How to Choose a LCD Monitor

No matter how powerful or excellent your computer configuration is, your computer won't let you smile if you had a poor monitor, since monitors are your window into the computer - everything that happens in your software and applications happens via the monitor. It is hence very important to choose a good monitor to go along with your PC.

Traditionally, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors have been used for desktop computers. However, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors are now more and more popular. It's easy to see why: LCD monitors are affordable now, easier on the eyes, and they're slim/portable and of high quality plus laptops also use LCD screens.

Before you buy a LCD monitor, you will need to know the following things:

1. Your Budget
Of course, this is the very first thing you will need to consider, and once the budget is fixed, you narrowed your choices, and you may focus on a few models.

2. Your Requirements
If you're a graphics professional, you may prefer a CRT monitor because they are said to show more realistic colors. However, the latest high-end LCDs can also give equal color quality (Well, of course, you’ll have to pay much more for this than for a regular LCD monitor ).

If you are a demanding gamer, you may need a comparatively larger screen LCD monitor with a better response time, you won’t like the tails of the mouse, will you?

If you just want a computer for on-line surfing or occasional gaming, a LCD is a good choice because the various pixels that you find on a LCD will have nicely defined edges. This gives sharp and focus letters on the screen better than a CRT monitor does. However, a high-end LCD in this case is definitely unnecessary since you will never have a chance to make use of its advantages.

3. Resolution
If you have a computer with a video card that supports a resolution of 1680 x 1050, while you bought a large LCD monitor with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, then you won’t have the pictures/videos fully displayed on the monitor, or the pictures will look much less clear or sharp.

Besides the 3 points above, there are also many other things need your attention:

Panel Size: In an LCD monitor, the panel size reflects the viewable area you can use. Again, the measurement is made diagonally from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. LCD panel sizes now range from 15 inches up to 23 inches or even larger.

Defective (dead/stuck) pixels: A LCD panel display may have certain defective pixels (red/dead…). But this can be identified by turning the desktop background into a whole black.

Viewing Angle: One problem specific to LCD monitors is the fact that you cannot see what is displayed if you move off to the side of the monitor too much. A greater viewing angle is therefore typically better - especially if you need to show presentations to others on the LCD screen very often.

If you do not want to bother yourself with those technical details, there is also another good way to choose a LCD monitor: to read reviews and ratings, for example, consult product reviews in computer magazines or on the Internet. Many different companies put monitors through rigorous testing and really can help you to buy wisely. A good site to consult about monitors is http://www.epinions.com/cmhd-Monitors-All, you may also find many customer reviews from resellers’ websites, for example, Newegg.com.

How to Take Care of your Health During Winter Periods

Protecting your health in the wintertime isn’t as hard as it sounds, here are some tips for preventing typical problems during the coldest time of the year.

Immune System

Prevention is really the key to not getting sick. Older folks, children and those with depressed immune systems may want to consider getting a flu shot, which can protect you from getting the flu. You can also improve your immune system by eating right and taking the proper vitamins and minerals for your age and body type. Even a multivitamin is better than nothing, but consider supplementing with Vitamin C and Zinc, both proven to boost the immune system.

Skin

Your skin can often take a beating during the winter months. Inside your home or workplace, you’ll be subjected to dry heat from electric, gas, oil or wood fire heating elements. Also, you may take longer and certainly hotter baths or showers. Outside your home you’ll be subjected to dry, windy, wet or cold weather. Moving inside and outside from dry heat to dry cold can wreak havoc on your skin, making it dry, itchy, red, flaky and irritated. The skin on your face is especially susceptible to this problem. Use moisturizers and moisturizing lotions daily to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. You can also use a humidifier to add some much needed moisture back to the air in your home or workplace. Don’t forget to protect your skin from the glare of the sun or ravages of the wind by covering up all parts of your body by wearing gloves, a scarf, ear muffs and a hat when you go out. Remember to cleanse your face everyday with a gentle soap and lukewarm water. You may also wish to add a bath oil product to your baths to moisturize the skin on your entire body. The skin on your hands will also be very susceptible to drying and irritation, remedy this by applying a hand cream after each time you wash your hands.

Lips

Your lips are one of the hardest hit areas of your body during cold weather, especially during very dry and cold weather. Your lips may be chapped, dry and peel much more easily. Keep a moisturizing, protecting lip balm with you and apply it daily or as needed to keep your lips moist and supple and to avoid painful cracking.

Eyes

While in some areas of the country, the sun may not shine nearly as much as during the rest of the year, it’s still important to take care of your eyes during cold weather. Use sunglasses when needed, as the sun during the wintertime can shine UV rays that are even stronger than during the summer. Also, use eye drops as needed to prevent and relieve dry eyes due to the dry heat that may be present indoors. When snow is on the ground and/or the sun is shining, this is the most important time to protect your eyes from the sun’s wintertime UV rays with a good pair of sunglasses or goggles.

Fitness

When exercising, shoveling snow or working outside in cold weather, take extra care to avoid overexertion. Overexertion during cold weather can put an extra strain on your heart. When you need to exercise, consider instead working out in your home or at a gym. It’s very important to keep up your fitness routine throughout the year, including winter.