FLASH vs JAVA APPLETS.

A side from animated GIFs, another approach has been used to add dynamic effects to web pages: java applets.

One of the most famous is the lake applet.

Unfortunately, java (the programming language for applets) requires programming skills. This means that you can't just start creating your own applets.

Therefore, some programmers have created free applets that allow customization. So instead of learning the programming, people can simply use the already programmed applets.

Again, the lake applet is a good example. It makes a wave effect on any image of any size. But if you wanted to add anything else to the applet you would have to either program it yourself or find a free applet that actually did what you wanted.

Flash movies are in many ways similar to java applets. Small programs that can be embedded into your HTML pages. But unlike java applets, it is fairly easy to create animations in Flash without programming skills.

Applets have often be criticized for "killing" browsers.

Sometimes, java programmers are not as skillfull as one might have wished. Some applets are programmed so they eventually take up all resources on the computer, and this results in "freezing" the browser.

So compared to java applets, the advantage of Flash is:

Flash movies are easier to create than java applets.

Flash movies are more stable in web browsers than java applets.

Note: While Flash has these advantages over applets, there is more to the story. There are things that you can program in java that just can't be done with Flash. But since the focus here is Flash we will not go into the details.

How to install a hard drive on your computer.

So lets get started and install a hard drive:
Unplug the power cable and open up your computer case. Make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on.


Pick the drive bay that you are going to install the hard drive in. You'll want to install it in the farthest drive bay down.

Before you install a hard drive, make sure you set the proper jumper settings. Since we are only installing a single hard drive, set the jumpers as MASTER. The jumper settings are different for each hard drive, so consult your owner's manual so you know which pins to cover up.


Now that you have the jumpers set, it's time to install your hard drive in the computer's case. Secure the hard drive in the drive bay that you selected above with some screws.

First, connect the power cable to the back of the hard drive. Next, connect the ribbon cable to the back of the hard drive. Note that the ribbon cable has 3 connectors, one on each end and one in the middle. Connect your hard drive to one of the end connectors, and then connect the other end connector to the motherboard.

There are two slots on a motherboard that will connect to a ribbon cable. Select the one that is red (like mine) or the one that is labeled with the lowest number. The unused middle connector on the ribbon cable is a "SLAVE" connector that is used when you install a second hard drive.

Plug in your computer and power it on. Your computer should recognize the new hard drive. If it doesn't, go into your motherboards BIOS and search around for the IDE channels, they need to be set to AUTO.

That's all there is to install a hard drive. You can buy a hard drive now that you know how to install one.

Now you should be ready to format the disk with software provided by your hard drives manufacturer and install an operating system.

Install RAM memory & give your PC some speed.

It's extremely easy to install RAM memory onto your computer's motherboard. Has your computer been getting sluggish lately? Installing new RAM is a very cost effective way to give your computer some extra juice.

Upgrading your RAM memory gives you the most bang for the buck when attempting to make your computer faster and it doesn't take a specialist to do it.

If you have questions on choosing what type of RAM you need, read my tutorial on it here.

Or if your looking to buy some RAM, I've found some good deals here on computer RAM. So here's how to install RAM into your computer:


First, you need to unplug your computer from the wall and open your computer case to get access to the motherboard.


In order to install RAM you must first locate where your current RAM is on your motherboard and what it looks like. Chances are there are extra slots next to your current RAM. The great thing about most types of RAM is you can leave your current memory in your computer and place your new RAM in the next available slot.

Remove your RAM from its anti-static bag and hold it by the edges. Make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on so that you don't ruin your new RAM.

The next step to install your RAM is to determine which slot to place it into. You want to install your RAM in the lowest numbered slot or the empty slot that is closest to your filled memory slots.

You can only install RAM in one direction. Look on the bottom of the RAM stick. You need to line up the notches in the RAM with the keys in the slot on your motherboard.

Make sure the retainer clips for the RAM are all the way open. Place the RAM in the slot and gently push it straight down with your thumbs. You may have to press hard to "set" the RAM correctly. When you press down hard enough the retaining clips on either side of the RAM will snap into place, making a "clicking" sound.



Before closing the computer case up you should test to see if you were able to install the RAM correctly. Power up your PC and everything should work normally.

Congratulations, I know you did an excellent job on your RAM, or now your ready to install some computer RAM. Now enjoy that extra speed your computer has, you earned it.

If you need to get some computer RAM now that you know how to install it, then search online to get some great deals on RAM memory.

How to Install the Heatsink/Fan.

Installing your CPU's stock heatsink and fan is also a relatively painless process. In some instances you'll have to apply a thermal compound to your CPU before installing your heatsink (which amounts to applying a few drops and spreading a thin layer across your CPU). However many stock heatsink/fans will come with a thermal pad affixed to the bottom of the heatsink (normally a soft gray substance), in which case you won't need any thermal compound.

Find the mounting hooks on the sides of your CPU socket, match them up with the clamps on the sides of the heatsink, and lower the heatsink onto your CPU. Hook the heatsink to the socket, then pull the locking arm until it snaps into place. Different heatsinks will lock in different manners, but they're all relatively easy to figure out. After your heatsink is locked securely in place, you need to attach the fan's power connector to the motherboard's fan header. You'll need to consult your motherboard's manual to find the appropriate header on your motherboard (it should be very near the CPU).

How to Install CPU.

Installing your CPU in your motherboard is a very simple but delicate process. I always get an excited/nervous charge in my stomach when I'm holding the all-powerful and mysterious CPU in my hands, but the process of installing it holds no real mystery of its own.

First you want to unlock the CPU socket. Generally there will be a small plastic or metal arm that lies on the side of the CPU socket. To unlock it, just push it out and then pull it up.

Now you need to align the CPU to the socket. Different processors have different pin layouts on the bottom, but normally one corner will have a diagonal section without any pins that's different from the others (often this corner will be labeled by a small triangle on the top of the CPU). Find the corresponding corner on your motherboard's CPU socket and gently lower the CPU into the socket.

Be aware, there should be no pushing or snapping involved in this process. The CPU, if correctly aligned, should simply fall (gently!) into place.

Now just lower and lock the socket arm, which in turn will lock your CPU into your motherboard.

How to open a computer case.

Although it is relatively simple to open a computer case, if you've never had the need to, then you probably don't know how. If you're don't have a computer case yet, check out my tutorial onchoosing computer cases.

Or you can search online for some good deals on computer cases. Although no computer case is like another, here is a relatively simple and universal way to open a computer case.

If your computer has hardware installed, be sure to disconnect the power cable.


Locate the screws on the rear of the computer (mine are labeled A), there should be a couple on the top and a couple on each side. Remove them.

Now to open a computer case, you need to pull up and towards the front of the computer. It should come off easily. If your computer case is not coming of, look for any screws that you might have missed and remove them.


Replacing the computer case is just the opposite of when you open a computer case.

How to Install motherboard.

You're almost there. All that's left is to mount your motherboard in the case. Remember the brass standoffs we screwed into the case when we started? All you need to do is lower your motherboard into the case, line it up with the brass standoffs and your I/O plate, and start screwing.

At this point, you're practically done. You'll need to attach some of your case's power connectors to the motherboard headers (again, you'll need to consult your motherboard's manual to know which headers do what), but connecting them is a very simple process. After that, your motherboard and CPU installation is complete!