When you launch a program, does it snap open in a matter of seconds, or does it leave you drumming your fingers for what seems like an eternity? Countless possible culprits can be to blame for a slow system, but you have a good chance of revving things up by following a few simple steps.

     Start with a RAM boost. A Windows XP system can get by on 512MB, but it'll run a lot smoother with 1GB. As for Vista, it needs at least 2GB for optimal performance. Vista also benefits if you disable resource-hogging (and, some would say, unnecessary) extras, like Aero Glass and Flip3D. To free your system from both, right-click anywhere on the Desktop and click Personalize. Next, click Windows Color and Appearance, open Classic appearance properties for more color options, and then set the color scheme to Windows Vista Basic. Click OK and your system should seem a bit zippier. 

     XP users should consider disabling Windows' indexing service, a system hog of little practical value. Go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services, and scroll down to Indexing Service. Double-click it, and set Startup type to Disabled.

     Another version of Microsoft Office, another set of file-compatibility hassles. (No, really, thanks a ton, Microsoft.) Office 2007 brought with it the Docx format, which can't easily be opened by anyone who doesn't also have Office 2007.

Option #1: Install the succinctly named Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for 2007 Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Format. It enables older versions of Office to open Office 2007 documents, and it does all the necessary conversion behind the scenes: no input required from you. (Just make sure you've installed the latest service pack for your version of Office, otherwise the Compatibility Pack won't work.)

Option #2: If you're a Firefox user, install the OpenXML Viewer extension, which lets you open Word 2007 files right in your browser with all the formatting and layout preserved. You can't edit the document, but at least you'll be able to view it.

Option #3: Upload the file to Docx Converter. In short order you'll receive an e-mail with a link to converted version of the file.

     Computers are vulnerable to virus especially if you are using it everyday browsing the internet. Preventing virus from infecting your computer is the best way to make your computer healthy. There are lots of virus removal tool in the market and some are offering it for free if you are using it for your personal computer or for home use

      Prevention is better than cure. It is a good practice to avoid computer virus from infecting your computer. We can prevent virus from infecting our computers by doing the following virus prevention tips.

Avoid using untrusted Flash disk/drive on your computer

      Common source of a computer virus are flash disks that are inserted on your computer. Flash disk is a portable data storage device that you can use anywhere. You can use it anywhere as long as there is a computer with USB slots. One common source of flash disk infection is from a public computer shops.

      Some computer shops or internet cafe have poor anti virus software which will render all of their computers infected with virus. Once you insert your flash disk into any of the computers inside to save the documents you typed or save the programs you downloaded your flash disk will automatically get infected with a virus.

Avoid Opening websites with Malwares

      Another source of a computer virus is through untrusted websites. There are lots of websites in the internet that embed malware on to their webpages once you access this infected webpage. your computer will no doubt be infected with malware virus. examples of this website are the crack sites, warez, serial kegens, adult sites etc..

      If you happen to open a website and then all of a sudden a popup window will open telling you to scan your computer for virus or you have won one million dollar or something and then instructs you to download and install a software, do not oblige to what it is telling you to do because that is absolutely a trick to infect your computer with a malware virus.

Avoid downloading untrusted Trial Software

      Trial softwae can be the source of computer malware viruses. Not all trial software have embedded malwares but there are other unscrupulous software developers that insert malwares into their trial software programs. So be sure that the software you are testing came from a decent software solutions company.

Enable your Windows computer Firewall Feature

      If your are using Windows XP enable the builtin Windows FIREWALL although this feature will not block all malicious programs coming in to your computer, it will be a good deterrent to the common malicious software entry points to your computer.

Install a reliable Anti Virus Software

      There are hundreds of antivirus software in the market but choose the one that  has the best virus cleaning and blocking methods. Install antivirus programs that will not affect your computer's speed.

     Mistakes that can cause the loss of clients, and possibly prevent you from succeeding in your field of freelancing. The good news is you do not have to make those mistakes too. You can benefit from my experience by taking note of the following:

1. Having the wrong equipment

      Many freelancers start out with the equipment that they have on hand. Often a home computer just doesn’t have enough memory or the right software to get the job done. As soon as you can afford it, you should upgrade to a professional quality machine and software.

2. Not being serious with the job

      Just because you’re self-employed, that doesn’t mean that you can be irresponsible. Your reputation is your most important asset. Doing excellent work and on-time delivery for your clients is the best way to improve your reputation. Be sure to work regular hours and don’t let projects go until the last minute.

3. Missing real life networking

      When your friends and family ask you what you do for a living, what do you tell them? Print out some business cards and make sure that all of your friends and relations have a copy. You never know, they might know someone who could use your services.

4. Lack of web presence

      A freelancer without a web presence (own website and portfolio, Facebook and Twitter profiles) is like a brick and mortar store without a sign. If your business lacks a web presence, take steps now to bring it online.

5. Falling behind in technology or training

      Once you’ve been freelancing for a while you may be tempted to skip the latest training in your field or to let your technology skills grow cold. After all, training is expensive and you’re not sure if you can afford it right now. Don’t give in to this temptation! To remain competitive it’s vital that you keep current.

6. Over-extending yourself

      Many freelancers commit themselves to too many projects. Over scheduling can be a result of not charging what you are worth (see below) or simply underestimating the amount of time that it takes to get a particular project done. However, packing your schedule too full of projects can lead to missed deadlines (and lost clients).

7. Charging too much

      Do you really know what your services are worth? What is the going rate for the type of work that you do? When you are just starting out, consider lowering your fees to gain a portfolio. You can gradually increase your rate as you get better at your work and finish faster.

     Mistakes give us a chance to learn and improve. If you are making one or more of these mistakes, now you can take steps to correct the situation.

Using continuous ink systems present a number of advantages that cannot be found with regular inkjet cartridges. They are cheaper, more efficient to use and more economical.
These days, more and more people are buying continuous ink systems for their printers. If they are not buying already, they are at least giving it some serious thought. Continuous ink systems are enjoying this kind of popularity simply because they present a number of advantages over regular inkjet printer cartridges. These advantages are something people need, especially those who are heavy users of printer ink.

What are the advantages that this printing system has that regular inkjet printers do not possess?

Here are some Advantages.

Continuous Ink Systems are Cheaper

Bulk refill ink is cheaper than ink cartridges. For the cost of one set of official cartridges, you will receive enough ink to print 5x the same amount. The continuous ink supply system (CISS) ink is cost effective for the user.

How much does a set of regular inkjet printer cartridges cost nowadays? Let us say that a single cartridge of regular inkjet printer ink costs 11.99. For a popular printer like, say, Epson Stylus PHOTO R200, you would need six printer ink cartridges. If we do the math, this means a complete replacement of printer ink cartridges for this particular printer model would cost 71.94.

A typical unit of continuous ink system, which would contain six printer ink bottles, costs around 69.99. That is not a lot in terms of savings, is it not? However, a typical bottle in a typical unit of this system can contain as much as 100mL of ink. This is ten times as much as a regular inkjet printer cartridge contains.

Continuous Ink Systems are Efficient

Since the ink bottles in a continuous ink system are much, much larger than a typical branded printer ink cartridge, and yet they come at the same price, it essentially means that these ink bottles are a lot cheaper than the regular cartridge. But it is more than that.

In a regular branded inkjet cartridge, a lot of ink is wasted. It either clings to the printer head or is left inside the cartridge itself. You never really get to use up regular ink to the last drop because the printer refuses to print after a certain level of ink has been consumed.

With continuous ink systems, the ink bottles are placed outside the printer. Whilst it is still not advisable to wait until it uses up the last drop of ink, it is still nonetheless possible to use it up right to the last drop. No ink is wasted in this kind of system.

It is time-saving as swapping of cartridges is not necessary.


Continuous Ink Systems are Economical

It is a common occurrence for people to run out of ink right in the middle of producing an important, ink-consuming, photo-printing project. When this happens, you would have to rush to the nearest office supply shop to buy a printer ink cartridge, and perhaps some new photo paper. Not only do you get to waste your time by redoing the printing job all over again, but you waste more ink and more paper. These occurrences hardly help in saving money on printing jobs.

With a continuous ink system, such an occurrence can be prevented. Since the bottles of ink are placed in a container outside of the printer, you can immediately see and predict when you would run out of a particular colour of ink. Thus, you would be able to replace the ink bottles of your continuous ink system right before you do an important printing job. No ink is wasted, and you get the printing job done.

As there is no cartridge to be replaced, there is no plastic waste left. This is environmental friendly as well.

The maintenance cost is very low and the printing function is continuous as there is no dependency on replacing the cartridge.

It delivers large volume of prints in lesser time.