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For those of us who have been living anywhere in our world other than the proverbial community located at “under a rock”, you have probably noticed the latest trends of corporate environmental awareness. It seems like every day another large enterprise company makes a public announcement about their “new green initiative”. Just today, Steve Jobs announced that Apple no longer sells CRT monitors, which contain significant amounts of lead. He also said the company has completely eliminated hexavalent chromium and some brominated flame retardants from its products.

The fact is, not all of these efforts are motivated by pure altruism. More and more evidence is beginning to surface, indicating that a financial benefit can also be realized through socially responsible initiatives. A recent report by the IT market research firm, Gartner, shows that consumers buying everything from cell phones to network hardware are changing their buying habits. Environmental factors will become one of the top six buying criteria for information technology organizations moving forward.

Gartner’s study also produced some very sobering data for the technology community. Gartner illustrated that the energy from manufacturing, distribution and use of information and communications technology emits approximately 2 percent of total global carbon dioxide, which is equal to the emissions from the entire airline industry. These recent findings coupled with the financial benefits of reuse and recycling, create a one – two punch, and are paving the way for high-tech's green initiative to ratchet it up a notch. Gartner predicts that, more than fifty percent of global technology organizations will declare an "environmental imperative" by the year 2010.

Server maker Sun Microsystems and chip maker Advanced Micro Devices already advertise their products' power-saving credentials. Environmental groups like Greenpeace have begun rewarding these initiatives through token award systems called, "green ranking". Green rankings publicly highlight exceptional earth friendly efforts put forth by various computer makers every year.

Traditional business models of planned obsolescence, where capitalistic IT manufacturers encourage customers to buy the next iteration of their product, even if the existing one still works, are now coming under fire. Their high rate of turnover for network hardware appliances is clearly creating a fast growing problem around the globe. The short lifespan of today's electronic equipment is contributing to millions of tons of e-waste. The accumulated e-waste is dumped in landfill sites that are often processed in poorly managed facilities, in developing countries, leading to significant health risks and causing a major negative impact on the environment.

This information is not intended to scare you, but rather to serve as evidence to the changing world around us. Human beings are a robust species, and historically we have always adjusted our ethics to survive. We are in the midst of an ethical revolution now, designed to preserve our environment and ultimately our species. Historically, most ethical revolutions have led to more efficient outcomes, creating more resources and a better quality of life. This is usually the driving force behind them, a collective epiphany or species maturing process, resulting in a more efficient planet.

With that said, I believe, the days when businesses could send a product into the marketplace without first considering how it might impact the environment are rapidly becoming obsolete. Global recycling and product recovery programs, where businesses take responsibility for what they make and sell, are already under way worldwide. Both Dell and HP, have introduced programs where you can receive credit towards a new hardware purchase through trading in your old equipment.

This leads me to my next point: “Reuse”! Get used to that word. I believe we will all be hearing a lot more of it in the coming years. If you believe we are evolving to become less wasteful then, reuse is going to become a new standard for many industries.

The government is setting an example through its Federal Management Regulations (41 CFR 102), mandating that federal agencies, to the fullest extent practicable, use excess personal property, including electronic equipment, as the first source of supply in meeting agency requirements. Based on this, the following environmental hierarchy – from most to least preferred - should be followed for managing end-of-life electronics:
• Reuse
• Refurbishment
• Recycling
• Incineration or Landfilling

Consistent with the hierarchy presented above, secondary consumer markets for recycling and reuse of electronic equipment are growing at an unprecedented rate. According to market research firm Gartner, one in every dozen computers used worldwide is a "secondary computer”, and about 152.5 million used systems were shipped in 2004. Gartner also said that both the home and professional markets for secondary PCs will continue to see growth in the next several years, fueled by better computer performance, longer system life, and recent recycling legislation that gives companies a greater incentive to sell their used machines.

Consumers are gradually becoming aware of the benefits associated with buying used. Refurbished hardware often comes standard with a warranty starting at one year and going up from there, depending on the dealer. The generous warranty periods have removed virtually all of the risk formerly associated with buying used. Realizing, there’s no need to buy new when you can provide new life for old gear at great savings (up to 95% off list) coupled with a bullet proof warranty it’s a “no brainer” for most educated IT managers.

Several new businesses have emerged to meet this new trend. One such company was recently established by Joe Asady, CEO of Digital Warehouse (an ISO-9001:2000 Certified Company). “UsedCisco.com helps protect the environment by providing network managers, a fast, convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly way to purchase pre-owned networking products that would have otherwise been added to the growing global e-waste problem" said Joe Asady. The difference between Digital Warehouse and UsedCisco.com is that, DW is a service and solution based model aimed at “reducing the cost of network infrastructure”, whereas UsedCisco.com is a click and buy e-commerce website for fast easy online purchasing of pre-owned
network hardware.

In an unprecedented effort to spearhead a nationwide initiative to keep electronic equipment that still has value from being retired prematurely, UsedCisco.com has recently opened a 45,000 square foot refurbishing facility in Oklahoma City. The new facility will process millions of dollars worth of de-installed network hardware which will be tested, refurbished and remarketed online to businesses worldwide, saving their customer’s money and protecting the environment at the same time.

Whether you are an IT manager, global CEO or a mere home PC user, the implications are the same. E-waste is a problem, corporate social responsibility is real! Although we are taking some steps in the right direction, a lot more needs to be considered. So please, do your share to get involved with environmental awareness, help efforts to reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions and start to consider the secondary market as a viable alternative to purchasing new equipment.

VoIP also called as Voice over Internet Protocol, Voice over Broadband or VOB, Internet Telephony, IP Telephony, Broadband Phone, and Broadband Telephony refers to the voice routing conversations via Internet or any other network that are IP-based. VoIP Protocols or Voice over IP Protocols is used for carrying voice signals over IP networks. It is the result of the Network Voice Protocol experiments invented on 1973 for ARPANET providers. One network is used for carrying data and voice especially for users with underutilized network. This allows saving significant amount of money because phone calls using VoIP on different providers are usually free. However, calling from VoIP to PSTN will charge the person using the VoIP.

The PSTN to VoIP services are Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and access numbers. In DID, the callers is directly connected to the user of VoIP but in access numbers, the callers is required to enter the VoIP user's extension number. A monthly fee is charged on DID while access numbers is free of charge for VoIP users and local calls for callers. VoIP changes the entire viewpoint of people regarding long distance calls. In this method, the audio analog signals are being transformed to digital data that are transmitted via the Internet. The standard connection of the internet becomes a way in placing phone calls for free. Utilizing VoIP software for free is the practical way of saving money and bypassing phone companies and its entire charges. VoIP is an innovative technology with an ability to rework the phone systems completely all over the world. VoIP is a one way phone call but offers different VoIP services commonly used today.

1. ATA is the most common and simplest way of service using the Analog Telephone Adaptor device which converts analog signals to digital signals. It allows standard phone connection to your computer or internet connection for VoIP use. The converted analog signals are transmitted on the internet.

2. IP phones are specialized phones resembling normal phones with cradle, buttons, and handset. The only difference is that a phone connector (RJ-11) is used by standard phones while an Ethernet connector (RJ-45) is used by IP phones. IP phones are directly connected to the router with all the necessary software and hardware in handling IP calls. IP phones that are Wi-Fi will also soon be available. VoIp calls can be done at all Wi-Fi hotspot.

3. Computer to computer is the easiest method of using VoIP. Calling long distance is free. There are a few companies which offer free or very cheap software to make use of this method. The user only needs a microphone, sound card, speakers, Internet connection (via DSL modem or cable) and the software. However, the users need to pay the ISP monthly fee.

Trying VoIP is not a problem since there is plenty of VoIP software in the Internet for free. All you need to do is to download and setup it at about 3 to 5 minutes. To test it, you could invite a friend to do the same and check it if it's really working. This is a good opportunity. VoIP are used by most phone companies in streamlining their networks. They are routing phone calls via IP getaway and circuit switch reducing the bandwidth they are using for long hauls. Once the getaway received the calls, the other side will route, reassemble, and decompress it locally in a circuit switch.

This will take time but the current networks of circuit-switched are replaced by a technology called packet-switching. The data networks just retrieve and send data whenever the user needs it. It does not allow routing of data via dedicated line instead it allows flowing of data packets through chaotic networks provided with numerous possible paths. It simply opens brief connections to send the packets (small piece of data) from systems to systems. This method is very efficient because packets flow through the cheapest and least congested lines while still allowing both communicating computers to accept information.

IP technology really makes sense both in infrastructure and economics requirements. More businesses are installing the VoIP systems and this technology will grow more in popularity making its way for home use. VoIP is a breakthrough in improving traditional phone systems to become very efficient and a reliable way of communication.





Steve Wickenden runs his own mail order business as well as running several shopping based websites. His particular speciality is electronics and computers.
Visit his website which is full of VoIp resources.
http://www.discount-computer-equipment.com/VOIP.html

A computer virus is a self-replicating computer program written to alter the way a computer operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user.

Elk Cloner is credited with being the first computer virus to appear in the wild -- outside the single computer or lab where it was created. Written in 1982 by Rich Skrenta, it attached itself to the Apple DOS 3.3 operating system and spread by floppy disk. The first PC virus was a boot sector virus called (c)Brain, created in 1986 by two brothers, Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi, Pakistan. The brothers reportedly created the virus to deter pirated copies of software they had written.

Before computer networks became widespread, most viruses spread on removable media, particularly floppy disks. In the early days of the personal computer, many users regularly exchanged information and programs on floppies. Some viruses spread by infecting programs stored on these disks, while others installed themselves into the disk boot sector.

Traditional computer viruses emerged in the 1980s, driven by the spread of personal computers and the resultant increase in BBS and modem use, and software sharing. Bulletin board driven software sharing contributed directly to the spread of Trojan horse programs, and viruses were written to infect popularly traded software. Shareware and bootleg software were equally common vectors for viruses on BBS's.

Since the mid-1990s, macro viruses have become common. Most of these viruses are written in the scripting languages for Microsoft programs such as Word and Excel. These viruses spread in Microsoft Office by infecting documents and spreadsheets. Since Word and Excel were also available for Mac OS, most of these viruses were able to spread on Macintosh computers as well.

A computer virus may also be transmitted through instant messaging. A virus may send a web address link as an instant message to all the contacts on an infected machine. If the recipient, thinking the link is from a friend (a trusted source) and follows the link to the website, the virus hosted at the site may be able to infect this new computer and continue propagating.

The newest species of the virus family is the cross-site scripting virus. The virus emerged from research and was academically demonstrated in 2005. This virus utilizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities to propagate. Since 2005 there have been multiple instances of the cross-site scripting viruses in the wild, most notable sites affected have been MySpace and Yahoo.

David is the webmaster of http://www.ArticleAware.com --- Collection of Free Articles. Great resource for webmasters who want to have fresh and useful content. Updates everyday!

During my years in business many people have asked what is the best printer. After reading this article you will be in a better position to determine the best printer for you.
The major manufacturers are Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Canon, Epson, Xerox and Brother. Lexmark makes many printers for other manufacturers such as Xerox and Compaq. So you may see printers with another manufactures names that are actually Lexmarks.

The biggest names are Lexmark, HP.Epson and Canon. There are two major categories of inkjet printers. On one the print head is built right into the inkjet printer cartridge itself. This is a cheap print head meant to last a short time. The other has the print head built into the printer itself. This print head is meant to last the life of the printer. Now the reason this is important is that there is a huge difference in the cost of cartridges between the two types. This may be one of the main factors in your choice of printers.

Hewlett Packard from now on called HP and Lexmark are the ones with the print head built into the inkjet printer cartridge. These are the expensive cartridges sometimes costing $35.00, $40.00 or even more. These cartridges are much more expensive to manufacture. Also these companies have patients that keep other companies from making cheaper substitutes. This keeps the prices up.

The other style of printer cartridge is just a plastic container with a sponge in it .Ink is injected into the sponge. This makes for a very inexpensive cartridge. Many companies are making substitutes for these costing less than 25% of the cost of the Lexmark and HP cartridges. The print quality of both types is of cartridges is excellent. So at first glance it might seem that the obvious choice of printers would be the printer with the lost cost cartridges.

However there are some other factors to take into consideration. If you print once a week or perhaps every two weeks the print heads can dry out on the printers with the built in print heads. These can be hard to get going again. In some cases You may not be able to get them going at all. This means a new printer. Never take the cartridges out of this type of printer for long periods of time. Such as for shipping as they can dry out so bad you may not be able to get them going. New printers are shipped without cartridges but the print head doesn't have any ink in it so there is nothing to dry out. The other style of print head also dries out but On the Lexmark and HP this isn't so much of a problem since you can get the cartridge out to clean it and in the worst case you can always get a new cartridge.

Now after all of this you may be confused as to which is the best one for you. It really depends on how much printing you do or if your willing to print a test page daily then The Epson, Canon or Brother type printer might be right for you. The print quality on some of these is incredible. Some of these manufacturers recommend printing a page at least every two weeks. I have found this is not nearly often enough. I suggest a page every day or two. If you don't print often then one of the HP or Lexmark might be better. The print quality is very good on either type.

In this case you can use refilled cartridges to cut down on costs. Well I hope this helps I've been I the refill business several years and I have seen the problems people face with these. But it's worth it the printing quality is incredible. Some of these printers are capable of gallery quality prints.

Richard Sherland has been recycling cartridges for 6 years.He is the owner of http://www.economyinkjets.com The author has also been a Broadcast Engineer and owna computer repair business.His new site is http://www.economyezine.com

There are many different names for refurbished computers some of the most common names you hear for an example are Remanufactured and reconditioned. This is where the computer is sent back to the manufacturer for a reason as simple as parts and then after it is tested it is resold once again.

Items like your computer could be as simple as a person getting the wrong computer and have already opened the box or a scratch on the computer or monitor but at times it could be a bigger problem such as it not working properly.

Usually, the computer that you are buying refurbished is a good computer it still has to go through the same testing requirements that a new computer goes through. So you do not have to be totally alarm and fear the worst when you hear refurbished. It is important to note that refurbished does not equal old, so it is important to note that you are not buying an outdated computer.

Refurbished computers are a good idea for that consumer who is looking to purchase a computer for doing things such as surfing the net, e-mailing people or just for the joy of playing games on it.
Another benefit of a refurbished computer as opposed to a brand new one is the technology used is less then a year old so you get processing power and memory that is almost as good as a new model.

A refurbished computer works well for that person who is in the beginning stages of learning how to use a computer. IT is also a good idea for a person who may be starting a business and is looking to keep overhead down to consider a refurbished as this will allow the business owner to take advantage of the technology offered at a sometimes much lower price.


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Jaxxon McVee is a retired computer programmer who currently works in Computer Sales assisting clients in the proper equipment and software that they will need for their businesses.

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