The Gap between Computer “haves and have nots” in African Societies: The case of Primary and Secondary school students.

Today in Africa, the computer revolution has affected almost everyone's life. Computers are utilized for business communications, shopping, postal service, banking and much more. Being computer literate is a useful skill in today's society. However, to become familiar with computers, one must first have access to them. Generally these skills can be learned at school, but a problem arises in the fact that there is not equal access to computers in most African schools. There continue to be a large gap between the computer "haves" and "have nots," especially among primary and secondary schools and worst off, schools in rural areas where there is lack of electricity.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, computer literacy may be defined as "whatever a person needs to know and do with computers in order to function competently in our information-based society" Competency is broken down into three categories: skills to use computers in learning and information management; knowledge of the capabilities, functions and social implications of computers; and understanding to learn and evaluate new applications and social issues of computers. These three areas encompass virtually every aspect of literacy in terms of computers.

Our information based society is fast becoming more dependent upon computers as resources. To function in many situations, familiarity with computer systems is necessary and therefore kids must acquire the required skills at an early age. In a minimal case, African governments should be investing in computer literacy for the future generation by equipping schools with the right hardware and software.

Computers in education can be the foundation for students to learn technology based skills which are desirable for and often demanded from today's job markets. Generally, being accustomed to utilizing systems or being computer literate at an early age can aid not only in developing motor skills but being competitive on the global stage. Will African governments therefore realize that young minds can often be wasted if the computer revolution in their countries does not become a national policy just in paper but in practice?

What does a Router do? By eHow Contributing Editor

A router is hardware device or software program that is designed to manage the paths along which information packets are forwarded within a network. Routers are necessary for communication between computers on your personal network and the Internet. This article will describe the manner in which a router manages this data transfer.

Considerations
1. Understanding how the Internet works is key to understanding what a router does? The Internet is a huge, global network of computers, by means of which we browse through the World Wide Web. Data is transferred on the Internet via the TCP/IP networking protocol--a set of protocols that are designed to communicate data across the Internet. The data that is transmitted over the TCP/IP network is first split into fragments that are called "packets." This is where routers come in.

Function
2. A router enables data communication between the computers on any given network and others that are on the Internet. The router is designed to direct or "route" data packets to their destination, which is where the term "router" is derived. Routers link the numerous computer networks that make up the Internet, and are responsible for determining the destination to which each data packet is forwarded to, as well as the best possible route it should take to get to that destination.

Size
3.

Routers range in size from the huge models that manage the massive flow of data traffic between the various computer networks on the Internet, to the small, more common models that are available at the local computer store or from Internet Service Providers. They also range in function from the basic router/switch to the more intricate, multi-function routing devices. These smaller models are typically installed in home networks to make it possible for users to share a single Internet connection among two or more computers on the network.

Types
4. There are two basic types of routers: static and dynamic. A static router needs to be manually configured by a network administrator, who programs all of the routes along which the router will forward data packets. A dynamic router comes programmed to automatically manage the routing of data traffic across the network, which is facilitated by a routing protocol.

Features
5. Routers can be used to integrate essential services and utilities into the network, to make it more secure and responsive. Routers may, for example, integrate a security utility such as a firewall. They may also help increase network functionality by integrating services. l

Computer Crime: The law on the misuse of computers and networks. Paul Mobbsfor.

Computer crime is an oft-used term that has a very vague meaning. The law on computer crime tends to lag behind the actual practice of computer-based crime much more than is the case in other branches of crime.

Computers are a tool, and, like any other tool, can used by people intent on causing damage or carrying out some form of illegal activity. The nature of today's Internet and computer networks means that criminal activity can be carried out across national borders. This can create problems over the jurisdiction of those investigating the crime, and over differences in the law of the relevant countries where the crime took place; an activity deemed criminal in the home country of the target of the crime, for example, may not be considered so in the country from which the offending action was launched.

There are number of ways in which computers can be used for crime:

• to commit 'real-world' crimes, such as forgery, fraud or copyright piracy, just like any other technical device; these types of computer-enabled crime are not usually prosecuted using other relevant laws rather than computer crime law;

• to damage or modify other computerised systems; these are the types of activity that are usually prosecuted using computer crime legislation;

• used for activities that cannot be prosecuted but that skate around the edges of legality; to the frequent frustration of law makers and security consultants, these sorts of activity cannot be legislated against because they often employ everyday, lawful means on the Internet.

Computers and the Internet are complex, but they function on a very narrow set of technical principles. This provides great flexibility, but makes it very difficult to legislate against certain types of activity without affecting others.

More on http://www.internetrights.org.uk

Things that make your computer slow by Linda St.Cyr

Several things can make a computer slow. A slow computer loads files at the speed of a turtle, takes forever to open new windows and prevents work from getting done as quickly as possible. Learning how a computer that once was fast goes to being slow can help you know why the computer slows but also how to prevent it from slowing down and ultimately having a hard drive crash.

Software Programs

Software programs are preloaded onto a new computer. This can be Windows (any version), games, paint programs, Word programs or many others. Some software programs are needed to use the computer, and some software programs get downloaded over time. Often these programs, once downloaded, get placed in the start-up menu of your computer. This additional information loads when the computer gets turned on. This takes time and slows the computer down drastically if there are a lot of software programs to load. Keeping software programs to a minimum of what you use consistently and getting rid of the rest can make the computer load faster.

Space and Storage

Each program on a computer takes up space on its hard drive. Computers with older processors have smaller amounts of available space. Newer computers offer a variety of space options when they are purchased. Some of the preloaded software programs on the computer take up space. Each new software, application or service that is added to the computer takes up more and more of this space. As this space gets used up there is little space left to run new software programs. The full storage makes a computer slow because of all the information it must process in the storage space. This space cannot be upgraded directly on the computer, but an external hard drive can be purchased to give the computer you are using more available space. Another way to add more space onto the computer is to go into the "My Computer" tab, right click on "Local Hard Drive," click on "Properties," and see how much space is taken up on the computer and how much available space is left. If the open space is small, click on "Disc Cleanup" to compress old files and remove temporary ones that may have been added to the computer you were while on the Internet.

Too Many Applications

Doing too many things at once on the computer can make it operate slowly. Opening up email in one window and doing Internet searches in another window, while uploading pictures from a digital camera while running instant messenger services, can slow down a computer so much that it may even freeze up. All of these programs take time for a computer to process, load and function. When too many applications are opened the computer has to take its time loading them properly, which means it will finish loading the first application completely before moving on to the next application. This can make all the other applications seem like they are taking forever to load. Running one application at a time and closing out an application before using another can make a computer run much faster.

Viruses

When a computer gets a virus from another computer, a program or wherever computer viruses come from, it will slow down. Files may get erased or corrupted. Personal information can be hacked into, or the computer may crash and come to a complete halt. Using an anti-virus program can keep the computer free of bugs and viruses. It will let you know if files are corrupt or if a virus is suspected. An anti-virus program can speed up a computer where a virus will ultimately shut it down.

Internet Connections and Browsers

Internet access speeds up the time in which it takes you to get information and to entertain yourself. A dial-up connection runs Internet service through a phone line. This connection is very slow compared to new, faster Internet service technologies like DSL and cable. Having a dial-up Internet service can make a computer slow because it takes longer to transfer the information. High-speed Internet services speed up web loading times because they are designed to connect at higher speeds. Internet browsers can also cause a computer to be slow. Browsers that do not function well with the computer's operating system can make the wait time for computer pages to be loaded long and painful. Updating the browser or changing your browser can make Internet pages load faster.

All About Windows 7

Windows 7 is the most recent publicly available version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and general retail availability on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.

Unlike its predecessor, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being fully compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements. Some applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery, are not included in Windows 7; most are instead offered separately as part of the free Windows Live Essentials suite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7

Learning and Teaching Information technology in Cameroon schools.

As the use of information technology increases throughout the world, the school systems in Cameroon are bound to keep pace. Students and teachers are therefore called upon to use more technical tools in the production of course materials and student projects. Basic skills such as using computers, from the use of email to power point presentation have become a core competency.

Studies have shown that the use of computers in every level of education opens a new era of knowledge and offers a tool that has the potential to change existing educational methods. Within most secondary and high schools in Cameroon, computer technology has become a fundamental part of education and will likely be more so in the future. However, a fundamental problem today is the effective exploitation of this resource in the educational system by teachers. Educators must be prepared for the use of this technology in classrooms because the role of teacher is now evolving from giving information to facilitator of learning. To achieve this goal, the following basic principles have to be met by institutions:

- Teachers must obtain the fundamental concepts, knowledge and skills for applying technology in educational settings. There is an urgent need for purchasing sufficient hardware and software for basic education in schools and thus making computer and related technology part of classroom teaching activities. A laboratory to ensure student/teacher access to computers during school hours is a necessity.

- The second need is for in-service training in computer technology. The effectiveness of teachers is a determinant to educational quality. In service training is therefore important to enhance the effectiveness of teachers. Teachers need to receive training which will build their confidence so they can become capable of dealing with the latest technology.

- The final step is training students to become effective users of the internet for research. Students need to learn how to use technology to design, develop, publish and present products. They will hence use technology resources that demonstrate and communicate concepts inside and outside the classroom as they prepare for the real world. It is therefore imperative for institutions to seize this opportunity by defining and implementing technology skills as a first step in assuring all students become proficient information technology users in future.

Fastest growing careers

Demand for personal financial advisors is projected to grow a whopping 41 percent between 2006 and 2016. Which other careers on Money and PayScale.com' s list of America's best jobs will see big opportunities?
1. Telecommunications Network Engineer
Best Jobs rank: 30
10-year growth: 53 percent
Current total employment: 21,000
Traditionally hired to control and maintain power grids and communications for phone and cable companies, telecommunications network engineers are seeing demand from potential employers rise with the demand for Wi-Fi, broadband and other new technologies. Telecom has gone green, too: Energy and environmental companies have opportunities for engineers to help build communications infrastructure for their new products.
2. Systems Engineer
Best Jobs rank: 1
10-year growth: 45 percent
Current total employment: 88,000
Systems engineers possess a wide breadth of knowledge and engineering skills that have long been widely sought within the aerospace and defense industries. Now companies from car manufacturers to consumer products firms are quickly realizing the value of systems engineers as well, leading to a hiring boom.
3. Personal Finance Advisor
Best Jobs rank: N/A
10-year growth: 41 percent
Current total employment: 20,000
The personal financial advisor profession has exploded as baby boomers reach retirement age and seek advice on making their nest eggs last. Meanwhile, younger folks are seeking guidance on managing savings and retirement accounts in lieu of a company pension plan. "People know they have to manage their own financial futures, and they're turning to financial advisors to help," says Richard Salman, president of the Financial Planning Association.
4. Veterinarian
Best Jobs rank: 25
10-year growth: 35 percent
Current total employment: 68,000
Pet ownership has grown 17 percent in the past 10 years, and as more people embrace furry friends, more vets are needed to keep them healthy. The veterinary medicine field has echoed advances in human medicine, and veterinary specialists in fields like oncology and ophthalmology have found clients clamoring for services. Another growth driver: An increased demand for vets in fields like food safety, disease control and pharmaceutical research.
5. Senior Financial Analyst
Best Jobs rank: 21
10-year growth: 34 percent
Current total employment: 127,000
Recession or not, investors and businesses need to put their money somewhere, and they continue relying on experts to examine the risk-reward profile of securities and projects. "One of the things that came out of the financial crisis is people need to do their own due diligence, and there is even more attention being paid to analysis," says Bob Johnson, a senior managing director at the CFA Institute.
6. Business Analyst, IT
Best Jobs rank: 17
10-year growth: 29 percent
Current total employment: 125,000
Companies are increasingly relying on IT business analysts to make sure they're using technology efficiently and cost-effectively. In the past, this job was often farmed out to consultants, but many companies now prefer to use in-house analysts who have in-depth knowledge of their specific industry.
7. Software Development Director
Best Jobs rank: N/A
10-year growth: 28 percent
Current total employment: 12,000
Just like an architect would design a building to be structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing and functionally practical, a software architect designs computer programs that help a business run efficiently and practically. The auto industry is a particular hot spot: Cars these days can easily have at least 40 computers inside to run everything from the lights and radio to the seat-warmers -- and these gurus are needed to design the programs that keep them running.