How can I learn more about computers?

*Back to the basics. I have by no means given you a step by step approach to learning more about basic computing. To be honest, I can't remember basic computing, I remember my OSI model, principles, techniques, better means and practices etc. And I most certainly can't write it down, I wouldn't know where to begin?!
 For the beginners or not quite sure > Here you go.

This document is for anyone interested in learning more about their computer and how it works. Here you will find all related documents throughout Computer Hope that can teach you everything you want to know about your computer.

Computer Overview

Understanding each of the major hardware components that make up a computer is always a good first step in learning more about computers. To learn more about each of the components in the computer, its connections, as well as a full explanation of each of the internal parts of a computer, see our computer definition.

1. Transistors - The computer contains millions of transistors, which are used to create machine language using logic gates that turn on and off the circuits.
2. Machine language - All computers and electronic devices communicate in binary, which is a series of 0's and 1's or Off and On electrical signals. All software written on your computer is created in a high-level programming languagethat humans can understand. When complete, the program is compiled into a low-level machine language that computers understand.
3. ASCII codes - Each binary 0 or 1 is considered a bit and each number, letter, or other character is made up of eight bits (one byte). A common method for storing and editing text is done with ASCII codes, which is one byte of binary. For example, the lowercase letter "a" has an ASCII code decimal value of 97, which is 01100001 in binary.
   
4. Motherboard - The Motherboard is the largest circuit board in the computer that holds and connects everything together. Without the motherboard, components like your processor and memory could not communicate with each other.
5. Computer memory - Not to be confused with disk storage, the computer memory(RAM) is volatile memory and is used to store currently running applications. When the computer is turned off, all data in the memory is lost.
6. Computer disk storage - A non-volatile type of memory, disk storage like a hard drive is what stores your information even when the computer is turned off. All of your personal files, documents, songs, photos, etc. are stored in a storage device.
7. ROM - Another type of memory, read-only memory (ROM) is a memory chip that has data which can only be read. Most computers today have a programmable read-only memory (PROM), which is still read-only, but can be re-programmed if needed through a firmware update.
8. Memory capacity - All memory and storage has a total capacity that is written using abbreviations such as KB, MB, GB, and TB. See the full overview of all computer capacities for a complete understanding of all values.
9. Processor - The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the component responsible for processing all instructions from software and hardware.
10. Software and Hardware - Software is instructions and code installed into the computer, like the Internet browser you're using to view this page. Hardware is a physical device you can touch, like the monitor you're using to display this page. See the differences between computer hardware and software for more information.
11. Input/Output - A computer works with a human by inputting data using an input device such as a keyboard, having the processor process that data, and then displaying the output on an output device such as a monitor. The printer is also another output device and is what allows you to get a hard copy of documents and pictures stored on the computer.
12. Expansion cards - An expansion card is a card that can be added to the computer to give it additional capabilities. A video card, modem, network card, and sound cardare all examples of expansion cards. However, many computers may also have on-board devices, such as a sound card and network card that are built onto the motherboard. For a laptop computer, additional cards are added into the PC Cardslot.
13. Programming - All software running on the computer has been created using a programming language by a computer programmer.
14. Operating system - Every computer must have an operating system for software to communicate with the hardware. For example, most IBM compatible computers run the Microsoft Windows operating system and have the option to run alternative operating systems, such as a Linux variant. Apple computers only run macOS.
15. Network - Computers communicate with other computers over a network using a network interface card (NIC) or Wi-Fi that connects to a router. There are two primary types of networks: a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). The Internet is also considered a network, which uses the TCP/IP protocol.

How does a computer work?

Knowing how the computer works after you press the power button is also an excellent way to learn more about your computer.

How to use a computer

If you are new to using a computer and need additional help or want to gain a better understanding on how to use a computer see our how to use a computer document.

Computer history

The history of computers and how they have progressed over the years is another great way get a better understanding of computers. We've listed several thousand key events in our computer history section and list hundreds of computer pioneers who have made the computer industry what it is today.

• When was the first computer invented?

Keep informed

Computers and their hardware and related software are constantly evolving. Try to keep as up-to-date as possible by reading computer related news, blogs, RSS feeds, newsletters, forums, and following computer people on social networking sites like Twitter.

• Our RSS feeds and e-mail feeds
• Computer related news sites
• Computer Hope forum

Computer quiz

Ready to test yourself and learn more about computers at the same time? Take the Computer Hope quiz, which contains hundreds of computer related questions. After each question is answered, a brief description of the answer is given, as well as additional information and related links. When the quiz is completed, you'll get a complete overview of what categories you may need to learn more about and links to where you can find that information.

Free college courses

Many of the big colleges and universities have posted free online courses that can be watched by anyone, covering a wide range of computer related topics. Watching these online can give you a similar education to what you may get by going to school.

• Watch free online lectures

Online free books

There are hundreds of thousands of online computer books and computer related e-books that can be downloaded. See the eBook definition for a full listing of places to find books online for free and legally.

• What computer books would you recommend reading?

Additional information

• How does a computer work?
• How do I setup a new computer?
• Top 10 new computer user tips.
• Why should I learn about computers?
• How can I become a computer technician?
• What jobs are available in the computer industry?
• What are all of the advantages of using a computer?
• How does a computer convert text into binary or 0's and 1's?
• All computer learning and training related pages.

Afraid of getting ripped off online? (Updated)

*Simplified yet there is a much greater level to this.

Change the level of protection in the Junk Email Filter

**Update > This will get you a bit closer to it.

Junk e-mail messages, also known as spam, can be a nuisance in your Inbox. The Junk E-mail Filter in Outlook identifies messages that are likely junk and moves them to the Junk E-mail folder.

By default, the Junk E-mail Filter protection level is set to No Automatic Filtering. You can make the filter more aggressive so it catches more junk messages. The higher you set the protection level, the greater the risk of some legitimate messages being identified as junk and moved to the Junk E-mail folder.

1. Click Home > Junk > Junk E-mail Options.
2. Choose the level of protection you want.
   • No Automatic Filtering     Although this turns off the automatic Junk E-mail Filter, messages are still evaluated by using the domain names and email addresses in your Blocked Senders List.
     NOTE:  If you want to turn off the Junk E-mail Filter, you must also remove names form the Junk E-mail Filter lists.
   • Low     If you don't receive many junk messages, or want to filter only the messages that are the most obvious junk, select this option.
   • High     If you receive lots of junk messages, but don’t want to restrict messages from senders on your safe lists, select this option. We recommend you occasionally check the Junk E-mail folder to make sure that a message you wanted isn’t moved in error.
   • Safe Lists Only     This is the most restrictive option. Any message that is sent neither from someone on your Safe Senders List or to a mailing list on your Safe Recipients List, is classified as junk.

Just delete them!

You can tell Outlook to delete all suspected junk messages instead of moving them to the Junk E-mailfolder. This takes away your ability to review messages for possible false positives, so consider the risks of using this option.

1. In Mail, click the Home > Junk > Junk E-mail Options.
2. On the Options tab, check the Permanently delete suspected junk email instead of moving it to the Junk E-mail folder box.

The Reality Behind Living the Expat Life

*In my experience, it's the greatest thing that ever happened in my life!

Packing up and moving abroad is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are many things to be considered before making such a big move, including: How will you earn money? Where will you live? Can you speak or easily learn the language and culture? What will you do with your personal belongings? Will you need a visa? What will happen if you become sick or injured?

For many expats, living abroad is a big adventure that sometimes comes after years of researching, planning and dreaming of living elsewhere. For others it is because of a job transfer or new job opportunity. Whether it is because they are in search of something new or following their career path, living the expat life isn’t always glamorous and can be a lot of work.

The non-glamorous aspect of expatriate life comes from leaving family and friends back home and watching their lives move on via social media highlights, emails and telephone calls. If you are planning to be an expat, be prepared to miss the ones you love, and don’t expect them to visit you overseas.

You must be willing to start over. You can’t possibly bring all of your furniture and household belongings with you overseas, so you must be willing to start from the beginning. You must also be adaptable and be okay with living out of your suitcase (or even backpack!) until you have a more permanent residence. And once you have that residence, you may have to invest in furniture and of course, food and toiletries.

Secondly, if student life isn’t for you then you may want to reconsider moving to a foreign country. If you don’t speak the language be prepared to learn it and go back to school to earn any necessary credentials so that you cannot only live well abroad, but can work and earn a living.

Expat Visa Requirements

If you are moving abroad with a company then you may be granted a working visa, but if not be sure to research the terms and conditions of getting a visa in your country of interest. Even the most common jobs, such as teaching English as a second language legally require a visa.

You should also keep in mind that a visitor’s visa lasts, on average, three months so you will need to have a job lined up (or at the very least interviews), have a place to stay so they can verify you’re not living on the streets, and have a substantial amount of financial savings available should you need it.

Learning Local Culture

Even the most popular of expat countries, including Ecuador, Mexico, and Thailand are quite different in culture and language compared to the United States. Each have their own ways of doing things and can be amused at how differently foreigners are. It’s important to remember that you are living in their country (even if it is not forever!) and therefore you need to learn and respect their culture and language.

Although there may be other expats living where you are, living abroad can still be lonely, especially if you don’t speak the language. If you walk off the airplane without knowing anyone you need to make an extra effort to assimilate and walk around your new world to get to know it better. It will be difficult to not miss the comforts of home, including familiar fast food and traditions, but being forced outside your comfort zone can lead to exciting things! Remember, the more you get out there and familiarize yourself with your new location, the more inclined you will be to enjoy your time as an expat.

And while it is important to get out and learn your surroundings, you should also take the time to familiarize yourself with high crime areas and sections of the country that you should avoid. You should also protect yourself by ensuring you have the right health insurance to cover you in case you become ill, injured or are involved in an accident while living overseas. Expatriates have unique insurance considerations and therefore need to make sure they leave their home country with more than just their domestic insurance plan – especially since most plans won’t cover you while you’re away for a long period of time!

International Health Insurance is a Good Idea

Depending on the plan, international health insurance provides expats with either worldwide or regional medical coverage and will cover trip cancelation and delay expenses, evacuation services, repatriation services, as well as provide access to a global network of healthcare providers, hospitals and caregivers.

If you plan on living outside of the country for a long period of time you may not be able to take all of the comforts of home with you, but with the right expat health plan you can guarantee you are insured as you would be if you were living on home soil.

Start your insurance research early and remember although it is an important investment, it does not have to be complex. Start with an insurance company you trust, be honest about your needs and they should be able to find the best plan for your expatriate needs.

Full > https://www.internationalcitizens.com/living-abroad/reality-behind-living-expat-life.php

Seven Fundamental Steps of Becoming an Expat

So you’ve decided to move abroad and live in a culture other than your own. Maybe you’ve landed a job in the country of your dreams or you’ve fallen in love and can’t wait to live with your significant other. Whatever your reasons for becoming a world citizen are, you need to make some decisions.

Let’s first assume that you know where you’re going, you’ve done your research about the place, you have your passport and know which type of visa you require to stay there, and you’ve provided for healthcare and insurance needs, necessary vaccinations and medications.

After slow-traveling for the last six years, we’ve learned a few good lessons, some the hard way. We’re sure expats before the age of the internet managed, but connectivity has been our tireless friend. Through local websites, blogs, Craigslist, and city forums on sites such as InterNations, we have found vital information about everything from finding apartments and groceries, to local transportation options, to activities and entertainment.

Now on to the list!

1. Going. Travel arrangements to your destination are the easy part, whether it’s by plane, train or another mode of transportation. Check with your airline! Some countries are picky about travelers with one-way flights and will require you to have a return ticket in order to get a visa. Decide what belongings you’re taking with you, if you’re storing anything or selling it all, and whether you’re shipping a car or furniture. We travel light and don’t have a home base, so what we carry in our two suitcases and carry-on bags is our home.

2. Arriving. Where you’ll be for the first few days and how you get there from the airport, train or bus station is important. You will feel an onslaught of newness, strangeness, and awe at your new surroundings while probably being jet-lagged. You’ll need to know how to find a taxi or local bus to take you to your landing place, be it a temporary hotel, hostel, apartment, rental home or your permanent home. Note: Grab some local cash at the first ATM you find.

3. Communications. Figure out the basics. If mail is a factor for you, consider a mail service company in your home country. We’ve had great experiences with Earth Class Mail for seven years. For cell service unlock your phone and get SIM cards in your new country or purchase phones. Internet connections are available almost everywhere, and most expats agree that staying in touch with family and friends is critical and helps minimize homesickness. Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Instagram and apps like WhatsApp are valuable tools. So find out how you’ll connect to the internet, and don’t forget your country-specific electrical adapters for your devices and appliances!

4. Finances. Whether you have or will look for a job, work remotely, or retire, research banking options in your new home. We work remotely so using a mail service, being able to deposit checks in our domestic bank and using ATMs has been crucial for us. Many expats maintain a bank account in their home country as well as one in their new home. But do your research about what it takes to open a local bank account. Note: Warnings about ATM use abound but you get the best exchange rate and we’ve never had a problem.

5. Connections. How will you connect with other expats, meet local residents, make friends and get grounded in your new home? While immersing yourself in your new culture, other expats are invaluable sources of information and help. Look for social meet-up groups or language exchanges and locate yoga classes, gyms, libraries, book clubs, or other places you can meet both locals and fellow expats.

6. Language. You’ll want and need to be able to communicate with people in your new home. Everything involves language. Gestures take you only so far. Obviously, language schools are everywhere or you can self-learn with CDs, podcasts, or local TV. No matter your ability level, just putting yourself out there and trying is well received by residents. In Buenos Aires for our long-term stay, we advertised on Craigslist and BANewcomers, a local newcomers group, to find our Spanish tutor who also became our friend. However you learn, you’ll be well rewarded for the time and effort you invest in learning the language.

7. Mindset. Enjoy your initial excitement and wonder, and carry it with you as you explore your new world. Jump in, and be open, trusting and patient. Living abroad is a unique exercise in mindfulness, being non-judgmental, embracing change and discovering more about yourself. Have fun, listen, smile! Keep a journal! Make a fool of and laugh at yourself. People are pretty much the same everywhere and they will laugh with you.

Here's an impressive desktop / mobile app

*I know my technical skills very well yet I'm not a good teacher / writer and I never make excuses so I researched apps to assist me.
 Grammarly, it's free and it's great!

https://app.grammarly.com/

LT-2D3D Laser Templator – Countertop Industry

The LT-2D3D Laser Templator has been carefully designed and built to increase your efficiency and accuracy while reducing your production costs and headaches caused by other methods of templating. Whether it is countertops, backsplashes, cabinets, stairs, shower enclosures, tub decks, windows, boat covers, boat hulls, awnings, shade sails or anything else you can think of measuring, the LT-2D3D is the best choice. Carrying an accuracy of ­­± 0.0625”, all your countertops and backsplashes will fit perfectly.

Our software has been custom designed to allow anyone to quickly and efficiently learn and excel as a templator. It is translated into 13 languages so it can be used all over the world. It will export jobs in DXF, DWG, XML, and ORD and create customer reports and shop sheets in PDF. The included tablet captures and saves pictures right into the job folder for quick references, create estimates, and allows the customer to sign off on a job right on site.

With the LT-2D3D, you can template and finish a job onsite within 15 minutes. Then, email it back to the office to allow fabrication to start by the time you make it to the next job site. It comes with a 1-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and has absolutely no maintenance. An extended warranty is also available after the first year.

Return on Investment

Whether you are a manual or CNC capable fabricator, if you are doing at least 3 kitchens per week the LT-2D3D Laser Templator will save you time and money. With increased productivity, less errors, reduced templating and installation times, and the elimination of manual templating materials, the Laser Templator pays for itself within months. Add in reduced drive-backs to the to the shop in gas-guzzling trucks by emailing completed jobs, saving money has never been easier. Use our Return on Investment calculator to see how much you will save using the LT-2D3D Laser Templator.

Known for consistency, reliability, and performance, the LT-2D3D Laser Templator has won more awards than any other digital  templator including the 2015 Best Product at StonExpo and most recently a Best of KBIS finalist in 2017.

Whether you fabricate a couple kitchens or 25 a week, the LT-2D3D Laser Templator will give you the precision and speed needed to make every job perfect. When it comes to laser templating and measuring, we have been at the forefront since 1994.

Discuss your intentions > http://laserproductsus.com/products/lt-2d3d-laser-templator/

Be a Game Developer.

https://www.codingmadesimple.com/

Is LinkedIn a Waste of Time?

The Pitfalls of Job Searching on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is heavily utilized by recruiters and employers to source candidates for employment, but it can be a waste of time if you’re not using it effectively. It also can be a useful tool for job hunting, career networkingand professional development. However, it's imperative that you properly make use of LinkedIn's tools to reap the benefits. To start, everyone who is seeking a professional position should have a complete LinkedIn profile, connect with everyone they know and join LinkedIn Groups.

Why LinkedIn Could Waste Your Time

Are you getting cheated?: Paying $29.95 per month for a “Job Seeker Premium” moves your application to the top of the list as a "featured applicant." However, the recruiter sees a badge next to your name indicating you paid to be in that position. What does he think of you now? Plus, that's no guarantee of visibility; in fact, sales of premium subscriptions that float your resume to the top of the applicant list were up 68 percent in the second quarter of 2013. In addition, LinkedIn charges the recruiter a fee as well to post; actually matching your talents and qualifications to job opportunities is not really one of their concerns. Rather, it's to LinkedIn's benefit to keep everyone searching, both employers and applicants, so they can keep collecting fees.

LinkedIn is simply a job board: The good news is that social media is used almost universally as a hiring tool.

According to a 2015 article on Adweek.com, 92 percent of recruiters surveyed using it as part of their process and of those, 87 percent use Linkedin compared to 55 percent utilizing Facebook and 47 percent on Twitter. That said, LinkedIn is just like Monster and CareerBuilder--the site warehouses resumes and sells employers access to them.

And according to the article "Ask The Headhunter: Is LinkedIn Cheating Employers and Job Seekers Alike?" on pbs.org, employers reported that just 1.3 percent of their hires came from Monster and 1.2 percent through CareerBuilder.

How to Make LinkedIn Work for You

Start with the basics. LinkedIn is not going to work for you if you don’t identify yourself.  Setting up a LinkedIn profile with “Private Profile” or “Human Resources Manager” (if you're seeking applicants) instead of your name and asking someone to connect isn't going to be effective.

People won't have any clue who you are and they won't try to figure it out. LinkedIn is for “real” people to connect which each other – that’s what makes it so successful and such a terrific networking tool.

If confidentiality is a concern, simply be careful. Connect only with people you know well. Be strategic if you’re job searching while employed and don’t announce it to your connections. There are ways you can job search confidentially without jeopardizing your current position.

How to Get the Most Out of LinkedIn

Get Started on LinkedIn
One of the most important parts of LinkedIn is your profile. That's what you use to connect with people in your network and your profile is how you get found on LinkedIn, because it contains information about your skills and experience.

How to Take and Choose a Professional Photo for LinkedIn
Tips and advice for how to take and choose a photo to use in your LinkedIn profile, including what to wear, what type of photo to use, and how to pick a picture that will make a great first impression.

By Alison Doyle

9 Tips For Mastering Your Network

9 Tips for Mastering Networking

Networking events can be difficult for some, especially those of us who are more introverted. Every successful entrepreneur knows just how important it is to connect with others in their communities, thought, whether personal or business. Growing your professional network takes work, time and skill. Luckily, it’s an art that most anyone can learn. Here are nine tips that are sure to help you master networking.

1. Make a few connections before you go. I always try to do this before a networking event. Using either Twitter or a Facebook group (if the event has one), I make connections with other attendees. There’s something about knowing a few friendly faces that just puts my mind at ease. Networking can be stressful, especially for the painfully shy. Making connections will make it less like a networking event and more like a gathering of friends.
2. Dress fairly casual. Networking events are not the place to wear your jeans and a T-shirt. Nor are they the place to get all dolled up. Dress casually, but professionally, so that you make those around you feel comfortable.
3. Tackle the event alone. As much as it’s easier to tag along with your friends, your friends already know who you are and what you do. Networking is about expanding your growing network. This is your opportunity to talk to people you have never met before, and a chance to connect with those you want to get to know better.
4. Ask open-ended questions. Asking yes or no questions will get you short, predictable answers. Asking open-ended questions will give the person you’re talking to an opportunity to share who they are and how they feel about something. Remember, you’re not just there to introduce yourself to others. You’re there to meet new people and make new connections. Networking should be a two-way street, with both parties giving and taking.
5. Wear a nametag. This might seem self-explanatory, but many people choose not to wear one. If you are bad at introducing yourself, you could get creative and put a question on your nametag to get the conversation going. Whatever you do, don’t shy away from the nametag. Sometimes it’s the only thing that connects you to your potential clients.
6. Let people know what you can do for them. When people ask you what you do, don’t just tell them your job title. Come up with a 10-second elevator speech that includes a short message about what you can do for them. Doing so will help your new connection decide how they or others can work with you.
7. Don’t forget your business cards – and a pen. Although it’s not recommended that you drop your business card everywhere (some people do do this), you should always have a good supply on hand. Bring a pen for writing down details, if necessary. Say you just met Jane and she said something interesting about her business, but it’s not on her card. You can write the note on the back of the card to remind yourself later.
8. Talk, but don’t forget to listen. A huge part of networking is not only being able to share information about who you are and what you do, but also learning about who others are and what they do. Remember to share the airtime equally.
9. Follow up on email. After a day of networking, sending a “nice to meet you” email is always a thoughtful touch. Know that when someone gives you their business card, though, it is not an invitation to send them spam. Always ask permission to add someone to your mailing list. There’s no quicker way to offend than to fill a potential client’s inbox up with unsolicited mail.

> http://www.machonecommunications.com/blog/marketing/180-9-tips-for-mastering-networking.html