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Traditional ways of using computer devices such as mouse and keyboard have started to fade out. In next generation is of touch screen interface, gestures and mind reading equipments.

Touch screen devices are already available in the market such as touch screen MP3 players, Mobile phones and Monitors used in ATM`s for example. Now, the biggies in computer and OS manufacturers are working on implementing the same concepts in computers and laptops with further advanced technology.

Microsoft’s “Surface” was the first touch screen interface was introduced in 2007.

Organizations and Enterprises are working on a multi touch screen. The device enables users to manipulate several applications with making gestures. An instinctive interface can make technology suite a normal individual who are not very good with using computers. Using a touch recognizing device would always be easy than using mouse which requires some amount of expertise for a beginner. Just imagine small kidos and grand parents using computers. Using the current computers would be very difficult for them, but if they are made to use computers with touch screen interface, it would be fairly easily.

Using a single pointer mouse restricts us from accessing multiple applications at the same time. But, imagine if each finger tip acts as a separate pointer on a touch screen, we can do multiple operations with a better speed and accuracy at the same time.

Gesture interface too is in process of development. Clusta a UK based design outfit company has designed such an interface for one of its clients. Inorder to recognize gestures, web cam is essential which reads the users gestures and then feeds it to the computer, there the feeded data is interpreted into commands and accordingly the on screen applications operates. An ongoing Research is carried on a gesturing technology for operating a Television Set.

A further more advanced technology option is been looked at, which can interpret thoughts going on in the brain. For past couple of years, experiments are going on mind controlled devices. A device names “Emotiv” has been created with Australian and US collaboration.

The device comes in the form of a headset which enables the user limited actions. The device is designed to recognize neural activity. The headset has 16 electrodes installed in it. The electrodes detect conscious thoughts, emotions, facial expressions and the rotation of the head. As we all are aware that our brain consists of 100 billion nerve cells or neurons, the electrodes detect the electrical impulses which occur when a particular is done. Then the data that is fetched by the headset is feeded to computer via a wireless USB dongle connected to the computer.

Posted under Computers, Latest News

Computer malfunctioning caused delay or cancellation of flights to and from UK.

The fault occurred at the main air traffic control centre of Swanwick.
Due to air traffic restrictions, departures from Luton airport have been postponed.

It is been advised that passengers should contact their airline before traveling to the airport. Flight arrivals too are subjected to face delay.
Heathrow airport too has reported disorder on all flights because of technical problems.

The Control Flow Management Unit at Eurocontrol in Brussels confirmed that London Area Control Centre (LACC), that covers whole of south east of England has a computer malfunction.
The LACC is still operational, but because to heavy and additional work load have restricted departures.

The root cause of the failure is malfunctioning with computers that deal with details about flights when they are at higher altitudes. The impact is reduction in air traffic in south east of England and planes leaving from Heathrow are after every five minutes instead of 90 seconds.

The Air Traffic Controllers finding hard time identifying the planes though it can be seen.

British Airways have cancelled some short haul flights to domestic and European destinations from Heathrow.

Airport authority have advised passengers to contact airlines before travelling.

Posted under General, Latest News

According to a Scottish school, students playing computer games daily helps increasing their Maths score.

An organization called Learning and Teaching Scotland recently carried a study on the effects of a brain training game. The study not only revealed positive effects on Maths score but also helped in improving concentration and behavior of students.

The study was carried out on 600 students from 32 schools across Scotland using Brain Training game from Dr. Kawashima game on Nintendo DS.

The study involved tests based on reading, problem-solving and memory puzzles for 20 minutes at the start of the class for nine weeks. Whereas the other lessons were carried out without any change. The scores improved by a further 50% as stated by researchers. The time given for the tests was reduced by five minutes as the study progressed from 18.5 minutes to 13.5 minutes. Less able students showed more improvement than that of the highest scorers but almost everyone had an increased perception of their own ability.

Thus study also showed improvements in absenteeism and lateness in few classes.

This study shows that introduction of a simple computer game in an educational context can help improvement in scores.

Posted under Latest News

Safety Precautions:

When assembling your computer at home one should be extra careful about the deadly ravages of static electricity. A shock which you cannot even feel can make serious damage to computer components such as RAM or a Processor.

• Never assemble on a carpet area. Carpet greatly produces static electricity in your body.
• Use rubberized mats below your computer while working on it. It will also protect your table from getting scratches.
• Always grab a metal part of the computer chassis with bare hands before touching anything inside.
• Always handle electronic components with non conducting i.e. non metallic edge.
• Never plug ATX power supply into AC supply unless it is connected to computer’s motherboard.
• Never eat, drink or smoke when working on a computer.

STEP 1 : Installing Motherboard

Installing motherboard is very simple. Align the motherboard with mounting holds and rare panel openings and then screw it.

Before actually installing the motherboard read the manual carefully.

• The only difficult part is matching the mounting holes in the mobo with the ones in the case.
• Once you identify the correct mounting holes, you will have to install the stand off`s.

Don`t get confused of any extra holes.

Once you have the correct stand off`s inserted, put the motherboard in the case. Line up the mounting holes and rear panel connectors and screw it.

Don`t over tighten the screws, doing so will crack the board. Use a standard screw drive and not the electric one.

Finally connect the ATX power connector from the power supply to the mother board. On P4 and other high end computers you will also have to connect P4 connector.

STEP 2 : Installing Processor

The micro-processor is delicate and expensive part of the computer. Never touch its pins or conductors with fingers.

Always hold it by its edge.

Both the processor and the socket have only two corners without pins in order to avoid incorrect installation. Never apply force to make the processor fit into the socket. If you come across any resistance then re-align the processor and the socket.

Now gently close the bail.

STEP 3 : Installing CPU cooler.

The processor radiates large amount of heat, without the cooler it would burn.

CPU cooler consists of three parts 1. A fan, 2. Heat Sink and 3. Mounting Device which attaches the cooler to the motherboard. Heat sink compound or thermal jelly is applied between heat sink and the die of the processor in order to improve the heat transfer between processor and heat sink.

Now you need to install the fan. Usually it gets plugged into a three pin connector on the motherboard.

STEP 4 : Installing RAM

RAM just like processor is very sensitive to static charge. Avoid touching the metal conductors, hold it by its edge.

Before inserting the RAM make sure that the notch and tab is correctly lined.

Now simply push it straight into the slots and push the retainer clips inward.

STEP 5 : Installing Hard Disk.

SATA (Serial ATA) are becoming more preferred nowadays. The hard disk is installed in the cage using mounting screws. Select the correct hole on the case in order to correctly fit the hard disk. Do not over tighten the screws.

Now connect the hard drive cable to the Hard disk and motherboard. Attach the cable gently but firmly into the slots.

Now connect the power cables. It should be done using the correct polarity. Its designed in a way that it fits only in the correct way.

The same way attach the auxiliary drives too.

STEP 6 : Final Checks

Now attach the Power cable to the SMPS. And before switching On the power supply do a final check on the connected components.

Hook up the keyboard, monitor and mouse using appropriate connectors.

Now switch On the power supply. If everything is done correctly, you will here a beep.

Now you will have to press Delete or F2 or some other key (Refer the manual) to get the CMOS screen or BIOS set up screen as shown above. Now follow the instructions in the manual for the BIOS set-up.

Posted under Computers, General