Its no surprise that Apple is one of the top PC and technology makers in the world. What may be surprising is the fact that Apple has surpassed HP in computer unit sales and revenues for the first time ever, making the Cupertino giant the number one company. Apple can attribute a lot of this success to record sales of iPads and, instead of losing sales to low priced tablets, Apple said that it would continue to "innovate like crazy" in the tablet market.

The company reported quarterly sales of 15.4 million iPads and 5.2 million Macs, which gave Apple more than 20 million sales of dedicated computing devices. It was reported that HPs sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were close to 14.7 million, with Lenovo and Dell selling 12.9 million and 11.6 million units, respectively. In addition to that, Apples figures were twice that of those reported by Microsoft for the same quarter.

Tim Cook, the new CEO of Apple, was asked about the impact of lower-priced tablets in the market, like Amazons Kindle Fire. Cook replied that he was happy with the iPads sales and pointed out that sell-through had exceeded sell-in, which left the company with strained inventory levels around the world, contradicting the rumors that the Kindle Fire had dampened potential iPad sales. Cook also stated that Apple sees the iPad as a "huge opportunity for Apple over time" and that "there will come a day when the tablet market in units is larger than the PC market."

Tablets are indeed doing very well with almost every name in the tech world offering their own version of the iPad which pioneered the market. However, I dont think that tablets will ever fully replace computers or laptops. Physical keyboards and mouse controls are too ingrained in people and are also extremely necessary for a lot of computing tasks. Sure you can make keyboard docks and mouse attachments, but whats the point?

Cook also pointed out that the rapid growth of iPad sales was eating up the growth of generic PC sales but not hurting the Apples own Mac sales. It seems that all of Apples mobile tech gadgets draw in customers for the companys netbooks and desktop computers. Sales of both have been up, and over 1/5 of all Apple Mac sales were through the companys own retail stores.

Source: Apple Insider - Apple now largest computer maker, sold more iPads alone than HP sold PCs
Slash Gear - Apple sold more iPads than HP sold PCs in Q1 2012

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.

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Smart Protection 2012 is a fake anti-virus program that displays misleading security warnings and generates false positive reports of viruses and malware to scare you. Fake AVs are designed to convince you to purchase the full version of said software in order to remove the numerous problems and infections the scan has discovered. The truth be told, it doesnt actually scan your computer and even if you purchase this rogue antivirus program it wont fix anything. It just runs a fake scan of your computer in front of your eyes, telling you that all sorts of spyware, viruses and trojans are installed. Dozens of new variants of Fake AV appeared in 2011 and the malware ecosystem isnt going to change any time soon. Besides, rougeware authors realize that internet users became smarter in distinguishing the name of fake and real antivirus programs, so they will definitely come up with new seemingly legit names. If youve just been snatched by Smart Protection 2012 or similar scareware, DO NOT follow instructions on screen and do not purchase it. To remove Smart Protection 2012 from your PC, please follow the removal instructions below.



OK, so lets take a closer look at the Smart Protection 2012. It has a rather unique GUI and it seems that cyber crooks are pretty happy with malware conversation rates if they brand the same malcode under multiple names. Apparently, it works. Once installed, Smart Protection 2012 will pretend to scan your computer for malicious software, spyware, Trojan horses, etc. Then, it will bombard you with false alarms.

Warning!
Application cannot be executed. The file notepad.exe is infected.
Please activate your antivirus software.

Smart Protection 2012 Warning
Your computer is still infected with dangerous viruses. Activate antivirus protection to prevent data loss and avoid theft of your credit card details.
Click here to activate protection.

Finally, it will take you to a fake payment page where you cant purchase this undoubtedly illegal software.



What is more, the rogue AV will modify Windows registry, alter system files, modify Windows Hosts file, disable certain system services and block legitimate anti-virus software. These changes can be fixed or restored quite easily, however the problem is that Smart Protection 2012 may come bundled with rootkits. And we are pretty sure that most of you are not comfortable with manually removing rootkits. Thankfully, youve got the removal instructions to help to remove Smart Protection 2012 and associated malware from your computer. If you need extra help removing this virus or youve found undetected hazards, please post a comment. Good luck and be safe online!

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Quick Smart Protection 2012 removal guide:

1. Open Smart Protection 2012. Click the "Registration" button. Enter the following debugged registration key and click "Activate" to register this rogue antivirus program. Dont worry, this is completely legal.

AA39754E-715219CE



Once this is done, you are free to install anti-malware software and remove Smart Protection 2012 from your computer properly.

2. Next, download TDSSKiller. This malware usually (but not always) comes bundled with TDSS rootkit. Removing this rootkit from your computer is very important (if exists). Run TDSSKiller and remove the rootkit.



3. Then download recommended anti-malware software (Spyware Doctor) and run a full system scan to remove this virus from your computer.

4. And finally, to reset the Hosts file back to the default automatically, download and run Fix it and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

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Smart Protection 2012 removal instructions in Safe Mode with Networking:

1. Please reboot your computer is "Safe Mode with Networking". As the computer is booting tap the "F8 key" continuously which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode with Networking" and press Enter key.


NOTE: Login as the same user you were previously logged in with in the normal Windows mode.

2. Download TDSSKiller. Run TDSSKiller and remove the rootkit (if exists).



3. Then download recommended anti-malware software (Spyware Doctor) and run a full system scan to remove this virus from your computer.

4. And finally, to reset the Hosts file back to the default automatically, download and run Fix it and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

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Alternate Smart Protection 2012 removal instructions (manual removal):

Make sure that you can see hidden and operating system protected files in Windows. For more in formation, please read Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows.

Under the Hidden files and folders section, click Show hidden files and folders, and remove the checkmarks from the checkboxes labeled:

• Hide extensions for know file types
• Hide protected operating system files

Click OK to save the changes.


1. Find the malicious Smart Protection 2012 file.

On computers running Windows XP, malware hides in:
C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Data

On computers running Windows Vista/7, malware hides in:
C:ProgramData

2. Look for malicious file in said directories depending on the Windows version you have.

Example Windows XP:
C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Data529C536F00018A6B00013FF8.exe

Example Windows Vista/7:
C:ProgramData529C536F00018A6B00013FF8.exe

Basically, there will be a malicious file named with a series of numbers or letters.



Rename 529C536F00018A6B00013FF8 to virus (do not delete it!).  Heres an example:



3. Restart your computer. After a reboot, Smart Protection 2012 wont start and you will be able to run anti-malware software.

4. Open Internet Explorer. Download TDSSKiller. Run TDSSKiller and remove the rootkit (if exists).



5. Download recommended anti-malware software (Spyware Doctor) and run a full system scan to remove this virus from your computer.

6. And finally, to reset the Hosts file back to the default automatically, download and run Fix it and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

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Associated Smart Protection 2012 files and registry values:

Files:

Windows XP:

• C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Data[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

Windows Vista/7:

• C:ProgramData[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

Registry values:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce "[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS]"

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New versions of AutoCAD mean new version of AutoCAD books.  Once again Wiley  Publishing, Inc.(http://www.wiley.com ) has released an updated version of Ellen Finkelsteins AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Bible.  This version, AutoCAD 2012 & AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible, has been revised to reflect the additional features added to AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 2012.  Once again Ellen Finkelstein (http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com) has given readers a comprehensive reference manual on AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. 

The AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible starts with a Quick Start chapter that gives the reader in introduction to AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.  From there, the author provides an in-depth look at AutoCAD.  The book covers all of the basics needed to use AutoCAD.  It also contains enough advanced material to make an expert out of the reader.  The AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible is a complete reference and tutorial.  Beginners can use this book to learn AutoCAD from scratch.  Intermediate users can become advanced users.  Advanced users can use this book as a reference tool to find and know all of the ins and outs of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. 

AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible has 1296 pages.  It is to be release in July of 2011.  Wiley and Ellen Finkelstein have published versions of this book since AutoCAD release 14 and every release since.  This release will not disappoint.  It covers the basics of using AutoCAD, the advanced additions to its 3D modeling tools, and the book even covers programming in LISP for AutoCAD and in VBA.  The paperback book comes with a DVD that contains before and after drawings for each tutorial.  The sections of the books are marked so that the reader will immediate know when a feature is new to release 2012.  There are also icons that mark when a feature is only found in AutoCAD and not in AutoCAD LT.  There are other icons throughout the book that provide other guidance in the use of AutoCAD.  Tips and tricks that the author has discover and developed throughout her carrier are provided making the lessons thorough, practical and valuable.

AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible is available in paperback from Wiley Publishing.  At the time this review was written it did not appear Wiley was providing a digital version for publishing.  The book is available for purchase through many online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Barnes and Noble does provide an e-book version for their e-reader the Nook, though the electronic version was priced higher than the paper back version.  Amazon did not have a version for their e-reader, the Kindle.

I recommend purchasing the AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 for any AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT user, from anyone learning the program for the first time to the advanced CAD Manager.  The tutorials and examples make learning AutoCAD as simple as possible.  The cross references and appendices make it a fantastic reference book.  The content is thorough and complete.  Anything any user of any experience ever needs to know about AutoCAD can find it in this book.

I would rate this book as a must have purchase for any AutoCAD user!

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