Understanding Programming Languages

July 14, 2011 by
Computer feestje

Image by arneheijenga via Flickr

Individuals who enjoy computer sciences and advancements in technology might be interested in learning how to become a computer developer. In order to be successful in this career path, people must understand the basics of programming, since without this knowledge, a program or website cannot be created.

There are many programming languages that are used to create computer applications, servers, and utilities. Basically, it is a way for humans to communicate commands to a computer. Every single program that is installed on a computer runs in a language that a computer can comprehend. Otherwise, the software would never be able to run. The main languages are Java, C, C++, and Assembler. Windows, Linux, and some other operating systems run in C and C++, while the process of booting and starting the computer is usually in Assembler. Java is used to run most software programs and applications.

Those who are interested in pursuing a career as a computer programmer or web developer can take courses, either online or in person, to understand the way these systems work. Many of these individuals will continue to take classes throughout the course of their career, since there are always changes in technology and updates to programming languages.

Computer science seems to be ever-growing. It can be a great career choice, as long as those interested understand the complexity of the work and attention to detail that will be expected. Those who enjoy this type of work are sure to find great pleasure in a job like this.

Filed Under: Advancements, Programming, Software · Tagged With: , ,

The Basics of Learning Web Design

June 7, 2011 by
A graphical despiction of a very simple html d...

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Perhaps you want to start a new online business and need a website, or you just want to learn web design as the start of a new career path. Whatever your needs, learning how to design websites can be an exciting endeavor.

In the past, website design was best left to the professionals; however, current technology has included the additional of easy to use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) design tools has made it more accessible to the general public. While these tools have made web design a bit easier, it is still necessary to have HTML coding knowledge.

Here are a few general tips on learning web design.

Set aside some time each day to learn and practice the basics. While you can possibly learn the basics in one day, by taking a more lengthy learning approach you will retain the ideas and knowledge better. It is advised to take approximately one week to learn the basics and then move onto more advanced skills such as style sheets and Flash.

Check out websites such as dacode.org for more information on learning web design, as well as examples of well-designed sites.

Look for and use free online tutorials and instructional videos that teach both general design as well as web design skills. While you may be learning web design skills, a site that is not visually pleasing and uses poor graphic design elements will not be effective.

Check your HTML code regularly using a text editor such as NotePad. In addition, many WYSYWYG programs have code editors that will allow you to examine your code.

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Become an Online Game Designer

May 24, 2011 by

Software design and programming is one of the fastest growing and most sought-after job fields. This means that if you are interested in becoming a game designer, there is probably a place for you in the field. It would be helpful to take some computer programming classes, but the most important thing you can do to be successful in programming is to practice and experiment with different platforms.

There are many places where you can go to start designing games. All of the smartphone companies have platforms that help designers, and they can be found online. Some even make the programming easy for someone that is not already super familiar with code. There is a high demand for smartphone apps, and this is a great place to get started if you are interested in becoming a game designer.

If you don’t already have an idea for an app, you can use the ideas of others. For instance, you could design a poker game and make it unique in some way.

Once you have mastered smartphone apps, the next step is to branch out into more advanced coding, like flash and PHP. This will enable you to create computer games that you can then sell on the internet or market to online game websites. Just remember that programming languages and technology are constantly changing, so you will have to continually learn new things.

But the great news is computers, smartphones, and other devices that need games and other software are not going away. This means that you will have a secure job if you enter the game designing industry and become good at it.

 

Filed Under: Programming · Tagged With:

Learn to design your own web page!

May 15, 2011 by

 

Part of a series of manipulated screenshots fr...

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The internet has now become the doorway that almost everyone uses to communicate with people the world over. Whether friends or family or even complete strangers, a presence on the web is sure to get noticed. This is the reason why websites are such a popular medium of promoting products and services. A lot of people also have personal websites that sell nothing but just people know more about them! However, websites need to have registered domains as well as content that need to be uploaded and updated on the net.

 

There was a time when web designing was a task performed by highly trained professionals who charged mammoth amounts of money to design basic websites. However, all that has changed as websites became more commonly used and training in web designing became freely available. Today, it is possible for people to register their own domains, host as well as design their own websites with very little training. First, a person needs to be clear about what is the objective behind developing the website.

 

You then need to come up with a relevant website name. Availability of a name can be easily checked at most of the popular domain registration sites. Draw up a plan on what kind of content you want on your site. Brainstorm with friends and family on what kind of a look or image you want your website to portray. Do you want your site to look funky or classy and elegant? Then search the internet for online training guides on web designing. There are also several free web designing software available on the internet for download and use.

 

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Why Pay for Games You Can Download

May 13, 2011 by

Games, we all love them. Facebook members spend hours at a time playing them. Programmers spend lots of time writing new ones. Download sites are loaded with them. Still there are sites that want consumers to pay to play. Why do consumers prefer not to pay?

Out in the big bad world of cyberspace you can find any game you actually have the desire to play, and you can find it for free. Sure it may hide under a different name, but it will be that same old game you grew up with. One example from Facebook is the game they call Wordscraper, which is actually Scrabble. Such games are interactive, challenging, and totally free. If WalMart gave out free games most folks would stick out a hand to receive, and online folks are much the same way.

Many of the free games out there, like poker, offer services just like the pay games do. They offer online play, chatting, tracking of player history, and even more. So here is a question. Why do companies actually do this, offer something for free that could generate income?

Advertising holds the answer. These interactive games require a registration.  Ads may be shown throughout the gaming process. The registration asks for a valid email address, thus allowing email to come to the user’s inbox promoting yet more and more stuff. Games bring in consumers. Advertisers use the games to reach consumers. Once they see the ads they spend dollars. This is how a totally free site can stay thriving. It is all a part of our informational marketplace. Information is money. The registration process gathers the needed customer facts so as to target the advertisements. It makes gaming affordable for everyone and yet it allows the site to make money as well.

However, it is not a good idea to download or use pirated games. While modern technology like Modchips and PS Jailbreak technology can let you play homebrew games, it is not ethical. Worse, if you get caught, it can cause you a world of legal trouble.

Filed Under: Downloads, Technology · Tagged With: , , ,

Basic Poker Strategy

May 5, 2011 by

Is money won better than money earned? It might spend the same, but taking an online poker pot sure seems like more fun than working a traditional nine to five job. Even though only a small percentage of poker players play as full-time professionals, it can still be a fun and profitable hobby for players that take the time to learn basic strategy.

Earn a Reputation

It’s called gambling, but needlessly calling time after time will cause a player to go bust rather than take pots. Aggressive playing works, but usually only after a player develops a reputation. Rather than trying to take every pot, players need to build up their profile and be established as smart players. When the time comes to take a major pot, the reputation as a smart player will give players a chance to win when the stakes are highest. Poker is not about winning the most hands; it’s about winning the most money.

Patience is a Virtue

Even though taking the first pot seems like the best way to start at a table, aggression is usually not a poker player’s best strategy, unless the hand calls for it. Players need to realize that poker is not about playing the cards; it is about playing your opponents. Even though it can be difficult to know a player’s tendencies during a quick game, learning these skills is the key to success in poker. Knowing which players to raise and which players to fold is the most basic poker strategy. When playing against unsophisticated or novice players, exploiting their weaknesses can be the path to easy victory.

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Finding the Best Computer for You

March 18, 2011 by

Computers are a funny thing. While they are extremely complicated on the inside, the extraordinary marketing and technological advances of recent years have made them pretty simple to understand when it comes to identifying what your needs are. While there is actually a law (which was originally put forward in 1968) which states that computer speeds are going to double every 18 months (and which has been consistently proven to be true since that time), the fact of the matter is that for a lot of people, having the very fastest computer which is currently available would be both a waste of perfectly good hardware and a waste of their money.

For a lot of people, such as those whose idea of video gaming is going to an Online Casino, a notebook with a gigabyte of RAM, a 50 gigabyte hard drive and a basic dual core processor should still be good a few years down the line. While you can always get more than you need, the question you need to ask yourself is why you would even bother?

Think about it. When you buy a computer, you are investing what may be several weeks worth of pay into something which you are likely going to have for two or three years. While the computer you buy today may very well last years, in a lot of cases the software you use is not going to be all that different five years from now. The days when every year brought out a new operating system have passed, and a lot of applications don’t need much.

Filed Under: Downloads, Hardware · Tagged With: , ,

How the Internet Helps Businesses Get Started

March 17, 2011 by

Starting your own business can be a scary and intimidating experience. There is the need to develop a business plan, get investors, hire employees, and make a name for yourself in the business world. In the past, starting a business was difficult. But now, with the help of many online resources, potential business owners are able to get up and running quickly.

If you are looking to start a business with the help of the Internet, here are some of the steps involved in getting that business up and running as quickly as possible.

Educate Yourself About the Business World

Every business owner believes they know everything about the business world. However, most successful business owners educate themselves about the business world. Online colleges, like those found at earnmydegree.com, are a popular way for potential business owners to educate themselves on the business world, and online programs allow for flexible schedules so there is enough time to devote to starting a business while learning about business.

Choose Your Niche

Every business regardless of how big or small it is has some type of niche or area of specialty. You can use the Internet and search engines to see what types of niches are popular and where there is a demand for certain types of products.

Market Your Idea to Investors

Many business owners start to market their business idea and business plan to potential investors who are willing to help contribute to getting the business up and running. Investors can be found through online network sites, cold calling companies, and even posting ads on online forums.

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What Is an Affiliate Review Site and How Does it Work?

March 9, 2011 by

If you have ever gone online to compare prices and features on cars, appliances, furniture, or other “big ticket” items, or even some smaller ones for that matter, chances are you have visited as least one affiliate review site. You may not have even been aware of this, as you’re not quite sure exactly what this site is, or how it differs from other sites.

Generally speaking, an affiliate review site provides product or services reviews as well as links to sites providing more information and usually buying or procurement opportunities for the products or services being reviewed. For this reason, whenever you visit an affiliate review site, you’re basically getting two services for the price of one access to reviews as well as the ability to go to another website so that you can check prices and make purchases, if you wish.

Affiliate review sites have other advantages besides providing “two-in-one” services. They can actually help you find the site that will best suit your specific needs. For example, one of the links on an appliance affiliate review site may be to the manufacturer itself, and you may actually be able to order the appliance of your choice “direct from the factory.”

In addition, they usually provide you with up-to-date reviews. You’re not reading something that was written a year ago, and hasn’t been changed since.

When you visit the links provided on these affiliate marketing program websites, you are usually routed to legitimate sites. This ensures that you will visit fewer, if any, scam sites or that your information will be made available to a scam site.

With the almost daily introduction of new technological devices, many people use these sites to obtain reviews on the latest products. This way, they can determine if it’s really worth upgrading or if the model they currently have is still sufficient.

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DANGERS AND DELIGHTS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY

February 23, 2011 by

Everybody loves the new social networking sites. Facebook, MySpace, Linked-In and others have become a part of the day-to-day lives of millions. Simply sign up, create a nice profile, and enjoy the open communication. It gives a whole new meaning to the song, “It’s a small world after all.”

It all has to do with the profile. These sites disply a user’s birthday. A person can upload an actual picture of his or herself. The profile builder also asks about education, employment, favorite books and movies, and much more. This process condenses friend finding into a science of matching one’s profile with other similar profiles. It all sounds so simple.

Family can make awesome use of these sites to stay in touch and share events and photos. Friends often locate each other after several years of separation. Oh how sweet it is to find someone after several years. Old school mates track down pals from the past because of the education features. Even prospective employers can have a look in order to see what kind of person they might be hiring. All of this is awesome, this uniting of family and friends, and this extra boost for the employment issue.

But there is more. What if the one doing the looking is not the good guy? Within these systems there is nothing to prevent a sex offender from joining and finding new friends. An abusive spouse can locate and continue to torment with the help of cyberspace. A foreign spy could learn lots just by being friends with an American soldier. One needs to use caution in choosing who to friends request out there.

Social networking site technology has brought with it both open communication and danger. Consumers need to be aware as they create profiles all over the net. Never allow teenagers or kids to post private and contact information online.

Filed Under: Software, Technology · Tagged With: , ,
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