All About Technology That You Need

The Government has a new scheme to let people buy a computer for as little as £49, but would you qualify for it and is that really the cheapest computer available…

If you're reading this then you're either online or you have a friend with a printer who thinks you should be.

Even if you already have a computer, the chances are you know someone who needs one, whether it's a teenager with schoolwork, someone looking to upgrade or an older person who wants to shop online.

There are 8.1 million people in the UK who've never used the internet and around 4 million of them come from disadvantaged backgrounds. So clearly price might be a factor in keeping people off the web.

But households save an estimated £560 a year by shopping and paying their bills online, while 7 million jobs were advertised on the internet last year alone. The benefits are considerable, so what are the costs?

Here's a rundown of some of the cheapest ways to get a web-ready computer.

GetOnline@Home scheme

The Government has launched the GetOnline@Home scheme as part of Martha Lane Fox's Go On UK campaign, which is working to help get new users online.

If you're in receipt of certain benefits, including housing benefit, jobseeker's allowance and income support, you can buy a refurbished desktop computer for £99 or a laptop for less than £170.

Refurbished means that it's been used but had its factory settings restored, in this case by a Microsoft-accredited company. Under this scheme, you also receive a 30-day guarantee.

Customers who also sign up to TalkTalk's Essentials internet package for £5 a month get a £50 discount, which brings the cost of the desktop computer down to just £49 up front.

It won't be suitable for everyone, though, as there's also a £14.50 line rental charge. That means monthly costs of £19.50 for the internet, and you're signed up for a full year.

However, there are other offers on the website, including pay-as-you-go internet access. Just make sure you factor in line rental when comparing the prices.

If you're not receiving any qualifying benefits, you can still get a computer through the scheme, you'll just pay slightly more. A desktop computer will cost you £149 and you'll pay £199 for a laptop.

Each machine comes ready with the latest Microsoft software as well as security programs.

Is it a decent computer?

The machines on offer are pretty basic, so you'll struggle to play top-end games. However, they are fine for browsing the web and using word processing and other Microsoft Office documents.

The purchase includes a 15-inch flat-screen monitor, keyboard and mouse, CD drive and USB ports, a P4 2GHz processor, 1GB RAM and 40GB hard drive. There's also a helpline if you struggle to get started.

Of course, you don't have to use the GetOnline@Home scheme to buy a refurbished computer – you could pay a little extra and get a higher-spec model from most of the major computer retailers.

What about the Raspberry Pi?

If that sounds too good to be true, you need to know that it's literally just a computer board, and comes without a screen, keyboard, mouse, memory, power supply, cables or even a case!

The purpose of the gadget is not to replace conventional, more expensive machines but to encourage kids to learn computer programming.

If your child wants a computer for school work then this may not be the best choice. But if you want to encourage your offspring to learn core computing skills then it could be a great purchase.

There's more information available on the DesignSpark website.

Find one for free

There are many websites allowing people to give their unwanted stuff away rather than chucking it into landfill.

Probably the most famous is Freecycle, but there's also Freegle, Don'tDumpThat and a host of others.

Users can leave descriptions of their unwanted items on the site and anyone who wants it can email to collect. You can also leave requests for items you need that aren't being advertised.

As a test, I posted an advert requesting a computer for my mother and was astonished to receive offers from three people.

I had a choice of two old desktop computers, complete with screens and keyboards, or a fairly ancient laptop. One other person emailed offering me a wireless keyboard and mouse set.

They were far from top of the range but they were perfectly functional and would have got a user online and able to send emails.

Staying safe with a second-hand system

If you're thinking of accepting or giving away an old computer, you need to take your security seriously.

When accepting a computer from an individual, always run a virus and spyware scan before using it, or find a company that will do so for you. Keep hold of the details of the people who gave you the machine in case anything incriminating is ever found on it.

If you're giving away a computer then you need to be careful not to hand over any data that could be used by thieves.

Even when you delete files they can be stored away on the computer, meaning your machine can be mined of information and put you at risk of identity theft.

Before you hand over your unwanted computer, make sure you copy all data you want to keep and fully erase the hard disk so that personal information is deleted.

You can also use a program like Eraser, which will repeatedly overwrite your deleted data until it's very difficult to recover. Some security companies recommend that the only way to be confident your data is safe is to remove the hard drive before passing it on.

Engr. Muhib Nabi

Production Engineer - Electrical

Gulbahar Tobacco International FZE

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE.

muhibnabi@live.com

muhibnabi@gmail.com

Consistent capacity growth in hard disk drives (HDDs) has become something we take for granted. It isn't so trivial if you think about the fact that there are in fact physical limits to how much data you can store on one disk and every now and then we are nearing a limit that can't be topped anymore. The last limit was hit in 2005 and the next seems to be arriving in the 2013 – 2015 timeframe. However, a new technology breathes new life into HDDs. HAMR will bring massive storage growth and propel the industry far beyond 100 TB.

When Samsung announced its new 2 TB Spinpoint HDD last week and mentioned that it can now store 667 GB on one 3.5-inch disk, I remembered how far the current perpendicular recording technology has come since its launch in 2006. The first 3.5-inch PMR drive, Seagate's Cheetah 15K.5, packed only 75 GB on one disk. Back then, the storage density of PMR disks was just over 100 GB/inch2 and the industry forecasted that PMR will reach about 1 TB/inch2 until it runs out of room.

It was a natural question to ask where the current Spinpoint drive stands. It turns out that it is over 700 Gb/inch2 already, while Seagate's mass market drives have reached 541 Gb/inch2. At the current pace, it appears that the industry will run out of room in the not too distant future. So I called up Seagate to find out more.

Seagate SVP Mark Re told me that Seagate in fact believes that there will be just a few more PMR product generations and a new technology will be necessary within 3 to 5 years as PMR may reach its end just north of 1 Tb/inch2. Re said that the industry has a choice to transition to patterned media or heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) to decrease the distance between bits on the disk and increase the maximum areal density. Re declined to pinpoint the potential of HAMR exactly, but said that Seagate currently expects a soft limit to arrive at about 50 Tb/inch2. If the 3.5" HDD form factor survives, then we should see PMR to top out at about 5-6 TB per drive. With roughly 50x the potential of PMR, HAMR should lead the way beyond 100 TB drives and possibly into the region of 200 – 300 TB in the 2020 to 2025 time frame.

Given the fact that the first HDD stored 4.4 MB on 50 24-inch disks, this is a truly stunning prospect. Imagine the storage capabilities of a 100 TB drive. 250,000,000 average MP3 songs or 250,000,000 12 MP photographs. Or 2000 completely filled Blu-ray discs or hundreds of 3D movies. While data volumes of content will continue to evolve, HDD capacity will evolve as well and it is reasonable to expect that single HDDs will be able to store the digital lives of multiple generations of a family. And even if the end of HAMR is reached, Seagate expects HDD technology to continue to evolve. Beyond HAMR, Seagate believes that patterned media will emerge and enable further capacity increases. If the current trend continues, then we should HDDs to remain with us as an affordable mass storage technology well beyond 2025. Flash will not be able to touch the value proposition HDDs in terms of price, capacity and performance, Re said.

According to the executive, Seagate has built HAMR prototype drives already, but the technology is not yet at a point where it could be commercialized. In fact, while HAMR is derived from a technology called "optical assisted magnetic recording" that was developed by Quinta, a company Seagate acquired in 1998, HAMR is a much more evolutionary approach. In contrast to Quinta's optical read/write head, HAMR will use a traditional read/write head. The change to current HDD technology will be somewhat moderate, but also require companies to change the surface coating of the disks. Instead of a cobalt material, HAMR will use iron-platinum.

What will remain the same is the reliability of HDDs. Despite the massive increase of storage capacity that may be frightening to some users, given the amount of data that could be lost, Re said that there will be no major changes from today's technology. The company will continue to drive reliability innovation through software and make backups easier

Engr. Muhib Nabi

Production Engineer - Electrical

Gulbahar Tobacco International FZE

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE.

muhibnabi@live.com

muhibnabi@gmail.com

The objective of the Intel validation program is to verify SDRAM compliance to Intel specifications for and performance of supported DDR memory modules in Intel reference systems. The results of validation procedures provide a guideline for memory compatibility with Intel® Chipsets.

This validation, performed by approved test labs on small samples of components and modules, is intended to demonstrate supplier design and manufacturing capability.

The validation process uses standardized procedures and methodologies documented in the Intel validation procedure for DDR, DDR2,DDR3 and DDR3L. This documented procedure is not intended to replace the normal product qualification process.

Engr. Muhib Nabi

Production Engineer - Electrical

Gulbahar Tobacco International FZE

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE.

muhibnabi@live.com

muhibnabi@gmail.com

The existing Core i7 900-series processor lineup, codenamed Bloomfield, now features three separate products: 3.33-GHz Core i7 975, 3.06-GHz Core i7 950, and 2.66-GHz Core i7-920 processors. Between the Core i7-950 and Core i7-920 processors sit the new "Lynnfield" 2.93-GHz Core i7 870 and 2.8-GHz Core i7 860 processors. The brand-new, 2.66-GHz Core i5 750 CPU is a Lynnfield chip as well, but we'll get to that odd duckling further below.

Intel took a big leap forward in the design department when it launched Core i7 900-series processors November 2011. Just a few of these included a new triple-channel memory controller integrated into the chip, a new QuickPath Interconnect system to replace (and improve upon) the front-side bus architecture of old, and the return of hyperthreading that split the chip's four physical cores into eight virtual cores for increased system performance. As the Core i7 900-series chips were based on a new Intel X58 chipset and LGA1366 socket, aspiring upgraders had to invest in new motherboards to reap the benefits of the Core i7 900-series platform.

That part still rings true for the new Core i7 800-series and Core i5 CPUs--all three run on Intel's latest P55 chipset and LGA1156 socket, which necessitates a new motherboard purchase for use. What's changed, however, is that the Core i7 800-series and Core i5 CPUs each adopt different permutations of the fanciest of the Core i7 900-series' features.

All three chips have dropped down from a QuickPath Interconnect and triple-channel memory controller to a Direct Media Interface and dual-channel memory controller. But don't freak out; This is more a loss of future-proofing than anything else given the minute performance differences between current dual- and triple-channel memory configurations.

An integrated PCI Express graphics controller on the Lynnfield CPUs can either deliver 16 lanes of bandwidth to a single PCI Express 2.0 videocard or split this connection into two x8 lanes for an SLI or CrossFire setup. Although it's a cut from the full 32 lanes (for a dual 16x or quad-8x configuration) provided by Core i7's X58 chipset, the bandwidth reduction should only affect those crazy enough to SLI or CrossFire dual-GPU videocards on a Lynnfield setup.

The new Core i7 800-series CPUs and the Core i5 750 still support the same automatic overclocking functionality, or Turbo Boost, as the Core i7 900-series processors. However, this feature has been jacked up on the newer chips. Core i7 900-series CPUs will only increase their multipliers to a maximum of two additional steps according to system demands (effectively taking a 3.33-GHz processor to 3.6-GHz depending on how many cores are in use). The new Lynnfield processors are able to jump up five multiplier steps for the 800-series chips (taking a 2.93-GHz processor to 3.6-GHz) and four for the Core i5 750 (2.66-GHz to a maximum 3.2-GHz).

Performance

Both Core i7 800-series processors support hyperthreading the same as their Core i7 900-series brethren. The Core i5 750 does not-its four physical cores are all that will appear in your operating system's task manager. Even so, the CPU's noteworthy performance makes it an excellent value for its roughly $200 price. We only saw a performance difference of 5 percent between the Core i5 750 and the roughly $555 Core i7 870 (based on WorldBench 6 testing of the two CPUs on identical system builds). In fact, the Core i5 750's score of 127 falls right around the scores set by competing Value and Power PCs that use Core i7 920 processors.

Test Bed: Intel DP55KG Motherboard, 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM, ATI Radeon HD 4890 graphics, 2x Seagate ST3750630AS hard disks (Raid 0), Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 2

So where does that leave the Core i7 870? Given that its price is almost identical to that of the high-end 3.06-GHz Core i7 950 CPU, a processor that natively runs faster than the 2.93-GHz Core i7 870, it's difficult to see the compelling reason to pick up this chip. The Turbo Boost feature of the Core i7 870 does ultimately beat the speeds of the Core i7-950's, but for the enthusiast market, the increased memory support and bandwidth for multi-GPU setups might not be worth giving up. The Core i7 860 is more reasonably priced at $285, provided you can make sufficient use of its hyperthreading functionality.

It remains to be seen just how far the Core i7 800-series CPUs will overclock compared to the Core i7 900-series chips-the lower power draws of the 800-series processors could make quite a difference in this area. As for the Core i5 750, this chip looks to be a solid winner for those looking to dip their toes into the Nehalem platform without breaking the bank-given Intel's dramatic price points, that's always a strong possibility.

Engr. Muhib Nabi

Production Engineer - Electrical

Gulbahar Tobacco International FZE

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE.

muhibnabi@live.com

muhibnabi@gmail.com

7 cheap foods with huge health-boosting properties

From the latest "superberry" to the newest health-boosting grain, barely a day goes by without a new cure-all superfood hitting the headlines. Yet while these foods promise to boost your health, they can also leave your bank balance a little worse for wear. Fortunately, healthy eating doesn't have to cost a fortune. If you want to improve your health while sticking to a budget, check out the seven cheapest superfoods that will leave you feeling great.

Oats

With the constant emergence of trendy superfood grains such as spelt, amaranth and quinoa, it is easy to forget about the humble oat. However, oats are not only cheap, versatile and widely available, but they are packed with nutrients such as zinc, iron, calcium and fibre. Oats also have many health benefits, with the ability to reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, boost the digestive system and improve heart health.

Sweet potato

While sweet potatoes are not as commonly eaten as the regular spud, there are many reasons why they should form a part of your standard diet. Firstly, this healthy root vegetable is packed with minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C, manganese, potassium and iron. Furthermore, it is one of the best natural sources of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which can help lower risk of heart disease and cancer as well as being good for eye health.

Sardines

With omega-3 being one of the big buzzwords in healthy eating, salmon has justifiably been hailed as the latest health-boosting superfood. However, for those on a budget, swapping fresh salmon for tinned sardines can deliver the same health benefits for less than half the price. Sardines, like salmon, are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your skin, brain and heart. On top of that, the fish are rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D and the ever-elusive vitamin B12.

Blackcurrants

For years the healthy eating industry has been all about the acai and goji berry. However, if you can't afford to shell out a day's wages for the latest berry du jour, you may be pleased to know that the common blackcurrant is also a superfood in its own right. Research has found that blackcurrants are more nutritious and contain more antioxidants than blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, and they can help ward off a range of diseases including cancer and dementia.

Tomatoes

They've been around forever, are found in most supermarkets and come at a budget-friendly price, yet tomatoes are still one of the best superfoods around. The popular fruit is one of the richest sources of the antioxidant lycopene, which can help lower cholesterol, protect the heart and prevent the risk of diseases such as cancer (particularly of the prostate). Tomatoes can also help prevent blood clots and boost the immune system.

Green tea

When it comes to healthy drinks, acai berry juice has received a lot of positive press. However, for the same health benefits at a fraction of the price, green tea is a great alternative. While it may not be quite as exotic, green tea is packed full of antioxidants and has long been renowned for its health-boosting properties. Some of the benefits of green tea include its ability to speed up the metabolism, ward off wrinkles, boost the immune system and protect against cancer.

Beetroot

If there was ever a vegetable that truly deserved its place on your vegetable rack, then the beetroot would be it. One of the latest vegetables to be hailed as a 'superfood', beetroot juice is packed with antioxidants and has many health benefits including the ability to improve liver function, lower cholesterol, boost stamina for exercise and reduce risk of dementia. This cheap and healthy superfood is also a good source of folate and vitamin C.

Engr. Muhib Nabi

Production Engineer - Electrical

Gulbahar Tobacco International FZE

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE.

muhibnabi@live.com

muhibnabi@gmail.com

No one says no to a bulkier bank account, so say a big "hello!" to our list of money saving motivations. In the current economic climate many of us are feeling the pinch, so here are seven handy ways to boost your bank account:

Money saving motivation 1: Create a spreadsheet

nstead of constantly trying to work things out in your head and making rough estimates on how much money you have left for the month, make things a whole lot easier by creating a spreadsheet.  At first glance, these can seem a little daunting but it's really easy once you get used to it and there are many free spreadsheet websites online which work out all the sums for you. By having your outgoings on a list in front of you, you can identify what you're saving on and what you perhaps need to cut back on.

Money saving motivation 2: Avoid shopping when you're feeling emotional... or hungry

You're feeling a little down in the dumps but you need a new work shirt... bad idea. Turn around, get back inside the house, lock the doors, and ask someone to hide your keys right now – if you're feeling emotional there's a high chance you will end up splurging on stuff you don't really need to give you a quick happiness boost. After spending five minutes looking for a shirt, you return with a few tins of paint to re-vamp the house, a new wardrobe of clothes, and a mop for the kitchen floor, but the new work shirt is nowhere to be seen. Whilst these spur-of-the-moment purchases may uplift your mood for an hour or two, the initial high will soon wear off and you'll be left feeling worse as you realise you're left with nothing more than a few bargains and an empty bank account. For a thriftier approach to shopping, go when you're in a pretty good mood and – whatever you do – don't shop for groceries when you're hungry.

Money saving motivation tip 3: Surround yourself with exciting hobbies and positive people

Rather than spending money on takeaways and meals out to cheer you up after a long hard day, identify other things you like doing that will boost your mood instead of spending money. Arrange some fun things to do with family and friends around your house or take up a new hobby such as gardening or crafts. We often end up spending more when we're bored, emotional, and/or lonely so plan a film night with your family or buy a few ingredients from the grocery store and try cooking something you've never made before.

Money saving motivation 4: Save little and often

It's a common mistake to think that you can't start saving because you don't have much money, but that's like saying you won't go on that one hour run because you don't have the whole day off to exercise – it's counterproductive and unrealistic. Experts advise that the best way to boost your bank balance is by taking the 'little and often' approach to saving. Rather than putting a lump sum of your month's wages into a savings account and leaving very little to live off for the rest of the month, just put a small amount away as often as possible and the money will mount up without you even noticing it. The more you see your bank balance rising, the more you will want to keep adding to it. Go on, try it – it's addictive.

Money saving motivation tip 5: Put some money aside for pleasure

It's important to treat yourself occasionally to avoid getting frustrated and spending all your savings at once, so make sure you include a little "happy time" money in your budget to treat yourself every now and again. Do you want a new television for the living room? Save up for one. Fancy a small break somewhere nice? Save up for it. Once you've saved up for something and reached your target amount, you'll feel much better than you would if you spent money that you didn't really have in the first place.

Money saving motivation 6: Read a finance blog or make your own

Personal finance blogs are becoming an increasingly popular form of inspiration for many people; they can encourage you to save and adopt good financial habits in the process. It's also really interesting to take a sneaky peak into the lives of other people and see what they enjoy the odd splurge on. If you're feeling really brave, you could create your own finance blog to share your own tips and advice with others. This will not only help you to network with other people in the same financial mindset as you, but it will encourage you to save more so that you can feel extra proud of yourself when you share how well you're doing with others.

Money saving motivation 7: Get support

If you're really feeling the pinch and you need advice, don't feel ashamed to seek support from others. You may feel like a little fish in a big pond when it comes to finances, so seek advice from a financial expert who will have a lot of experience dealing with problems like yours. Your financial adviser will come up with a realistic plan to help you sort out any money difficulties.

Engr. Muhib Nabi

Production Engineer - Electrical

Gulbahar Tobacco International FZE

Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE.

muhibnabi@live.com

muhibnabi@gmail.com