Monthly Archives: January 2019

There’s no denying the thrill that comes with human competition. Nothing beats jumping into a game against real-life people, connected through signals and wires across the internet, all in a shared virtual space to see who is better than whom. Online first-person shooter (FPS) games deliver an adrenaline rush and millions of players log in each day to do battle to get it. Battle royales, team battles, capture the flag battles, all in an endless series of skirmishes and rounds. There are downsides, too. Like Jean-Paul Sartre said in No Exit, “Hell is other people.” Sometimes it is frustrating to be playing against folks who take delight in ruining other people’s days. Those so-called “Griefers” camp out in unfair spots in games, knocking out players as they respawn for cheap points, kill-stealing, being away-from-keyboard (AFK) in a squad, and just collecting experience from others’ efforts

There’s that old question: “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” It might, but without a listener, what good is a sound anyway? Similarly, if you pull off a great move in a game, or defeat a boss-monster against all odds with only one sliver of health left for yourself, and nobody’s there to see it, does it even really count? Sometimes, you need a buddy (or five) to make a fun gaming session feel worthwhile. That’s where co-op games come in. Co-ops are not competitions. They’re things you can play with other people, not against other people. What the best co-op games offer is camaraderie, teamwork, and sometimes, if you totally slip up, the comfort of your friends being on hand to save the day and do the hard work of winning for you.

When your computer screen is cracked or broken, it can be devastating, especially if you use it for work or school. Your gut reaction may be to start looking into some affordable, cheap replacement devices in order to get everything turned in on time. And you may be nervous about how much money it could end up costing you to fix the screen. Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid spending a fortune on a new screen and the repairs that may be necessary. Depending on the damage, you may be able to avoid heading to a repair shop altogether. Hiring a professional may be necessary if your entire computer is unsalvageable, but many times you can find a way to fix your screen yourself before taking it to a repair shop. There is also the possibility that your laptop or PC monitor is unrepairable. If this is the case, it can be important to know the signs so you don’t spend extra money taking it to a shop only to find out that it needs to be replaced. There are several ways to know if it’s time to retire your old model and look into something new.

Most of us carry around a basic calculator with us at all times; otherwise known as our smartphone. But what if you are taking advanced math and science classes? Or if you work in an industry that regularly uses complicated calculations to design or develop advanced concepts like engineering, surveying, medicine, or chemistry? Then you need something better suited to solving your difficult problems. A scientific calculator will fit the bill. And if you plan to take a higher-level math class any time in the near future, your professor may require you to use a scientific calculator. We’ll take a look at 3 HP scientific calculators that have different price points at the end of this article, but first, let’s dive into exactly what it is and 5 things you can use your scientific calculator for.

If you own a small business, you know how important it is to have the right tools to maximize efficiency. Perhaps when you first started working, your personal laptop was a good enough choice for all of your business needs. However, as your company grows, you will eventually get to a point where you’ll want a computer that can handle more demanding applications and allow you to multi-task without crashing or encountering significant lag time. The first step is to evaluate your workflow and decide whether you want a laptop, a desktop, or an all-in-one setup. You will need a workstation that enhances your business productivity and reflects your lifestyle.

You’re shopping for a new laptop. Only a few minutes have passed, and you’re already overwhelmed. So many specs! There are hard drives to consider. Processors to gauge. Displays to evaluate. And that’s not even the aesthetic stuff - remember, if you’re going to impress the shareholders at your next presentation (or that barista who works at the coffee shop), you’re going to need a laptop that looks professional. When you’re shopping for a new laptop, you might be so concerned with the key specs that you forget to consider the keyboard specs. And that’s a real shame, because you’ll shake hands with the keyboard more than any other laptop component. It’s the face of your laptop; the bridge between human command and computer processing. A good keyboard is vital to your comfort and success.

As one of the world’s most popular computer operating systems, Windows™ has an impressive history of above-average performance and cutting-edge integrated tech and software which keeps users loyal to the brand. However, with all the positives this OS offers, there are always a couple of negatives. Windows XP became wildly popular with businesses, but it was also plagued with security holes and software bugs. Windows Vista gave the operating system a completely visual makeover but lacked efficient driver support and privacy protection. Fast forward to the 2015 release of Windows 10 and Windows users unanimously agree that the tenth installment has proven to be the best. So why is your computer still slowing down?

If you’re in the market for a new laptop at home or work, you're undoubtedly confronted with a number of choices. It might be easy to choose between a mobile laptop versus a desktop tower, and you might have several stand-out features at the top of your priority list, but when it comes to computer memory, the answer isn’t always clear. When browsing solid state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs), an Intel® Optane™ motherboard is one choice you might encounter. Not sure what Intel Optane means or what benefits it offers? Then this article is for you. Here we clarify this advanced memory system, including a definition of what it is, how it works, and why you might want it for your computing experience.

As purchasing habits shift over time, new trends emerge in how people prefer to pay for products. The most recent shift? Product-as-a-service. Instead of buying CDs and creating a physical collection of music, consumers are leaning more toward music streaming services such as Spotify® or Pandora®. The same pattern has emerged with movie streaming services, rideshare apps, and video editing software.

While computers and tablets have made research and math tasks easier for students everywhere, there’s no replacement for the standard graphing calculator. Most kids don’t begin using one until they reach the upper high school grades, but anyone hoping to do well in advanced mathematics should get acquainted with this device. While tablets and phones may have some of the computational features math students need, their use is not generally permitted during testing. This is where it’s essential to be familiar with a graphing calculator if you are a student. But the usefulness doesn’t stop when you exit the classroom. Professionals in many fields benefit from using a graphing calculator in their everyday work.