Computer – Page 46

Online schools that provide a computer: 2021-2022

November 5, 2021 Audrey

One of the potential roadblocks on the path to an online degree might be lack of access to a computer. Finding an online school that provides computers can eliminate that challenge.

Some schools provide laptops, while others offer iPads and comparable technologies. These resources may not come free of obligation or responsibility, however.

Make sure to find out what conditions accompany any school-provided device. Depending on your needs and the school’s policies, buying your own laptop may actually be more beneficial in the long run, even if it costs more now.

Online schools that provide students a computer

Many colleges and universities offer computers to online learners. Available devices can be limited, so always check with the school to make sure they have what you need. Be sure to read any terms and conditions before enrolling, too.

Below are a few schools that offer computers for online students.

Bethel University

Bethel University provides a laptop to Tennessee state residents enrolled in a program offered by the Graduate School or the College of Adult & Professional Studies. Students can keep the laptop after they complete the first semester of their program.

California State University

California State University – Sacramento’s Hornet Laptop Discount Program allows students to reduce or eliminate the cost of a laptop purchased through its bookstore. Individuals must enroll in a minimum of six credit hours to be eligible.

Chatham University

Chatham University offers new Macbook Air computers to incoming first-year students. Along with the device, learners receive word processing, communication, and safety software as well as HelpDesk repair services.

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University’s Patriot Scholarship provides tuition, textbooks, and a laptop to members of the Armed Services, their spouses and caregivers, and unmarried dependent children.

Duke University

Through the David M. Rubenstein Scholar Program at Duke University, first-generation, limited-income recipients can receive a laptop alongside tuition, room and board, and access to funding resources.

Indiana State University

Indiana State University offers laptop lending services, and full-time, incoming freshmen who win the Sycamore Technology Award recieve new laptop computers. Recipients must be Pell Grant eligible for consideration.

Moravian University

Moravian University offers incoming students a MacBook Pro laptop and an iPad. Devices come equipped with word processing software and Apple resources.

Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University issues laptops to full-time, in-person undergraduate students or undecided online-only students. The laptops are loaded with textbook rentals as part of tuition and fees. Learners return their laptops at the end of the academic year if they do not enroll in summer or fall courses.

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University rents laptops to students in exchange for a $250 deposit. Individuals must enroll at least part time and will receive a laptop based on first-come, first-served availability.

Seton Hall University

As part of Seton Hall University’s Mobile Computing Program, incoming students receive laptops with proprietary software in exchange for a per-semester fee. Laptops undergo regular check-ins and must be returned when the student is no longer

No. 4 Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech line, odds: Advanced computer model makes spread pick for Saturday’s game

November 4, 2021 Audrey

The No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners continue their push to return to the College Football Playoff when they host the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. The Sooners (8-0, 5-0 in Big 12) have four CFP appearances (only Alabama and Clemson, with six, have more) but missed the playoff last season. Meanwhile the Red Raiders (5-3, 2-3) are playing their first game under interim coach Sonny Cumbie, who replaced the fired Matt Wells on Monday.

Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET. The Sooners are 19-point favorites in the latest Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the Over/Under for total points scored is 67. (See the latest college football lines for all of this week’s games on our college football odds page.)

Before you make any Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma picks and college football predictions, see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,900 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 9 of the 2021 season on a 26-11 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen HUGE returns.

The model knows that Oklahoma has one of the most prolific offenses in the country. Led by quarterback Caleb Williams, the Sooners average 41.8 points per game, which leads the Big 12 and ranks eighth in the country. In the team’s last 11 quarters of play (almost three games), Oklahoma has scored 135 points.

The model also knows that Texas Tech has been efficient in the red zone this season. The Red Raiders have scored on 94.1 percent of their trips inside the 20 (23 touchdowns and nine field goals in 34 attempts), which ranks 10th in the country. Their 23 rushing scores is tied for fifth in the nation.

Now the model has simulated Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech 10,000 times, and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over the total, and it says one side of the spread has all the value. You absolutely need to see it before locking in your own picks.

Who wins the Big 12 showdown between Oklahoma and Texas Tech? And which side of the spread has all the value? … Join SportsLine right now to see which side of the Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma spread you need to jump on Saturday, all from the computer model that has crushed its college football picks!

https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/no-4-oklahoma-vs-texas-tech-line-odds-advanced-computer-model-makes-spread-pick-for-saturdays-game/…

Column: Why computer extended warranties are a waste

November 3, 2021 Audrey

Q: Are computer extended warranties worth buying?

A: No matter what tech device you buy from practically any retailer, it’s pretty likely that they’ll try to get you to pay a little extra for a ‘protection plan’ that goes above and beyond the standard factory warranty.

In some cases, it seems like such a small amount of money that you may say, “why not get the extra coverage?”, but the credit card you made the purchase with may already provide this basic protection.

In the vast majority of cases, you’re simply improving the profitability of the sale for the retailer, which is why you’re seeing it virtually everywhere.

Many of the electronic devices you’ll buy today don’t have the moving parts that would commonly wear out in the past, making the ‘protection’ even less likely to pay off.

Computers: It’s Not Covered

When it comes to computers, there are a variety of reasons that buying ‘extra protection’ up front can be a waste of money.

First and foremost is that these protection plans generally only cover hardware components, which is rarely what causes those aggravating computer issues.

In our 30+ plus years of servicing computers, the vast majority of issues that we see are software or operating system-based, which isn’t covered by most extended warranties or protection plans.

They know that most consumers don’t realize this and that they won’t take the time to read the fine print. Even when some form of coverage includes the operating system, it means they will return the computer to the factory settings.

“Factory settings” means the stuff you really care about like your programs, data files, browser settings, printer drivers and desktop icons are all going to be wiped out.

When you get your computer back from this type of ‘warranty’ service, the burden of reloading your programs, restoring your data files (hopefully you had them backed up), reinstalling printer drivers and getting the computer to work the way it used to is on you.

Warranty service can also take a lot longer depending upon your device as large retailers may require the device to be shipped to a central repair facility in another state.

Maintenance Plans

If you’re going to pay for extra coverage on a computer, it’s best to get a plan that covers software-based issues and includes data backup and restoration. Another thing it should address is the one thing that very few computer owners ever think about: maintenance.

The reason so many computer problems become complicated, time-consuming and expensive to fix is because most users tend to ignore the signs of a problem when they first appear.

They don’t reach out for help until the computer becomes unbearable to use, which means it’s likely loaded with issues by then.

Imagine how expensive car repair would become if you never maintained your vehicle and waited until it broke down before taking it to a mechanic.

Addressing quirky computer issues when they occur keeps them from becoming a cascade of issues,

Scientists built a computer model of ‘Dune’ to see whether humans could live there

November 1, 2021 Audrey

You can now see for yourself if the desert planet of the sci-fi film “Dune” is actually liveable by humans.

Scientists with expertise in climate modeling created a visual simulation of Arrakis, the far future desert planet that the movie “Dune” takes place in.

Users can manipulate different settings of the simulation by changing weather conditions and seeing how Arrakis changes in real-time.

The creators of the simulation outlined how they were able to create this unique model on The Conversation. They started with a climate model used mostly to predict weather and climate on Earth. Then, they input certain characteristics of Arrakis, based on Frank Herbet’s novels, like the planet’s topography, orbit and atmosphere.

After plugging in all of Arrakis’ elements, the scientists found that the imaginary planet is, “basically plausible.”

America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.

The simulation would get temperatures in the tropics up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months, and would not go below 59 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter time, pretty similar to Earth’s seasonal average temperatures.

One bigger discrepancy is rain, which Herbert’s books say isn’t possible on Arrakis. However, scientists found in their simulation that there are in fact very small amounts of rainfall possible.

They also found that the mid-latitudes and polar regions, where most people on Arrakis live, have pretty extreme temperatures. Summer temperatures here can get up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit and winter temperatures would also get incredibly cold, down to -40 degrees in the mid-latitudes and -103 degrees in the polar region.

But, based on Herbert’s novels, all humanoid life on Arrakis that are outside of habitable zones wear “stillsuits,” which are designed to keep people cool and reclaim body moisture.

All around, Herbert’s creation of Arrakis is pretty accurate, especially given he wrote the first “Dune” novel in 1965.

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You may be using the wrong computer mouse for your grip type: Claw, palm or fingertip?

October 31, 2021 Audrey

There are a lot of gaming mice out there — a lot — and they vary by the type of games you play and your playing style. It can be very complicated to decide which size and style of gaming mouse will work best for your needs, especially if you’re on a budget. One way to narrow the field is to determine your ideal mouse grip type. Whether you’re picking out your first gaming mouse, upgrading your current daily driver or just looking for something new, looking at the way you tend to grip your mouse is a good place to start your search.

I’m not a serious gamer and I don’t stick to one type of game, though I do prefer first-person shooters. I had never really given much thought to the mouse I used beyond switching from a wireless one to wired. But getting a mouse to match your grip and playing style can actually make a difference in your performance.

Read more: Best wireless mouse for 2021

In my initial searches for a new mouse for myself, the usual names like Razer, Corsair, HyperX and Logitech G made up most of the go-to picks I saw. However, I also noticed the name Zowie popping up. If you’ve never heard of them, there’s a better chance you know the company behind the brand, BenQ, which makes monitors, projectors and other computer peripherals.

Size matters with Zowie mice.

Screenshot by Josh Goldman/CNET

What are the mouse grip styles?

Knowing how you like to grip your mouse is important for getting one that meets your performance and comfort needs and Zowie’s lineup is focused on just that. Comfort, speed and control are the priorities and not how many buttons and lights you’re getting. It currently has four styles — three of which are symmetrical — and, unlike almost every other mouse, there’s no software or drivers to install.

Aside from shape, a key to their comfort is that each model comes in two or three sizes, so you can find the mouse that’s right for your hand size and grip style. There are essentially three grip styles gamers use: palm, fingertip and claw. (Zowie will send you a mouse-fitting kit if you want to test out all the sizes and shapes.)

Also read: Best gaming mouse under $50 for 2021

The easiest way to figure out what you use is to just look at your hand position while you game. Then, experiment with other grips until you find the one you’re most comfortable using and pick your next mouse accordingly. There is no correct grip, just the one or ones that work best for you. I use a mix of palm and fingertip because I find the latter to be better for FPS games, while the palm grip is overall more comfortable and less strain on my wrist.

If you’re not sure what grip you are and what to look for, here are the basics for

Brain implants could be the next computer mouse

October 29, 2021 Audrey

Solzbacher says DeGray’s typing points to the potential of the technology—he can tap out words much faster than anyone using an EEG headband, for example. “That means you are 10 times faster than anything that is out there,” he says. “Now you can start being productive, and you have performance close to an able-bodied person.”

However, Solzbacher is being financed by people who aren’t only interested in helping paralyzed people. This year his company raised $10 million from investors including the German billionaire Christian Angermayer, who invests widely in psychedelics, longevity treatments, and mental health. In a tweet, Angermayer left no doubt he thinks a general-purpose brain mouse is the ultimate goal: “It’s fundamentally an input-output device for the brain, and it can benefit ALL. We can unlock truly astonishing use cases & I believe Blackrock will be the one to take us there. Ppl will communicate with each other, get work done + even create artwork, directly with their minds.”

Solzbacher says for now, none of Blackrock’s internal plans or projections involve consumer brain implants. Still, he acknowledges that could happen: “I expect there is part of society that may really want it, even though there is nothing wrong with them.”

I asked Solzbacher whether any able-bodied person had ever requested such a device. He says he’s hasn’t gotten such a request, yet.

Mixed reality

Robert “Buz” Chmielewski had his head down in concentration, and because of a screen, he couldn’t see which of two toy-size soccer balls had been placed in the robotic hand he was controlling. Using his thoughts, Chmielewski closed the plastic and metal hand and squeezed the ball. “Pink ball,” he called back. When the researcher swapped it for another, stiffer ball, Chmielewski could sense the change. “Black ball,” he said.

Chmielewski, 50, got his Utah arrays implanted in 2019, 30 years after a surfing accident in Ocean City, Maryland, left him in a wheelchair. During the two years the experiment lasted (it ended in September), he had more implants put in than any other patient—a total of six, in both hemispheres of his brain. Because of this, he was able to control two robot arms simultaneously. What’s more, three of the probes placed into his sensorimotor cortex sent signals back into his brain, allowing him to receive tactile information from the robots.

Buz Chmielewski with robot arms — Robert “Buz” Chmielewski, 50, had implants in both hemispheres of his brain. When they were in place, he was able to control two robot arms simultaneously.

Chmielewski was part of a project at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory that’s testing new forms of perception. He also tried out the Microsoft HoloLens headset and used his sense of virtual touch to arrange blocks in virtual space. “If you would have told me three years ago I would be controlling things with my thoughts, I would have said you’re crazy,” Chmielewski said during a recent online presentation. “Some of the applications we are working on have blown my mind.”

https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/10/27/1036821/brain-computer-interface-implant-mouse/…