Computers and Cars

Your car has as many as 100 microprocessors onboard. If someone said that to you would you believe them? Well it's true. Would you believe me if I said your car may contain more lines of software code than a fighter jet? Well it's true. Premium-class automobiles these days have somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 million lines of codes, about 95 million lines of software code more than a U.S. military fighter jet.

Lines of software code are necessary to operate 50 to 100 microprocessors known as ECUs (Electronic Control Units) onboard vehicles. Somewhere in the future automobiles are expected to use 200 million to 300 million lines of code to operate ECUs. This enables ECUs to make decisions in 15 to 40 milliseconds. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of car innovations come from computer systems and that software has become the major contributor of value (as well as sticker price) in cars. Over the years the number of microprocessors has increased to meet emissions, fuel economy standards, reduction of wiring, and meet new safety features. In the future there is even a possibility of connecting your car computer system to a network specialist that can download data, analyze data, and upload needed software.

Microcontrollers (MCUs) located in the automobiles engine control system are small computers containing a core processor, RAM (random access memory), and input/output peripherals. These microcontrollers have gone from 12 MHz 8051 CPU's to 32-bit processing power with multiple sets of peripherals. Microcontrollers are used to control the transmission, anti-lock brakes, air bag system, climate controls, and other key components within a car. Multiple microcontrollers work alone and need to send information to other MCUs. As a result, three different network bus systems were developed named CAN, LIN, and MOST.

CAN (Controller Area Networks) is a fast serial bus used in automobile applications. CAN uses twisted pair cable to allow ECU's and other devices to communicate with one another without a host computer (server). Data can be sent up to eight bytes using non-return-to-zero binary pattern bit rates, up to 1 Mbps- the same speed as some satellite downloads.

LIN (Local Interconnect Network) is a low-speed communication bus with one master and up to 16 slave buses. LIN uses sub-networks in order to communicate with CAN up to 20 kbps.

MOST (Media Oriented System Transport) is a high speed multimedia network used to transmit video, audio, and data in automobiles. The network uses a ring topology with synchronous communication. MOST is broken down into three generations. MOST25 was first introduced which only had a bandwidth of 705.6 kbit/s. Second, MOST50 increased bandwidth and was capable of transmitting data up to 1024 kbit/s. MOST150 was released in 2007 and increased data transfer rates up to 3072 kbit/s.

All in all, cars these days are becoming more sophisticated than ever before. Computer technology has taken a major toll on how automobiles are manufactured today. Cars now are not all about the rims, paint job, and sunroofs like they have been in the past. Consumers want GPS, satellite television, heat sensing cameras, and more; so software and hardware equipment has been on the rise by many automobile manufacturers. Who knows where this technology will take us, there may come a day that all we do is press a button to start the car; lean back, and let the car take over duties like accelerate, steer, and stop. Given the amount of code lines projected to be in automobiles in the next few years this day is not far away.

Written by DeVry University student studying Network Management & Communication.

What Is a CD/DVD Publisher?

Archival CD/DVD Publishers - Work in the Blink-of-an-Eye

CD/DVD publishers are still relatively new, but they have already caught on around the world. As a matter of fact, this wonderful and innovative piece of technology now has its own industry and is provided through countless manufacturers and distributors inside and outside of the United States. Every office has one, whether it be corporate, medical, law enforcement or governmental. Even families have them. As prevalent and important as CDs and DVDs are now, no one should be without one.

What Is a CD/DVD Publisher?

The CD/DVD publisher is a technological device that burns discs in a split-second as well as prints and publishes content in living sound and color, whether television shows, films, internet content, or personal experiences, such as weddings, picnic outings, church services, sports events and music concerts. This sounds simple enough-and it is-but the publisher is actually more than that; it serves as an important means in society. Some examples are: the quick copying of visual evidence of a crime for law enforcement, the instant production of archival records for a law firm, the mass reproduction of a manufacturer's product requiring a certain quota sent overnight and the video creation of a family's history to replace those old dusty and now-obsolete albums. This publisher is both a tool and a necessity for everyday living.

How does the CD/DVD publisher work? The process is quite easy: Users program the device with job specifications, such as size, speed, color, quantity and the label design. Then they select a recording file (e.g. category of the content or the type of recording desired). The job takes anywhere from 5-10 seconds per disc. With a capacity of anywhere from 20 to 100 discs at a time, the publisher takes approximately ten minutes to do its work. The work is automatic, with minimal, if any, manual activation. Robotic engineering ensures this. One should remember this is for multiple tasks, not just one, like a printer. The CD/DVD publisher accesses computers (compatible with both Windows® and Mac) and other audiovisual equipment to store data for future use.

Common Features of the CD/DVD Publisher

• Drive options that include high-speed CD/DVD or CD/DVD/BD. The Blu-Ray drive is both recordable and operational via an eSATA initiation interface.
• Robotically engineered inkjet with the capability of creating 16,000,000+ colors from a single cartridge (also included)
• 4,800+ dpi direct-to-printing resolution
• 20-to-100-disc capacity, including Taiyo Yuden CD and DVD-R discs which work well.
• Portals for computer and audiovisual access
• LCD screen and interior LED light
• MX-1 and/or MX-2 disc publisher
• High-speed visual and audio recorders
• Back-mounting for space economy
• User-friendly software consists of CD Designer ® Quick Disc (Windows) ® Disc Flow (Mac) ® OfficeNet, Production Server and more, for program configuration and work initiation. The specific software depends on the brand and model.

The Taiyo Yuden DVD-R and CD-R publisher is quite economical; the cost runs anywhere from $700.00 to $3,000.00. This more convenient step in personal publishing might seem high, but when users consider how much they save on endless printings, disc burning and other related professional services, the price is really an expense-saver.

Nancy Artesia is a freelance writer working in the fields of media, technology and commerce. She has experience in the blank DVD industry.

How Can I Track a Cell Phone From My Computer

If you're asking "How can I track a cell phone from my computer", I'm guessing that there's somebody in your life that you no longer trust. I suppose it's possible that you may be prone to losing your mobile phone but most people end up asking this question because they realize that it's probably the quickest way to find out if somebody is carrying out illicit or sneaky communications with another.

If, for example, you have reason to believe that your husband or wife is carrying on an affair behind your back, the chances are that they'll be secretly conversing with that other person using a cell phone. Let's face it - it's the obvious form of communication nowadays as you can use voice calls, sms texting and send emails via your cell phone. You can also send and retrieve photos and go to all the major social networking sites online. It's plain easy to hook up with somebody in secret nowadays with all of the required sneaky communications being done over your cell phone.

You've possibly also heard that it's possible to actually track somebody's movements using their cell phone and that might be the reason that you searched for the phrase: How can I track a cell phone from my computer? Nearly all modern smartphones have some sort of GPS capability nowadays - indeed, it's a pre-requisite to how they can actually work within the cell phone networks. And the rumors that you might have heard are true. You can actually track somebody's movements using their cell phone if they have it switched on at the time.

The state-of-the-art cell phone tracking apps even allow you to track realtime movements from the comfort of your own PC - you can literally see where somebody is at any given time by using Google maps or some other such mapping interface. There is one main pre-requisite of doing this, however, and this is that you will need to be able to access the phone in order to download the tracking app to it. Please note right here that if you're thinking of trying to spy on somebody's phone calls or text messages, never mind track their movements, you should be very clear about the laws regarding this in your region. Generally, it may be OK if you own the phone. If not, you could be on very tricky ground. That hasn't stopped thousands of people using this kind of software from monitoring the movements or cell phone call and sms messages of loved ones. Let's face it, if you need to monitor your child's activities and you own the phone then this is your call. It's not illegal to download the software, not in any way, shape or form - I'm just warning you that you ought to check your local laws before using this for any surveillance purposes that may infringe the privacy rights of other individuals.

So, how can I track a cell phone from my computer? As stated previously you would have to have access to the target cell phone and have time (usually around 10 minutes or so) to download the tracking app to it. As a side note, this would also, of course, require that you know any password, locking code or PIN for the phone if the screen is kept locked. You get access to the software and also a log in and password to a secure online website where you can view the activities on the phone once you have paid for the software. The installation is relatively simple and all instructions are provided including helpful screen shots of the set up process. The great thing about this software is that once installed on the cell phone, there is no trace that it was ever there. There are no icons added or any other trace that a new app has been installed and it runs quietly and stealthily in the background. All you need to do now is log into your secure control panel from any computer in the world and you can watch the activities of the cell phone.

The tracking features of the software are particularly powerful if you suspect, for example, that your husband, wife or partner is going somewhere other than where they are saying. Does he say he's working late nights all of a sudden after never having had to do it before? Is he really still at work? If his phone is switched on (Which it undoubtedly will be) you'll know for sure. Similarly if you suspect he's out seeing another woman on a Saturday afternoon while he claims to be out playing golf, again you'll be able to see exactly where he is via the mapping software interface.

The other great features that come with this awesome cell phone tracking software are also worth mentioning, because if it's infidelity you are worried about, or the company that your kids or teen are keeping that are keeping you awake at night, these can be just as, if not even more so, helpful.

One of the best features, aside from the ability to track a cell phone, is the option to be able to view all text sms messages to and from the phone. These can be read fully even if they have been instantly deleted after being sent or received (which you might well suspect is happening, right?).

You also get to see all calls made from and to the phone along with pertinent data such as times of call, duration and the number or contact being called / calling. There is also the feature that allows you to read all emails sent to and from the phone and to spy on URLs visited and all photos sent to and from the phone.

If you need to discover more about this kind of cell phone tracking software, please go to the main website here: Track A Cell Phone

Track Cellphone From My Computer