Buying a PC or laptop

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a computer for Applied psychology.
The first one is should it be a desktop PC or a laptop?
I would probably prefer a laptop as obviously it`s portable and would allow you to bring it into college to do work.
Also it`s essential that it has USB slots to accomodate memory sticks and other gadgets.
A good hard drive with a minimum of 30 gigabytes would be needed but ideally it should be much higher(some computers these days have as many as 250 gigabytes storage space).
After all the more space you have the more files and important lecture notes you can save to disk.
You can never have enough RAM on a computer either as the more you have the faster you`re computer will be.
6-8 gigabytes of RAM should suffice though.
As for operating systems I personally would prefer Windows XP or Vista as I don`t have much experience with Linux and find Macs a bit less intuitive and harder to use.
Since we use programs like Photoshop and Illustrator on our course a high performance graphics card would be advisable.
Something like an Nvidia Geforce will do the trick.
Since someone on our course will undoubtedly be on the internet a lot while doing research or accessing blackboard, a good internet browser like firefox would be needed.
Also a security system to protect from internet viruses is essential.
I`d say there`s no real need to waste money on an expensive one as in my experience the free one AVG works just fine.
It`d be worth purchasing a mouse to plug into the laptop as I find using the built in one can get a little frustrating after a while.
Battery life is another concern.
No matter how good the laptop is it`s no use if it`ll just die in fifteen minutes.
That`s why it`s important to ensure you always have a charger handy just in case the battery runs out while you`re typing up an assignment.
For a laptop that has all this I`d recommend a Dell or Toshiba but at the end of the day it comes down to two things, personal taste and affordability.

Technology Article No.2

Another article about mobile phones.
This one is about the possible link between using a mobile and developing a tumour.
Here`s the link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1224827/As-new-evidence-links-mobile-phones-greater-risk-tumours-using-cost-child-life.html

And here`s a short summary:

We`ve all heard the rumour about a link between mobile phone use and tumours.
But is it only a myth, or is there more too it?

Well, according to a new study due out in the coming weeks there is a "significantly increased risk" of developing cerain types of brain tumours.
The study was conducted over the course of a decade, and concludes that long term use of mobiles leads to an increased risk of glioma, which is the most common brain tumour.
This ties in with the results of an American-Korean study published a month ago which shows an increased risk of about 25%, a similar report conducted by Australian scientists showed that the risk doubled after ten years use.

However none of these studies included children and many experts believe young people are more susceptible to the microwave radiation produced by mobiles.
Therefore they are under more risk of developing brain tumours or other cancers around the head or neck.
One of the few studies on the effects mobiles can have on children was conducted by cancer specialist, professor Lennart Hardell.
Disturbingly the study showed that regular use (more than an hour a day) of mobiles or any cordless phone before the age of 20 increases the risk of brain cancer fivefold.
Dr. Elisabeth Cardis explains that "children have thinner skulls so more of the radiation is absorbed, and their cells divide more quickly meaning the damage is replicated".

These results have not been ignored and some countries are already taking action.
The Russian Health Agency has advised the government to ban mobile phones for under-18s.
In France legislation is being introduced to ban advertising of mobiles to under-14s.
In Britain as far back as 2000 the department of health advised children to limit mobile phone to "short urgent calls".
This information is certainly cause for concern and perhaps we shall only see the full extent of the consequences 10 or 20 years down the line.

Technology Article No. 1

Here`s a link to an article about the evolution of mobile phone technology.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-future-of-cell-phones/

And here`s a short summary of the article:

Mobile phones have progressed enormously in only a few short years.
In the early 90s we had heavy unattractive brick-like contraptions that needed an aerial to work, and even in the early half of this decade the phones were bulky and very basic in functionality.

Nowadays we have 3G techology which allows us to play and download music,take pictures and videos, play games, listen to the radio as well as surf the web.
The invention of bluetooth allows us to send and recieve files like music or pictures quickly and easily.
Phones can also be connected to a computer either by bluetooth or a USB cable allowing data to be transferred.
This updating of the technology shows no sign of stopping with phones becoming smaller and smaller yet packed with more and more features.
Every few months there`s a new phone out that can hold more songs or take a better quality picture.

In the near future it is expected that we will be able to watch T.V in real time over our mobiles.
It is predicted that within five years over 125 million people around the globe will have access to satellite T.V through their mobiles.
This will be made possible by ever increasing connection speeds.
These quicker connection speeds will allow you to play games online through your mobile phone.
A GPS unit is expected to become a standard feature of most phones within a few years.

But it`s not going to stop there.
Before long 3G will become obsolete, giving way to 4G which is currently in development in Japan.

Pscyhology Links

Here`s two links to some interesting articles.
The first one is a list of the top 10 most unethical psychology experiments ever and the second one is all about interpreting dreams.

http://listverse.com/2008/09/07/top-10-unethical-psychological-experiments/

http://psychology.about.com/od/statesofconsciousness/p/dream-interpret.htm

Ciaran`s leaving us!!!

I was dismayed to learn that everyone`s favourite lecturer Ciaran McMahon will be leaving us shortly.
He`ll still be in the college but unfortunately not teaching us.
This hit me hard as he`s a really good teacher and a genuinely nice guy.
I`ll be sad to see the back of him and his interesting lectures.

Seriously though the man`s beard was reason enough to come in.
My morning commute on those dreary mornings was made easier by the knowledge that I would soon be in the presence of that glorious facial hair.
But how does he do it?
How can one man wield such a mighty beard?
Well, I know the secret and I`ll tell you now.
Our story begins many years ago where it is said Ciaran made a deal with the devil, for no mortal man can grow a beard of that magnitude by natural means.
Legend has it the beard grants him certain powers:
Power over technology(like the faulty projector in A019)
The ability to levitate.
And also you can be hypnotised if you look directly at the beard for too long.
Using these powers he fights crime after college.

Anyway I know i speak for everyone when I say thanks a lot Ciaran and the best of luck to ya!!

Round 3

This round began badly for Dunne as Ponsawat got the better of him in a series of early scuffles.
The two men met in the centre of the ring and the match became an all out brawl.
It went from bad to worse when out of nowhere he was driven to the canvas by a lightning fast blow from the challenger.
Dunne arose groggily to his feet and tried valiantly to stave off his attacker but couldn`t hold him off for long.
Again he hit the canvas, and again he summoned up the strength to get up.
We could tell at this point that Dunne was running on empty and sure enough he was knocked off his feet for the third and final time.
Dunne was defeated under the 3 knockdown rule and relinquished his title to Ponsawat who claimed a deserved win.
Despite the loss Dunne pledged to regain his title and paid tribute to all his fans, thanking them for their support throughout his career.
As for the immediate future he will take a break from boxing and is looking forward to spending time with his family.