What is Active X

Posted on December 16th, 2008 in Technology by admin

What is Active X?

Active X is a software technology that was released by Microsoft; basically this technology allows content or programmed capabilities to be sent from the web to a Microsoft Window’s computer.

Active X in its earlier form was OLE and COM technologies. OLE stands for Object Linking and Embedding and COM stands for Component Object Model. Active X was primarily developed so that end users on MS Windows computers can interact with content and link files such as MS Word Documents or Excel spreadsheet documents from a computer to the web with ease.

In this case, an internet browser visiting a website with Active X would be able to view a Word or Excel document directly in their web browser. Unfortunately Active X was created with poor security features and lacked even basic security controls. For this reason many computer security experts discouraged its use.
OLE (Object Linking and Embedding)

OLE allows an object from one application; let’s say a MS Excel table to be embedded into another application- a MS Word Document. In this specific situation, the MS Excel table becomes an object, it is then cut or copied and pasted directly into the MS Word document and saved. OLE allows a user or group of users to work on separate parts of a master file and then quickly compound it or put it all together.

Microsoft renamed OLE, calling it Active X in 1996. In 2005, Microsoft has dropped its support for Active X primarily due to a loss in a patent lawsuit. This means that in newer editions of IE web browser, end users will no longer be able to interact with Active X without first activating it. For instance, many media files such as Flash, QuickTime, etc must first be activated. Before, you can usually roll over a media item with your mouse or open a page in your web browser to start active X, now you must first directly interact with the media object and for instance click the item to start a file or to interact with its properties.

What are QVGA Specifications

Posted on December 16th, 2008 in Technology by admin

What are QVGA Specifications?

qVGA, also known as Quarter VGA is a screen size and resolution measurement. This measurement and resolution is most commonly used for PDA

What is Hyperterminal

Posted on December 16th, 2008 in Technology by admin

What is Hyperterminal?

Hyperterminal is a program that is designed to perform the functions of communication and terminal emulation. Also known as HyperTerm, the program has been offered as part of Microsoft operating systems since the release of Windows 98. Essentially, Hyperterminal can make it possible to make use of the resources of another computer by establishing a link between the two systems.

What Can Hyperterminal Do?

The original design for Hyperterminal made it possible to use a standard telephone line to establish a dialup connection between two computers. The program would make use of the internal modem of the host or main computer and use a service such as Telnet to establish the connection to the secondary computer. This connection could be exploited to transfer data and files from one system to the other, without the need to save data to some sort of exterior device and then manually load the data onto the other system.

Along with making data transfer between two computers a relatively easy process, Hyperterminal also made it possible for the main system to access and utilize a bulletin board service located on the second system. The program can also be used to troubleshoot issues with modems, or help to make sure a newly installed modem is functioning correctly.

How Does Hyperterminal Work?

Hyperterminal makes use of serial ports and the controls associated with external devices. These devices can vary and include such options as radio communications equipment, robots, and instruments used for scientific measurements and similar endeavors. The connections provided by Hyperterminal make it easy to retrieve data from these sources, as well as be able to execute commands to the devices from the main computer system.

When checking the status and operability of a device such as an exterior modem, Hyperterminal can be used to verify that the connections are aligned properly and that the command to activate the dialer on the modem is functioning properly. Essentially, Hyperterminal sends a mock command to the modem and walks the device through all the steps of establishing connectivity with the network. Accessing Hyperterminal is easily accomplished through the Start menu of any Windows based system.

What is S PDIF

Posted on December 16th, 2008 in Technology by admin

What is S/PDIF?

S/PDIF is a type of data link layer and physical layer for the transfer of digital audio signals between multiple devices or stereo components. S/PDIF is an acronym for Sony / Philips Digital Interconnect Format or Sony Philips Digital Interface. As described in the acronym, the S/PDIF format was developed during joint operations between Sony and Philips. It is a minor modification of the AES/EBU (Audio Engineering Society / European Broadcasting Union) specification from 1985. However, unlike the AES/EBU, the S/PDIF format was developed specifically for home, consumer use, as it requires hardware that is not as expensive as those required by the AES/EBU model.

What is S/PDIF used for?

S/PDIF is used to transfer digital audio to a variety of home audio equipment. Common devices that can take advantage of the S/PDIF format include: DVD players, computer sound cards, CD players, and receivers. The most common connection is made between a DVD player and a receiver for high quality Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound. However, it is also fairly common to connect a CD player to a receiver using the S/PDIF cables as well.

What are the differences between the AES/EBU standard and S/PDIF?

The AES/EBU standard provided the building blocks for what would become S/PDIF. The two formats differ in their use of cabling, connectors, signal level, subcode information, and maximum resolution. However, both formats use biphase mark code for modulation.

The AES/EBU format uses a more robust 110 ohm shielded cable while the S/PDIF format uses a more consumer friendly 75 ohm coaxial cable or fiber cable. AES/EBU can also use a 75 ohm coaxial cable as well. The AES/EBU format can take advantage of XLR, D-sub, or BNC connectors while the S/PDIF format uses RCA, BNC, or TOSLINK connectors.

The signal level found with the AES/EBU specification ranges from 3 to 10 volts while the S/PDIF signal level ranges from 0.5 to 1 volt. Subcode information is provided via ASCII ID text for AES/EBU while subcode information is provided via SCMS for S/PDIF. Furthermore, the max resolution for AES/EBU is 24 bits while the S/PDIF format provides a max resolution of only 20 bits.

What are the other specifications for S/PDIF?

The most common digital signal transfer frequency over S/PDIF is 48 kHz for DAT (Digital Audio Tape) or 44.1 kHz for CD quality audio. There is no defined data rate for S/PDIF, which uses Biphase mark code instead that allows for one or two transitions for every bit.

An Overview Of The Blackberry

Posted on December 16th, 2008 in Technology by admin

An Overview Of The Blackberry

Unless you have spent part of the past few years in a cave or under a rock, you have heard of the Blackberry. However, and with that said, even though you may have heard of the Blackberry, you may now know exactly what a Blackberry is in essence. Therefore, this article has been prepared to provide you with some basic information about the Blackberry.

In basic terms, a Blackberry is a line of mobile communication devices that allow you to undertake a number of different tasks through the use of the Blackberry itself. For example, a Blackberry is designed to allow you to read and respond to email. On top of reviewing, reading and sending email, there are many other functions that can be performed with a Blackberry. Indeed, on so many levels, the Blackberry truly is an all purpose piece of personal communications equipment.

In promoting the Blackberry, its manufacturer has described the Blackberry as a

Anonymous Proxy

Posted on December 16th, 2008 in Technology by admin

Anonymous Proxy

An anonymous proxy, also referred to as an anonymous proxy server, allows a client to access a file, web page, or some other resources through a server which services the requests of the client through another remote server. For example, when a client accesses a web page through an anonymous proxy, the client talks to the proxy and the proxy talks to the web page, maintaining the privacy of the client, such as his/her IP address. The purpose of such a proxy, or a server, is to protect the privacy of the client from the service and from other individuals who may be logging and inspecting the client

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