What to consider when buying a PC or Laptop for your course.

What to consider when buying a PC or Laptop for your course.

I think the main thing to look for when buying a laptop is what you want from that laptop. Before I would buy a laptop, I would make a list of what I was planning to use the laptop for, as this could drastically dictate was sort of laptop I get, e.g. if I decided I wanted to download and watch films on my laptop, I would have to make sure the laptop had a large amount of memory, powerful video driver and possibly a wide screen.

Price
For obvious reasons, as a student price would be very important. I would try and get the cheapest price possible without sacrificing too much.

Hard Drive Space
If you're going to be doing things with large file size like music or video then you'll want to get as big a one as you can. This would be important for all students, especially those studying a course involving IT, as much of the course work is done on the computer.

Processor Speed
This is simply the speed at which the main processor works in your computer. If all you're going to be doing is documents, email and web browsing, then you don't need a super fast processor, a net book will probably work for you. If you intend to do video editing or gaming then you need as fast a processor as you can get. If you wish to go towards the computer side of Psychology, then processor speed could be quite important.

Screen size
If you're doing video or watching movies a large screen will make your life easier, same thing for gamers. It does add at lot of weight so a large screen page will make your laptop less portable. This is also good for planning PowerPoint presentations for various classes.

Web camera
Even though web cameras can be bought separately it is useful to have to have it as a built in feature, especially if you use Skype alot. And Skype can be a very useful tool to communicate, especially if you have group projects, etc.

Size and weight of laptop
The weight and size of a laptop is especially important if you plan on travelling with it to and from college.

The Central Processing Unit or CPU
Cheaper laptops often don’t have potent CPUs. As a result it can take seven to eight minutes to fully boot into windows, provides minimal battery life, and can’t reasonably power the applications you use. So regardless if you’re a student or not, good CPUs is essential.

Ram
Lots of RAM lets you run more applications simultaneously. Sufficient RAM is also necessary for graphics work, image editing, and video editing, and crucial for 3D gaming. Therefore sufficient RAM is very important for our module on multi media and design.

Integrated wireless
You would think that all laptops would automatically have integrated wireless, but that is not always the case so it’s important to check, as the internet is vital for ICT and assessing blackboard on the go.

Battery life
Battery lives do vary quite a lot across the board so it important to make sure that your new laptop can survive at least two hours without being charged; otherwise your laptop is no longer portable.

Integrated Bluetooth
Bluetooth is getting more and more popular. Bluetooth technology enables coordinating mobile phone contacts, e-mail, calendars, and tasks lists wirelessly with a laptop. The same Bluetooth technology can also be used to add a wireless mouse to a notebook and it can be very handy when you have a Bluetooth printer.

Ports

Ports, especially USB and FireWire, are necessities, but on laptops they can be in short supply. At a minimum, look for two USB ports, and if you have any other devices, such as parallel printers, look for those ports, too. If you'd like to use a digital camcorder or iPod, etc make sure your laptop has the corresponding port. Memory cards play a huge role in our course; therefore it is hugely important that you have a port for them.

Summary of 'Student Awareness of the Privacy Implications When Using Facebook' by Tabreez Govani & Harriet Pashley.

Summary
Users share a wide variety of information on Facebook, but are users aware of the privacy implications of this?
Govani & Pashley examined how Facebook affects privacy, and found serious flaws in the system. Privacy on Facebook is undermined by three principal factors: users disclose too much, Facebook does not take adequate steps to protect user privacy, and third parties are actively seeking out end-user information using Facebook.
Facebook (www.facebook.com) is one of the foremost social networking websites, with over 8 million users spanning 2,000 college campuses. With this much detailed information arranged uniformly and combined into one place, there are bound to be risks to privacy.
Users may submit their data without being aware that it may be shared with advertisers.
Third parties may build a database of Facebook data to sell. Intruders may steal passwords, or entire databases, from Facebook.
Govani & Pashley undertook several steps to investigate these privacy risks. Their goal was to analyze the extent of disclosure of data, then to analyze the steps that the system took to protect that data. Finally, then they conducted a ‘’threat model" analysis to investigate ways in which these factors could produce unwanted disclosure of private data. Their analysis found that Facebook was entrenched in college students' lives, but users had not restricted who had access to this.
In the past, others have utilized Facebook's use of predictable, easy to understand URLs to automatically request information and save user information for further analysis.

In general, they were able to collect large numbers of user profiles from Facebook using their information collection system. Govani & Pashley exhaustively downloaded every profile available at their four subject schools,

From the results they obtained they found that overall, the majority of students were aware
of the ability to restrict the amount of information they provided to different Facebook users. While 40% of users did restrict some of their information, there are still large numbers of users that are sharing very personal information like mobile phone numbers and home addresses. The overall affect of the survey seemed to be minimal. From the surveys they concluded that Facebook users generally feel comfortable sharing their personal information in a campus environment.
Participants said that they “had nothing to hide” and “they don’t really care if other people see their information.” These attitudes and behaviours change by merely asking students to take a survey, no matter how informational it is. This irrational trust and comfort of facebook seems prevalent across the board.

Link to the full article; http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:2a5zkCFDafwJ:scholar.google.com/+facebook&hl=en&as_sdt=2000

Summary of the article 'Internet Addiction: Symptoms, Evaluation, and Treatment', by Dr. Kimberly S. Young

Internet Addiction: Symptoms, Evaluation, and Treatment
Dr. Kimberly S. Young

Summary
The internet, a facility which was originally developed to facilitate research between academics, in recent years has become a hot topic among the mental health community.
Internet addiction is a new occurrence in the 21st century and this article deals with diagnoses, negative consequences, triggers and treatment of internet addiction.

Diagnoses of internet addiction
Two problems stand in the way of diagnosing internet addiction;
· Physical substances ingested into the body can easily be termed addictive as they result in a physical reaction in the body though ‘’ defining addiction has moved beyond this to include a number of behaviours which do not involve an intoxicant such as compulsive gambling (Griffiths, 1990), video game playing (Keepers, 1990), and television-viewing (Winn, 1983). Therefore, linking the term "addiction" solely to drugs is no longer viable.
· The other contentious element related to the use of the Internet addiction is that unlike chemical dependency, the Internet offers several direct benefits such as social networking, research, education, online banking, shopping, simply checking the weather! Where is the line between addiction and healthy usage?
Proper diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that there is currently no accepted set of criteria for addiction much less Internet addiction.

Pathological Gambling is viewed as most similar to the pathological nature of Internet use. By using Pathological Gambling as a model, Internet addiction can be defined as an impulse-control disorder which does not involve an intoxicant.
Young (1996) developed a brief eight-item questionnaire which modified criteria for pathological gambling to provide a screening instrument for addictive Internet use:
1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (think about previous on-line activity or
anticipate next on-line session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet with increasing amounts of time in order to
achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop Internet use?
Etc.
Patients were considered "addicted" when answering "yes" to five (or more) of the questions and when their behaviour could not be better accounted for by a Manic Episode.

Negative Consequences Of Addictive Use Of The Internet
One of the main concerns in substance addiction is the negative and often dangerous physical implications of that substance on the body. However, the physical risk factors involved with an addiction to the Internet are minimal yet notable.
· The patient typically stays up past normal bedtime hours and may report staying on-line until two, three, or four in the morning with the reality of having to wake for work or school at six a.m.
· In extreme cases, caffeine pills are used to facilitate longer Internet sessions.
· Such sleep deprivation can have negative effects on the patient’s social, academic and working life, as well as lowering the immune system making them more susceptible to illness.
· Familial Problems - Marriages appear to be the most affected as Internet use interferes with responsibilities and obligations at home
· Academic Problems - Young (1996) found that fifty-eight percent of students reported a decline in study habits, a significant drop in grades, missed classes, or being placed on probation due to excessive Internet use.
· Occupational Problems – while the internet is undoubtedly a useful tool for business one firm tracked all traffic going across its Internet connection and discovered that only twenty-three percent of the usage was business related (Machlis, 1997).

Triggers

Triggers go beyond physical situations or people, and may also include negative thoughts and feelings (Fanning & O ’Neill, 1996). When feeling depressed, hopeless, and pessimistic about the future, an alcoholic may resort to drinking. In this same manner, Internet addiction operates on triggers or cues which lead to "net binges." Young believes that behaviours related to the Internet have the same ability to provide emotional relief, mental escape, and ways to avoid problems as do alcohol, drugs, food, or gambling. Therefore, origins for such net binges can be traced back to the following four types of triggers: applications, feelings, cognitions and life events.

Treatment Strategies For Pathological Internet Use
· Practice The Opposite
· External Stoppers
· Setting Goals
· Abstinence
· Reminder Cards
· Personal Inventory
· Support Groups
· Family Therapy

Link to the full article; http://www.netaddiction.com/articles/symptoms.pdf

A conversation between Ger and James.

A conversation between Ger* and James*
*Names have been changed for privacy.

Ger: Oh please no one really has a choice! No one is really given a choice; statistically where you are born is the biggest factor in what religion you will believe in. So how can there be a choice. From a very early age most people are taught to believe in something, even if that something is nothing! Human nature, more so children’s nature is to trust their parents. Its evolution. Children have to believe what their parents tell them, they have to trust their parents when they say don’t run out into the road because if they don’t they will die so how can a child determine what they must know and believe in order to survive , from just what their parents believe.
Religion was just something we created to explain the unexplained. To explain why the giant light ball came back everyday. It has no place in the modern word, science is the new religion and by that I don’t mean we pray and worship science but more that science is now the answer to our questions. The emptying of churches around this country is only proof that we our evolving.

James: Wow, Ger that was an interesting monologue, insulting but interesting!

Ger: Oh don’t take offence, Judaism is different, it more a culture than a religion.

James: Oh how very kind of you to let me off the hook. So unlike the masses it’s ok for me to follow my parent’s beliefs? Surely when what started as a religion becomes a culture it just proves exactly what you are saying?

Ger: Hmm I guess, but I’m not trying to insult anyone, it’s just what I believe.

James: So you believe that I have been brain washed and everything I believe in is crap and thats not meant to insult me?

Ger: Exactly! Well surely you believe that what Christians or Buddhist or Hindus believe in is crap? As well as what I believe in?

James: Well no, not that its crap, just not right but I still respect their belief.

Ger: Well of course I do as well, more than anything I believe that people have the right to believe whatever they want to so long as it doesn’t affect someone else’s rights.

James: How can you say that!?? When you have just spent a full minute stating that it is a lesser evolved human that believes in religion? That was originally the justification for racism!

Ger: Ok fair enough but i guess I’m talking about 2 types of religious people, you have people who have a very strong faith and truly believe or at least truly want to believe but then you have those who just follow as if on snooze mode. It’s not that they don’t believe and make a conscious decision to follow for the sake of an easy life or to fit in, it’s that they have never bothered to question. They were brought up as a certain faith and they have followed it like a loyal dog, not asking questions but blindly obedient to their teachings.

James: So those people are less evolved?

Ger: Jesus, you’re really stuck on that!

James: Eh the names James I think you will find!

Ger: Oh hardy hardy har, if anything my use of the word Jesus is just proof that religion, particularly the one from your location is welded into us from a early age and its next to impossible to separate the person from the religion ever again, once a child a has been brought up in any society today, it and religion are now an alloy now and forever more!

James: Right but take off the tap shoes and answer the question, are those people less evolved?

Ger: Well yes! The thing that separates us from the animal kingdom is our quest for knowledge, our hunger for answers but more so than anything- even if they are only rhetorical or we know there is no definite answer, the main thing that separates us, why so many of us are confident we have been created in god’s image, is the never ending list of questions we have. And some people seem to replace those questions with religion. A lot of the time you will find there is more to be stimulated by in the question than the answer.

James: Would you pass the lighter?

Guide to shopping online

cdwow.ie

It is definitely worth a look every now and again as you can get some excellent deals though prices are generally pretty average, but free delivery is definitely its saving grace. However while the address for this site is Irish and the prices in Euros, the items are shipped from the UK. This doesn’t affect shipping cost but definitely effect delivery time! While Amazon items can arrive the next day, cd.wow items can take more than two weeks. But with free delivery sometimes it’s worth the wait.

Guide to shopping online

Amazon
Amazon is definitely one of the more recognisable names and understandable so. With an incredible selection of DVDS, CDS and books (and really whatever else you are looking for!) it earns its household name. Unlike HMV the review facility on Amazon is extremely useful, regardless if you choose to buy off Amazon or not. With hundreds of reviews for the more popular items, you really do have everyone’s point of view!
Delivery costs are better than HMV but can add up especially if you plan on buying books.

• For TOTAL add "Per Item" rate to "Per Delivery" rate
  CD/ DVD/ Vinyl
  0.39 Per Item
  
  1.49 Per Delivery
  
  -
  PC/ Video/ Video Game/ Toy/ Software
  0.99 Per Item
  
  3.99 Per Delivery
  
  -
  Books (includes audio books)
  0.99 Per Item
  
  3.99 Per Delivery
  
  -
  Baby, Beauty, Clothing, DIY & Tools, Electronics, Health & Personal Care, Home & Garden, Jewellery, Kitchen, Office Products, Shoes, Sports and Watches items
  4.50 Per Delivery
  
  0.50 Per KG
  
  
  Highest "Per Delivery" rate applies
  Add the appropriate "Per KG" rate as listed above

It is important to remember that the above prices only apply if you are buying from Amazon on Amazon. That can seem quite confusing but to simplify it, Amazon has many shops within Amazon and these shops can choose whether or not to ship to Ireland and what prices they wish to charge (and sometimes these prices are ridiculous, so make sure you check it out).
To find out whom you are buying from simply look under the green 'In stock' sign for the
Dispatched from and sold by ‘’name of seller’’. Click on the name of the seller which will bring you to the shop storefront where you can check out delivery rates, other products they sell and importantly – their received feedback.
You can also buy from individual sellers on Amazon, usually selling used items. This is pretty much the same as buying from stores but the prices tend to say the same from seller to seller.

• Books (includes audio books) -3.94
  CDs -1.79
  Videos-3.94
  DVD-1.79
  Video Games-3.94
  Electronics & Photo, Office Products-n/a
  Home & Garden,DIY & Tools,Health & Beauty-n/a
  Software-3.94
  Toys 4.00 + 0.50 per kg**

Prices in British Pounds

However, while these sellers say they ship to Ireland, a suspicious amount of the time the item can become unavailable after you put it in your shopping basket. This can also simply happen as a result of someone else buying the particular item.
Also unless there is something you particularly want, I would recommend that if buying from Ireland, you buy from Amazon .co.uk opposed to amazon.com. The delivery rates are obviously higher as its coming from the US but there is also the ‘’hidden’’ customs rates. These rates can be somewhat hard to calculate but roughly it seems to work out as about €25 for every €100 you spend.

Guide to shopping online

Hmv website

While HMV is a fairly big name, I have had a few problems with this website. I few times my orders were not processed and their customer service leaves something to be desired.They do have a big selection of DVDs and music, their prices are reasonable enough but it is worth noting that as a customer from the republic of Ireland, you are charged £2.50 per DVD or CD for delivery opposed to free delivery for UK customers.

ICT in Ireland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNi1bMcNuuY

Links to sites useful for Psychology

Encyclopedia of Psychology

http://www.psychology.org/


Psychology Forums

http://psychology-forum.com/
http://www.psychblog.co.uk/





















Psychology glosserys

http://www.psychologymatters.org/glossary.html
http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/psychology-glossary.php

Twos Complement

Aint that true!

IADT

So this is my first ever blog. I have just started college in IADT and so far so good. We had fresher’s week last week, the iron stomach was pretty funny (even though people getting sick really shouldn't be funny!) and Arthur's day was super! I say we do that every year, surely 251 years deserves to be celebrated?
I am really enjoying the lectures as well, especially the you tube videos. Something else that really makes IADT stand apart from all the other colleges is the amazing film library! I thought it would be a handful of documentaries and some obscure arty films, but no! The amount of films is really brilliant, whatever your taste in movies, you are sure to find something that tickles your fancy! So I really recommend having a look, they have also just put about 3-4 flat screen TVs up in the library. I don’t think they are working yet, but once they do, it would be a great way to spend the time between lectures!
Something else that I recommend doing if you have 15 minutes free or so, is having a look at the memorial garden. Its quiet andits got a pretty fountain, some apple trees and its worth a look anyway.
Also people should start going to Bakers after lectures!