If you are thinking of purchasing a new computer and you are considering purchasing a laptop for the first time, you may be wondering if this is a good choice. It seems that the computer has definitely replaced the dog as man best friend, so it makes sense that you would be taking this choice seriously.
One thing you don’t have to worry about is the capabilities of laptop computers. Laptops, also know as notebook computers (or just notebooks), can do all of the same things that you’ve become accustomed to doing on a computer, only they are smaller and more convenient.
The great thing about laptops is your ability to run them on a battery. With the new advances in laptop technology, the laptops are becoming smaller and smaller. In fact, there are ultra small notebook computers complete with 40gb hard drives, that weigh less than a pound, and offer 3-4 hour battery lives. If you’re using the computer mainly for business uses, then you’ll obviously make different choices than if you’ll be using the computer mainly around the house.
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MOBILE broadband is enjoying explosive growth — with 511,000 laptop plug-ins sold in five months, says OFCOM.
The communications watchdog also revealed more than two million Brits have now used one of the “dongle” devices to plug into laptops for on-the-go internet.
More than one in ten mobile users have also accessed the web through their phone. And during 2007 the number of 3G mobile connections rose by 60 per cent to 12.5million subscribers.
As the UK’s use of communications services grows, users are being charged LESS, Ofcom revealed in its annual report out today.
The watchdog said the average UK household spent £93.63 a month on TV, radio, mobile phones, landlines and internet — down £1.53 a month on 2006.
This was despite huge increases elsewhere in the economy and a rise in the amount of time spent watching TV, listening to the radio, surfing the internet and using mobiles or landline phones.
The average Brit now spends seven hours and nine minutes a day on these activities — with TV and radio still the most popular pastimes.
Peter Phillips, Ofcom’s market development chief, said: “Our devotion to watching, listening and staying in touch wherever and whenever we want shows no sign of diminishing and, with healthy competition, overall prices offer increasing value for money.”
Ofcom’s report also highlights huge growth in digital and high-definition television.
It says the main TV in nearly nine in ten UK households is now digital — while, by March, 80 per cent of all sets being sold in Britain were equipped for high definition.
Meanwhile, by the end of last year, one in four homes had a digital video recorder allowing them to watch, pause and rewind live TV.
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THE Financial Services Authority yesterday slapped its fourth biggest fine, £5.6million, on the UK arm of banking giant CREDIT SUISSE for mis-pricing some securities.
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BEDFORD — The Bedford Public Library is adding another spoke to its information hub.
With an increasing number of patrons seeking help finding jobs, legal aid, insurance, home foreclosure resources and continuing education, library staff are working this month to implement a plan to better direct people to the help they need.
“We underestimated how many people come to us for assistance,” said Library Director Susan Miller. “We spend quite a bit of time one-on-one.”
So, in addition to that one-on-one time, the library is seeking community partners — agencies and, eventually, volunteers — who can provide workshops, materials, Web links or other partnerships.
Miller said several local agencies have expressed interest, but she was waiting to hear back from key people before making specific plans public.
“We don’t want to become Ivy Tech or Workforce Development,” Miller said.
“We’re not doing it all, but trying to have information to direct people to.”
Help for job-seekers
The key issue is connecting job-seekers with employment — a process, says Library Adult Services Manager Mary Hall, that’s often derailed because of lack of computer skills. Many employers — even locally — require applications to be submitted online.
“So many, when they need to send a resume, and it says they have to attach it, walk over with a piece of paper to the computer,” Hall said. “The level is so high to get to from where they are.”
The plan calls for providing resume coaching and information on interviewing to patrons, and more training for library staff in navigating state and federal government job sites.
Ideally, Miller said, the downstairs program room will be set up as a job-seeker computer lab, outfitted with laptops and staff to answer questions. Having laptop computers there will allow the room to still be used for other programming.
The terminals in the current computer lab, Hall said, are often full.
“We had three waiting today at 10 a.m.,” she said Monday.
Network of answers
The second part of the plan is to update the library’s Web site with community aid resources — such as food banks, domestic violence services or small business development; and to host workshops on health and consumer issues.
A free program on home foreclosure last month drew 33 people, several of whom met with a housing counselor or housing attorney afterward, Miller said.
Other workshop topics could include nutrition, food preparation, shopping tips or home improvement.
Directing patrons to free legal aid, credit counseling, money management, subsidized child care and low-cost health insurance options also is part of the plan.
Living well on less
The plan also includes an aspect of “living on less and liking it,” Miller said.
Staff hope to offer workshops on recycling and refurbishing, “garage sale chic,” crafts for low-cost gifts and how to use online discounts and bartering.
And, as always, free programming will be available for families, with an added emphasis on intergenerational programs.
“People are already used to coming here for other things. This is just one more step,” Miller said.
“I can’t really think of anything we could do in the community that would be of better service.”
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