Monday, November 30, 2009

The factors you would need to consider when buying a PC or Laptop.

Having a computer is this day and age is essential everything now a days is done on computers. So in order to keep up with business and education you will have to have a good knowledge of one. They make life alot easier for us students, helping us research, write reports or essays and keep in touch with other students or even lecturers. Notebooks are small versions of laptops which are mcuh handyer to carry around, as they are light and small enough to easily fit in your bag. Laptops are generaly alot cheaper than a PC and alot more efficient for student life, but maybe arent always as fast or have as big a memory as PCs.

There are several components your computer must have to run effectivly and smoothly. Depending on your budget and main usage of the computer for you can invest further in certain components.
These comonents are;
•Processor. It is also known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). It is the driving force of the computer, it determines how fast it will run and process the information you are dealing with. It is also known as the brains of your computer. You should make sure you are buying a computer with a good processer or you’l regret having bought it.
•Hard Drive. The hard drive is what stores all your data. It houses the hard disk, where all your files and folders are physically located and housed.

•Memory. Random Access Memory (RAM) is the temporary storage area for data. This how you are able to run more than one programme at any given time. Adding RAM can be more beneficial to your computer's performance than upgrading the CPU. It is usualy measured by gigabytes.

•Video Card. Also known as the graphic card. This processes all the images and graphics on the computer. You can see its performance best at work when playing games or graphic orientated programmes.

•Antivirus. The internet is plagued with all sorts of bugs which can destroy your computer and memory or personal files so it is important to protect from these bugs, eg. Trojan horses and viruses. You can usualy get a deal where you can get a security package, eg. Macaffee, with the computer but after the contract or trial runs out, you will have to purchase an update and extend your contract.

•Display. Obviously so you can see what your doing. If you are working as a film student perhaps getting a higher resoloution would be a better option or even a graphic designer or advertising student. It would make watching clips, online interviews and other video services will run at a higher and smoother quality.
• Office Software. Being a student is essential to have microsoft office on your computer. If your computer comes without it it is always possible to purchase a microsoft office package at most computer stores. It includes programmes such as Word and Powerpoint, both of which are used reguraly with students today.

It is also a good idea to make sure it is Wi-fi compatable, because usually in collages and other public areas you will be able to acces the internet without requiring a phone connction.

Scientists use computer to 'read minds' on screen

A team of scientists at University of California have developed a computer which motitors brain activity, and from doing so can recall something from the persons memory or what they are thinking, more so what theyre next decision could be. they're hoping this could be useful for victims recalling criminals faces acurately, or maybe when it becomes more advanced it can detect a person who is likely to commit a murder.

Using this computer they can also detect early signs of alzeimers and other degnerative diseases. This technology in britain has been sold to multinational companies allowing them to see how consumers subconsciously react to brands. i thought that aspect related to our field of psychology. It is all early days yet though for this technology and it is still to be criticised and peer reviewed.

Like the phone apps its just another area of technology that is rapidly evolving. something we might once have thought was fiction, like with the apps it was originaly thought of on star trek the idea of advanmced mobile communications, and now this, which is very similar to a movie released not so long ago about a dark furure, it was called minority report. i just found it interesting how reality has caught up with our imagination.

The article can be found here at - http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/scientists-use-computer-to-read-minds-on-screen-1931195.html

Apps on phones

Mobile phones have developed so much in the last decade. its incredible when you really look back at the functions and capabilties off your first phone in comparison to your current phone or at least the phones which are used today.

My original phone had only black and white cript and writing, and the only function i had was a game you might know, snake. this was my original motorola phone, now i have a touch screen phone which is almost as good if not handyer than my laptop. its got numerous games, i can learn how to play guitar, view maps and time zones and even video call people.

I read this article on this news reader who was forced to read the news off her iphone apps thanks to technical difficulties with the bbc. Thanks to her experience as a news presenter and the up to date technology of her phone nobody noticed the fault with the bbc. She goes on to say how she has over tow pages of apps. Technology is really advancing rapidly and we dont even notice, who knows what our phones will be capable of in the future.

The article can be found at - http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/lost-the-news-theres-an-app-for-that-1956498.html

Test Tips For Multiple-Choice Psychology Exams

i got this article off http://psychology.about.com


While multiple-choice exams may seem challenging, you can prepare yourself by understanding the structure of a multiple-choice test and how to approach these types of exams. Remember, the correct answer is right there in front of you! By carefully analyzing each question and choices offered, you can increase your chances of performing well on each multiple-choice test you take.

The Structure of a Multiple-Choice Question
Each question consists of just three parts:

1.The first part a multiple-choice problem is the basic section that asks a question, gives and incomplete sentence, or poses a problem that you are expected to solve.


2.The next part of the question is a number of distracting alternatives. These are the incorrect answers that are designed to test your true knowledge of the subject. Some of these alternatives may seem correct, so it is important to know the topic well to avoid selecting an incorrect answer.


3.The final part of a multiple-choice problem is the correct answer to the question or problem that is posed.
Techniques For Exams
In addition to following good study habits, there are steps you can take during an exam to ensure you choose the correct answer.

•Read the question carefully! The most common exam errors occur when students fail to accurately or thoroughly read each question.


•Read all of the choices. Don’t stop reading all of your options simply because you think you’ve already found the correct choice.


•If you are struggling with a question, try reposing each option as a true-or-false question.


•Even if you are unfamiliar with the question, try to use common sense or logic when selecting the best possible answer.


•Take notice of all-or-nothing words or phrases. Examples include words such as "Every," "Always" and "All." These are less likely to be correct than words that offer room for exceptions or alternatives such as "Some," "Many" or "Few."


•Answer questions in the order they come. If you spend a great deal of time skipping around, you are likely to mistakenly leave some questions unanswered. If you are stuck on a question, put a mark off to the side and come back to it when you have answered the rest of the questions.

•Guess! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so never leave any question on a multiple-choice test blank.

While no amount of strategy can compensate for poor study habits, understanding the structure of a multiple-choice test and using good test-taking techniques can improve your performance. Combining these techniques with preparation and knowledge of the subject is the best route to academic success.

here are some useful sites related to our course

The Psychological Society of Ireland - http://www.psihq.ie/

Find psychology articles, student resources and psychology study guides. Explore psychology definitions and theories with - http://psychology.about.com/

anyone watch xfactor?

well i think everyone watches xfactor by now, and if you dont, go watch it, go watch it now. if you do you can comment and what not. why were those irish twins so popular? they were a gimic and a joke, isnt it a music competition that creates peoples dreams of being artists. well luckily them and the other joke; Lloyd are gone now. why do people hate danyl so much aswell? is he really that cocky? or is it just confidence, i dont know. stacey to win anyways! shes amazing and does amazing performances every week and shes like the nicest person ever on that show. anyways thats another blog down towards my ca. see ya

i do not know what to write

what if you hate doing this? what do you write then? im no good with these blog things, so im just gonna talk about band stuff if thats okay with you all, anyone thats in one can relate, ever played a gig and everything goes wrong, that happened to us the saturday, it was not fun, it wasnt our fault though, it was the dang sound engineer, fairly embarresing when the microphones are giving off horrible feedback and the guitar keeps turning on and off, anyways this is one more blog towards my CA. see ya