COMPUTER HARD DISK (HDD)

COMPUTER HARD DISK (HDD)

Also called Hard Drive, is an internal storage device of a computer, where all computer programmes and your documents are stored. Most Hard Disks are capable of storing of hundreds of thousand files, containing pictures, reports, videos, movies, games, etc. The size of a hard disk is measured in Gigabytes (GB); the most common disk-sizes are 160 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB, but there are bigger sizes nowadays. Most home and office computers, these days, come with 160 - 250GB sizes. But since many things are going online these days, including watching and saving movies, it would be wise to check the higher disk space as much as your budget can afford. Dont be taken by this option though, it is fairly enough to buy a computer with 160 to 250 GB if you are not fun for movies and gaming. The golden principle is that you should not spend for features that you would never use, as this would be a waste of money.

Many applications or programmes are demanding more disk space, as they move to a higher version. For example Microsoft Windows Operating System, Microsoft office and many software development applications are requesting more and more disk spaces. Therefore, you should aim to look for hard disks higher than 100GB, so as to be able to keep with changing technologies. The larger the hard disk size, the larger the number of programmes and documents are stored. If you plan to use your computer for storing photos, videos and music, I advise you to go for the largest hard disk size your budget can afford.

Tips:

A certain amount of disk space could be allocated (set aside) for boosting Random Access Memory (RAM). This can only be achieved if your computer has enough hard disk space. For instance, you can expand your existing 1GB RAM size to 3 or 4GB, simply by allocating some hard-disk space to be used as RAM, and you will see your computer runs faster.

Most computers come with Windows operating system (Windows 7, XP or Vista) installed. In some computers, all these system files are installed in a partitioned separate drive, usually named as c: (system). Such computers provide another drive named as D: (Data) where you can use to store your personal files and documents. Such partitioning of a computer is very essential, especially when your computer encounters programme crashes, when you would be forced to reinstall the programmes. Reinstalling Windows operating system, wipes out all system files and any others that have been stored in drive c: (system). The contents stored in drive D: (Data) are left un-affected. Therefore, please make sure the computer you buy is partitioned in such a way, in order to safeguard possible potential loss of your hard toiled and precious documents.

Word of caution! What I would also like to advise is that you should always make sure you save your personal documents in a separate partition of your hard disk, usually named D: (Data) and NOT in a Disk labelled "SYSTEM". This will help you rescue your documents at times of computer crash. This is not to imply that the Data Drive is absolutely safe and not penetrable. There is nothing as important as making regular backups of your data and documents on separate devices such as floppy disks, Zip Disks, CDs, DVDs, External Hard-Disks and online data back-up systems. Please be cautious, that there are always malicious virus and malwares available around. So please keep your computer security up to date, by installing Anti-virus and Internet security software.

Do you have shortage of hard disk space of your older Desktop computer? Don't worry, you can always add another Internal hard disk, in the available bays of your desktop computer as they normally come with additional bays. Alternatively, you can buy portable external hard-disk which is available at reasonable prices, and easily expand your hard disk size.

Hard disks have their speeds measured in rounds-per-minute (rpm). Most disks are of a speed around 5400 - 7200rpm, but if you find one with more rpm, why not go for it!

Some disks are noisy when running, so look for the silent ones whenever you look for specifications. This is also true especially when you buy external hard disks.

Updated: 18 Dec 2011

Yohannes Berhe

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COMPUTER OPTICAL DRIVE

COMPUTER OPTICAL DRIVE

Optical Drive is a general name for CD, DVD and Blu-ray Drives of a computer. This is what is shown usually included on computer specifications.

CD or DVD DRIVE

Because most programmes and software come in CDs, most computers are sold with a CD or DVD drive installed. This enables you play CDs or install software that come on CDs or DVDs. Most Movies and many games come in DVDs, and therefore you need a DVD drive to play them. Therefore, a computer should at least come with a DVD-ROM Drive installed. This will ensure you play both CDs and DVDs on your computer.

You may also want to share information with others, or want a copy of information on a CD or a copy of your family movie on a DVD. A DVD-ROM Drive will not enable you to make copies on CDs or DVDs. Therefore, you need to have a DVD-Rewriter Drive, in order to do so. This will enable you to Re-write CDs and DVDs alike, and share information and media files as you like. Please therefore check carefully, in the computer specifications, if the computer you buy has the features you need.

Blu-ray

A more recent advances in the Oprical drive development is the prelude of Blu-ray. Blu-ray is also known as Bluray Disc or abbreviated as BD. Bluray Disc's storage capacity is Five times larger compared to DVD, therefore is great achievement. This enables storing High definition and 3D movies in one Bluray Disc, which is great for entertainment.

Blu-ray Discs are only playable in Blu-ray players. Therefore, a computer that comes with Blu-ray drive has an advantage over others that have only DVD drives. However, you have to be prepared to pay a little more bucks, being that is the latest technology. This is also true for stand-alone media players.

Similar to the CD or DVD drives, Bluray drives also come as ReWriters Blu-ray Rewriters, usually shown as BD –RE. This feature helps make a copy of your own Bluray movie.

Tips:

Do you know that a DVD can store up to 4.7 GB to 8 GB Data? A CD can only store a maximum of 0.7 GB data. A Blu-ray stores Five times larger that a DVD. There are different names of CDs and DVDs. Although I believe most modern computers would allow you to use them without any problems, it would be advisable, to buy CDs or DVDs that your computer supports. Look at what is written at the front of the CD or DVD Drive; it tells what types of CDs or DVDs it supports. So make a note of them and buy the right makes you need. This variation only applies when you plan to make copies of CDs or DVDs, but does not affect playing any type of CDs or DVDs.

Updated: 08 Jan 2013

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Yohannes Berhe

Plastic Bag Container or Storage

What is Plastic Bag container?

Plastic bag is a flexible type of packaging made of plastic film. Among the many uses, they are used for storing and transporting a variety of foods, liquids, ice, powders and other products such as clothing. They are also used for containing chemicals and wastes. The bags are heat-sealed together in most cases. But some are stick together using adhesives or are sewn. Some come with a zipper, hence could be opened and closed many times as necessary or could be reused.

There are also sealable types of bags which can provide a much better and safe vacuum or air-tight storage. You may however, need to have a sealer equipment although some of these types may have self-vacuum-sealing ability. The later types are important, for example, if the food is stored free of air; it avoids oxygen that may be required for breeding to any microorganisms that may be present in the food, and this ensures safe food storage.

Type and nature of Plastic Containers

Some types of plastic withstand temperatures up to 110 °C whereas others only withstand 80 °C. There are various types of plastic bag containers in the market.

Good practice !

Plastic bags are not readily biodegradable, hence they stay un-decayed for decades; there are however, some made to easily bio-degraded. If they are disposed improperly and unattended, they could cause hazards to animals and wildlife. It is good practice to recycle them. When you buy plastic bags, it is wise to choose Heavy-duty or multiple-use types as they are more environmentally friendly to single-use ones. Single-use bags can also be recycled, or reused for as trash bins. The use of plastic bags needs supervision especially where there are infants, as they can easily suffocate them.

Other Equipments to consider

The following are essential equipments that may be needed to effectively use plastic and bag storage:

• Heat Sealers
• Shrink Systems
• Vacuum sealer
  

By: Yohannes Berhe
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Airtight, Insulated or Vacuum storage

What is Vacuum storage?

Airtight vacuum containers are bins that work by sucking all air out of the container and permanently packing in a vacuum. By eliminating contact food with air, therefore, they prolong the shelf-life of stored food. Not only this, but also they prevent from loss of taste caused from freezer burn, loss of nutrient as well as maintain the natural color of stored food. Vacuum containers prevent souring of stored food (for example, food in opened bottles and cans) and prolong the quality and taste of refrigerated foods.

Where they may be used?

Airtight vacuum containers are widely used to store different types of foods, for domestic as well as for commercial use. These airtight containers have become ideal to storing and preserving food. It is therefore important to have these in our kitchens, during our travel, for example to keep our take-away food, as well as to store commercially supplied foods.

There are many types of airtight vacuum containers in the market. Some are good for domestic or family use whereas others are suitable for commercial purposes. There are also vrieties that can be used for both domestic and commercial applications. Vacuum sealer products could be suitable for food and non-food items.

Airtight Bag Silos, for example, can be used for storing grains at home or in the farm. Grain-producing farmers, for example can store their grains on the farm in these airtight (vacuum) bags that come with a varying sizes-extending upto tens of thousand tons of grain. This ensures, farmers bargaining power for their products, instead of dumping their hard-toiled produce for cheap prices.

Advantages

• Airtight containers can keep food contents safe and free from pests and rodents. If the container is transparent, it allows to monitor the contents situation without the need to open the container. Food sealed in a vacuum, stops from smelling. It is therefore ideal when we store foods such as fish in fridge or freezer.
  
• Foods such as salad, mushrooms and peppers could be stored three times longer if sealed in a vacuum container. It is very common to see that a bag-full of purchased vegetables such as green and mixed foods, carrots, biscuits, crisps, etc, as well as meat products, are not consumed in one use, once their package is opened. There is usually some left unused in the opened bag, and many of us either throw it in the bins or store it inappropriately in a way that could be hazardous to our health. In such situations, the remaining food could be put in a vacuum sealer and be stored in fridge and they could last longer. It is therefore economical as well as safe to use vacuum sealer containers.
  
• Vacuum-sealed food could be stored for longer period, and this is beneficial for both domestic use and especially for commercial purposes, as this retains the freshness of food for longer periods.

By: Yohannes Berhe
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FOOD STORAGE

Why Food Storage?

Food storage is vital as it relates to humankind’s fundamental survival element, which is food. The aim of this article is to guide and help you in your search for optimum preparation needs to fit your lifestyles.

Look at what happens in supply of food market. You notice scarcities and prices fluctuations, due to a number of factors. Some reasons are anticipated seasonal variations, but many are not anticipated, and include the following:

• Natural disasters (Drought, Flooding, Crop failures)
• Man-made disasters (such as wars, civil unrests, fires, water or air pollution, terrorist acts)
• Workers industrial actions
• Losing your job for a number of reasons
• Domestic as well as Global Economic Crisis

What types are available?

There are wide ranges of food storage structures available to meet varying needs. For example, it is good to look at your lifestyle, whether you stay at home, go for work, a student, traveller, on holidays or camping, your baby needs, your pet, so that you can decide which one of the structures is appropriate for you.

What to keep in your stock:

Water – it is good to know a human being could stay for days without eating food, could not withstand water thirsty. Therefore, water is an important element. Where water is available but purity is a concern, water purification equipment would be required. You may therefore need to have the right water storage system that meets your objective.

Food -- we all agree, all types of foods (grains, beans or pulses, vegetables, fruits, meat, canned products, sugars, dairy products, baby, pet) should be included, and each will require its own way of storage. The types of food need to meet your life styles.

The preparation or form of food is important to consider. For example, ask yourself "Do I need means of cooking for my stored food, in case something happens? or do I have to stock Meals Ready to Eat (i.e. MREs) varieties?." This will then help you determine, the right type of food as well as nature of processing to be chosen.

How long can you keep food in stock?

This depends on the type of food itself ( for example, grains, beans or pulses, vegetables, fruits, meat, canned foods, sugars, dairy products, baby, pet) and on the condition of the where it is kept, and how all these are managed. It is very important to bear in mind that food is sensitive to many deteriorating factors such as temperature, moisture content, humidity, mould, pests (insects such as weevils) and rodents (such as rats).

Good Practise!

Building a rotating food stock, for example a three-month supply, is worth considering. This can be achieved without too much financial stress. For example, you may buy a one-week extra supply each month and set it aside in stock until the desired level is reached. What comes to mind at this junction is that, what do we need to stock? What type of food storage should we have? And how much do we need to stock?


By: Yohannes Berhe
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STORAGE - AN OVERVIEW

Storage is highly essential in our life

We need storage to keep our food, household essentials, for business purposes, in emergencies, to protect valuable data and information. We need it during transportation and removals, during our school and university study years, and many more.

Situations that demand storage

We also talk about National food reserves or food security; States, regions and districts within a country may as well make their strategic food security plans. It is equally important when it comes to families and individuals. You need to have storage plans, depending on your lifestyles (whether staying at home, go for work, at school or university, travel, on holidays or camping, for your baby/ child, as well as your pet of course). For example, your baby needs safe and continuous nutrition at all times during the day; do you have the right container to ensure this?

Natural and man-made disasters are common place around our Globe, air and water pollution are a concern in nowadays world. People are therefore facing many life-threatening situations. It is thus important to think of food and water storage plans to prepare for such situations.

Many companies, small or big ones, face risks of valuable data and information loss due to fire, theft, or hardware damage, for example hard-disk failures. Health and safety, as well as risk preparedness plans have therefore become the only solutions to these. Safe data and information storage ensures and rest assures companies as well as individuals from loss of their data.

Transporting items by road and sea, that may need varying protection means, for example well ventilated atmospheres, cold-chain transport in the case of easily perishable food products, fragile and sensitive items, camping equipments and supplies, and the like, all need proper containers.

I will dedicate this Blog to pool valuable information and services available in this area. So please watch-out for my next articles that will guide you on appropriate storage solutions. I will come up with more information on common types of food and non-food storage types and appropriate options that suite to varying needs.

The aim of this Blog is to share information in the field of storage, which is part of our day-to-day lifestyle. Your feedback would therefore be appreciated.

By Yohannes Berhe
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