No matter how advanced the operating system there is one thing that has always looked similar for Windows Operating Systems and that is the task manager. Currently it is just a dull grey box which is confusing to read for a user. As computers become more advanced and having more software at our disposal it has become increasingly more common for users to tackle the windows task manager for themselves. In order to make the process easier the task manager has gone through a complete redesign for Windows 8.

Accessing the Task Manager is very easy. You can either do it by pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL and accessing the task manager panel that way. Alternatively you can right click on the desktop and click ‘Task Manager’. Once it has opened up you will be able to see it looks incredibly different to the task manager in previous versions of windows, don’t worry however. It is much easier to use.

The default option of the task manager is a very clean, and there is nothing confusing to get in the way. It will list all applications currently running on your computer including desktop apps and windows metro apps. You will be able to close them from here. If you require a bit more depth with your task manager then click the ‘More Details’ option at the bottom of the page.

This more detailed version will add some tabs at the top of the application; I will discuss a few of these later. On your processes page you will now be able to see a very pretty chart detailing how many resources each application is running at a time as well as the strain it is putting on your hard disk driver and network. This is very useful for troubleshooting purposes.

A very useful feature is the ability to right click a process and search online for it. This is useful if you don’t know why a process is running on the system.

The App History tab will enable you to see the historical data for each of the apps that have been run on your computer. You will be able to easily see just how many resources each has consumed in total.

As you can see from the tabs you are now able to add and remove start up programs direct from the task manager. In previous editions of Windows this feature was buried deep within the control panel and was difficult to find for many users. Now you will be able to stop those pesky resource hogging programs from starting up a lot more easily.

If you click the ‘Performance’ tab you will be greeted with very pretty graphs detailing the utilization of your system resource, more specifically your processor, memory, hard drive and network. If the numbers are consistently high then you may need to look into a hardware upgrade or see if there are any programs that are hogging a lot of resources. Your computers IP address will also be displayed on this page.

Hopefully you won’t need to access the task manager very often, but I hope this article has gone a bit of the way towards helping you understand exactly how this brand new system works. I do not expect the task manager to change much between the preview edition and the full release of Windows 8 later in the year.

Image credit: http://www.dvd-ppt-slideshow.com

Related posts:

1. Windows 8 Faster with Better Performance more Security Windows 8 will be faster with better performance and more security tightly integrated into the OS...
2. Windows 8 Preview Now Available for download Windows 8 Preview build is available for download just remember you can't back out to Windows 7...
3. Have a Minimum of 2GB of RAM if you want to use Windows Vista I have been using Windows Vista for almost a month now and have to say it is so terribly show...

Despite being protected with multiple anti-virus software programs, firewalls and being more careful whenever clicking on links like doing link previewers for shortened URLs…etc I still see an occasional malware popup from my Antivirus software on occasion from a freeware file I downloaded and wanted to test and review for my readers.

It isn’t just files though, viruses and Trojans are infecting virtually every operating system including mobile phone OS’s like Android, iOS (in the form of malware infected apps) and even Unix based Operating Systems.

Let’s face it, if you are going to get a virus chances are you will get it from your Smart Phone, Tablet and PC and with many people using cloud services to upload/backup files and such you can infect all of your systems at the same time by backing up an infected file.

This is where something like Kaspersky ONE Universal Security would come in.  This product when purchased protects 5 devices and you choose how you distribute the installs.  You can protect 2 Android tablets, 1 Notebook, 1 Desktop and 1 Android smartphone, or 3 smart phones, 2 notebooks…etc.  They even have Mac protection so if you have a Windows notebook, Macbook Air and various Android tablets you can keep them all protected.  Kapersky One supports Android, Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Mobile and works with almost any Android 2.2 or higher tablet.

Remember, in this day and age it isn’t just clicking on malicious links or downloading infected files, but now you have to worry about installing Android apps that can contain malware that can also pose a risk to your information.  You need software protection that can span multiple device types and Operating Systems and protect all smart devices that you own at the same time without having to buy and install 4 or 5 different unrelated products and learn how to use them, manage them all separately.

I encourage you to start protecting all of your devices is with Kaspersky ONE Universal Security. Download your FREE trial today, and keep all of your mobile devices, tablets and Windows or Mac computers protected.

Share your favorite tips for keeping your computers, phones or tablets protected?  Leave your comment below in this comment widget and you’ll be entered to win a $400 Amazon gift card from Kaspersky Lab.  With this gift card you can practically buy yourself a brand new tablet or budget notebook!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kaspersky Lab. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kaspersky. The opinions and text are all mine.

Related posts:

1. Box.net Offers 50GB of Free Storage for LG and Sony Xperia Phones Box.net announced that it would offer free 50GB of data storage to all the customers using LG and Sony Xperia...
2. What To Expect From Android 3.0 Tablets The next generation of Android OS 3.0, aka “Honeycomb” will be in our hands really soon. This new version of...
3. Sony Unveils S1 & S2 Honeycomb Tablets Sony unveils S1 and S2 Honeycomb tablets which have a playstation logo and may be the best tablet coming to...

Yes, dear people of the world. The new iPad has not only invaded our homes, our businesses, our workplace and our fantasies, it has also succeeded in entering the seat of power. Take for instance the United Kingdom’s government. Recent reports said that the House of Commons Commission of the U.K. is looking to offer iPads and also other tablets to members of parliament. We’re thinking Apple is bound make more money for selling iPad!

BBC reported that the Commons Administration Committee advised the House of Commons Commission to get iPads in the belief that it is going to save cash. Based on the report, the Commission will take into account the committee’s recommendation in a meeting on Monday evening.

Presently, each and every member is offered three desktops and two laptops for workplace use. However the committee mentioned tablets could save paper and make members a lot more effective. Despite hesitancies about Apple’s tablet making its way to the Commission, the future looks like the tablet might be sent out to every single member within the Commission. Immediately after conducting a trial with 16 members of the Parliament, the committee advocated to get a ‘rapid roll-out’ of iPads. Although other devices had been viewed also, Apple’s iPad was generally elected because it was ahead of the game in terms of functionality.

And in spite of the probable ‘very limited discount’ from Apple when they start selling iPad to the Commission, Chairman of the Administration Committee, Sir Alan Haselhurst believes that the tablet may be a good investment that could be an “overall saving for the public purse.” The iPad trial was said to have decreased members’ expenses by several thousand pounds in printing as well as other fees. If they choose in favor of the iPad, there could possibly be a flood of claims from members who already purchased their own iPads but paid for it at their own expense. Or they also could probably start selling iPad that was acquired to get the iPad that the Commission might be providing them.

Paying for each and every single member to have an iPad would be an expense of about £250,000 alone. The price of monthly subscription charges to access mobile web browsing would definitely take that to a higher level. A Parliamentary insider said the move may anger the taxpayers, especially since most of them could not afford high-end gadgets like the iPad. According to them, funding people who can afford to buy an iPad may possibly add fuel to the fire.

Last year, the House of Commons Commission authorities already changed the guidelines to permit members of the parliament to make use of iPads and BlackBerrys within the Commons’ chamber so that they will be able to surf the net and answer emails in the course of the debates. Deputy Leader with the Commons, David Heath became the very first minister to make use of an iPad in the dispatch box in October.

No related posts.

The flexible design of LG Display's new EPD allows it to be bent up to a range of 40 degrees from the center of the screen.

The display screen is one of the most vulnerable hardware components of almost any computer, whether it’s a desktop, laptop, or tablet. A drop from any height is almost always enough to damage or crack the screen. In fact, sales of replacement laptop and digitizer touch screens make up a big segment of the computer aftermarket.

There’s good news: broken screens may become a thing of the past. LG Display recently announced that it has started mass production of its electronic paper display (EPD) product for use in E-Books, with a planned launch in Europe next month. (No news yet on when they’re going to be available in the US)

With its incredible advancements in functionality and design, this 6″ XGA (1024×768), e-ink, plastic EPD – weighing in at 14 grams (about the same as a tablespoon of peanut butter) and with a thickness of only 0.7mm – is expected to revolutionize the E-Book market. LG’s new EPD features a plastic substrate that is as slim as protective film on a cell phone. The EPD’s incredible flexible design allows it to be bent up to a range of 40 degrees from the center of the screen.

Not only is the LG’s EPD thinner, lighter and more flexible than glass screens, it’s a lot more durable and resistant to breaking as well. The EPD was put through repeated drop tests, which involved dropping the screen from a height of 1.5m above the ground – about the average height of reading when standing as well as striking it with a small urethane hammer. The result? No damage – not even any scratches!

In addition to their physical resilience, LG’s new EPD offers other benefits as well, including reduced eye fatigue, more efficient energy consumption and lower cost.

In order to successfully manufacture a viable EPD product, LG Display developed a unique technique in the production of its plastic EPDs which allowed the company to overcome the obstacles associated with applying the existing production process to heat susceptible plastics. This breakthrough allows for the mass production of plastic EPDs that are able to maintain strong durability in high temperatures.

“With the world’s first plastic EPD, LG Display has once again proven its reputation for leadership and innovation with a product we believe will help greatly popularize the E-Book market,” said Mr. Sang Duck Yeo, Head of Operations for LG Display’s Mobile/OLED division. “Based on our success in mass-producing plastic EPD, we are excited as we look toward applying concepts from this experience to future developments like plastic OLED and flexible displays.”

Although they’re releasing the first mass produced EPD, LG isn’t the only company developing flexible, plastic screens.  Nokia, Samsung and Amtel have all announced plans to release their own EPDs.  As this technology develops, it could lead to all sorts of new products and make those fragile glass screens a thing of the past.

No related posts.

New technology is constantly revolutionizing personal lives and businesses all over the world, but nothing appears to have made quite the impact as restaurants and small businesses embracing tablets and smart phones. Restaurant point of sale technology has remained pretty steady over the last decade or so, with the last big thing being digital cash registers and touch screen centers for the wait staff. However, with tablets and smart phones entering the picture both restaurants and especially small businesses that need mobile payment solutions are finding what they need.

It is not uncommon to enter into a higher-end or even chain restaurant and see the wait staff walking around with smart phones or tablets. They allow them the ability to offer picture examples of today’s specials, pull up apps that suggest the perfect wine for their patron’s meal, enter their menu selection on the spot and even swipe the customer’s credit card right there. This advancing technology has improved wait staff response time, table turn over time and accuracy in entering menu items. It has also eliminated the need for the patron to have to wait for the waiter or waitress to take their credit card to the cashier, have it processed and returned. Now, it can all be done right at the table which has been rated as excellent by surveyed patrons.

Small businesses have also embraced the mobility smart phones and tablets offer. Before this technology, small businesses, merchants and street vendors would often only accept cash and checks in order to avoid the expensive fees charged by merchant account providers and credit card processing companies. However, now thanks to the ingenuity of several mobile credit card processing providers and mobile technology companies, these small businesses can now accept credit cards on the go or right in their own store at a much less expensive cost.

In considering the relative ease, simplicity and affordability of this new point of sale technology available on tablets and smart phones, it is easy to see why restaurants of all sizes and small businesses are getting on board. With mobile credit card processing providers simplifying the process of accepting credit cards on the go or at the outside table on the patio, restaurants and small businesses are better able to serve their customers now than ever before. Although this technology has been around for a few years, small businesses and restaurants are now starting to understand just how big of an impact it can have on their company.

It will be interesting to see if hard, cold cash will survive this sweeping Digital Age or if smart phones, tablets and these new points of sale technologies will become the rule, rather than the exception.

No related posts.