This is the perfect assignment for me right now. I am thinking about getting and external backup drive and can now take this time to research it. Basically one of my hard drives went down and I didn’t have some of my work backed up. I would like something that I can run a backup every time I shut down my computer. I have a lot of the information I want to back up spread across various drives. I would like to find something with customizable backup software that I can tell which areas to backup. Another thing I am looking for is speed. I want something with a ESATA connection as well as a USB connection so I can hook it up to my laptop and my desktop. Finally I want something that will last for a long time. I don’t want to buy a backup drive that is just going to crash in the next 3-5 years.
Here is what I have found so far. While looking on CNET.com I found that there are many options to look for. I also found that many of these options are out of my price range. Most drives with eSATA and USB with large storage space are above $200.00. The best I have found it the Seagate BlackArmor WS 110 1 TB USB 2.0/eSATA for around $120.00. This seems to have everything I need but is only for a backup device that uses the software. I am afraid that this would impede my ability to use it as a storage device as well as a backup. There are also solid state drives which may end up being more reliable. Finally there are online backups which store your information on a server but you have to pay a monthly fee. As you can see there are many options. Please post suggestions in what you have used!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Floppy Drives
Floppy Drives (Project 8-1):
Today most internal floppy drives can cost anywhere from $8 to $30 depending on brand name and quality. An external floppy drive can be more expensive, ranging from $15 to $60. They usually use a USB connection.
I think that external drives are more expensive mainly because of demand. Most new computers (especially laptops) don't come with a floppy drive anymore. Today everyone uses flash drives or external hard drives. An external floppy drive can come in handy when you are trying to repair a computer. Many times, with older operating systems, a floppy drive is the only way to repair or reinstall the OS. If the computer doesn't have one you can just plug in an external floppy and you're off!
Today most internal floppy drives can cost anywhere from $8 to $30 depending on brand name and quality. An external floppy drive can be more expensive, ranging from $15 to $60. They usually use a USB connection.
I think that external drives are more expensive mainly because of demand. Most new computers (especially laptops) don't come with a floppy drive anymore. Today everyone uses flash drives or external hard drives. An external floppy drive can come in handy when you are trying to repair a computer. Many times, with older operating systems, a floppy drive is the only way to repair or reinstall the OS. If the computer doesn't have one you can just plug in an external floppy and you're off!
DMA - This is used as a time saver when processing data. It allows data to be transferred directly from the computer's memory to a device without using the CPU.
low level formatting - This is usually preformed by the manufacturer of a hard drive. It creates the initial tracks and sectors on a hard disc. With older hard drives uo could easily preform a low level format and often save a drive but now manufacturers want you to purchase drives more often so they don't suggest that you format anymore and have made it harder for you to do so.
SATA - This is a connector from the hard drive to the motherboard. These connectors are smaller than and IDE connector. This is better because they take up less room which allows for better cooling. It is also a faster connection, especially when it comes to using external drives (much faster than USB connections).
ATA - This is the general interface standards for how devices (HDD, CD, Floppy, etc.) communicate with the computer. There are many forms, such as SATA and IDE listed here. Basically they are the wires or cables that transfer information to the computer from the drive.
IDE - This connection is bulkier but allows for more than one device to be attached to a single connector (master/slave). Actually IDE stands for the how the hard drive works and not the connector but as time goes by words get used for generalizations. Most new computers use SATA for their hard drives but will still use IDE for floppy drives and CD/DVD drives.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Blog 7 - History of Memory
Computer memory started out as mechanical. There where sliding metal parts and the now famous punch cards. Back in 1948, electronic memory started with the Williams tube. This used electron beams, vacuum tubes, and phosphor to store up to a whopping 1 Kb of memory. Around the same time there was the Selectron tube which in some cases could store more data, was more reliable and faster than the Willams tube but was complex and expensive to produce.
There were some odd forms of memory like Delay Lines which converted bits into mechanical vibrations and which were sent through a tank of mercury until it reached the other side. There the vibrations where changed back into bits. This was a refreshable form of memory.
In the 1950's core memory came out. This was a complex cross-hatch of wires and magnetic rings that would store information. When it came out is was very fast for its age with a cycle time of 6 microseconds and eventually reaching 1.2ms.
In the 1970's core memory was taken over by transistors. Scientists first started messing with transistors in 1948 but it took quite a few years before they could overcome the core memory.
Although DRAM chips had been around for awhile, in 1970 Intel came out with the first commercial DRAM chip, model 1103. This eventually led to the home computer. Which eventually built up to the technology we have today.
There were some odd forms of memory like Delay Lines which converted bits into mechanical vibrations and which were sent through a tank of mercury until it reached the other side. There the vibrations where changed back into bits. This was a refreshable form of memory.
In the 1950's core memory came out. This was a complex cross-hatch of wires and magnetic rings that would store information. When it came out is was very fast for its age with a cycle time of 6 microseconds and eventually reaching 1.2ms.
In the 1970's core memory was taken over by transistors. Scientists first started messing with transistors in 1948 but it took quite a few years before they could overcome the core memory.
Although DRAM chips had been around for awhile, in 1970 Intel came out with the first commercial DRAM chip, model 1103. This eventually led to the home computer. Which eventually built up to the technology we have today.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Blog 6 - Resources for the disabled.
One of my favorite hardware technologies is the use of a neural net to communicate with a computer or other hardware. The original technology was a network of senors that had to be in contact with the skin and could read brainwaves. The patient would then train the computer to interact with his/her brain by thinking of moving his or her arm up or down. The computer would translate this into the mouse or cursor moving up or down.
Now they have newly developed hardwar
e that actually uses a chip attached to the brain which sends information down a cable to a small proccesor. This information can be used to not only control a computer but to also control robotic hands and other prosthetics.
The future of this technology is astounding! Since this is pretty cutting edge stuff it hasn't gotten out on the market yet.
Another interesting technology that is still fairly new is the eyeball tracking mouse. This system usually uses a contact lens with sensors in it to tell the computer where a person is looking. This means that as a person looks at the screen the pointer will go where their eye goes. Usually when they blink it translates to a click. This is great for disabled people who don't have the use of theirs hands or arms. It is also much less intrusive than the above mentioned technology.
Now they have newly developed hardwar
e that actually uses a chip attached to the brain which sends information down a cable to a small proccesor. This information can be used to not only control a computer but to also control robotic hands and other prosthetics.The future of this technology is astounding! Since this is pretty cutting edge stuff it hasn't gotten out on the market yet.
Another interesting technology that is still fairly new is the eyeball tracking mouse. This system usually uses a contact lens with sensors in it to tell the computer where a person is looking. This means that as a person looks at the screen the pointer will go where their eye goes. Usually when they blink it translates to a click. This is great for disabled people who don't have the use of theirs hands or arms. It is also much less intrusive than the above mentioned technology.
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