Is the Fargo Printer Right For You

Identification cards are common in almost every transaction in our lives. People have different ID cards for reasons such as work, banking, retail loyalty and other access. ID cards are used for tasks such as banking and applying for jobs. Government ID cards, such as the driver's license is used and employee identification is used for business processes. Most all of these custom cards are printed on ID card printers.

One of the most popular printer brands available is the Fargo printer model. Fargo printer options span from single sided, entry level printers to high volume, high security card printers. Many printers use direct to card printing technology, but the newer, high definition printers are worth considering as they provide many additional benefits. Printers from Fargo provide quality results printing clear, colorful cards. Professional level printers provide security to the printed cards with overlaminate options. Overlaminates provide a layer of protection resulting in a longer lifespan for the card. The option can be customized for a unique result making it difficult for an individual to duplicate.

Basic Fargo printers are within most small business budget requirements and provide a quality basic printed card. The plug and play printer requires little if any training to get started. It will print photos, text graphics and signatures on the card as instructed by the software. Some options allow the printer to encode cards with magnetic stripes and also smart cards. These printers are perfect for business types. Service businesses, retail stores, schools, hospitals and other organizations can benefit from PVC printed cards.

The basic printer model currently on the market is the Persona C30e. It is a single sided print or a dual sided printer depending on your initial selection. The printer can print thin 10 ml cards as well as 40 ml printable access cards. Standard PVC cards are 30 ml thick. Loyalty cards, access cards, employee ID cards and many other options can be printed on this printer.

The newest cards printer is the Fargo HDP5000. This printer prints with high definition reverse technology printing. The results are a higher quality print than the standard direct to card printer. The image is printed in reverse on to a transfer film and then the film is applied to the card surface. This allows for any flaws in the card to be hidden after the print process is completed.

Other Fargo printers are the Fargo DTC500 and the Fargo DTC400e printer. Both printers come with single or dual sided printing options. The printers can be upgraded with encoding modules and additional features to personalize and customize the printed card.

Fargo brand printers are always on cutting edge technology and have been for quite some time. Although there are other brands on the market that provide quality products, the Fargo brand stands out with usable features, an easy to reach technical support staff and an overall quality product to assist with any printer questions during set up or during custom ID card printing.

They have a complete printing solution with the meshing of ID card software and access cards solutions in there connection with HID Global.

For more details about Fargo Printer & cards printer, please visit us online.

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Tips on How to Furnish Your Home Office With the Right Type of Computer and Ink Printer Cartridges

Let's look at how to decide on a home office computer and ink printer and why choosing appropriately is very important to your ability to stay organized, profitable and as well your comfort. Printers and ink printer cartridges aren't difficult to understand.

1. Computer

The computer and printer choice actually depends on the kind of work you do and the amount of time spent in your home workplace. There seems to be innumerable choices in brands and models, however there are really just three basic choices you need to make. Also, choosing the correct ink printer cartridges isn't that difficult.

The standard desktop computer is the number one pick for nearly all home office users. Then again, if you go out on the road to meet your clients you most surely need to find a laptop, or notebook computer, with almost the equivalent speed and storage space as a desktop. If a docking station is accessible you should certainly get it for your notebook computer. You can also use a regular monitor, mouse and keyboard with a docking station.

In addition to the computer, you should also calculate your need for a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). PDAs can be a very important productivity gizmo, particularly if you want real-time access to your calendar, task list, and address book. You can use your PDA to link up to the internet from just about anyplace these days.

2. Printer

The number one selection you'll need to make about your laser printer is: laser or ink jet. Laser printers utilize toner cartridges or drum assemblies whilst ink jets accept ink cartridge for printer. Laser printers are more often than not better for high-volume printing and are outfitted for higher duty cycles which is the manufacturer's rating for a printers suggested monthly workload. Laser printers also create higher quality black text than similar ink printer cartridges, though several high end ink jet printers rival the lower end laser printers.

Ink jet printers offer a lower cost if you need color printing then again, laser printers do print a lot faster than ink jet printers. Color laser ink printer cartridges remain extremely high priced. You may think about purchasing both laser printer and ink printer cartridges as the cost are so low. Another thing that is important to think about is the printer's resolution. A printer's resolution determines the quality of your printed documents. Resolution is defined by the quantity of dots per inch that are printed on the page as a measurement, horizontally and vertically, such as 600 x 600 dots-per-inch or dpi. Usually, a 600 x 600 dpi resolution can produce a quality print for nearly all projects.

The final deciding issue is the printer's speed. Although nearly all printers do not perform to the manufacturer's claims, you nevertheless should use the copier manufacturer's suggested performance specifications as a rule. A generally standard speed for laser printers (personal use) is approximately 6-10 pages per minute (ppm). A usually accepted range for ink jets is roughly 4 ppm or higher.

There are printers that serve as other tools too, such as fax machines, scanners, and copiers too. Think about looking at these models as you may locate one that fits every one of your requirements.

Ink printer cartridges can be very expensive and harmful to the economy. Learn how you can reduce the impact to the environment and save money at the same tim when you buy your next cartridge for printer.

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Laser Printers - Four Tips to Finding the Right Match

Laser printers have become the norm these days at home and in the office with their efficient output and low-per page cost. However, before you pick one of the Internets or from a showroom, better evaluate what your needs are. Some laser printers are fantastic products but they wouldn't really suit you while others may be cheap but just prove to be useless for your requirement. Here are four tips for choosing the right printer match for yourself.

- Purpose: Will you be using your printer just for home stuff like after a vacation for pictures or heavy daily printing in an office? Do you really need color prints or black and white ones will do? You don't really need to saddle yourself with a color printer and have its cartridge waste out while all you do is print black and white letters. Some of the best monochrome printers in the market include the HP LaserJet P2015D with a 26ppm, 1200x1200dpi specification. It's compact, fast and reliable with minimal tray extension for $198.26. Slightly expensive is the $258.21 HP LaserJet P2035N 30ppm 1200 dpi Network Laser Printer (Refurbished) with Mac connectivity option and 30 ppm. Also giving you 30 ppm is the Samsung ML-2851ND Laser Printer for monochrome needs at 1200x1200 dpi. It includes a TonerSave mode for some rough printing that can increase the cartridge life by up to 40%. However, if you need a printer that should also scan, copy and fax, you will need to look beyond laser printers.

- Purse pulse: The thing about laser printers it that you can buy for one as less as $140 or one as expensive as Budget $6300! The idea is to arrive at a balance between your needs and the cost of the printer. Think of a cut-off price that suits you then check out capabilities of printers in that range. Often, you will find that you have overestimated or underestimated your budget according to what printers are giving you.

So, you can simply tweak the purse-range accordingly. Also, several sites on the Internet allow you to compare products in a particular price range. Simply use the search-compare tools on these sites. However, when thinking up a budget doesn't forget that you need to look beyond the listed price by adding the cost of printer ink cartridges!

For example, the Xerox Phaser 7760GX Laser Printer Government Compliant is an awesome buy at $6,000 plus giving a speed of 45ppm max mono print but then, if need to tuck your printer into the bookcase and use it for black and white prints every other day then, why not pick up the Lexmark T640n at $600 plus which still gives you a dpi of 1200x1200 though a speed of 35ppm? Incidentally, the Lexmark gives you optional application solutions for encrypted data printing too.

- Quality: Sometimes you just need to be printing letters where quality will not be that important. In that case, a regular low-budget under $200 laser printer from Samsung, HP, Lexmark or Brother will do just fine. But, if you're looking at photo prints maybe you need a laser printer in the $500 plus range. For this, check out the cartridge yield and cartridge brands available for your printer. Don't go for a model that is low-priced but not all that popular in the market because you may end up being saddled with a cartridge you cannot replace easily without compromising on quality. Using a cheaper generic-quality cartridge from the market affects the results.

- Popularity: Try and zero in on laser printers that has been reviewed online and tried by users you know. Often, when manufacturer's venture into a new product niche, they may not be offering technology at its best. Sticking to a well-known brand with laser printers is more apt unless you come up with something really attractive in your market survey.

Laser printers are fast becoming popular and are replacing the inkjet printers. Therefore when you buy the laser printers you should always strike a balance between price, quality and technology. The laser printer category in Pcrush helps you to choose the right printer with the latest features.

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Which Printer? Right Technology, Right Choice

Whether you are responsible for a small home-based business, or a large company with many departments and workgroups, there are continuous choices to be made on the procurement of office equipment. Not least amongst these, is the selection of the appropriate printer technology for your business needs? Here in outline are the various technologies and their appropriate environment.

Personal Ink-Jets

Useful for one individual or a workgroup with a minimal colour printing needs, a low-cost personal ink-jet will be the best choice. Personal inkjet printers offer a low initial cost, plus the flexibility to print on a variety of media, such as promotional materials.

Business Ink-Jets

In a bigger business environment, or one where colour output is a major requirement, the workload is likely to be too great for a personal inkjet printer. Thus a unit designed specifically for business will fit the bill, offering a lower cost per page. Many business inkjets employ ink-saving technology and modular cartridges, which avoid the need to change the colour when you change the black and white cartridges, for example.

Laser Printers

Large companies demand more output of all kinds. Perhaps also the demand for colour output on standard-size paper may be addressed with a laser printer

Laser printers have invariably offered monochrome output in the past, but more and more colour-capable lasers are coming onto the market. For organisations with a heavy black-only output though, they still offer the lowest cost of monochrome printing, as opposed to ink-jets which offer a lower cost for colour output. Even so, the picture is changing, and there are some surprisingly low-cost colour lasers available.

Large or Wide Format Printers

Design work or over-size documents for displays require a special kind of printer - a large format printer capable of printing on very large paper (or other media) sheets. Factors to consider here are quality of output, colour capability, speed, networking capability and additional functions such as scanning and copying.

Photo Printers

A photo printer is essentially a personal colour ink-jet with a higher capability for printing on special photo paper. Naturally useful in the home, such printers have their use in the business environment - for example when there is a need to include quality photos in presentation packs for marketing purposes, or for use in training materials.

Business Colour or Full Colour?

For businesses requiring mission-critical exact colour reproduction (such as in the preparation of colour proofs, for example), then it is important to differentiate between machine which offer Black and Business Colour as opposed to the higher quality Full Colour specification.

Multifunction Printers or MFPs

The Multifunctional, All-in-One device combines print, copier, scanner and fax capability in a single machine. These systems are surprisingly compact and affordable. Indeed some MFPs start at prices below £200. However, in this category of printers, some hefty and powerful machines are available for Print for Pay and major corporate use, with a vast array of bolt-on systems for folding, stapling and collating documents.

Impact Printers

Rarer these days, but it is still possible to buy dot-matrix and even daisywheel devices for specialist impact applications, for example for such as multiple-copy form printing. Such printers tend to be more expensive, robust and bulky than the ink-jets and laser printers in more common use. Impact printers by definition are also much noisier in use.

Other factors - Stand-alone or Networked?

If you plan to share the printer in a workgroup on your office network, then network-ready functionality must be specified.

Speed of Operation

Businesses with a heavy output, or with a plan to share the printer among several users, a faster printer is important - and one that will avoid forcing staff to wait for printouts to get through the queue. Any shared printer is also likely to be networked so the network speed in the office is also a factor

Cost Considerations

In additional to the initial purchase cost, there is of course the cost of consumables such as ink cartridges and toner which also require budgeting. The twin costs of initial purchase (or lease) plus consumables and maintenance are defined as the Total Cost of Ownership, and requires a careful projection of costs over the life-cycle of the equipment.

Support and Supplier Backup

All printers come with a basic warranty or guarantee that entitles the purchaser up to one year return to base servicing and repairs. It is wise and useful to arrange additional cover and a service plan to suit the capacity and work-expectations of the printer.

Green Credentials

Protecting the environment is a crucial issue these days, and taking advice whilst looking for the most energy-efficient options makes sound business sense. Doing this should also save money in terms of running costs at least. Questions to ask are - What sort of power consumption and stand-by power-down features does the printer have? Is it easy to print in double-sided (duplex) mode? Can consumables such as laser drums and ink cartridges be recycled? Is the printer RoHS-compliant (The RoHS Directive and the UK RoHS regulations came into force on 1 July 2006.)? And what steps does the supplier make to contribute towards the costs of disposal under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive?

Jimi St. Pierre writes for several Office Equipment suppliers in the UK, including office printer supplier Officemagic. The Officemagic range of inkjet, laser and multifunctional printers can be found at => http://www.officemagic.co.uk

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Choosing the Right Printers for Your Business

Running a business is never easy, and choosing the right printers and other pieces of equipment can be quite a challenging decision. There are so many different types of printers on the market, and literally dozens of brand names. With each one claiming to be the absolute best it can be difficult to determine which printers will truly suit the needs of the business.

Every type of printer has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, and no one printing solution will be right for every business. It is important for every business owner to evaluate the printing needs of his or her operation in order to determine which mix of printers will bring the most efficiency for the least possible cost.

Color Laser Printers

Color laser printers are able to provide the same great quality as traditional black and white laser printers, with the vibrancy of color printing. Businesses that do a lot of paper presentations may want to look at purchasing a color laser printer for these important jobs. There are many fine brands of color laser printers on the market today, and the good news is that the prices of these units has fallen significantly.

Even though a color laser printer can be a valuable addition to any office, if not used properly it can be an expensive one as well. The cost of consumables like color toner and fuser cartridges is perhaps the most significant drawback of these units, and many businesses restrict access to their color printers for just this reason. It is important for any business owner contemplating the purchase of a color laser printer to look not only at the purchase price but the cost of toner cartridges as well.

Black and White Laser Printers

Black and white laser printers offer many of the same benefits as the color variety, with a lower overall operating cost. Although they lack the ability to print in color, traditional black and white laser printers produce an excellent output at a reasonable cost. And just like color laser printers, the purchase price of brand name laser printers has fallen significantly since these powerful office machines first came on the scene.

As with color laser printers, the most significant cost of laser printers is likely to be the cost of replacement toner. The prices of toner for laser printers can vary quite a bit, so it is always a good idea to price the consumables before making a final purchase decision. Some brands of laser printers can use any brand of toner, including less expensive generic varieties, while others can use only brand name toner. It is important to consider the overall cost of ownership, and not just the initial purchase price, when shopping for any type of laser printer.

Network Ready

It is also important for business owners to look for laser printers that can instantly be attached to an existing network of computers, servers and printers. Some laser printers will come with a network card already installed, while others may require the purchase of an aftermarket card. If the printer is to be used by more than one employee it will need to be network capable, and it is important for business owners to ask about the network status of any printer they are considering.

Some newer models of printers also come equipped with integrated wireless technology, and those businesses with a wireless network in place may want to look for this convenient feature. When shopping for a wireless capable color or black and white laser printer it is important to ensure that all pieces of the network, including the new printers, will be compatible with one another. Shopping carefully and thoroughly is the best way to get the most value for a limited printing budget.

All top Printers you find by http://www.superwarehouse.com or by http://www.Printerwarehouse.com

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Selecting the Right Receipt Printer For Your Business

So you need a receipt printer but are baffled by the different types and models out there? This article takes you through the different types and explains which type is suitable for which environments making your decision easy and informed.

There are 3 main types of receipt printer

Thermal receipt printer

Thermal printers are now the most popular choice of receipt printer as they are often the most reliable and easy to use as they do not require any ink or ribbons. The technology relies upon chemically treated paper that is sensitive to heat. The printer heats the paper via holes in the print head to create text and graphics. Thermal printers are also regarded as the fastest type of receipt printer printing up to 250mm second making them very suitable to fast turnover environments such as supermarkets and high street retail.

The one downside to thermal receipts, due to the technology, is that they fade in sunlight and can turn black and unreadable if subjected to heat. Thermal receipts are therefore unreliable for businesses that require their receipts to remain readable for long periods of time due to regulations. Dual colour can be obtained by some models at the higher end of the market with special paper but the results can be disappointing and the technology is rarely used at present.

Thermal receipt printers are generally recommended for high turnover/ general retail and hospitality front of house.

Impact printers

This type of printer generally requires a ribbon which holds the ink like a typewriter and uses an impact mechanism that stamps the characters through the ribbon onto the paper. Some printing devices can utilise paper that contain mcrocapsules of ink embedded into them that burst upon impact and therefore do not require ribbons. Impact printers are easy identifiable as they are considerably noisier that other types of printer and are generally considerably slower than thermal printers. Impact printers are commonly the type that offers models with a two and three ply paper or a second roll for audit purposes. In recent years and in most environments this type of printer has been superseded by thermal printers due to their speed and lack of a need for consumables other than paper.

In certain markets impact printers remain dominant as in the banking and gaming industries. Impact printers also tend to be used in restaurant kitchens as thermal receipts are easily erased by heat. Some industries such as banking and gaming have regulations regarding certain types of receipts and about the length of time receipts are required to remain readable. Ink based receipts last considerably longer than thermal receipts and is therefore used by these industries as standard. It is worth noting that ribbons come in different colours such as purple, black, red and dual red/black with the latter ribbon being used to highlight certain transactions types such as refunds in red.

Impact receipt printers are recommended for kitchens, banking, gaming, and low turnover retail and hospitality environments.

Inkjet receipt printers.

Inkjet printers are regarded as the successor to impact printers as they also use ink but they offer a superior printing quality. Most inkjet printers allow printing via ink cartridges in two colours with normally a mix of black, green, red and blue. Businesses spend a great deal of time and resources on brand recognition and using colour is a popular way of doing this. The technology can also be put to great use by printing colourful advertising or promotions on the receipt thus generating return visits from the customers.

In reality the take up of inkjet receipt printers has been minimal. This is thought to be due to a couple of reasons, firstly it is perceived that the changing of ink at the till point is tricky and time consuming and secondly the speed at which these printers operate is considered too slow for major retailers to adopt. Inkjet receipt printers do however offer the same longer lasting receipts as impact printers making them suitable for most business types.

Inkjet receipt printers are recommended for low turnover retail, banks and gaming industry.

Manufacturers. So what brand should I go for?

This market is well serviced by numerous manufacturers with a wealth of choice and price range. As with many markets there is a huge influx of far eastern models at rock bottom prices. As with most things that you purchase, you get what you pay for and it is worth noting that with the major manufacturers you tend to get better products that last longer and receive better support if something goes wrong. Remember if your receipt printer stops working you will find it very difficult to trade. The general rule is the higher turnover your business achieves the better the receipt printer you should invest in.

Anything else?

Remember that the receipt printer you choose has to work with the software and hardware that you are going be using. Firstly check with the software supplier which brands and models the software supports. Also check that the printer you intend to buy has drivers for the operating system that you are going to be using. Lastly, ensure the printer has the right interface for the hardware that you are going to be using. These are usually serial (RS232), USB, parallel or Ethernet but rising up the ranks are wireless and Bluetooth.

Mike Leary has been improving business process efficiency from the start of his career. Having worked for major retailers, solution providers and printer manufacturers he shares his knowledge in this popular complete guide to paper rolls. Claim it here now for free - http://www.rolldepot.co.uk/

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Choosing the Right Printer Ribbons For Your ID Printer

Plastic card printers have changed the way business takes care of their ID card needs. Today, many businesses (big and small) opt to print their cards in-house, because there are so many ID printer options on the market. Just as it's important to choose the right printer, it's just as important to choose the right printer ribbons for your ID printer.

The ribbon in your printer will wear out at some point. How long will depend a great deal on how much printing you do, the type of ribbon, and the quality of the ribbon. You should know a bit about the various plastic card printer ribbons that are available, so that you find the one that's designed for your ID printer. There may even be more than one ribbon for your printer.

The type of printer ribbon you need, will depend on the printer you have. Each manufacture of ID printers also makes their own line of printer ribbons for that machine. It's best to use a ribbon that is designed and recommended for your printer, to ensure the highest quality printing.

There are a variety of different plastic card printer ribbons available on the market. It will help if you understand a little bit about these ribbons. That will make it easier for you to choose the ribbon that's right for your company's situation.

Some of the ID card printer ribbons have a holographic overlay added for security. This 3-D image is impossible to duplicate, and it doesn't require any special device in order to be viewed.

It cannot be stressed enough, just how important it is for you to choose the correct ribbon for your ID printer. If you buy an incorrect ribbon it could make your ID cards very difficult, if not impossible, to read. Since your ID cards are a critical part of your business you want to ensure that the print quality meets or exceeds your expectations. Using only ribbons recommended by the manufacturer will ensure just that.

Worse then poor print quality is the damage to your printer that can occur if you use a ribbon not recommended by the manufacturer. Your warranty could also become void. Those few pennies saved on an after market ribbon, won't seem like much of a savings if you damage your printer. Sometimes it's not about savings. It makes a lot more sense to buy the correct ribbon right away.

If you're thinking, what's the big deal, how hard can it be? You might be surprised to learn that it might not be quite as simple as you anticipated. It might be one of the smallest parts of your printer, but it's definitely one of the most important. It needs to be the right type for your ID printer to work properly.

Datacard printer ribbons are available in both monochrome and color. They range in price for as little as $18.00 to the more expensive Datacard Tonal Black Photo Ribbon for non SP Series 860 printers. Your Datacard printer will tell you which ribbon you need to use. Datacard produces color ribbons, monochrome ribbons, holograms, overlay film, the Magna series of ribbons, the SP75 series of ribbons, the RP90 ribbons, and several others.

Evolis ribbons range from as little as $14.00 to the more expensive Evolis YMCKO color 5 panel ribbon for the Quantum printers. Your Evolis printer will tell you which ribbon you should use. Evolis produces color ribbons, monochrome ribbons, holograms, tattoo ribbons, Securion ribbons, Quantum ribbons, the Dualys series or ribbons, and the Pebble Series of ribbons, as well as several others.

Polaroid printer ribbons include color ribbons, monochrome ribbons, the Legacy series; as well as the P110i, P3000, P4000, and P75i ribbons. Your Polaroid ID printer will tell you which printer ribbon you should use.

Fargo is a popular ID printer choice, and they have a large number of ID printer ribbons on the market, starting as low as $25. There are far too many choices to list. Margicard and Zebra also have a very large number of printer ribbons. Prices vary according to the ribbon you need to purchase.

It all begins with choosing the right ID printer for your company. After that, it really is quite easy. Simply purchase the ribbons the manufacture recommends for your printer. By doing so you'll ensure your warranty remains valid, and you'll also ensure you get top notch, professional printing of your ID cards.

Check out ID Superstore for low prices on card printer ribbon, including zebra printer ribbons.

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How To Choose A Printer Right For You

Most people have some kind of printer because these days a printer is essential. But maybe your printer is old, broken or for what ever reason you want a new printer that's where this article comes in it will hopefully help you to choose the right printer for you.

Before buying a new printer there are many questions to think about, finding the answers to these questions will help you to find the perfect printer for your needs. First thing you need to think about is what do I need this printer for? If you need to print many sheets in only black and white a laser printer would be the way to go. These are good for businesses because of their speed and durability, but they are a little pricey (starting at about $200). If you are a amateur or professional photographer and need to print pictures in excellent quality you would need a printer designed specially for your needs, again this type of printer is pricey (around $200-$300) but they print amazing pictures. Most people fit in the middle of this spectrum. You probably need a printer for the whole family that will print in both black and white and in color without breaking your budget. The printer that you need is a ink-jet. These printers are great for families because they are very versatile and can do many different jobs and they are relatively inexpensive starting at about $100.

The next thing you need to know is do you just want a printer or do want a scanner, photocopier and fax with it. If you do want all of these things you will have to go with a multifunction printer, these printers can do all those things. And at about $300 it is cheaper to buy a multifunction printer than printer, scanner, fax and photocopier separately.

Another important point that most people overlook when buying a printer is, ink costs. Most people don't think about it but what a lot of companies do is they make the printers dirt cheap and make the ink really expensive. So you could end up thinking you got a great deal but two new ink cartridges later you've spent more on ink than on the printer. To avoid this, after you've found a list of printers you like check online websites that sell printer ink and check which printer has the cheapest ink. A general tip here is buy the more expensive printer with the cheaper ink because you will end up saving more money over time. I have given some links that you can use to compare printer and ink prices at the bottom of this article.

You also have to decide where you want to buy your printer and ink from. Online stores offer cheaper prices but a local store will give you a hands-on view and usually better support for your printer in case some thing goes wrong. You can also check eBay for good deals on used printers and if you're lucky sometimes on new ones too. When it comes to ink for your printer however online stores are usually always better because they offer the best prices and best selection.

A final small detail you want to make sure to not over look before you buy your printer is the ports on your computer. There are two ways printers connect to computers through a parallel cable or through a USB cable, the USB cable is faster but some of the older computers might not have a USB port. Most computers have a parallel port and almost all the new computers have a parallel port and a few USB ports but make sure you buy a printer that you can connect to your computer.

Below are a few links to help you to choose the right printer for you:

List of the best places to compare and buy printers online - Printers from online stores
List to compare and buy printer ink online - Ink from online stores

How to choose the right printer for you - Printers & Ink on eBay.

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Printer Security is Not Worth Worrying About - Right?

When looking at enterprise security, we commonly refer to and consider firewalls, Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), encryption and authentication. When we think of securing our data, we think of securing critical servers and databases. Rarely do we think of printers. Billions of dollars are spent worldwide on security each year, but how much did your organization spend on securing their printers this last 12 months? If you answered zero, you would be in the vast majority.

Printers have come a long way since their widespread adoption in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Back in the day, each printer was connected to an individual system and could only process a single print job at a time. Today, printers have matured into multi-functional devices that bare little resemblance to their distant origins. Printers in the 21st century perform dozens of tasks including, but not limited to, printing, scanning, photocopying, faxing and even emailing documents. What most users, and even system, network and security administrators do not realize is what really goes on inside a printer and what functionality they truly have. Most users still think of the printers of 30 years ago; unintelligent devices that only possess the ability to print documents. This view is far removed from the truth.

When discussing printers in this article, we are not only talking about the behemoths you see in most large enterprises, but also your low-end multifunctional printers you now find common in regular households. Rare is it to find a printer, no matter how small, that only performs the single task of printing. Most, at a very minimum, provide faxing or scanning and with these come increased memory requirements. Scanning a full document in preparation to print, scanning a document to be saved as a PDF or similar file, or scanning a document to allow faxing all require the ability to buffer the data within the device. A buffer is basically a region of memory that allows the storing of temporary data. Printers use this buffer to store a digital version of the document you are printing, scanning or faxing. Depending on the device, this buffer can range from a small piece of Random Access Memory (RAM) to a Hard Disk Drive like the type found in your desktop or laptop computer. In larger enterprise printers, this buffer is not the only memory store found within the printer. A larger, non-volatile memory area is provided to store semi-permanent or permanent information. For example, some printers allow scanning of a document and saving it within the printer as a PDF. The user may then connect to the printer as if it were a network drive, or via a web page, and download their document.

So where are we going with all this? The leakage or theft of sensitive and confidential corporate information. Large enterprises may have developed and implemented data retention and destruction policies but rarely do these include, or even mention, printers. Companies look at hardcopies of documents, CD's, DVD's and workstation, laptop and server hard drives when developing their data destruction policies. While it is clear they identify hard drives as a source of sensitive information, rarely do they consider the hard drives contained within their printers, if they even know of their existence. Printers are also commonly overlooked when security policies, procedures and guidelines are developed and implemented. Little time, if any, is spent looking at printer security or the implications of not securing the corporate printers. All the more disturbing this becomes when you contemplate the common types of documents that pass through printers in a corporate environment. Depending on the industry or the department within the organization, documents can vary from sensitive financial records, personal customer data or detailed network diagrams, to name a few.

To understand how sensitive data is leaked via a simple printer to the outside world, it requires an understanding of the corporate environment, security controls within that environment, and the general flow of information between users, printers and file systems that house restricted data.

In the ideal, secure corporate environment, a user has restricted access to files that pertain to his or her job function. The files reside on a secure server within the corporate network and are protected by strong access control policies requiring a user to authenticate before being allowed access to files. In our example, a user requires a sensitive financial document for a meeting he is about to attend. The user authenticates to the server, access to the file is authorized by the access control policies set on the file and the user opens the file in Microsoft Word. He clicks on the print icon and sends the document as a print job to his nearest printer. With this simple act, we have taken a secure document that very limited users have access to, and have created two copies that are no longer protected by any form of access control. The first is the obvious; the paper copy our user requires for their meeting. The second is a copy housed in the buffer on the printer. In the ideal world, our user will keep the printed copy safe at all times and follow the organization's data destruction policy and destroy the copy of the document when they no longer require it. As for the virtual copy created on the printer, the user has no real control over this, nor probably knows it even exists. If we are lucky, the document is overwritten when the next print job comes through, but this is very dependent on the brand and model of printer and how the printer was initially set up by the administrator.

Slightly different to the straight printing of documents, scanning of documents or receiving faxes on a multifunctional printer writes documents to non-volatile areas of memory, usually a hard disk drive. If documents are not manually removed, they will remain there indefinitely, often long forgotten by the original user that scanned the document or received the fax.

In either of these scenarios, improper disposal of a decommissioned printer could have catastrophic consequences for a company. Leased printers may be returned to the leasing company for resale. Purchased printers are discarded in the trash or sold at auction or online via auction sites such as eBay. Either way, countless sensitive documents could pass into the hands of nefarious individuals. While the leaking of some documents could financially affect organizations, leaking personal information pertaining to hundreds or thousands of customers or clients could have reputation ramifications that could destroy a company.

Most organizations do not realize the full potential of their printers or the functionality they have available. While much functionality is non-security related, these functions have considerable impact on the security of the data within an organization and need to be understood and addressed. These include, but are not limited to:

1. The ability to copy files to Windows or Unix SMB file servers

2. The ability to email scanned files to a user

3. Functionality that allows printers to receive faxes and then forward the fax onto predefined users via multiple methods, such as email or as another fax, and

4. The ability to store files which have been scanned, printed, emailed or uploaded locally on the printer

While the previous data leakage scenarios have been accidental in nature, data remaining on printers could be the target of an educated attacker, one that understands the value of data residing on printers and who has the ability to compromise that data. While organizations invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to secure their network, dividing networks and systems into zones of trust with firewalls, Intrusion Prevention Systems and other network access control points, have they rarely considered where printers are logically placed within the network. In most cases, they are located amongst the users, or in some organizations, even on the server networks. Some organizations do not even have zones of trust and the printers exist amongst users, servers and even Internet accessible systems. In the worst case scenarios, the printers may even be Internet accessible themselves. Printers are not seen as critical devices, and as such, are not secured in their own zone of trust where access to management interfaces is not accessible except to trusted printer administrators. By limiting access to these interfaces, compromise of the data housed on these printers becomes exceedingly difficult.

While most printers have the capability to authenticate both printer administrators or normal printer users, the majority of the time, this functionality is disabled or left in its default state; disabled. Five minutes on Google and an attacker will be able to find the default password to almost any printer. Once administrator access is gained to a printer, it takes little time and even less ability to make changes to settings that could be catastrophic to an organization. While it would be little but annoying to find yourself locked out of your printer, or the interface changed to another language so no-one could control the printer, if the attacker was to redirect your printing or copy documents to a location outside the internal network, depending on the contents of the file, it could be the ruin of an organization.

So how does an organization protect itself against attacks against printers and leakage of sensitive data?

A few simple steps:

1. Disable unnecessary functionality. If any function within the printer is not required within your business, disable it. The less services or functions a printer has running, the less avenues of attack or leakage the printer has.

2. Add printers to your data retention and disposal policies. Make sure all memory inside printers is disposed of via secure destruction or secure wiping when printers are decommissioned.

3. Ensure data is overwritten immediately after printing. This requires the printer in use to support this functionality, but if your data is highly sensitive, this should be a priority when looking at new printers.

4. Print from memory rather than hard disk drive if available.

5. Use the secure printing option, if available, so printouts do not start before you reach the printer and enter your password. How often have you hit print, walked to the printer and your printout is no-where to be seen, only to turn up lying on a table days or even weeks later?

6. Examine where printers are logically located within the network. Printer management interfaces should be restricted and only accessible from defined management IP's. Ensure printers are never accessible from the Internet. Assess whether some or all printers should be located within their own zone of trust.

7. Use the inbuilt security within the printer to restrict who has access, what access they have and where they may access from.

Securing printers should be an integral part of securing your data. Security policies should exist that address the risks and define how printers should be secured. Develop printer security guidelines and procedures for implementation of new printers and follow these standards to ensure all printers are secured and do not become a high risk to your organization. By securing your printers, you are contributing to your overall layered security model and protecting your organization's critical data along with its reputation.

David Morrison is a security consultant with Sense of Security. Sense of Security is the premier provider of IT Security and Risk Management Solutions in Australia, and is the trusted provider to many of Australia's leading organizations.

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Choosing the Right ID Card Printer For Your Business

Our modern world has changed the way we do business, and technology has certainly changed the way we obtain the photo ID cards necessary for that business. Today in-house printing has replaced outsourcing. That's because it's so affordable, and it provides you with a great deal of flexibility. Choosing the right ID card printer for your business is important, so take some time to learn what's available, and what it has to offer.

Choose from single sided, dual sided or laminating printers. Single sided printers are capable of quality printing on one side, in either color or monochrome. Dual sided printers offer the same quality, but they can print on both sides. They also offer barcode, magnetic strip, encoding, smart card, and more. Laminating printers offer an extra layer of protection from wear and tear. You also enjoy additional security protection, because altering these cards is very difficult. Let's have a look at some of the most popular ID card printer manufacturers.

Fargo Printers

Fargo has been meeting the needs of business for a very long time. They always offer cutting edge technology. Yet they continue to provide an affordable product, with one of the best reputations for reliability. Fargo offers single sided printers, dual sided printers, and laminating printers. You can configure your Fargo printer to work with your photo ID software. Choose from the many models on the market.

Evolis Printers

Evolis printers offer a full range of technologies including encoding. Choose either single sided or dual sided printers. The Evolis printers have a modern design that's sleek, and requires very little space. Evolis printers have a reputation for being very intuitive. It won't take you months to learn all the ins and outs of these printers. Evolis is considered one of the most competitively priced printers on the market. Add easy maintenance, parts that are readily available, and excellent warranties, and you can see why Evolis should be on your short list.

Zebra Printers

If you're looking for plenty of product choice, and printers that you can afford, Zebra printers have you covered. Besides offering some of the best print quality on the market, they also offer very competitive pricing. Zebra is continuously striving to improve its already superior product line. Choose from a complete line of single sided printers, dual sided printers, and laminating printers.

Magicard Printers

Magicard Printers have earned a reputation for offering something a little different. What makes Magicard unique is its very low price point. This makes it an attractive printer choice for a business just entering the market. It's just as attractive for those that have been in the market for some time. That's because they offer a full range of products from the most basic, quality, entry level printer to the top of line printer with all the bells and whistles. Print membership cards, photo ID badges, or a host of other ID cards.

Nisca Printers

Nisca offers a unique line of printers. They offer a superior line of dye sublimation printers. This technology allows Nisca printers to provide brilliant 24 bit images. There are also a wide range of models, all of which offer top notch performance and security. Nisca offers a premier name in PVC card printing technology. Analyze your company's needs and choose a printer accordingly.

Datacard Printers

Datacard printers have a reputation for providing the highest quality photo ID badges, membership cards, and other types of ID cards. You simply personalize your printer to your company needs. Choose from a range of security features and performance levels. From the most basic printers to the most sophisticated printers Datacard has a printer for every budget.

The ID printer is a big part of your ID printing process. There are many excellent printers on the market. If you aren't sure, which one is right for you, take a little time to do some research, and learn what the various printers are capable of performing.

When deciding on which printer is right for your company needs, ask yourself a few questions.

1. What type of cards do I want to print?

2. Do I need to print single sided or double sided ID cards?

3. Do I need barcode technology?

4. Do I need laminating technology?

5. Do I have any special needs in my ID card printing?

6. Do I need to print in color?

7. What is my budget?

8. What am I looking for in a warranty?

9. What does my ID card software recommend for a printer?

10. Which printers are comparable and which offer the best prices?

Give your ID card printer the attention it deserves, and find the printer that's right for your business.

Check out ID Superstore for low prices on plastic card printers. Shop from top brands including Fargo id card printers.

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Choosing The Right Inkjet Printer To Buy

Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Epson and Lexmark are responsible for the majority of inkjet printer sales in the global consumer market. If you have plans to buy an inkjet printer, this article will definitely help you in arriving at the right choice.

What are the different types of inkjet printers available in the market?

Basic Inkjet Printers:

If you need to print web pages, spreadsheets and text documents, a basic inkjet printer that uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and key) or black ink will best suit your needs.

Inkjet Photo Printers:

To create higher-quality photo prints, use six-color inkjet photo printers with CMYK ink as well as light cyan and light magenta. Do you want to print photos directly from your digital camera? Go for inkjet photo printers with an LCD preview screen, PictBridge to transfer images directly from your digital camera over USB and media card slots compatible with the memory cards you use in your digital camera.

Portable Inkjet Printers:

You should select a printer that weighs less than 5 pounds if you travel a lot on business.

Multifunction Inkjet Printers:

This printer allows you to print, scan and copy, all at the touch of a button. However, you will you have to compromise a little on quality. Printers with faxing capabilities are also available.

Online shopping is a great place to start when looking to find any of the above printers at marked down prices.

What is the maximum printing speed of an inkjet printer?

The speed of an inkjet printer is measured by the number of pages it can print per minute (ppm). A standard inkjet printer has three levels of quality settings: draft, normal and best. The speed decreases if you want high quality outputs. Manufacturers test the speed of a printer by printing basic text at the lowest quality setting, If you plan to print at normal quality settings, the real speed is likely to be about half the speed stated by the manufacturer.

If you often print graphics with your inkjet printer, speed is an important factor. Based on your printer's system configurations, print mode, page coverage, document complexity and software, print speeds vary. In a standard inkjet printer, print speed for black text differs between 1 to 28 ppm. For color photos and graphics, speeds range from 1 to 20 ppm.

What resolution is good for quality printing?

Another area you have to concentrate on is print resolution. Printers are identified as being of good quality if they feature print resolutions in excess of 1440 dots per inch (dpi). The maximum color resolution that an inkjet printer generally has is 2400 x 1200 dpi. Some high-end models have up to 4800 x 1200 dpi. Look for a resolution of least 600 x 600 dpi for text printing and a minimum of 1200 x 600 dpi for graphics and photos. It is important to remember that the quality of output does not depend upon the resolution alone. It also depends upon the inkjet system used by the manufacturer and the colour management system.

In what way can memory capacity and memory card slots assist you?

Memory capacity should be a major factor when buying an inkjet printer because the built-in RAM cannot be expanded. You should check how much RAM is included with the printer you intend to buy. Basic models have 768 KB of RAM while the standard photo model comes with at least 8 MB of RAM for printing high-quality images.

Several inkjet printers feature memory card slots that support CompactFlash, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Secure Digital/MultiMedia Card and XD-Picture Card as well as other more advanced memory cards. Before buying a printer, confirm that it can read the memory cards that you already own.

Are you looking for a printer to share?

If you want to share a printer with other computers over a home or business network, you should check to see whether it has a wired or wireless connection. Inkjet printers connect to your computer through a USB or FireWire (IEEE 1394) port. Today, many printers use Wi-Fi technology to print wirelessly. Some models of inkjet printers are network-ready right out of the box, while others come in standalone and network-ready versions. The most expensive option is an inject printer that support a network add-on. However, this model may be more economical in the long run if you want to share the printer with other people.

What is the paper handling capacity of the printer?

The paper handling capacity should be of great concern to you if you print frequently or in bulk. In such cases, search for a printer that can hold a large quantity of paper at a time. Many inkjet printers have paper trays that take up to 250 sheets. Inkjet printers with ship paper trays can handle only 100 or 150 sheets and envelopes. Few business-oriented models feature option of additional paper trays.

Which type of cartridges is better?

Every standard inkjet printer comes with four ink colors based on the CMYK color method. Normally, the cyan, magenta and yellow inks are packaged in individual containers within a single cartridge. A separate cartridge with black ink is also included.

Today, most professionals use three types of inks for their inkjet printers. Solvent inks are low in price and used for producing vehicle graphics, billboards and banners. UV-curable inks dry quickly and are mainly used for good images. For better color and durability, dye sublimation inks are preferred.

While purchasing an inkjet printer, find out which type of ink cartridges it takes and ensure that replacement of these cartridges is easy. Also check whether you can replace individual ink cartridges or you have to replace the entire bunch at once.

Which are the inexpensive head designs for inkjet printers?

Every inkjet printer has either a fixed or a disposable head design. The fixed head design is built-in and lasts for the entire life of the printer. Most inkjet heads feature micropiezo technology for precise dot placement. With this fixed design, you do not have to replace the head every time the ink runs out. The disposable head design comes with ink cartridges. You will have to replace both the cartridges and print head once the ink is exhausted.

What are the consumables in an inkjet printer?

Many models of inkjet printers have detachable drums, ink cartridges, developer units, fusers and a few other components which need occasional replacement. Combining all these consumables into one cartridge is the best approach. Replacing an integrated cartridge is less expensive when compared to the expense of replacing individual consumables at a time. But if one component fails in an integrated cartridge, then you have to replace the cartridge itself. Also, find out the cost for per-page printing as it differs among printers. The per-page printing cost can be calculated by dividing the price by the evaluated output of a cartridge.

Author Biography:
Ryan Murts is a researcher and author for Australian online shopping site BIGshop. With over 10 years experience in product research and development Rigorious has written hundreds of unique, educational articles that help consumers make more educated buying decisions.

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Science Fair Projects - Finding the Right Topic For a Winning Science Project

The right topic is what makes the difference between good science fair projects and great ones. A good presentation makes it easy to tell what the data you collect shows. Having a good knowledge of what you saw and how you came to your conclusion is exactly what the judges like to see in winning science fair projects.

Get the most from your research by keeping written notes of your project as you do it. Write down everything from brainstorming to experimentation to raw data. Always make a note of the date it was taken down for use in your report. Ready to get started? The first thing you'll need to know is what you want to study. Science projects can be anything you want them to, so pick something you can really sink your teeth into. Be Focused about what you want to find out. A simple well done project will earn more points than a complex but unfinished one. It's okay to change topics early on, but make sure you change for a good reason (like it's too complicated or too broad) Good science projects require a long time to plan and complete well. Science fair projects come in three basic types:

1. Conducting an Investigation in which you state a hypothesis and test it in an experiment.

2. Constructing a Kit or Model in which you state a hypothesis and demonstrate that it is either true or false using a replica you design and...

3. Doing a Demonstration, in which you explain a scientific principle using visual aids, data, exhibits and activities

Your science fair might have special guidelines for what kind of projects you can do, so be sure to check on this. Still can't decide what to do? Science is everywhere! Just be curious and something is sure to spark an idea that will make a great project. Try to remember times when something really made you think. Check it out! There are lots of books and magazines around with loads of cool science projects in them just waiting to be discovered! Try one out or just borrow from an article you spot, all that is required is that you pick a topic that you can conduct an experiment with and study scientifically. Here are some areas you might consider topics in:

Biology

- Ecology: The study of relationships between plants, animals, climate, and other aspects of nature which make up ecosystems.

- Zoology: The study of animals including anatomy, behaviorism, and physiology.

- Botany: The study of plants and plant life including anatomy, behaviorism, and physiology.

- Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms

Earth science

- Geology: The study of the Earth, archeology, minerals, rocks, seismology, and volcanology all fall under this heading.

- Meteorology: The study of climate, the atmosphere and weather.

- Oceanography: The study of marine life and the ocean.

- Paleontology: The study of prehistoric life.

Physical Science

- Chemistry: The study of the chemical make-up of objects and how they change and combine.

- Physics: The study of energy and motion, including electricity, gravity and magnetism.

- Electricity: How circuits work. Really anything that uses electricity to operate.

- Energy: The capacity to do work

Mathematics

- Geometry: The area of mathematics which studies relationships between points, lines, and planes.

Engineering: Use of scientific knowledge in real world applications.

Technology: Computers, communications, navigation, music (like your iPod) and really anything like that. Technology uses electricity. As you can see, science fair projects come in all different flavors. So get creative and come up with a project you can be proud of, then follow the tips here and with a little luck you just might win, now go get researching!

If you're ready to get going with your own science project, your next step is to download a free copy of Easy Steps to Award-Winning Science Fair Projects.

Good luck!

About the Author

Aurora Lipper has been teaching science to kids for over 10 years. She is also a mechanical engineer, university instructor, pilot, astronomer and a real live rocket scientist (You should see the lab in her basement!) She has inspired thousands of kids with the fun and magic of science.

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Choosing The Right Science Project For Your Child

Choosing the right science project for your child does not have to be a guessing game. There are a few simple ways to evaluate a project to see if the level of difficulty is something that your child can handle. No matter the project the processes of asking a question, collecting data, and coming to a conclusion are the same. The more that your child is able to practice solving problems through using this type of scientific process, the faster they will be able to develop their learning speed. A child who can learn how to thing critically can not only find ways to succeed in science but in all of the other subjects that he or she is studying and will study throughout life.

As you begin choosing the right science project for your child keep the following three components of a good project in mind:

o The question - What are you trying to find out?

o The experiment - How will you go about testing your theories of what the result may be?

o The result - Reporting on how you came to your conclusion.

As you discuss potential science project options with your child make sure that your child is able to answer how he or she will address the above components. If the project is so complex that the child has no idea how he might test his theories, then perhaps a more basic experiment is needed. If a child can come to conclusions on his own of how he can conduct the experiments and carry-out the project, you should have relatively few complications.

Have a timeline

It is important to teach your child to plan ahead and start working on a project early so that you are not rushing to finish anything the night before the project is due. You want to also give yourself enough time to repeat an experiment if something does not go according to plan.

Choose a project with personal application

Kids tend to get more excited about projects that they believe have a personal application rather than projects that have nothing to do with their interest. Explaining everyday occurrences like how the washing machine works or why a light comes on when you flip a switch keep a child thinking constantly as they will learn to see science happening all around them.

Performing the experiment

Generally there are two processes involved with performing an experiment. These processes are investigation and laboratory experimentation. In an investigation you gather data by observing natural occurrences. By observing something you are simply recording what you see happening. When you experiment on something in a 'laboratory' type of a setting, you are altering your object and noting the results. For example, you may want to study the effects that different type of water and additives have on fresh flowers. You may add food coloring to one vase, sugar to another, etc. and record the results of your changes.

Writing a report

Science projects requiring lengthy reports or explanations are best suited for older children or children who have had practice writing papers. Writing a report is often a child's most difficult task when it comes to turning in a science project. Although as a parent you should be able to help your child with the report, if your child is unable to do most of the reporting by himself, perhaps a less complicated project is appropriate.

Get some help Online

Many times it is difficult to find a quality science project that fits the abilities and interest of your child and that will actually work every time it is tried. If you are looking for dependable science project ideas just search online. Many websites offer a wide variety of science project ideas for children of all ages and abilities. Their easy-to-follow instructions can guide your child through every part of the project including the end report and even the displaying of a finished product.

Just Science Projects is a popular science fair projects and elementary and middle school science experiments site. Whether you're looking for great science activities and experiments for kids, science projects, or science fair ideas, Just Science Projects is your source. To get great, fun projects visit our website or call us at 206-498-6502.

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Science Fair Projects - How to Pick the Right Type of Project

A science fair project is always a highlight of the school year - one of those times that students can demonstrate their capabilities and creativity. But for many students, one of the most difficult steps is just getting started. Before you can plan your project, and even before you pick a topic, you must first understand the different types of science fair projects. It's very important to choose the right type of project, or all of your effort could be wasted.

There are three different methods you can use for your science fair project: building (or modeling), demonstrating or investigating. When picking among them, there are two things to consider. First, you need to choose the type required by the science fair rules, so make sure you check with your teacher. Second, if you have a choice, pick the type that will enable you to show what you're best at doing.

The Model Building Method

The model building method is the kind of project which, as the name implies, enables you to construct a model, to scale whenever possible, to illustrate a specific scientific principle. This can often be a real working machine, such as a simple crystal radio set, or a straightforward model, such as one of the solar system. Many of us have seen the model of an erupting volcano in which the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar causes realistic looking 'lava' flows down the sides of a 'mountain'. These models can be fun to build and quite spectacular - but they are often more suited to elementary school science fairs because of the relative lack of real 'science' or creativity in most of them. Having said that, though, there can be some spectacular models produced by higher grade level students; especially if the model is actually demonstrating something new.

The Demonstration

The demonstration or descriptive method of research is again fairly self-explanatory. Here, you might display a collection of objects or interesting artifacts (for example, your rock collection) connected with a topic (geology) and describe them in detail on your display board, or in your report or speech. Alternatively, you might produce a poster or visual display about a topic on which you have carried out extensive research -climate change is understandably very popular at the present time. If you choose this form of project, again you are not attempting new science; rather, you are illustrating and explaining scientific principles already known.

The Scientific Experiment (Investigation)

It is with the third of the possible methods that you can provide what most science fairs for older students are looking for - proper scientific experiments using scientific methods to construct and test a hypothesis and draw conclusions from it. If you have ambitions in science, or want to progress to regional or even national science fairs, then this is the area that you really should be looking into. And the choice of science fair project topics is limitless. Decide where your major interest lies - it might be biology, chemistry or physics but it could also be earth science, environmental science, sports science, meteorology or computer science - and then try to develop your own hypothesis and method of testing it. There are many different books and web sites from which you can obtain ideas, but remember, the more individual and unique your project, the better your chances of winning.

Finally, to assure your success, always remain in contact with your teacher about what you are doing, and confirm that you fully understand the science fair rules and guidelines. Then, whichever type of project you decide to undertake, you can enjoy it with confidence!

Get the information you need to create award-winning science fair projects from Science Made Simple, Inc. (http://www.sciencemadesimple.com). Find science fair projects ideas, tips, and free sample projects. Learn how to choose science fair topics, plan and perform your science experiment using the scientific method, & present your results.

Robert Burke has a Master of Science degree in Engineering, and many years of experience in science education, industry and writing.

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Choosing the Right Middle School Science Project

Science Projects were easier in elementary school. Back then, you could submit a model rocket, an egg sucked into a bottle, or a simple science report on electricity. It's different in middle school. Middle School science teachers want creative ideas, specific elements, in depth research, and detailed logs of the whole science fair process.

Finding a middle school science project that meets all these criteria has always been a challenge for our family. Our teachers wanted an experiment based, investigative project for the science fair. There are five different types of science projects, but most of the books in the library had projects that were actually demonstrations or models. It's very important that you read the directions from your teacher and/or the science fair, and make sure that the project your child chooses fits into the right category - especially in middle school.

Here are the five types of projects.

1. Investigative projects - Most science fairs require students to submit an investigative science project. This type of project has an experiment that tests an hypothesis. The experiment will follow the scientific method, and may require a control group. (If you're unfamiliar with this vocabulary, check out the free resource below!)

An example of an investigative project would be "How does salt affect the boiling point of water?" This can easily be tested by our experiment which adds different amounts of salt to water and recording the temperature at which it boils.

If you see the words experiment, scientific method, control and/or variable on the project instructions, you'll probably need an investigative project. As mentioned before, they're not easy to find.

2. Demonstration projects - In this type of project a student demonstrate a scientific principle, and lots of time the teacher wants it presented in front of the class as an oral report. There is no true experiment performed, because there won't be a control or different variables.

3. Research project - Basically this is a science report. Students research a topic, and write what they discovered. Any type of science topic can be used for a research project.

4. Models - For a model project, models are built to explain a scientific principle or structure.

5. Collections - In this type of project a collection of objects is displayed to give an overview of a topic. An example would be a rock collection or a display showing pictures of various animals in a specific family.

Every middle school science fair will have slightly different criteria for projects. As you search for a project, make sure it's the type of project your school requires. If you need help, check out "The Non-Scientist Parent's Guide to Science Fair Projects", which has guides for all the different types of science projects - including the experiment based ones! There is a vocabulary list that gives simple definitions to those vocabulary words you learned in middle school, but promptly forgot.

Believe it or not, science projects are designed to help students learn about science. Figure out which type of project your school requires, and you'll be one step closer to showing your child how much fun science can be!

Kayla Fay and her four boys are the creators of Online Science Project Guides, science projects that are fun, easy, affordable, and teacher pleasing! Find out about these guides, and get a free copy of "The Non-Scientist Parent's Guide to Science Fair Projects" at http://www.onlinescienceprojects.com

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5 Tips to Finding the Right School for Your Child

If you are like me you probably lost sleep over what school to enroll your child in. This is especially the case with people who move to new school districts or moving people moving their pre-schooler to kindergarten.

Choosing the right school is one of the most critical decisions in your child's development. As hard as it is to admit, your child will spend more time at school with teachers and classmates then at home.

After making my way through the school search I would like to share my hard-earned tips to making your search easier.

First you will need to decide Public or Private School

Some districts have highly rated public schools and others do not. Private schooling does not necessarily mean religious based school. There are of course plenty of religious based schools but there are also non-sequitarian private schools to choose from.

There are many things to consider when deciding "public or private":

1 - Consider both Public and Private School Options

Public School Option

The state education system is always under fire. That doesn't mean all public schools are bad. Do some simple research and see what you think about the school(s) in your area.

- What is the local public school like?

Tour the public school during school hours. This can be arranged with the admissions office. Look at the children who attend. Are these the friends you would like for your child? Peek in the class room(s), if allowed. Does it seem organized? Meet the teacher who would be teaching your child. Ask about schedule for school and class room size.

You can find out the statistics for your local public school at http://www.publicschoolreview.com This site will give you information on the school's performance for statewide testing, student to teacher ratio compared to state average, ethnicity of students attending, etc. It will give you great information on the school.

Private School Option

Your can find out what private schools are in your area by visiting http://www.privateschoolreview.com/ This site will give you detailed information on number of students who attend, class size, student to teach ratio, etc.

When choosing a private school a couple things to consider are:

- Does the schools religious or ethics and moral instruction fall in line with how you want your child to be raised.

- Is it within reasonable commuting distance from your home

- Can you afford it?

Although this is definitely not the most important point, it must be evaluated. Private schooling is not cheap. Prices normally range from $3500-$8000 per child per year. Most schools offer payment options generally structured to include an enrollment fee and then 6-12 month payment plans. Some private schools offer scholarships based on the child's academic performance and/or the parent's income. If you decide to enroll your child in a private school long term affordability is important. You do not want to have your child transferred due to lack of tuition payment.

2 - Do Your Homework on the School(s)

Before deciding on a school you should do the following:

- Call the school and ask for a brochure or packet on the school

- Tour the school(s) you are considering

- Meet the teacher(s) that will be teaching your child

- If possible, view a class while in session

- Ask questions, any and all questions you may have

- Find out about class size

- Know about the school schedule. Does it work with your life schedule?

Once you have narrowed the search down to one or two schools have your spouse (if applicable) and child tour the school(s). Often you can schedule a tour with the school or attend an open house or parent meeting night.

Talk to your child and spouse about the school:

1 - Do you like the school? Do you feel comfortable there?

2 - Does your child like the school and feel comfortable there?

3 - Was the curriculum up to your standards?

4 - What was the education level of the students in the class?

5 - Was it clean?

3 - ENROLL

Once you have made your decision enroll your child. This is particularly important with private school. Space is limited and will fill up. Kindergarten classes are notorious for this. You can enroll your child as early as a year ahead of time to ensure they get in to the school of our choice.

4 - Waiting Lists for Private Schools

Waiting lists exist at private schools that are full, meaning the class you are trying to enroll your child in has reach maximum enrollment. You can put your child's name on a waiting list. They will call you if a space becomes available. Make sure to ask what number you are on the waiting list. You may have a chance is you are #1-5, but even then it is only a chance. Do not rely on this waiting list. Find an alternative school and if they call in the meantime, GREAT!

5 - Talk with Your Child

Once school has started talk to your child. Ask him how school is going? Do you like the teachers? Have you made friends? Your child's responses will give you an indication of how the school is working out. Also, watch your child's behavior. Sometimes a child's behavior changes mildly after being introduced into a new group of children and environment. This is nothing that a good home life and parenting can't handle quickly though. The only cause for concern is drastic negative behavior changes. If this is the case you may want to talk to your child more seriously about what has been going on at school and have a consultation with the teacher. Normally children are good with change and adapt easily.

I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist. I am a child care giver, a child counselor, a mentor, child advisor and an expert on my child, which is simply means I am a MOM! I hope this information will help you find the right school for your child. I didn't know where to start and since I write articles for work I thought it would be great to share what I have learned through this process in the hopes of helping the fellow parents in their quest for the right school for their child.

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Finding the Right Culinary School for You

Have you ever thought about the possibility of going to culinary school to become a professional chef or start a new career in hospitality management? Maybe you want to go to school just to be a better cook at home? The good news is there are a lot of great schools and colleges in every state to help you accomplish your goals.

Based upon the number of cooking schools opening each year, there must be a lot of folks interested in getting into the culinary world. I recently read an article in our local newspaper about the growth in local culinary schools, and the numbers surprised me. It appears that supermarkets, gourmet stores, local restaurants, colleges, ex-chefs, and just about anyone else who has the room and expertise is putting on an apron and opening a school.

Many of these schools are there for absolute beginners who just want to learn how to boil water and get around in the kitchen without hurting themselves. These classes tend to be more fun where you watch a professional chef prepare a meal and then you get to share it with the rest of the class. It's a good way to meet some interesting people, learn a few culinary tricks, and taste some delicious food.

And then there are schools for home cooks who have some experience but want to build upon their skills and learn some new techniques. These schools tend to have classrooms with individual stations where the students learn by doing. Often these classes will specialize in one particular technique or cooking style.

But what about the individuals who wants to make cooking their career and go back to school for a degree in culinary education? They may want to learn about hospitality management to master the skills needed to run a resort, restaurant, or theme park. Or they may want to become professional chefs and cook in some of the best restaurants in the country.

Lucky for them, there are now more than 500 vocational, college, and university programs scattered around the country with more schools opening each year that offer first-rate educational degrees in this field. The bigger question is: how do you choose the best culinary school for you?

Here are a few steps to help you narrow down the field and simplify your decision:

Step 1 - Figure out what you want to do after you graduate.

Do you want to start a catering company, make pastries and fancy desserts, or how about manage a restaurant? Once you have an idea of what it is that you would like to specialize in, you can limit your search to only those schools that offer the necessary classes.

If you have no idea what you would like to do in the culinary field, be sure to go to a school that offers a number of choices in every field of the industry- sort of like taking a liberal arts' approach.

Step 2 - Determine what's most important to you in a school. Some topics you may want to think about before choosing a school are:

Location

Entry requirements

Length of program and class schedule

Costs and financial aid

Class size and student-to-faculty ratio

Classroom facilities

Class schedules

The school's faculty and reputation

Degrees and accreditations

Externship opportunities

Location and housing

Schools contacts, job placement, and/or internships

Step 3 - Create a list of schools to contact for more information.

You can start with your local yellow pages but if you don't find a school close enough, or one that strikes your fancy, try doing a search on the Internet. Just type in "cooking schools in [your state]", or "culinary schools [your state]", and you will find hundreds of leads to schools worldwide. Type in culinary schools with a city and it will narrow down the field even more.

There is also a listing of top schools listed by state at The Reluctant Gourmet web site. Go to http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/cooking_schools.htm and click on the state of your choice and pick a city of interest.

Once you find a few schools that look promising, read a little about them to see what they have to offer. Most sites will provide a short form that you can fill out for more information. Once you fill out the form and send it back to the school, someone will call you within a day or two to answer your questions, provide you with additional information, and offer to send you some brochures and an application.

Be sure to have a list of questions you want answered when you speak with a school's representative. You might also ask for a list of current students and graduates to contact for their assessment of the school.

This is also a good time to ask about scholarships and what the school has to offer. If financing is going to be an issue, it's better to find out alternatives now rather than wait until you have been accepted. Remember, the school representatives are there to help and most, I've found, don't push too hard--although it is their job to sell you on the school.

Step 4 - Narrow down the field.

Once you look over what the schools have to offer and have spoken with the representatives, start eliminating those that just don't fit in with your needs. Maybe a school is too far, too costly, or just doesn't offer the courses you are interested in taking.

Step 5 - Visit the schools that fit best.

In my opinion, this is one of the most important steps you can do to make sure that you are going to be happy at any cooking school. You want to see the actual classrooms you will be attending, see some of the teachers and students in action, and get a feel for the surroundings to make sure you will fit in.

I once made the mistake of taking a new job on Wall Street with a competitor without ever seeing the offices I'd be working in. Sure the money was better and I thought I would make faster advancement, but when I arrived for my first day of work, I couldn't believe the conditions they wanted me to work in. The office space was old, dirty, and outdated compared to where I was working. I was horrified and only lasted about four months!

So, make sure that the school in which you are thinking of investing your time and money is as good, if not better, than the brochure they send to you.

Step 6 - Apply to your top picks.

After you make your visits, narrow down the field to your top choices and prepare the applications you were sent. Be sure to be neat and complete, and provide the schools with everything they ask you for. If you have any questions about the application, pick up the phone right away and get answers. You don't want to be sending in incomplete forms.

Step 7 - Choose your school.

Once notified by the schools of your acceptance, you can decide which school works best for you. Because you did your homework and followed the steps above, this final choice should be easy.

Be sure to inform the school of your choice that you will be attending, and find out what steps are required to get you enrolled and what you will need to start school.

Although this article was written for those of you interested in going to culinary school, you can follow these same procedures when choosing any continuing education degree. If you think about it, it's just like getting everything prepped and ready to go (mise en place) before starting to prepare a meal.

Copyright © 2005 G. Stephen Jones, The Reluctant Gourmet

G. Stephen Jones created the Reluctant Gourmet back in 1997 as a hobby to assist other novice cooks who may find the art of cooking a little daunting. As an ex-Wall Street broker and Stay-at-Home Dad, he tries to explore cooking from a different perspective.

Visit http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/ for more tips, techniques, recipes and a great listing of culinary schools

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