Transponders are also used to measure distance by calculating the elapsed time between the sending of the interrogator signal and the receipt of the transponder’s signal. For example, sonar transponders are used to mark underwater positions, calculate depth, and trace positions. It may sound as if transponders are a technology that the average consumer never …
One of the great strengths of FLAC is its very fast decoding time, or ability to stream even on modest hardware. Technical specifics in the framed architecture also allow it to be error resistant, in that each frame has the information it needs to decode itself. If a frame is corrupted, the data lost in …
A sound card is an internal computer component that processes audio files in order to provide high-quality playback through computer speakers. A sound card plays voice as well as music files, and can handle various audio file formats including .wav, .mp3 and .cda to name but a few. The typical sound card has an interface …
Once booted to a DOS prompt, the FDISK command is used to access the partition map on the drive. From here one can select a partition to delete, then repartition the drive as desired. This method is recommended if you want to unpartition the entire disk, then repartition it. This can be a good time …
Much of the information available today is contained in some type of database. Blogs use databases to store posts and user information, discussion sites use them to store information about members, and organizations use them to store useful data for their business – from financial records to customer information. The majority of the databases used …
In pre-computer days, typewriters were equipped with a lever on the left-hand side known as a carriage return. When pressed, the mechanism sent the paper-holding cylinder, or carriage, to the right, and at the same time, rotated the paper upward to begin a new line. Eventually, a power carriage return was created that was pressed …
Cache (pronounced cash) memory is extremely fast memory that is built into a computer’s central processing unit (CPU), or located next to it on a separate chip. The CPU uses cache memory to store instructions that are repeatedly required to run programs, improving overall system speed. The advantage of cache memory is that the CPU …
There are a wide range of VGA cables available at differing prices. More expensive models offer features such as gold plating on the plugs, or shielding to prevent the individual wires from causing interference. However, many people believe these offer little improvement and generally aren’t worth the extra costs. As a rule of thumb, the …
Video conferencing is a communications technology that integrates video and audio to connect users anywhere in the world as if they were in the same room. This term usually refers to communication between three or more users who are in at least two locations, rather than one-on-one communication, and it often includes multiple people at …
In the beginning, a program, called “client software,” was necessary to handling the mail. There are many different email applications available, some of which cost money to use while others are free; some Internet providers even include it with the service. Client software is still used today, but there is another more flexible method that …