Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

How to Convert HTML to PDF

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Before we look at specific ways to convert HTML to PDF, lets consider the task in more detail. HTML is the programming language that is used to create websites. Obviously, HTML is more versatile — it supports Flash, animated images, embedded video, background music (this is thankfully rare) and other dynamic page elements. These and some other features of HTML pages can’t be converted to HTML, so when choosing a html-to-pdf converter it’s important to take into account what HTML features it can handle.

Another factor is how you want to use the converter:

  • Do you simply need to convert a single page?
  • Or do you want to make an application that lets other people convert certain HTML documents to PDF?
  • Would you prefer something you can download and install, or an online service?
  • How much are you willing to pay for the HTML converter?

The third and final issue is whether the page that needs to be transformed to PDF was created specifically for that purpose, or is it just some arbitrary webpage. This is important because if you want the resulting PDF to be easy to use, with fulltext search and clickable links, the source HTML should be built appropriately. Some HTML pages uses images to represent text, which means that text won’t be searchable. Also, menus and navigation links that rely on JavaScript won’t be clickable in PDF format. As a rule of thumb, if a webpage has good accessibility, it will work well when converted to PDF. On the other hand, pages that rely or browser-specific feature or flash-based sites usually aren’t suitable for PDF conversion.

Finally, lets look at specific HTML to PDF converters. For the average user, PDFonFly is likely the best choice. It’s a free online service that takes a webpage URL and creates a matching PDF file for you to download. The only annoyance is having to enter a captcha, but that’s a small price to pay for a quick and painless HTML to PDF service. The conversion quality is very good - the colors and fonts look nearly as good as in a web browser, with a few minor layout glitches for some webpages. If you want to convert a lot of HTML documents to .pdf, take a look at html2pdf (a commercial online service, average quality) or XHTML2PDF (an open source Python library).

Want to learn more about PDF converters? Check out my article about a free pdf to Word converter to find out how to convert PDF to Word online. This article was created by Janis Elsts, a techy blogger and hobbyist tutorial writer.

How to Improve Quality Mp3 and Wav Files

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

Ways of processing Mp3 and Wav files can be divided into 2 sorts: distorting and not distorting. And if distorting ways of processing change an original relation and level of amplitudes and frequencies of a sound whereas not distorting ways of processing change level of all amplitudes equally or leave invariable level of all amplitudes and frequencies of a sound. The most widespread distorting way of processing is 0 equalizer, and the most widespread not distorting way of processing is 0 normalizer. We will consider a normalizer in given article. Gist of a normalization consists that an amplitude of initial beep varies, and a form remains former. And it feel on hearing as change of force a sound or volume. Change of volume is accompanied by change of dynamic range that is relations of the loudest value to the most silent value of beep. Increase of a volume leads to increase a dynamic range.

Contraction and reduction of a dynamic range is accompanied by music which sounds exactly, monotonously, all time with approximately identical loudness, it becomes boring, inexpressive, more plane, an expression and dynamism disappears, brightness of perception is lost. Certainly, it is possible to take advantage of a pen or a button of volume and easier to increase volume level, not resorting to a help of a normalizer but if you have many composition it supplies notable inconvenience. Each composition has its a dynamic range and a volume average level. If all musical compositions are executed in one style or a genre that, as a rule, it is possible will be limited to peak normalization. Peak normalization for group of compositions fixes for each composition a dynamic range at one level thus that all compositions have a same dynamic range. If all musical compositions are executed in different style or a genre that, as a rule, resort to normalization on an average level. Normalization on an average level for group of compositions fixes a dynamic range at different level for each composition depending on average value of volume of this composition that creates sensation of identical volume at transition from one composition to another for all group of compositions. Let’s consider normalization of a sound with reference to program Sound Normalizer . You need to open a file prior to a beginning of normalization. The program has 2 modes: single and batch.

You can open a file in a single mode having executed a command “Open”. You can go in the batch mode having executed a command “Batch Processor”. You can open files in the Batch Processor using three ways:

If You execute a command “Add Files” that can select Mp3 or Wav a file or files; If You execute a command “Add Folder” that can select all Mp3 or Wav the files which are in this folder; If You execute a command “Add Folders” that can select all Mp3 or Wav the files which are in this folder and all subfolder being in this folder.

The program has for Mp3 files normalization on an average level with definition of clipping. As level of a sound for Mp3 files is near to peak level or exceeds that one peak normalization for Mp3 files it appears not expedient. Combination of a normalization on an average level with a peak normalization preventing a clipping will be a optimal variant. Clipping is a distortion of beep expressing in appearance of “hissing” and “cod”. Program Sound Normalizer has for Wav files while only peak normalization. Before normalization fulfil test for Mp3 files and define a recommended maximum level of normalization without clipping will be the best order of performance of normalization.

The recommended maximum level of normalization without clipping is a optimum level of normalization eliminating clipping and providing maximum quality of a sound. In the batch mode the recommended maximum level of batch normalization of the list of processing without clipping is the optimum level of normalization eliminating clipping and providing maximum quality of a sound, calculated for a current list of processing.

There is a command “Normalize each file on a maximum level without clipping” in the batch mode this command represents implementation of peak normalization on a maximum level for Mp3 files.

Level of normalization for Mp3 files expresses in percentage concerning value in 89 db in the program Sound Normalizer. For example 89 db is 100 %. 89 db is defined by practical consideration for majority Mp3 files volume level, on which else there are no clipping.

Resume

The normalization is not distorting sort of processing. The normalization is accompanied by change of a volume or of a dynamic range, that is the relation of the loudest value to the most silent value of beep varies. The normalization allows to improve quality: if it for Wav files expresses by increase of a dynamic range for Mp3 files it expresses by elimination of a clipping. Starting normalization Mp3 and Wav files it is necessary to mean, that there are 2 sorts of normalization: Peak normalization; Normalization on an average level.

It is necessary to know that there are 2 modes of normalization:

The single; The batch.

The normalization of the batch mode works with a list of processing and allows to align perceived volume for group of compositions. If all songs belong to the same genre or style of music in group of compositions that usually enough and peak normalization. If there are songs in group of compositions having different genres then it is usually necessary to use normalization on an average level. Usage of peak normalization will be enough in most cases for Wav files because often level their volume is not equal maximum and group played back Wav files on disk of usual capacity, as a rule, belongs to one genre. Usage of normalization on an average level is necessary for Mp3 files as their level of volume, as a rule, is equal maximum or exceeds it, that calls appearance clipping. Mp3 files have a small size and consequently are allocated on a disk of usual capacity in a considerable quantity and belong not seldom to different genres of music. Usage of normalization on an average level together with peak normalization preventing clipping of beep and allowing to receive maximum quality therefore will be optimal for Mp3 files.

Author: Peter Kantsler, Source: http://www.kanssoftware.com

How to Print to PDF From Any Application

Saturday, December 20th, 2008
PDF (Portable Document Format) is one of the most popular and widely accepted file formats. It’s used mainly for distributing various documents - when you send someone a PDF file you can be certain they’ll be able to view it, as multiple PDF viewers are available for every platform and OS. But first, you need to create the .pdf. There are several ways you could go about that - using a converter tool, a PDF-specific document editor, or printing a document to the PDF format. The latter approach, i.e. printing to PDF, is arguably the easiest one, so that’s the one I’ll explain in this article.

To print something to a PDF file, you will need to install a virtual “PDF printer”. There’s a number of freeware applications available - PrimoPDF, CutePDF, Pdf995 and so on. At their core, most of these are very similar - each installs a virtual printer driver that intercepts the specially formatted, printing-ready data that word processors and other applications send to the printer. The virtual printer then converts the data to the PDF format using a third party library (called Ghostscript) and saves the result in the location you specify.

So if all those print-to-pdf tools are so similar, which one should you pick? I recommend doPDF - a lightweight application that doesn’t require any additional software. Unlike most other PDF converters, with doPDF you only need to download & install one program and you’re set.

To create a PDF file from any document, first download and install doPDF. It’s very simple - there’s practically no configuration to worry about. Then open the source file in any editor that supports printing. Lets take Microsoft Word for this example (the procedure is nearly the same in any application). In Word, select “File — Print…” to open the “Print” dialog and choose “doPDF v6″ from the printer name dropdown. doPDF will ask you where you want to save the .pdf file. Choose a location and let the virtual printer do it’s job. After the PDF has been created it will be automatically opened in your default PDF viewer.

Using a virtual PDF printer is the easiest way to convert files to PDF as it works with almost any file format. Now you’ve learned how to print to PDF from Word or any other application, and it probably took you less than 10 minutes - congratulations.

This article about printing to PDF was written by Janis Elsts, a techy blogger and web programmer. As a bonus tip, check out my tutorial about free PDF to Word converters - see how you turn a read-only PDF file back into an editable document.

New Security Options in Lenovo Notebooks

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Due to a growing number of notebook theft cases both manufacturers and normal users are always looking for new ways to protect data on their hard drives. Notebook theft is not a joke especially if you keep on his hard drive personal or confidential business data. The thief can get access to virtually all the information needed for identity theft.

Many peoples to avoid these types of threats chose notebooks with built-in fingerprint readers and encrypts data on their computers. But the Lenovo company proposes completely new solution in notebooks security which intends to put on sale in the coming year. One sms message sent by the owner will be sufficient to disable stolen notebook computer.

Service “Lenovo Constant Secure Remote Disable Feature” will together with devices that support WWAN. The user sending simple text message such as “Lockdown PC” or “PC shut off” will be able to block his computer operation.

At the time of receipt of message your notebook will automatically shuts off and in the case that thief will try to start it again it will completely block your machine. Also there will be message sent to the owner of the notebook informing that his computer was successfully blocked. In the case when the owner will get back his notebook he will be able to unlock his machine via a previously set password.

Introducing this type of security significantly reduce the stress associated with the loss of the notebook and the data contained on his hard drive. And with connection with already existing security features such as fingerprint readers, hard drive encrypting or security chip’s Lenovo notebooks will have the most advanced security features available on the market - says Bob Galush from Lenovo

As for now however it is unknown whether the data contained on a computer’s hard drive will be secure after it will be dismounted from the computer.

Marcin Zielezny

Marcin is the writer for Go-GetIt.com blog reporting on the latest new gadgets and gizmos that you can buy in stores.

Data Recovery Tools - Prevention and the How-To of Restoring Lost Or Deleted Files

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

I can picture it now, you were sitting at your laptop pounding away on the keyboard trying to finish up that term paper that should have been written two weeks ago, then suddenly the power goes out and your files are lost. Your computer resets and your word processing software has lost all your progress. Or maybe you were babysitting and the kid jumped on the computer to fix up a quick homework assignment and deleted all your hard work. No matter the situation we are going to end up at the same place–we’ve lost some files on our personal computer and we want them back; however, the best option will always be prevention, so let’s start there.

If possible, always keep a “hard copy” of any printable file. A “hard copy” is a printed file which is the physical product of what is intended to be an electronic document. There are some cases where this may not be possible. For example, any website work or graphic design work may be nearly impossible to capture in another format, especially if you have any other hidden features that may be electronically stored within the image.

If you can’t keep a “hard copy” then the best thing that you can do is back the file up on any other possible storage media that will stand alone without the use of the personal computer that you initially intended to store the file on. I recommend using a second household computer, if you have one. If you don’t there are many other possible alternatives for storing files electronically. Another great storage resource is an email account, if the document is a relatively large document then the email account probably wouldn’t be a suitable option; however, you could always sign up for an online storage service.

Now that we have discussed possible ways to prevent the situation from happening–or happening again if you’re one of the unfortunate that this has already happened to (I am assuming you are, you are here after all)–it’s time we discuss ways of solving the problem.

Your first option probably would be to make a trip down to the local computer repair shop in your area and seeing if one of the “techies” there can help you out, and this is a common route many people will take. Another option would require searching through lists of data recovery companies and trying to select one company that looks reputable enough to go with.

Personally, I’m closer to being the local “techie” than most people and I do tend to catch the D.I.Y. bug quite often too, so I probably would take the last option which I’m going to spout out right now. I would go through looking for a piece of software that would allow me to do the job myself. In some situations this may be the very thing you need to do, especially if you’re working with sensitive documents. After all, many of us have a lot of information sitting around on a hard disk drive that we wouldn’t want just any data recovery company to be snooping through (Think: bank statements, email addresses, personal accounting files, general private messages, and in some cases for the public figure…internet history).

So, I would suggest backing up all your files first and then having your own set of data recovery tools. If you’re still interested in learning more then click this link and read more about it here!

Hope this helps!

Disposing of Your USB Memory Sticks

Friday, November 28th, 2008

USB memory sticks are a wonderful way to back up and transport a range of digital information, from music to video to documents to pictures. The only question is, when you are ready to retire your memory stick, how do you dispose of it? Before you think about just throwing away your USB memory stick, consider the myriad ways you can recycle or reuse it.

Before you find an outlet for your old memory sticks, make sure all the information you wrote onto the stick has been properly and completely deleted. While deleting the files yourself at home may appear to remove the information from the stick, the data may still be accessible to skilled hackers and certain spy programs. The best practice is to take the drive to your local computer store or maintenance location and have them professionally delete the information.

A great way to dispose of your memory stick is to donate it. For example, some companies collect unwanted and old USB sticks and recycles them for students and professionals in developing countries who do not have access to such technology. Some education trusts also accepts donated USB memory sticks in support of schools in Africa. If you prefer your donation to stay more local, then some local libraries distribute audio books to the blind on donated memory sticks.

If you do not like the idea of donating your USB memory stick, it is also possible to recycle your memory stick at home by finding alternative uses for them. Unwanted USB sticks can be used as key chain charms or plant labels. The circuit boards and interior wiring can be reconfigured and redesigned to make unique jewelry pieces, and an arrangement of USB parts could contribute to an art project. Some people grind up their old USB sticks and lay it around flower beds as moisture insulation and weed protection. All you need to recycle your memory stick at home is a little imagination!

A final resort for the disposal of unwanted USB memory sticks is throwing them away but make sure to heed the warning about deleting all information properly before choosing this disposal option!

Everything considered, the best disposal method is reuse. One of the best aspects of a USB memory stick is it can be rewritten again and again and continue to hold and transport your data in a small and efficient manner and with sales of these units in the hundreds of millions they are likely to be here for quite some time yet.

Choosing a Computer Network Training Provider

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

When you are in a place where you are looking at the options that you need to get your workplace online, you will find that you are looking at something that can be greatly informed by your choice of network training provider. The truth of the matter is that no matter what industry you work in and what you are doing to make sure that you can get the results that you need, you are going to find that you are in a place where you need to make sure that you and your staff have a thorough understanding of the technologies and the networking that you are using. You can have the best system around and it will do you very little good unless you know how to use it! When you are looking to make sure that you are getting the most out of your network training, make sure that you consider a few points about your network training provider.

The first and most basic thing that your training provider should be able to accomplish is that they need to make sure that they can convey simply and clearly how the technology works to your staff. In the first place, think about how adept your staff is. Have they recently just come from one good networking system and now they are going to another, or are they in a place where this is all brand new to them? In either case, the training needs to be tailored to their needs and their comfort, so make sure that you can find a trainer who will do that.
Another point that you need to make sure of when you are looking towards hiring a good computer network training provider is that you need to think about how intimately they are familiar with the system that you are getting installed.

- What kind of experience do they have, and what can you do to make sure that you are in a good place where they get the information that they need to get across?
- In what ways are they preferable to an in house system and what do they offer when you are looking to get a certain amount of people competent on the material at hand?

You will find that the more information that you can get when you are classifying their work, the better off you are.

When you want to make sure that you are getting the best trained network engineers out there, you will find that you are in a place where training is crucial. Make sure that you invest in a training provider who will give your engineers the training that they need to thrive. Take some time and make sure that the people that you are looking to work with will give you the best results when it comes to getting your engineers the real life, hands on experience that they need.

Take some time to consider what you need out of your computer network training provider and make sure that you get it. Finding a trainer who suits you and who can help you achieve your goals will pay off in the long run.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on Network Training, he recommends Prodec Networks, a leading provider of computer network training.

How to Go About Downloading iPod Videos

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Increasingly, iPods are becoming more and more popular among all ages. Its portability, sleek design, colorful graphics and entertainment possibilities are just some of the reasons for the iPod’s popularity. And if one is to make full use of the iPod (and maximize the substantial outlay for this high-tech gadget), then one should learn how to go about downloading iPod videos. It can be daunting at first especially when confronted with words like application, software, decrypters, rips, and other tech-nerd words. However, learning how to go about downloading iPod videos can be as easy as pie, or at least as easy as following simple albeit many instructions.

When you ask an experienced video downloader about how to go about downloading iPod videos, you will usually be referred to legitimate web sites that offer safe and reliable iPod video downloads. With the Internet being a haven for scams and schemes, the membership fee for unlimited downloads is value for your money. Not only are you safe from computer pests, you are also assured of excellent service. Just to mention a few of these outstanding web sites, you can always subscribe to The Movies Download though there is always iTunes. These sites offer gazillions of videos and music to choose from, such that you will run out of ideas to browse and download but the sites will never run out of music and videos to satisfy you. With the free tutorials on these sites, learning how to go about downloading iPod videos can indeed be as easy as pie.

When you know how to transfer files from one media to another, gaining knowledge on how to go about downloading iPod videos is a quick study since these processes are basically the same. The difference is that the latter requires larger data space and compatibility requirements, which can take time and further learning on your part. If you subscribe to the above mentioned web sites, be sure that you have the time to browse through the selections, select your videos and music, and wait for the downloads to finish. Having a fast Internet connection speed, high-tech computers, various Internet browsers and patience will come a long way towards learning how to go about downloading iPod videos from these web sites. Again, tutorials and technical support are provided, plus free conversion software in selected web sites.

For example, at The Movies Download, your personal computer with Internet connection can be used to download videos; use it like you would browse through the Internet. When you find the movie or video of your choice, you download it to your computer; specify the destination and the title, of course. For the novice, the site provides detailed and specific download instructions for its members on a 24/7 basis, using plain English. From searching within the site, to downloading, to transferring videos from the Internet to your computer to your iPod, the site will teach you how to go about downloading iPod videos. This is also true for all the other web sites since excellent service before, during and after sales are the main objectives. Even if you were the most phobic of all things technological, these reliable and safe web sites can guide you on how to go about downloading iPod videos. We do live in a nice world, huh?

John Wood has written a comprehensive review of the movie and tv show download service The Movie Downloads. You can read his TheMovieDownloads Review here.

USB Flash Drive Operating Systems

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

Did you know that you could get an entire operating system on a flash USB drive? Most firmware in modern PCs allows booting from these drives. That means that a bootable flash drive could allow you to launch an operating system, this is commonly called Live USB and applies mostly to Linux operating systems. However, there is a MS Windows version available and some versions of BSD are also available on flash USBs.

Live USBs are good special purpose or brief tasks like doing an operating system install or disk cloning operation across a network, loading a minimal kernel for embedded operations and maintenance tasks.

A properly configured Windows USB flash drive will allow you to install a version of Windows XP on a drive, with extra software if there’s space. To do this, a special utility is required, as well as a fairly large drive. You will end up with a portable, compact emergency version of your operating system.

Live USBs are more commonly used by Linux operating systems, and are closely related to the now-common live CDs. Like CDs, USBs can be used to help test a distribution, recover data and many other tasks. Live USBs have many of the same limitations and benefits of a live CD. It is, however, easier for a live USB’s data to be changed, since CDs are usually permanently written. That makes it easier to use a live USB as personal storage, allowing a user to carry their preferred applications, operating system and configuration. Sharing a single system between multiple users is much easier in this case.

Live USBs can also provide extra privacy, since the USB device is carried by the user and storage in a safe location is easy. However, the small size of these devices also means that they are easily lost and stolen; making backups and encryption more important for USB flash drive operating systems than normal desktop operating systems.

Since USB drives have no moving parts, they are able to have a faster seek time than optical media and hard drives, this means small programs start faster from USB flash drives than from a live CD or hard disk. However, the low data transfer speeds of some USB devices can make booting from them very slow. In addition, older computers may not have a BIOS that supports booting from USB devices. Booting an operating system from a USB drive may slightly reduce the life of the flash drive.

Carrying your own personal operating system in your pocket can be extremely useful for travellers or people using shared computers. Some sites offer tutorials on simplified flash drive installation for many different distributions of Linux (which is the most popular OS for this purpose). These tutorials mean it is much easier to install, boot and run your preferred distribution, with all your settings and files, from a very small drive. Just be sure you have a large enough drive and that you are using it in a computer capable of booting from the USB port.

Note: USB 2.0 capability greatly speeds things up, as well.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded promotional flash drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.

The Security of USB Flash Drives

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

Even the biggest USB flash drive is still smaller than most people’s thumbs. Since we carry these devices to numerous locations, there is a fairly good chance that we will eventually lose them. If this should happen, most of us simply hope there was nothing sensitive on the drive. However, that is not the only thing you can do. There are some basic USB flash drive security measures available.

If your flash drive carries some sensitive information that you hope to keep from ending up online by the next day, security measures available range from secure partitions to encryption options. Secure partitions are a rudimentary form of security - a password protected partition is created on the drive, using a utility supplied by the manufacturer, this makes a public partition and a secure one.

In most cases, it is not possible to access these partitions at the same time, it is often necessary to log into the secure partition, hiding the public one. Not all controllers feature this limitation. Using a version of your utility, someone else could re-partition the drive. However, they would not have access to the data you have stored on the secure partition.

There are other USB flash drives that are much more specialised, they offer the same sort of secure, password protected partition. However, they also encrypt data stored on that partition, making it much harder for people to get to your data. While encryption algorithms can be broken, having encryption on your USB drive is an extra layer of security you can offer your data.

The down side to drives that use encryption is that some of them only perform this encryption in software that results in lower performance on the drive when encryption is enabled. Few manufacturers use a hardware based engine capable of encrypting and decrypting files at a higher speed to prevent performance penalties when you access a secure partition that’s using encryption.

The problem with both of these security approaches is that they are mostly dependent on software; the majority of manufacturers of USB flash drives only provide Windows based software support.

What does that mean for Macintosh users and people who use a Linux distribution or other unusual operating system? Security for USB flash drives is mostly still a matter of keeping good track of them. While it is possible to access public partitions on almost all systems, accessing the secure partition generally requires access to Windows.

USB flash drive security is still in its infancy, since these drives aren’t routinely used by people with a need to secure their data. As they become more widespread and the need for security increases, expect flash drive security options to increase as well. For now, partitioning and encrypting are the major options available, though.

Windows users are in luck and can make use of both of these options effectively to preserve their data. However, users of operating systems that aren’t compatible with the software on the drive must simply try not to let their USB flash drives fall into the wrong hands.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded Custom Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.