Kongtechnology.com

Do you think I am crazy if I told you that you can get a brand new laptop at RM350 only? Yes, these laptops which cost no more than RM350 are new and not refurbished computers!

These are actually the long awaited US$100 (RM350) mini-computer from the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative. It is aimed at improving the quality of education in developing nations.

The laptop is named as the XO laptop, and is viewed as a learning tool created expressly for the world’s poorest children living in its most remote areas. The laptop was designed collaboratively by experts from the world’s cleverest and richest people.

The most intriguing feature of the new laptop is not the low price, though this is quite a feat, but that it won’t be reliant on conventional power sources. The final details of the dynamo-power feature are yet to be announced, but the makers say owners will be able to power it up by yanking a ripcord or winding a handle.

You can read more about the project at laptop.org.

I am sure most of you who use Outlook will experience this. After one or two years using Outlook, the number of emails you have received over the years run into the hundreds or even thousands, and the folder tree on the left pane of Outlook is starting to look like Jalan Bukit Bintang at rush hour… this is just getting out of hand.

Outlook starts to react slower and slower. So, how to speed up Outlook? The answer isn’t simple, because a lot of reasons could slow down Outlook… but one of the simplest thing you could try is to switch off the Outlook feature - “Name Smart Tag” in the message header and checks the user’s Instant (Windows) Messenger status.

Step by step how to turn the setting off:

• Go to Tools > Options > Other.
• Uncheck the setting “Enable the Person Names Smart Tag”.
• Exit and start back Outlook

As simple as that. When that is completed, you should notice a slight increase in Outlook’s speed particularly when you change from one email message to another. If you didn’t see any increase in speed, then perhaps something else is causing Outlook to become slow, such as hugh PST files (Personal Folders Files).

These days, computer viruses are more sophisticated, smart and aggressive than ever. However, with the proper anti-virus software in place, you can confidently keep your data safe and your computer free of infection. But the price to pay for these anti-virus software such as Norton Anti-virus and McAfee suites is a hefty sum.

Thankfully there are free anti-virus software out there for download. Today I am going to introduce you one of them which is AVG Free Edition.

Free anti-virus software may be the only option for those on a limited budget such as myself. But don’t look down on all free software, because although it’s free AVG Anti-virus is light on resources, heavy on protection. AVG Free Edition comes with the standard set of features for an average anti-virus, such as custom scanning or scheduling, but I was impressed to notice the Rescue Disk Wizard, an excellent tool that can help you repair damage done by virtual intruders, if such a disaster do happen!

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OMG, that’s a beast in the year 1956. What’s that? A cabinet or refrigerator? No, it’s a hard disk with a storage capacity of 5MB. Don’t look down at this tiny capabity at today’s standards, 5MB was record breaking at that time!

In September 1956 IBM invented the first computer with a disk storage system, the 305 RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control). This system could store five megabytes of data. But what’s amazing was that it had fifty, 24-inch diameter disks to accomplish that!

Now, shouldn’t you start appreciating your 2 GB thumb drive?

Our office has a technical department that handles all the technical stuff related to IT, computer and the office network. The team is not big, but they are the people to look for whenever you have problem with your computer.

Among the team members, we have two wonderful tech girls (a.k.a. IT girls). You ever wonder what do the tech girls do when they are free? Check this picture then you will know.

They look sophisticated or not?

Make sure you let me know should you want to ask them out for yumcha!