Archive for October, 2008

Freeware Registry Software VS Commercial Registry Software

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Let’s compare both freeware registry cleaner and commercial registry cleaner, highlight each other differences and how to use them for your advantage.

Advantages of freeware:

Pros #1 - No Cost. You need not pay any money to use them.

Pros #2 - Can easily combine few registry software for the best errors scanning and result.

Pros #3 - Only some of the software will provide certain protection of known ActiveX Errors.

Pros #4 - Only some will comes with automatic archive as well as full archive for the Windows registry.

Disadvantage of freeware:

Cons #1 - Not effective when using them alone, must combine few for best result.

Cons #2 - Require human intervention most of the time, not recommended to auto repair with freeware cleaner.

Cons #3 - Most the freeware cleaner does not provide backup functionality, you need to use regedit and do manual backup.

Cons #4 - You only get limited support or no support at all from the freeware vendors.

Cons #5 - Scan slower, scanning algorithm not optimized.

Cons #6 - Not always updated.

Advantage of Commercial software:

Pros #1 - Detect more errors and scan faster, easier to repair even with only one software.

Pros #2 - Automatic backup before any repair or cleaning, easy to restore when ever the Windows starts to break.

Pros #3 - Commercial Cleaner provide more tools to accelerate your Windows speed.

Pros #4 - Some of the software will allow schedule scan and automatic repair, enhance user experience and maintain your computer automatically.

Pros #5 - Better support from the vendors.

Pros #6 - Provide protection against known ActiveX problems.

Pros #7 - Always up to date following the update of the operating system.

Disadvantage of Commercial software:

Cons #1 - Not free, and some cost a lot.

Cons #2 - No guarantee of investment, you might buy a commercial registry cleaner that don’t work.

Cons #3 - Some are monthly charges while other will charge you a yearly renewal fees.

Hope the list of pros and cons help you determine when to use freeware registry cleaner and when to use commercial software, you can find the best registry cleaner here or visit the registry cleaner review, although there are no strict rules but you can use them as guidelines for your advantage.

Canon Ixus 870 Is

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Admittedly, appearance should be one of the last factors considered by prospective camera buyers but there is no doubt that the Canon 870 is a fairly attractive piece of technical equipment. Also available is the “gold” finished version, which looks almost like a piece of jewellery. Size wise it’s about the same as a packet of poker cards and that means it can fit into a handbag or pocket.

The Canon Ixus 870 is more than just a good looking digital camera, it packs serious photographic technology. A wider angle of view than most of its competitors is due to the lens being the equivalent of a 28mm-112mm lens. Canon’s image-stabilization technology was once only seen only on high-end models. It’s been incorporated into the Canon 870 and that means that sharp images can be produced without a tripod down to approximately 1/25 of a second.

Also available in the Canon 870 is automatic face detection. This works nicely and usually appears able to detect a face even in part-profile. There is even a gimmicky Face Self-Timer function that will wait for you to rejoin the group before it photographs the group. It has 19 scene modes as well as a handy macro setting and a 30fps VGA movie mode.

The Canon Ixus 870 IS boasts Canon’s DIGIC 4 processing technology that promises less noise at higher ISO settings but still there is much noise at 1600 ISO which is not-bad considering the class of camera.

Featuring an 28mm wide-angel lens, the Canon Ixus 870 IS takes great photos of beautiful landscapes and great group shots. Viewing your favorite photos has never been so good with the awesome 3.0 inch PureColor LCD screen.

It’s not a “serious” Canon Digital camera in the usual sense and no one is going to mistake the Canon 870 for one. There is no manual mode and no optical viewfinder for example. But no biggie if all you want are fabulous photos, then this camera won’t disappoint.

CNC Programming and G Code Programming Information

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

CNC

CNC Programming is one of the most effective ways that people are using today in order to cut metal and do other processes in manufacturing. A lot of people at home are now using CNC Programming to make a lot of things in their home shop from woodworking to metals and foam objects. CNC has created a way for many people to manufacture or fabricate parts quickly and effortlessly.

CNC stands for computer numerical control and is basically the use of a computer to do certain types of operations. This is a process that can be applied to lathe, router, foam cutters and laser machines; it can also be applied to mini versions of these types of machines.

There are basically two types of categories that G Code Programming will fall into point to point positioning or continuous path positioning. If you are using very advanced software programs then your computer may not be able to execute both types but usually a computer can handle executing both types of programs. This means that the operator must understand both processes in order to run the machine.

Here is a simple explanation of these two categories:

Point to point positioning — this category is mostly used when drilling, boring, punching or tapping is needed. This is a process used to position from one point to another when the machine process is being done. The program will work going to as many positions as it needs to in order to get the process finished whether that is from the X to the Y position or not.

Continuous Path Positioning — You will generally see this being used when there is a milling machine that used for contouring or even a lathe that is being used for contouring. This means that the cutting tool moves in a continuous motion from one point to another until the piece is completed. This means that the operator has to be able to program the machine so that it continues on several axes at a time and simultaneously.

Continuous path positioning also uses a series of processes called interpolation which is the way in which the machine is programmed to go. Interpolation can be helical, parabolic, cubic, circular and more.  The basic function of this interpolation is to keep the programmed information stored and to monitor and direct the axes in how it should go.

What needs to happen first before any programming can start is that we are going to need a finalized design of the basic drawing of what the computer is going to make. This must be studied to make sure that the operator understands the intricacies of the drawing so they can translate the information into the computer software they are using.

This means that the operator must be skilled enough to understand how the paper drawing will translate to the computer, and then be able to program this information into the computer so that the machine will perform the cuts or the processes accordingly.

When you think about this process, it is a good idea to think about what you would do if you were producing the work manually because anything you would do manually, you will depend on the machine to do automatically. By understanding CNC Programming the individual will be more successful.

CNC Information is a new community website all about CNC and DIY CNC. Come by CNC Information today and join the site for free and you get a free Basics CNC EBook just for signing up! Come by CNC Informatoin Today for your free Ebook on CNC Basics.

Review Milling Machine Parts and Components

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

CNC

When you are looking for CNC Milling machine parts and components there are a variety of places where you can find them. You can find a ton of information on the internet when you are researching in order to get the best price.

Depending on the type of CNC Milling machine you need the price can be steep but there are many small machines that can do the same job if you are looking at this as part of a small business or a hobby. Also, you can buy a machine to cut metal or wood, to do fancy scroll work or to do engraving on metals and other applications.

You can decide whether you will purchase a brand new machine or a used one. Most people do not suggest buying a used one because you aren’t sure what you are getting but buying other types of machines like CNC routers seem to be a good idea because of the cost.

All CNC Milling machines contain the following parts:

§ Axis — depending on the type of CNC milling machine it could have anywhere from one to six axis which will also determine the size and what it is supposed to do.

§ Column — the column is what travels along an axis that holds the part that mills or cuts.

§ Control panel — the part that holds the computer keyboard (sometimes small, other times large) where you program the G-Codes into the machine.

§ Cutting tool — the cutting tool is attached to the column and is the part that actually cuts the piece in the way that the operator specifies.

§ Spindle — the spindle holds the cutting tool in place.

§ Coolant supply tubes — these are the tubes where they coolant is pumped through in order to keep the metal cool and the cutting tool lubricated.

§ Table — the table is the area that the workpiece will be attached to either using a clamp or a vacuum. This is where the workpiece will sit while being milled.

There are several different types of CNC Milling machines that can be found and they are small or large depending on what they do. Here are a few:

Vertical CNC mills have a vertical spindle axis. This means that the cutters that do the milling are held vertically in the spindle and they rotate on the spindle’s axis. In this type you can extend the spindle or the table to make drilling or plunge cuts. Bed mills and Turret mills fall into this category.
Horizontal CNC mills have the same type of table as vertical CNC mills but their cutters are mounted on an arbor that sits across the table horizontally.

Hobbyists will most likely use a box mill which is mounted to a bench and basically moves up and down. Knee mills have an x-y table and its moves up and down the column. It can be adjusted with what is called a vertically adjustable knee. Many larger industries use the C-Frame mill because it is the most conducive for larger work. They are only vertically mobile and it used a fixed spindle head for that movement.

CNC Information is a new community website all about CNC and DIY CNC. Come by CNC Information today and join the site for free and you get a free Basics CNC EBook just for signing up! Come by CNC Informatoin Today for your free Ebook on CNC Basics.

PC to PC file transfer

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Vista has now taken a strong hold on the PC market.  I for one really do like Vista and in my professional opinion it is a better operating system over XP.  I know it has gotten a bad rap with all those Mac commercials but Vista is a far more robust operating system and the auto repair features along with ease of use make it stand out over previous Microsoft versions.

Now that you bought your new slick looking Vista system you are all ready to go.  Except for the part of all your files being stuck on your old XP system. The purpose of this guide is to talk about different methods of moving your old data from XP over to Vista.  While this sounds like a daunting task many of these tasks are not all that hard.  If you are NOT computer literate then you may want to consider purchasing some data transfer software to help out in this process. Check out this XP to Vista file  transfer page.  You should also consider purchasing a data transfer cable as well.  This just makes the whole job even easier.  We posted a 10 dollar off coupon we got from contacting Laplink as well so you should consider applying the savings to cover the cost of the data transfer cable.

As always there are free ways of doing a data transfer.The built in data transfer wizard is another option on the table.  This is a good way to transfer over all the user settings and your personal files.  This method does not transfer over software programs and the only program out there that does this is the one mentioned in our link above.  However if you want to see how the built in Windows tool works we suggest visiting this How to transfer files site.  It’s easy to navigate and they walk you through the whole process.  In our experience this free transfer program is not bad but it’s does come with it’s own set of headaches.

Something to consider is just starting over with a fresh user account and just manually coping over the data needed. Normally is what I do is network both systems together or just hookup a USB hard driver and manually copy over the My Documents folder and favorites.  To find were your documents are stored hit the Windows Start button and browse to My Computer > C: > Documents and Settings > Your USER ACCOUNT.  From there you will see the My Documents folder as well as your IE favorite’s folder and your Desktop folder.  This is the main place were your data is stored and for most people the only thing they want to transfer over.All you have to do now is just copy and paste them over to your new Vista computer and you are good to go.

In the end only you know what skill level you are at and what method will work best for you.you can always pay someone to do the XP to Vista data transfer for you.  This is cheaper then you may think.  We like to recommend out this computer repair company.  It’s an online computer repair company that can transfer your person files over to your new computer and help set you all up.  All you have to do is visit the link above and start chatting with them.  They have you download a quick screen sharing tool that will allow them onto your computer for that session only and they will copy your files and then you allow them access to the other system and they place the files were they need to go and you are all set.  Very easy and this company is located in California but they can help you any were in the world.