Internet Basics: A Modem Is Like a Secret Decoder Ring

Ever have a secret decoder ring when you were a kid? First you received a secret message from someone. Then you used your decoder ring to look up the secret message's numbers, letters or symbols and find their corresponding letters to "decode" the secret message. Finally, you had the secret message back in its original form so you could read it.

So the secret message might come in looking like this:

* Xyz gera9sor oe piue fjk owlp

And after you pass it through the decoder ring, it might look like this:

* The treasure is under the boat

You could even do the opposite - make your own secret message by using the decoder ring to turn a normal sentence into its secret version, and then send it off to someone else with a decoder ring.

And the more you used the ring, the faster you got so you could read and/or send your messages in less time.

That's what a modem is like.

Modem is short for MODulator/DEmodulator. Modulating is like taking the normal message and making it secret. Demodulating is like taking the secret message and making it normal again.

For example, when you type in a URL address in your browser to view a webpage, the webpage already exists on another computer called a server. But before the server sends the webpage information to you, it gets modulated into a different version that can be sent over the phone lines used by the Internet to your computer. (It's really not about keeping anything secret. Rather, phone lines were designed to carry human voice signals, not digital computer info.)

The same is true if you're sending something from your computer to another computer on the Internet (e.g., sending an email). Before the info gets sent, your modem changes it so it can go over the phone lines. Then the modem on the other end changes it back so the receiving computer can read it.

And the faster the modem, the faster you can receive and send info over the Internet.

And that's why a modem is like a secret decoder ring.

Copyright (c) Grant Pasay 2005. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety (including author bio/links) to anyone you wish.

Grant Pasay is a professional website copywriter, advertising copywriter, and SEO copywriter serving clients in Vancouver, BC and everywhere. Grant is also the author of the FREE e-book, "The Internet Is Like A Refrigerator."

For copy that captures your business message without any of the hassle, go to http://grantpasay.com/

Check out Grant's FREE e-book at http://grantpasay.com/refrigerator/

Blue Screen Error - How To Solve Computer & Windows Crash

I've seen many IT forum users searching for answers to the Blue Screen Error. The screen turns blue with the following detailed error message written across the screen:

"A problem has been detected and windows had been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode."

Even after following these instructions, your computer probably will have the blue screen error at random periods. In the past, I used to do a complete format of my hard disk when the blue screen error appears. This is not the best solution. You may find that while in the midst of installing your operating system, the blue screen can pop up halfway. This is 99% a RAM issue, and when that happens, you'll be left with an unbootable half installed windows operating system.

A solution I use is to install Regcure and check for registry, driver errors. Run the scan and fix them with the software if there are, then reboot to see if the blue screen error appears. If it persists, the second solutino is to do a process of elimination with the RAM. RAM stands for random access memory and you'll need 2 sticks of RAM for this. Remove 1, boot up the computer and check for the error, if it does not appear, then your problem is solved.

These 2 steps will 99.9% solve your blue screen errors.

Get the simple Blue Screen on Windows XP solution at http://registrycleanercompare.blogspot.com

Best Wireless Printers 2007

The year 2007 is the year of the WiFi. Tidying up your home or office space starts with cutting the numerous cords that tangles and connects your productivity gadgets together. Therefore, customers looking for printers are being specific when they say they want a wireless printer to go with the increased connectivity that other computer accessories have.

Wireless connection in printers are not new but they certainly took off this year as people are searching for mobile solutions. Let us look at who made the cut for the top wireless printers this year.

Canon Pixma iP90v Wireless Mobile Printer

The Canon Pixma iP90v is a mobile printer that is perfect for business travelers or professionals who need printing jobs done while on the move. It's mobile design features a gray patch on the side as it also resembles a laptop with its book-shaped dimensions. The compact design makes the laptop so easy to carry around. If you add in its efficient printer ink saving cartridges, then you have a good mobile printer in your hands.

Due to its mobility the Canon Pixma iP90v is rather on the high end of the cost scale. While it has the features to satisfy the mobile user, you need to shell some good money to use it with its higher printer ink requirements. However, you can justify the cost if you buy compatible printer inks such as the Canon BCI15BK, Canon BCI16, Canon BCI15BK and Canon BCI16C. The photo printer also comes with a USB 2.0 connection and a wireless IRDA connection.

HP Photosmart C6180

The HP Photosmart C6180 printer errs more to office functionality. Yet its main strength will always be network connectivity. The classy white-colored printer can carry out printer networking setups that includes wireless support. The HP Photosmart C6180 also supplies an ADF and media card reader for dedicated printing from multiple data sources. The HP Photosmart C6180 wireless printer has built in automatic feeder and its fax functionality are crucial factors for the middle of the line users. For an average of $300 you can get a fully functional printer with wireless capability. The HP Photosmart C6180 printer is also a high yield printer which is friendly to your printer ink cartridge cost. If you decide to dampen your printing cost, you can start with buying high capacity HP C8721WN ink, HP C8771WN Cyan, or HP C8772WN magenta.

Canon Pixma iP6700D

Canon's standard for wireless printers continues with Canon Pixma iP6700D. The Canon Pixma iP6700D is a standalone printer with a 3.5 inch LCD, full panel controls and effective photo outputs. This speedy printer is perfect for individuals who would want a new edge to their photo printing experience. However, this Canon printer is more suitable for photo printing which appeals to photographers but falls back when it comes to document printing. To compensate, you can try the Canon CLI-8BK and Canon CLI-8C as replacement inks. Still, the Canon Pixma iP6700D can handle document printing for home use or as a nice all-purpose printer for the non-intensive user.

This Article is written by James Kara Murat from PrintCountry.com, the contributor of PrintCountry Ink & Printer Reviews. Read more about the subject at Best Wireless Printers 2007, and related resources can be found at PrintCountry FAQ.