Computer Families and Models
Many computer manufacturers, especially such computer giants as IBM, Dell, Gateway, Sony, Apple, etc. issue families (series) of computers. Models of computers in each series have either the same principle of design, or same processor, or have been given diapason of performances. The series can include a base model, and several derivative models. Usually for each type of computer, manufacturers issue series that generally can be divided into 3-4 categories: budget-friendly (at low price), mid-range (at middle price), cutting-edge and ultimate performance (at high, and very high prices). IBM, Gateway, Dell and Apple issue computer families not only for Home and Home office, but also for Small, Mid size or Large Businesses. These families can also include the network optimized series.
The needed features
First of all, you have to make a preliminary analysis of your needs to pick a type of computer, and a zone where you might search this computer, for example, for Home or for Small Business. But it is not sufficient.
(see: http://www.cleverace.com/Choosing_type_of_computer.htm)
To understand what kind of computer to buy, you additionally have to determine what computer performance you need: the type of processor, speed, size of memory, type of video and audio cards, type of case, and so on. You can select one from two ways: 1 - to formulate your needs in the process of searching, 2 - to compile a list a hardware requirement for the programs you might want to run
(see: http://www.cleverace.com/Choosing_best_computer_model2.htm.)
Preliminary selection:
To select a computer family, you have to choose one, which the features match your wishes. Such families can be several. Next procedures are to find the best computer family and best model of computer belonging to this family. If you know the features you need, you can identify the name of the computer family. For this goal you have to use for example, a Table of Features comparison for base models of computer families. For example, according to this Table, if you know that you need a computer only for simple text editing and emailing, your choice is Budget-Friendly Series. On the other hand, if you need for realization of your tasks a computer from Cutting-Edge series , but it is not affordable, your choice can be like a computer from Mid-range series plus a customization (perhaps, when you can better afford it).
To accelerate the search for the preliminary selection, you can find comparison information about the different types of computers with the help a comparison-shopping search engine. It allows you quickly to find the needed products sold by online stores, small businesses, and individuals in diapason of affordable prices. Search can be done by Brand, by Price, by Processor speed, etc. To find what you need, see: http://www.nextag.com/serv/cleverace/buyer/outpdir.jsp
Generally, a preliminary selection can be executed on the basis of not only cost and main functions, but also on an evaluation of convenience of use, warranties, and so on. This kind of selection you can make for computer families of different manufacturers for example, for 3 or 4 families of computer giants. Some companies, such as Gateway, gives to a buyer an opportunity to compare preliminary selected models of computers with "compare" option.
Final selection.
To find the optimal model for yourself, you may make the final selection from the preliminary chosen models. It is much easier to compare 3-4 models, than more than 5 million variants that are available on the Computer Market at the beginning of your search.
Custom built model
If you can't find a computer with the needed performances among the available computers, you need to select a vendor and to order a custom built computer.
See: http://www.cleverace.com/Ordering_custom_built_computers.htm.
Discount
Keep in mind, you can find a cheaper computer for the same model on the Discount Market, because some online stores, especially the computer giants, suggest coupons; or discounts, such as $20 off, when you spend $150 or more; free shipping; free printer; and so on.
See: http://www.cleverace.com/discount_market.htm
For more information see: Web site: www.cleverace.com:
About the author:
Some information about author. Graduated (1961) St-Petersburg Polytechnic State University as mechanical engineer, and post graduated St-Petersburg Marine Technical University (1972). Devoted 10 yeas to a methodology of optimization of design and post-design development for complex machines. Worked as designer, researcher, analyst and scientist in different fields of industry, education and medicine. Created from scratch the Intellectual System, Inc. in St-Petersburg (Russia - 1992-1996). Developed some realtime intellectual systems for industry. Wrote and published more than 60 articles and books. In 1996 immigrated in the USA. In 2002 founded a new company Clever Ace (San Jose, CA).
SMS, or Short Message Service, is the technology behind what we often
refer to as ‘text messages’ or ‘SMSes’, as well as what allows for news
alerts on cellular phones. In recent years SMS has ballooned to over a 50
billion dollar industry and is quickly taking the communications world by
storm.
Short Message Service actually refers to a framework that uniquely
allows computers, or in this case phones, to communicate with each other
without the need of a central hub. With SMS, phones can find each other,
send short packets of information back and forth, and do it all without
any central computer to guide them. But because the system does not rely
upon fixed lines like a land based telephone system does, the amount of
information that can be sent at one time is limited in size. This depends
on the language spoken, but for English letters this typically means
around 150 characters (Chinese and Japanese letters are limited to 70).
Quite recently, however, new developments in the technology have
allowed for even longer messages to be sent. Long or Concatenated SMS is a
development that allows multiple messages to be combined to form a single
message. In effect, what happens is that your phone actually sends out a
few smaller messages and then the receiving phone simply compiles those
messages so that for users on both ends, it appears as though the message
were cohesive. While there are some limitations, the brilliance behind SMS
is that because there is no need for central hubs, and thus the system can
be expanded indefinitely without any concerns of it slowing down or
becoming more expensive.
The most common form of SMS is ‘texting’. This usually takes place with
a cellular phone in which individuals use the letters behind the number
pad on their phone to spell out words and phrases and then send them out.
Because many companies charge by the word, individuals have come up with a
sort of ‘texting slang’ to cut down on the amount of words required to
convey a particular message. For example, ‘gr8’ and ‘BTW’ mean ‘great’ and
‘by the way’. In addition, other words have just been shortened, such as
‘lata’ to mean ‘later’. Most users simply pick up the lingo through
frequent use, and although some slang is widely understood and used, other
shortcuts are developed within circles of friends and family.
The major advantage of SMS is its price. The price is typically $0.05
per message, a significant cut below that of traditional telephony and
cell phone per-minute charges. The savings of SMS has its roots in the
nature of the technology. Short Message Service, like SIP, is modeled on a
peer to peer model and not a cog and wheel like traditional communication
systems. This means that instead of having to route a message through a
central hub, your text goes straight from you to its destination. This has
radically cut down on the cost of SMS implementation and led to its
overwhelming popularity throughout the world.
Short Message Service (SMS) has radically changed the face of the
communications industry. While the practice has become quite common
throughout the world, it has only recently become popular here in the
United Stats, a growth partly predicated upon, surprisingly enough, its
featured role in the show American Idol. The fact that ‘texting’ is
quickly gaining both in popularity and recognition in the United States is
not surprising however, due to its ability to offer users a cheap, quick,
and often fun way to communicate with friends and family.