Laptop vs. Notebook - What's the Difference?

Most people use the terms notebook and laptop interchangeably, but isn’t there a difference?

The short answer--not so much nowadays.

Technically, the difference between a laptop and a notebook is the size, with notebooks being more lightweight. But with advancing technology, all mobile PCs are become slimmer and increasingly more portable, so options that once defined and separated laptops from notebooks are almost nonexistent today.

So essentially it's a matter of what the manufacturer chooses to call its product, though the majority are using the term notebook.

 Back-to-School Online Resources

With school back in session for the year, the dreaded homework assignments are inevitable—essays, science projects, research papers, etc.— but there are ways to make completing assignments less painful and more pleasant for everyone involved.

No doubt most kids could spend hours a day online if you let them, and they're often times more tech-savvy than their parents. Their technical abilities can be used advantageously because the internet can be a powerful learning tool. While there are countless sites online to that provide homework help and educational resources, here are a few that may provide the most appeal for kids. Best of all—they’re free!

TeacherTube - With YouTube being the most popular online video sharing site with tweens and teens, TeacherTube, based on the YouTube concept, provides an interface already familiar to most kids. Available videos cover a wide range of topics suitable for students from elementary through high school.

Discovery Education – From the same folks who bring us award-winning educational television programming on the Discovery Channel, the Discovery Education site offers resources for both students and teachers with interactive games, contests and lesson plans. Content is organized by grade and subject matter. A highlight of the site is the “Young Scientist Challenge”, a science competition offering kids in grades 5-8 the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and once-in-a-lifetime trips.

National Geographic Kids – The name says it all. With colorful graphics and a layout that's easy for even the youngest user to maneuver, National Geographic Kids, which was has the distinction of being a Parent’s Choice Recommended Winner and Webby Awards Winner, offers trusted educational resources backed by the National Geographic Institute.

Ipl2 – Sponsored by Intel and Sun Microsystems, ipl2 is chock-full of information with resources organized by subject. Especially helpful to teens doing research papers is the directory of links to websites all over the WORLD, all in one convenient place. What sets this site apart from others is the “Talk to an ipl2 Librarian” feature which allows you to submit questions 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Homework Spot – This is a one-stop reference center for some of the best homework resources on the web, organized into grade-appropriate categories for elementary, middle, and high school, and covering everything from arts and crafts to technology. More suited to the older student doing research, Homework Spot has compiled a comprehensive collection of links to the world’s best libraries and museums. In addition, students can take advantage of the “Ask an Expert” feature to get homework help from real people on a wide range of topics.

TECH TALK

What to expect with "Windows 8"

Microsoft has planned a radical overhaul of  its Windows operating system, rumored be released in the latter part of 2011 to early 2012. According to Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President for the Windows User Experience Team, here are a few of the changes that we can expect with the next generation of Windows, code named "Windows 8": 

• Fast launching apps from a tile-based start screen, replacing the Windows Start menu.

• A new user interface designed and optimized for touch screen functionality.

• Fluid, natural transitioning between running apps.

You can view a series of Windows 8 demos on YouTube or read the latest updates at the Microsoft News Center.

 The Scoop on SkyMall

Go ahead, admit it—when you thought no one was looking, you've taken a peek at the gifts and gadgets in the SkyMall magazine. Perhaps you've even secretly coveted one or two. But have you ever wondered if that stuff actually works? Well,  the good folks at PCWorld have taken care of the guesswork for us and tested some of SkyMall's most interesting tech treasures. <Read More>

 

Client
Spotlight

A valued customer since the mid-1990s, and one of our oldest clients, Brown Transport is a three-generation company that began in 1929 when Russell Brown converted his first truck, a Model-T, into a flatbed and hauled tobacco trash from area farms.

In 1932, Russell traded four cows and some cash for a used Model A 1 ½ ton truck and started hauling grain and livestock to Cincinnati. The P.U.C.O. authority he was granted in 1935 is believed to be one of the oldest in Preble County.

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the help of his son, Jack, and later his two grandsons, Mickey and Terry, Russell turned his attention to  hauling aggregate using dump trailers. Russell retired in 1973 but stayed actively involved with the company until his death in 2000 at 99 years old. Today, Russell’s grandson Mickey runs Brown Transport. 

In June 2000, Brown Transport purchased Overpeck Trucking Company, which originated in in Butler County in the 1950s and provided bulk dump truck service to southwest Ohio.

With a 48-state operating authority, Brown Transport currently operates 24 company tractors, over 40 dump trailers, and utilizes more than 50 owner-operators.

Take a look at their website to meet the team at Brown Transport, including Brutis, the team mascot!