3D GRAPHICS SOFTWARE

The A53U features three USB2 ports out, as well as the standard VGA port that you find on just about every laptop. With the right USB-HDMI cable, you should be able to display any high-definition video you may have shot with your own camera, as well as video from a blu-ray play right on the backlit 15.6-inch screen.

One thing you will notice about the screen is the great color saturation and rendition that is offered by the AMD chipset. You can control much of your video right through the control panel or just by using the standard right-pad key on the rather large laptop interface pad that's available. The pad has an interesting feature in that it rejects falses causes by hands sweeping across the display pad, if you choose to use it. A standard Synaptics pad and driver software handles this.

The A53U is a real competitor to watch not only because of the video display it uses but also because it takes advantage of the AMD C Series Processor. A dual-core processor, it comes equipped with 3 GB of DIMM RAM right out of the box. It will also support a maximum of 8 GB of RAM.

As equipped, the A53U is equipped with a fairly quickly SATA 5400-spin 320GB hard disk drive so you'll have more than enough disk space to handle not only the Windows 7, but also the three USB ports to which you can attach a variety of devices.

The A53U also features a 0.3 MP forward-facing camera so that you can use Skype or another video conferencing process right away. In other words, this is a serious machine, ready to do serious work, even though it may not have the name Dell or Lenovo on the case.

ASUS has had a long history of surprising people and most will be surprised when they realize that the A53U is not only equipped with a multi-speed RJ-45 connector on the side -- up to Gigabit level, but it also is equipped with WiFi that understands standards b/g/n. Most older home routers understand b/g because they wlll give you encrypted over-the-air networking at speeds up to 54 Mpbs. When you add the n, you suddenly have WiFi that can combined upstream and downstream channels so that speeds of 300 Mpbs are possible, using standards such as WPA, WEP, WPA2/WEP enterprise and more.

The A53U has a sunken edge design which means that it can keep an almost-full-sized keyboard design available that includes a standard numeric keypad which is something of a novelty on any laptop.

As it stands now -- and after using it for a few days -- we have to say we were favorably impressed by the ASUS and especially liked on feature called ICECOOL technology. The way the body is built the heat that is built up by the CPU is wicked away from the user and your laptop isn't unpleasantly baked as you finish up a last minute review or Project slide piece.

What is a Content-authoring Tool?

According to Wikipedia.org, "a content-authoring tool is a software application used to create multimedia content typically for delivery on the World Wide Web. Content-authoring tools may also create content in other file formats so the training can be delivered on a CD (compact disc) or in other formats for various different uses. The category of content-authoring tools includes HTML, Flash, and various types of e-Learning authoring tools."

Course-authoring tools can create online courses, while content-authoring tools create subject specific online content. Subject Specific Online Content more than likely has less features and functionality than an online course created with a course-authoring tool, but, this depends upon the software used to create the content. In the e-Learning industry, we generally use the two phrases interchangeably, and in this article, I will do so also.

What is a Learning Management System?

Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are web-based software application platforms used to plan, implement, and assess learning processes related to online and offline training administration and performance management. LMSs provide an instructor a way in which to create and deliver content, monitor learners' participation, and assess student performance. LMSs also provide learners with interactive features, such as threaded discussions, web conferencing, discussion forums, and other methods of communication.

Generally, a Learning Management System has its own online content-authoring tool as part of the overall system. There are content-authoring tools / systems out there in the market that call themselves "Learning Management Systems", but really are just front-end and / or presentation-authoring tools, with little or almost no LMS functionality. A good Learning Management System should work with many types of content-authoring tools.

In fact, many companies may start out using one or two content-authoring tools along with their Learning Management System. As their e-Learning initiative grows and changes over time, they use different types of content-authoring tools to achieve the various effects needed. This is often due to business changes and the fact that in many corporate training scenarios, a Learning Management System or other larger, more complex enterprise software systems use content-authoring tools to develop the online training content that is managed.

What does SCORM/AICC compliant mean?

SCORM stands for Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model (SCORM), which is a set of specifications that, when applied to course content, produces small, reusable e-Learning objects. A result of the Department of Defense's Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative, SCORM-compliant courseware elements are easily merged with other compliant elements to produce a highly modular repository of training materials.

AICC standards apply to the development, delivery, and evaluation of training courses that are delivered via technology. AICC stands for the Aviation Industry CBT [Computer-Based Training] Committee (AICC), which is an international association of technology-based training professionals that develops training guidelines for the aviation industry.

Many e-Learning content-authoring tools are SCORM/AICC compliant. A rule of thumb is, as long as the content-authoring tool is SCORM/AICC compliant (creates SCORM/AICC compliant courses) and the Learning Management System is SCORM/AICC compliant (works with SCORM/AICC courses), they will work together.

Factors to Consider When Evaluating Content-authoring Tools

Situational Parameters

Remember that not all tools are appropriate for all training delivery methods. It's important to consider the context in which course-authoring tools will be used. As you gather information, keep in mind that as long as your online training is founded on good instructional design principles, the interactivity produced by the authoring tool you choose will strengthen the learner's experience.

Training Objectives & Delivery Methods

What type of training are you providing? Is it a blended learning experience? Will some training be online and some in classrooms? This will help determine which course authoring tools and LMSs you can use. Will you provide training on a CD Rom? Are your learners certifying on a product, service, or procedure? Are you teaching someone to use a certain software program?

Media Needs

What types of media will you use? Does the content-authoring tool of your choice support those file types?

Resources and Ongoing Support

Do you have the resources to support the types of online training you wish to develop? Graphic designers? Appropriate subject matter experts? Voice talent? Video producers? Models? Production Designers? Outside user testing? Etc.

What about after the training is developed? Does the training need to be refreshed periodically, anywhere from in 6 months to a year or beyond? Will any tests associated with the training change on a regular basis? Will you have the right resources and support in place for any ongoing e-Learning content development needs?

Funds & Timing

How much is budgeted for the project? Will you have a team of people to develop the training? Should you outsource? What things are specific to the type of training you will be developing that may be compromised by outsourcing? How steep is the learning curve associated with the tools you are thinking of using for the project?

Interactivity

What level of interactivity is required for the training? Simulations and other dynamic learning activities are great to have, but are they really appropriate or needed for the type of online training you will be developing? Flash has become the standard tool used for many interactive learning activities. If your authoring tool works with Flash, how much more do you need?

Plug-ins

Some course-authoring tools may need plug-ins, but this has become much less of a problem in e-Learning today than it was just a few years ago. Obviously, if you are dealing with a group of learners who are not technically savvy, have older browsers (IE 4.0 or below; Netscape 4.0 or below), or mostly use slow dial up connections, plug-ins become a real liability in regards for delivering online courses.

Platforms

What platforms will the training be delivered on? Does the online training you develop have to work across a combination of platforms such as PC, MAC, UNIX or others? Does it have to work across a variety of operating systems and / or browsers?

Total Cost of Ownership

It's always best to evaluate any software or systems acquisition by looking at the total cost of ownership (TCO). TCO is a financial metric designed to help assess direct and indirect costs related to the purchase of any capital investment, such as (but not limited to) computer software or hardware. In this case, the TCO would include the cost of the application, training, upgrades, maintenance, and any other costs associated with the company owning the product over its lifetime.

Conclusion

The course-authoring tool that best meets your needs will depend entirely upon your situation. In the long run, applying due diligence during the evaluation process will save you time and money.

Early Warning Signals

Does my system has virus? How do I know? The easiest way to detect the early signs of a virus attack is to check the speed of your computer. If it's running slow, there is a high probability that the perpetrator is on his task. Sometimes, your computer may behave like an out-of-control maniac and generate weird symptoms like strange sounds from the speaker or automatic appearance of new icons on the desktop.

Another option is to look for abnormal actions such as changes in screens and graphics and unexpected disk activity. Also, keeping a close eye on the amount of available RAM on your system will be quite helpful.

Getting on to the Battlefield

Once you are convinced about the presence of virus in your system, the next step is to organize yourself for waging a war on the virus intruders. A latest updated version of antivirus software can prove to be your peerless weapon in this combat. Run the antivirus software on your system to detect and delete the virus present in it.

Another technique of doing away with viruses is to manually detect and remove the suspicious infected files on your system. This method is not recommended unless you are a connoisseur because chances are always there that you may end-up deleting some useful files.

Prevention is better than control and this rule holds true here also. Following some small preventive steps will ensure that you always have a virus-free PC experience. The most significant of them is having a firewall in your system. A firewall acts as a shield of your system safeguarding it from the attack of virus and other malicious programmes. Second effective way is to refrain yourself from being tempted for opening e-mail attachments received from unknown source as they are hotbed of viruses. Thirdly, keep updating the version of your antivirus software for enhanced protection from recent viruses.

To find out why these issues are occurring, we'll have to go to the source of it. A driver is a program specifically designed to allow your windows o/s to communicate with your systems hardware component. Your systems components such as sound card, keyboard, hard drive, video card all require drivers for your operating system to be able to communicate with them.

If one of your drivers becomes corrupted or outdated, the end result in most cases is the inability of the component to properly communicate with your operating system. If the component is unable to communicate with your operating system then an array of problems can occur. That is the primary reason why many of the problems mentioned above arise.

It's a well known fact that ATIs drivers always have compatibility issues with operating systems. Because of this reality, ATI are constantly releasing updated drivers to fix theses many bugs. However, to put yourself in good stead, its best you have the latest drivers on your system and update them on a consistent basis.

One thing you should know is that the majority of ATIs drivers are designed for different operating systems. That translates into your ATI graphics card having different driver versions for the different operating systems. If you're unfortunate enough to install ATI drivers meant for Windows XP on a Windows Vista machine then you'll most likely experience system crashing, freezing and blue screen errors. It's important that you have the appropriate driver for your o/s.

Trick 1 - Always run an active virus scanner.
Whether you choose a free option or a paid subscription, active monitoring prevents many problems before they occur. If something does sneak through, you are already one-step closer to resolving the problem.

Trick 2 - Only install software that you trust and use regularly.
Many times a slow of a PC is the result of a too many programs running in the background. This is especially true of older PCs, as they tend to collect more and more programs and data as time goes on.

Trick 3 - Regular registry cleaning.
When you uninstall a program, there are often traces left in the Windows Registry. The Windows Registry is like a map, telling your computer where things are and how to use them. As the registry grows in size, so does the time it takes the computer to use it. Manual registry cleaning is not recommended, however, tools such as PC Tune Up can help safely keep your registry free of errors.

Trick 4 - Reboot your PC regularly.
With all the installs, uninstalls, updates and changes constantly occurring on your PC, it never hurts to give it a quick reboot. This ensures memory is available and any important system or application updates are applied.

Trick 5 - Cut down on graphical 'flair'.
Simply setting your Windows theme to classic or basic modes can free up a surprising amount of resources to give that extra zip back to your PC.

Trick 6 - Desktop Widgets.
These can add up to substantial memory and processor usage. Determine if the convenience of having them constantly on display is worth the loss of performance and remove unnecessary tools.

Trick 7 - Install Google Chrome.
If you have checked out this latest contender in the Internet Browser wars, take the few minutes to do so. While it may take a minute to figure out the subtle changes from your current browser, it is one the fastest and most responsive browsers available.

Trick 8 - Physically clean your PCs air intakes and exhausts.
When your computer gets too warm, it has to decrease performance to prevent damage. Avoid vacuums and liquids and they can create electrical issues. A small paintbrush will do the trick just fine.

Trick 9 - Keep your important programs up-to-date.
Simply find, and enable, the auto-update feature of your favorite programs. These updates are often important fixes or performance boosts.

Trick 10 - Update your graphics card drivers.
These days Intel, ATI or nVidia make most graphics cards. All three companies have easy-to-use websites that will detect your video card and update your drivers.

Follow these 10 simple tricks, and your computer will always be in its best shape. Some of the extra advices on how to fix windows problems fast, can be found here.

A survey commissioned by Cox Communications and NCMEC found that:

* Over half (51%) of parents either do not have or do not know if they have software on their computers that monitors where their children go online and with whom they interact.

* 30% of parents allow their children to use the computer in private areas of the house such as a bedroom or a home office.

Sexually explicit material is rampant on the Internet. Type in any innocuous term in a search engine and you can stumble across any number of sexually explicit web sites. Children could be doing research for school or trying to get to their favorite harmless web site and easily stumble across one of these sites.

Probably the scariest danger of the Internet is that with all the prevalent sexual material comes the sexual predator. The predator is a slick and wily character cloaked in sheep clothing and lurking in common child populated areas of the Net. Not long ago we saw commercials and TV shows about the predator hanging out at the playground. Well, now they don't have to leave the privacy of their own homes. They can prey at any number of online playgrounds without the fear of exposure.

Unfortunately, the very nature of children make them more susceptible to this sort of individual. Children lack emotional maturity that allows them to be more easily manipulated and intimidated. Couple that with a strong sense of belonging and the need to be accepted which can further compound the issue. Also, children are taught from an early age that they are to obey adults -- granted we, also, teach our children to not talk to strangers. However, a sexual predator can easily manipulate a child into thinking that they are a safe adult, or even possibly, an adult that they know and trust.

Affiliate Marketing

The affiliate marketing has quickly become one of the greatest forms of the online revenue makers. The affiliates would be required to be selling the digital products online. The products would include the e-books and the software. As an affiliate you could possibly earn up to 75% just in commissions.

A Freelance Writer

There is many sites that would be looking to be able to generate and better populate the new content for all of their visitors. But this would be very difficult to be able to continuously churn out the new and very interesting materials. As the result, the companies would then hire the freelance writers to be able to write their articles for them.

The freelance writers could find the work writing for many different things like the blogs. They would also be able to be commissioned on writing editorials or even product reviews.

Data Entry Job

The online data entries could vary from their offline counterpart. The online data entries would require you to be entering various types of their data in many different mediums.

Data entry would also be including going to different websites and uploading the content. The content could include many videos, different articles or any other forms of the digital assets. You might even have to be filling out the forms for the sites.

Graphic Designer

Many websites would offer graphics for the paid usage. The graphics that would be offered in the websites that you would belong to and would be created by the other graphic artists. The graphic artists will be creating the images and all of the graphics and then be uploading them all to this site. One person would then check the images out and then they would pay the original graphic artist.