By Claudine Beaumont

Apple says that consumers may turn to Mac computers because Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7, is ‘complex and expensive’

The criticism comes from Brian Croll, vice president of Apple’s Mac OS X worldwide product marketing. He said that Microsoft users were tired of the “headaches” caused by the Windows operating system, and expects some disillusioned Windows users to switch to Apple’s Mac platform.

“Windows users are really tired of all the headaches that they’ve been getting over the years, starting all the way back from Windows Me to NT to Vista and now Windows 7,” he said. “As a result, I think people are looking for something different, and the Mac offers real ease of use, stability and security.”

Apple recently announced its best ever quarter for Mac computer sales, and Mr Croll said there’s “a lot of momentum” behind the platform.

He said the difficulty some users will experience upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 – which involves a clean install of the entire PC – will prompt them to simply buy a new computer, and he believes a significant number will opt for a Mac.

“We think this is an opportune time for people to take a look at a Mac. We believe we can get even more people moving over.

“Windows 7 is still just Windows. It doesn’t change a lot. It’s still complex, it’s still really expensive when you look at the cost of the upgrade, and there’s still security concerns,” he said.

“It also still requires a lot of assembly. It turns out when you get Windows 7 it doesn’t even have some of the basic applications like mail or chat, or programs to manage your photos. You actually have to go and find them and download them.

“For the consumer, there’s a lot of headache and annoyance built in to Windows 7. It’s built on a lot of antiquated technology… that doesn’t change from release to release. We think that most people probably aren’t going to make that jump [from Windows XP to Windows 7], and as a result, are going to be looking for new computers.”

Mr Croll did not comment on whether Apple intended to run any special offers or advertising campaigns to tempt Windows users away from Microsoft.

Despite Mac computers costing substantially more than some PCs running Windows, Mr Croll said Apple’s computers still represented “great value for money”.

He also denied claims from some critics that Apple had launched its most recent operating system, Snow Leopard, before it was ready.

Scores of Mac users have reported compatibility issues between Snow Leopard and other software, and Apple itself had to confirm that a bug in the software was wiping crucial files, folders, music and data from some users’ computers.

“Occasionally, there are some issues that people find, but they’ve been extremely rare for a new release,” he said.

Microsoft has high hopes for Windows 7, the successor to the much-maligned Windows Vista. The new operating system is designed to make it easier for users to share files, photos and music between computers at home, offers better support for touch-screen devices, and will enable users to browse the internet more safely.

“Windows 7 is more than just a collection of new features,” said Ashley Highfield, a senior Microsoft executive. “It’s a pivotal turning point in Microsoft’s history.”

He said that Microsoft had listened to the needs of users, and worked hard to produce a simpler, more efficient operating system.

“We want to be the glue that binds your digital life together,” he said.

PC World has reported strong first day sales of Windows 7, with demand for the new software outstripping similar early demand for Windows Vista, which was released in 2007.

Working on digital fashion photography runs far off different than doing photos on films and television footages. The ultimate aim to capture every inch of details in the ramp; serving to focus the figures of the beautiful people donned in the most magnificent, fancy, weird, wild, and most outrageous fashion outfits, creates new sensitivity to multiple tasks in digital photography, with aims to capture the many aspects necessary to cater acceptance in global fashion trends.

Fashion capitals of the world such as Paris, London, and New York are full of designers allowing digital photographers to flourish. They linger around in make-believe world where a meticulous change in fashion is a vogue each year, as changes in designer’s creation covers every aspects in motif, hairstyles, touch (designer’s), color, and everything that goes with fashion culture of the moment.

While the digital fashion photographer circulates in high-end ease, filled with luxury, glamour, and beauty, he compensates position to get into a profession that is not as simple as you think, it is. Everything demanded of the glamour world is a vital move to make photography finish, its best in coping with fashion’s best photographs.

Points to Consider When on Ramp Shooting

• Take time to concentrate
• Be sure your camera is on hand always
• Define your objective
• Embrace the opportune moment
• Visualize on how you could put up interesting elements on your picture to make it unique and interesting
• Set your goals
• Use different angles and distance for each shots
• Apply contrasts by giving sharp emphasis and blurry parts over your pictures
• Compose your subject
• Pay attention to variety
• Put emphasis to lines and shapes of interest
• Create an impression that you are relaying information to your viewers

Always be aware that whatever output you’ll deliver from photo sessions determines the readiness, care and awareness of numerous important tips to remember before taking out your time on getting pictures.

Factors Surrounding a Successful Digital Fashion Photograph

1. Lighting – (a) Midday reflectors and curtains are a must, (b) if in low light, without flash, hold a firm grasp of your camera, or use tripod, (c) position lights at 45 degree angle to the left or right side of your subject, (d) avoid glares, otherwise, use polarizing filters, (e) never expose the entire photograph, underexpose other parts, (f) if subject’s dimension is important let the light comes from the right and left of your subject.

2. Harmony in Color – Use background materials to emphasize color and tint. Use filters, see-thru transparency, reflectors, and diffusers to devaluate or neutralize strong colors. Use white and gray for backgrounds.

3. The Artist Eye of a Photographer – As an expert in picture taking, others can’t see what you see. Amateurs pay importance to the subject and not the background. It should relate each other.

You have seen the ads about VoIP and you want in on it if it is what it promises to be. But, before you do so, you realize you need to know a little bit more about it. VoIP is fast becoming the talk of the world, literally! People are seeing the benefits of it in their bank accounts as well as in their service experiences. VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is a way of communicating via the internet instead of using standard land phone lines.

What You Have To Know?

• Not sure how it works? Just as your internet connection can stay on, so can a phone system that is hooked up to it. The phone runs through the web, allowing for you to talk to anyone, anywhere without the need of expensive phone service. A great way to learn more about VOIP is to take a free demo of how it works. You’ll find these throughout the web.
• How does it save money? Another common question people have is how VOIP can save you money. If you are one that spends a lot of money each month on long distance phone calls, call waiting and forwarding services… and all other gadgets available for your standard phone, VOIP can save you money. It can do this because when you call through the internet, distance simply does not matter. Does it cost you anything to email your friend in China? No! And, neither does it cost to use VOIP long distance.
• What do you have to do to get it? First, you’ll need to insure that you have the service available in your area. Next, you’ll need to do some research to find out what the businesses can offer you in terms of service and cost. Then, you’ll need to install software and simple equipment and that’s that. You’ll likely pay a monthly payment as you do now, but it is likely to be much lower.

VoIP is fast growing because it is easy to use, affordable and quite possibly is the way of making phone calls in the years to come.

Computer recycling refers to the practice of salvaging usable components from obsolete electronic devices or safely disposing off electronic devices. It is a practice that each one of us must inculcate because inappropriate handling of discarded computers and other electronic devices can cause environmental hazards.

Studies estimate that over 40 million electronic pieces become obsolete annually. These pieces have constituents such as lead, cadmium, barium, and mercury, which are hazardous to the environment. In a landfill, these materials seep into the ground and then into our food and water supplies. This can cause serious health concerns over a long period.

Obsolete Computers: Environmental Threats
Obsolete computers that are simply dumped in the garbage drums are the biggest threat to the environment. The computer monitors have cathode ray tubes containing four to five pounds of lead that contaminates the environment acutely. Besides lead, the computers have many other hazardous elements such as mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. When inhaled over a long period, these elements cause high blood pressure, liver and nerve disease, blood with poor iron, and even brain damage to the exposed group. This causes great concern, considering several million computers become obsolete annually.

Therefore, we must handle the obsolete electronic devices carefully. Moreover, different Environmental Laws have banned the illegal landfills by the disposals of computers and other electronic equipment. These laws necessitate sending the un-functional computers to a reputable recycler for harmless recycling. The laws also specify the need for regular recycling to avoid such computers from piling up.

There are several methods to deal with old computers. Some of them are as follows:

Give It For Reuse: If your computer is in a decent condition, you can sell it to a company or an individual so that it can be used further, or simply donate it to someone needy.

Trade It In: There are many computer dealers (e.g. HP) who offer trade-in promotions on computers and peripherals.

Auction It: You can sell the computer on eBay or any other auction site. You can also organize a quick garage sale and see if any of your friends or neighbors wants the computer.

Set up a Server: You can continue using the old computer as a server to store and share data.

Salvage Some Parts: You can see which parts of your computers are in good working condition. You can salvage those parts and use them in your new computer.

Go for computer recycling and safe the planet earth!