts as small as 10.6 inches and goes up to 20 inches diagonally. Most laptops have an LCD monitor. However, if you are using your laptop for CAD, a CRT monitor will serve you just as well, if not better. The screen resolution determines the crispness of your image. A 12.1 inch display uses WXGA resolutions (1,280 by 800). A 14 or 15 inch display typically uses WSXGA+ (1680 by 1,050), although a small number of notebook computers use WUXGA (1,920 by 1,200) instead.
Processor:
It is more difficult to upgrade a notebooks processor than it is to upgrade a desktop computer. For this reason, you should buy a processor with a speed that will best suit your use. Also, it is wise to choose a processor with less battery consumption. Processors with 1.4 to 1.6 Ghz are preferred by most users.
Battery:
Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in laptops. The average battery life is about 3 hours. It takes around 75 minutes to fully recharge a lithium ion battery.
Graphics Card:
A graphics card, sometimes referred to as a video adapter, is responsible for generating the images you see on a laptops display. For businessmen who need to do lot of presentations, a graphics card containing 32 or 64 MB of dedicated memory is the right choice. There are also specially designed cards for gaming. These cards are expensive and should be avoided unless you require excellent graphics.
USB Ports:
Laptop computers come with at least one USB port so that you can connect peripherals to the notebook. Recent models have a FireWire connection that lets you transfer digital information from camcorders or MP3 players.
Optical Drives:
Most laptops come with either a CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory), a CD-RW (compact disc, re-writeable) or a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc, read-only-memory). The DVD+RW/+R with CD-RW is a combination drive which will read a CD or a DVD and write data to a DVD as well.
Modem:
Laptops are available with integrated modems for dial-up connections, Ethernet ports for cable internet and DSL and wireless modems for Wi-Fi connections. Many business laptops also have a cellular wireless modem so you can browse at broadband speeds with just a mobile phone signal.
What kind of laptop user are you?
A home user wants all the features of a desktop PC in the form of a notebook. If you are a home user, then choose a notebook which is easy to carry and comes with the most basic computer applications. Students should opt for an affordable laptop which is light and durable. Frequent fliers need slim notebook models with long-lasting batteries. A business user should purchase a laptop with plenty of hard disk space and advanced security features while a gamer needs a fast processor and the latest graphics card.
What are the different kinds of laptop computers available?
Laptops for Entertainment:
Multimedia laptops are always more expensive and heavier than your standard model. These laptops come with a powerful processor, abundant memory and a large hard drive. You can use these laptops as a mobile DVD player, MP3 jukebox and a digital photo album. If you buy a TV tuner card, you can even use your multimedia notebook as a television set. These notebooks are ideal for PC gaming.
Laptops for Business:
Laptops especially designed for business use are ultra portable. These laptops are durable and more secure than the basic laptop. They are best suited for consumers who are always on the move. A good business laptop should offer a fingerprint reader or SmartCard support to prevent data theft. These notebooks usually have advanced computer applications and wireless capabilities, so you can work even when you are away from your desk.
Laptops for Home:
The home user typically uses a laptop for checking mail and browsing the web. These laptops perform general tasks. A high speed processor is an unnecessary luxury and tends to be wasted on most home users. Opt for a notebook with at least a 14-inch screen and a comfortable keyboard. These laptops are generally heavy, weighing more than 4 kg at times. Their average battery life is less than three hours.
What constitutes a good laptop?
Ergonomics:
If you are going to use your laptop extensively, then you need to be comfortable with the keys. Try a laptop with slightly larger keys to avoid straining your fingers from typing. Most laptops come with a touch pad or a tracking pointer instead of a mouse. If you are a PC gamer, buy a separate mouse which can keep up with the fast-paced action on screen.
Operating Systems:
The Windows XP Media Center Edition is a good operating system for entertainment laptops. It makes optimal use of multimedia features like TV tuners, radio tuners and media players. If you are a professional who prefers Apple notebooks but are concerned about compatibility, check out the dual boot models by Apple that allow you to install and run Windows as well as Mac OS X. If you prefer PCs, Microsoft Vista is an ideal alternative to Windows XP. Vista comes in several editions, including Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium for the home user, Vista Business for the professional and Vista Ultimate for the best of both worlds.
Memory and Storage:
All data and applications are stored in the RAM (random access memory). Many laptops commonly use 256 MB of RAM. Most business laptops and entertainment laptops come with 512 MB or more of RAM. The more RAM you buy, the more data you can store.
The hard drive stores all programs and files. For the average home user, a 20 GB hard drive will more than suffice. If you buy a laptop for entertainment or business purposes, a 60 GB hard drive will better serve your needs. Some entertainment laptops even have multiple hard drives for better performance. Hard drives come with different speeds. Most laptop hard drives have a speed of 5,400 rpm. However, faster hard drives go up to 7,200 rpm.
Display:
The size of a laptop is based on the size of the screen. Screen size starts as small as 10.6 inches and goes up to 20 inches diagonally. Most laptops have an LCD monitor. However, if you are using your laptop for CAD, a CRT monitor will serve you just as well, if not better. The screen resolution determines the crispness of your image. A 12.1 inch display uses WXGA resolutions (1,280 by 800). A 14 or 15 inch display typically uses WSXGA+ (1680 by 1,050), although a small number of notebook computers use WUXGA (1,920 by 1,200) instead.
Processor:
It is more difficult to upgrade a notebooks processor than it is to upgrade a desktop computer. For this reason, you should buy a processor with a speed that will best suit your use. Also, it is wise to choose a processor with less battery consumption. Processors with 1.4 to 1.6 Ghz are preferred by most users.
Battery:
Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in laptops. The average battery life is about 3 hours. It takes around 75 minutes to fully recharge a lithium ion battery.
Graphics Card:
A graphics card, sometimes referred to as a video adapter, is responsible for generating the images you see on a laptops display. For businessmen who need to do lot of presentations, a graphics card containing 32 or 64 MB of dedicated memory is the right choice. There are also specially designed cards for gaming. These cards are expensive and should be avoided unless you require excellent graphics.
USB Ports:
Laptop computers come with at least one USB port so that you can connect peripherals to the notebook. Recent models have a FireWire connection that lets you transfer digital information from camcorders or MP3 players.
Optical Drives:
Most laptops come with either a CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory), a CD-RW (compact disc, re-writeable) or a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc, read-only-memory). The DVD+RW/+R with CD-RW is a combination drive which will read a CD or a DVD and write data to a DVD as well.
Modem:
Laptops are available with integrated modems for dial-up connections, Ethernet ports for cable internet and DSL and wireless modems for Wi-Fi connections. Many business laptops also have a cellular wireless modem so you can browse at broadband speeds with just a mobile phone signal.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Life is Longterm
Life is long term in the sense that what we do today has a long way to affect how our future would be. A lot of people just think short term just because the do not see the end in view. they do things just because of the present gain and they do not think of how today's decision can affect tomorrow's events.
Even if the decision you make does not pay in the short term, its like and investment for the future. a very good example is the relationships we have. a lot of people can't keep relationships for long because they only think of what they can gain presently and once that is achieved, they move on to look out for another one and most times looking for how to be the only to gain, that in a way being a parasite.
The gain is supposed to be in both ways and not one-sided.
Always think long term, because it pays before you know it.
Selah.
Even if the decision you make does not pay in the short term, its like and investment for the future. a very good example is the relationships we have. a lot of people can't keep relationships for long because they only think of what they can gain presently and once that is achieved, they move on to look out for another one and most times looking for how to be the only to gain, that in a way being a parasite.
The gain is supposed to be in both ways and not one-sided.
Always think long term, because it pays before you know it.
Selah.
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