Archive for March, 2008

Barebones Systems: Alternatives to Buying Discount Computers

Buying discount computers is something easy to do nowadays that computer prices have dropped. Despite the low prices, you may still find it difficult to settle on a single computer. Computers are built with so many varying features that finding exactly the right one for you may be difficult. Building your own system from a barebones system is an option to buying discount computers that will enable you to get what you want exactly and still enables you to save money.

Don’t think you can build a computer system? It’s true that building a computer system takes some time and a bit of knowledge about how computers work. When you start the building process with barebones systems you deduct some of the complication associated with building a computer system. Barebones systems have the basic components that you need to get started with building a computer system. Most of these systems include a motherboard, CPU (computer processing unit), and power supply encased in a computer case. Choosing a barebones systems is similar to buying discount computers. You will need to determine your needs to find just the right system for you.

Barebones systems are typically classified according to what they offer. While they contain the same basic components, the components enable you to perform different levels of tasks. Low-level barebones systems, which range in price from $100 to $200, will have components that are not as advanced as those in high-end barebones systems. Of the components in a barebones system, the processor is your main concern. There are basically two types of processors: Pentium and Athlon.

There is much debate about which processor is the best. Pentium is probably the most popular name in processors. Its name is synonymous with speed and power. With the introduction of the Pentium 4 processor, Intel suggests that pure multi-tasking is possible. Athlon may not be as popular with general consumers, but those individuals who understand the components of processors, such as clock speed, know that Athlon is at the very least in step with what the Pentium processor offers. Athlon 64, the most current processor that AMD offers

Once you select the barebones system with the essentials you need, you basically upgrade the barebones system to include the additional parts you need to create your ideal computer. After the processor, you want to consider memory, a hard-drive, and CD/DVD writer. Essentially, just as with the processor, you will need to determine what tasks you intend to perform with the computer. As a rule of thumb when buying discount components, you don’t want to build a system with the most high-end components. For starters, you will end up spending a significant amount of money (negates the purpose of choosing an alternative to buying discount computers) and the components will more than likely soon be replaced with a more high-end component.

Detailed information about each component is available at http://discountcomputers.us/. You can find also find recommendations of just about all the parts you need by visiting this website.


Building Cheap Computers in 3 Easy Steps

Just a decade ago, the only people who put computers together were those individuals who possessed an extensive technical background. Advancements in technology have eliminated some of the complexities in how computers work. This change has resulted in average people who have a basic understanding of computers being able to build a system themselves. Whether you are interested in building computers to establish a new hobby or to start a business, you can so in only a few easy steps and on a shoestring budget.

The first step in building cheap computers is to determine the route you want to use to build systems. You basically have three choices when considering building cheap computers: build a system from scratch, expand on a bare bones computer, or upgrade an existing system. Building a system from scratch can be a rewarding experience. However, it is not for everyone. If you are impatient or are intimidated by mechanical tools, you are better to choose one of the other two options.

Regardless of the method you choose, you will follow three basic steps:

1. Plan
2. Assemble
3. Test

The planning phase of your project involves determining the specifications for the computer you want to build. Once you know this information you can start shopping for parts that meet those specifications. Your main considerations should be
hard-disk, memory, and CPU (central processing unit). The harddrive is important because it determines how much information you are able to store on the computer. While you could build a computer with a harddrive smaller than 2 GB (gigabytes), it is not recommended.

The harddrive and memory work together. The amount of memory you place in your computer will directly affect how the system is able to complete the different processes that you request when using the system. If you have no idea what size hard-drive and the amount of memory you need, you should consider the type of operating system you intend to load on the system. You can consult the manufacturer of your hard-drive or review the information on Cheap-Computer-Guy.com, which features a list of minimum harddrive and memory requirements for various operating systems, and use this information as a guide.

The equipment presented in this article includes the basics of a computer system. Of course, nowadays people want far more than the basics and you undoubtedly feel the same way. There are optional components available that you may want to add to your systems, which include CD or DVD drives, a modem or other communication component for Internet connectivity, or a video graphics card.

Once you have decided on the specifications of the computer you want to build, you are ready to assemble the system. In addition to detailed information about the parts you will need to build your computer, cheap-computer-guy.com includes step-by-step instructions for assembling a cheap do-it-yourself computer.

When you have finished assembling the computer, you will then need to test to make sure that the system boots and that all components are functioning properly. Once you have completed all these tests you will have built your own cheap computer.

You can find detailed information about planning, assembling and testing computers at the Cheap-Computer-Guy.com website.


Finding Cheap Computer Deals to Upgrade Your Computer

It seems that the time that it takes for computers to become obsolete is shortening more than ever. If you go out and purchase a top-of-the-line computer, it is very likely that in less than six months it will no longer be considered top-of-the-line. If you currently have a computer and you want it to be able to perform more functions, you don’t have to get rid of it and spend a lot of money on a new system. You can simply purchase components to upgrade your computer. If you seriously consider upgrading your computer, now is a perfect time to do so. As with computers, prices of computer components are at an all-time low. Depending on they type of specifications you’re after, you can spend as little as three hundred dollars to update your desktop or laptop computer.

Finding all the components you need to upgrade your own computer system is as easy as visiting findcheapcomputers.com. This website features detailed information about parts and includes a buyer’s guide to make buying your components a snap. The first task that you need to perform to upgrade your computer system is to make a list of the computer‘s specifications. If you’re not sure what specs you want the system to have, you can consider what you will do most with the computer and then generate a list of specifications. People typically choose to upgrade their existing computer systems because it does not include a particular component to enable them to perform a particular task.

A processor is an important component in your computer. Whether or not you should upgrade your processor depends on the tasks you will perform with the computer and the type of processor that currently exists in your computer. If the system you are planning to upgrade does not use one of the fast processors on the market, you may want to invest in a motherboard bundle that includes a motherboard, CPU, and fan. These bundles generally cost less than if you were to buy the parts separately. Of course, you could purchase an Intel Celeron with a speed of 2.6 gigahertz or an AMD Athlon 2700+. Both of these processors are sufficient for general computer use as well as browsing the Internet and gaming.

In addition to the processor, you will probably want to upgrade your system with memory, a graphics card or video card, a monitor, and keyboard and pointing device. Finding cheap computer deals of these components should be easy since activities that require high-quality video such as gaming are very popular. The important thing to remember when shopping for these components is that you need to make sure they are compatible with your system. For example, an AGP graphics card is an excellent choice if you plan to do a significant amount of gaming because it processes graphics faster. However, your motherboard will need to have an AGP slot. If you’re not sure which components are most compatible, the website findcheapcomputers.com features information about computer components that are not only compatible with most systems, but that are also cheap.

FindCheapComputers.com offers solutions for computer users on a budget. Information on sourcing cheap computer parts and building computers is available on the website.


7 Ways To Save On Your InkJet Printing Costs

Inkjet printers are not only getting better, they’re also getting less expensive. Why is that?

The inkjet printer manufacturers have built their business around the supplies rather than the printer itself. They make the printers as inexpensive as possible, sometimes selling them at cost, or less and making long term profits from the inkjet cartridges.

Manufacturers regularly warn about using generic cartridges, and highly recommend their own. Truth be told, there is very little difference between the two and you can regularly save over half of your current manufacturer branded cartridge purchases.

To help keep your inkjet supply costs low, here are seven tips that will keep you under budget:

1. When printing inter-office, internal, personal or draft documents, use the “draft” and “grayscale” options in your printer settings. This will save on both black ink was well as color ink. Save color and standard black for your final document print.

2. Select inkjet printers that use separate black and color inkjet cartridges like the Canon “i” series. Many of these printers have 2 black and 4 color cartridges that allow you to replace only the colors that are running low, not just the one ‘color’ cartridge as many printers often do. This saves on long term cartridge costs and lengthens the time between cartridge replacements.

3. Purchase “generic” cartridges made for your printer. These are of similar quality to the manufacturer’s brand, and often at less than half the price.

4. Purchase “remanufactured” cartridges compatible with your printer. These are cartridges collected from the original owner, cleaned and re-filled with the same ink.

5. Purchase a cartridge “refill kit”. You’ll receive a kit that will allow you to refill the ink in your cartridge rather than a new cartridge. This is a great way to recycle and the quality is high and costs low.

6. Purchase your cartridges in bulk to save on shipping costs and discounts are sometimes available on larger single purchases.

7. Order your cartridges online to save time and money. Many local stores don’t carry the generic versions and costs are normally substantially lower online.

Using any combination of the tips above will save you both time and money and help you manage your inkjet printing supply needs easily.

Mark Idzik is a technology specialist and assists small businesses to use the web effectively. He runs www.ReviewInkjets.com where he reviews online inkjet supply companies. Find out more at: http://www.reviewinkjets.com


Call Center Software: The Possibilities are Endless

The call center represents your first line of communication with customers and potential customers. Whether you choose to outsource this service or to establish an in-company call center, this is one area in which quality is paramount and cannot be compromised. Clients’ questions and concerns need to be dealt with courteously and effectively, and sales calls require careful handling – as some members of the public have grown wary of unsolicited calls due to the sheer bulk of such calls that they receive, it is imperative that these interactions are the very embodiment of tact, timing and effective communication. This is a tall order, but increasingly, there is software available that is tailor made to fill it.

Of course, the key to an first-rate call center has always been, and remains, effective human communication. That having been said, though, there are also many problems that can be solved by technology. In many cases, the right software can increase the efficiency of your call center so that many repetitive tasks are streamlined or even eliminated. Outgoing calls can be made much more efficiently, so that callers spend most of their time in actual communication with clients and potential clients on the other end of the line. The real value of any call center lies in the personalities and communication skills of the personnel; technology helps us display and utilize these assets. For example, software programs that allow us to use predictive or automated dialing free the caller from this repetitive and time consuming task. Call center software can set up voice messaging for direct marketing, leaving automated messages on voice mail and answering machines that are reached by this method. When a live voice answers, the call is transferred automatically to an agent. Think of the time this can save – call center employees are called into action only when they are needed. Studies show that there is little difference in customer response to an automated answering machine message as opposed to a live one, as long as the automated message is clear, concise and informative. Of course, in live communication, the human quality of the call makes all the difference. Call center software organizes things so that human ability is not wasted, but used to full capacity, without putting undue stress on the employee.

Speaking of employee stress – who in this day and age is not acquainted with the benefits of telecommuting or working from home? Many studies show that employees who work from home are often happier, more efficient, and show a greatly decreased rate of absenteeism. For the employer, too, this makes sense. Because modern technology makes it possible for us to maintain close and effective communication with employees who are working from home, this arrangement is often a win-win situation – greater satisfaction and decreased overhead costs. New call center software makes it possible for some call center employees to experience the benefits of working from home. In fact, in the near future, the virtual call center may become the norm – employees, equipped with the right hardware and software, will both make and answer calls from a home office, while staying in full communication with their co-workers and supervisors. Communication software will facilitate instant system-wide messaging, employees will be supported by software that enables and facilitates telemarketing, routing, predictive dialing, automatic dialing, and automatic messaging. At the same time, they will be able to stay close to their families, avoiding a costly and time-consuming commute.

The potential of call center software has barely begun to be tapped. In time, this software may allow the call center to move far beyond its present role as a sender and receiver of business related communication. To cite just one example, in this time of political uncertainty, quick and efficient lines or communication throughout a community are more important than ever. Call center software could, in an emergency, be called into service: picture an emergency alert system capable of reaching tens of thousands of households almost instantly. Far from being an alienating force, communication software has the potential to connect our growing communities in ways we might never have dreamed of. Innovative use of this technology will be both a challenge and a highly satisfying adventure.

Prodialing.com strives to provide you with the latest information in the high tech arena of predictive dialers, inbound/ outbound call centers and call center software. Light in the darkness!
See for yourself at: www.prodialing.com (http://www.prodialing.com/)



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