My Science School

Since the commencement of the lockdown, there has been an increase in the number of channels on video hosting sites such as YouTube and Vimeo. Videos posted on these channels are called ‘vlogs’. A vlog is a portmanteau of “video” and “blog”. It is a form of blog where the medium of sharing views is video, instead of text.

Usually, a vlog means to take a video of yourself speaking about some topic and posting it on your blog. But today, with the rise in video hosting sites, the term has expanded to include any kind of videos hosted on such sites, with or without text.

A person who vlogs is called a vlogger.

Types of vlogs

Most vlogs found online can be broadly categorized into two types – personal vlogs and live broadcast vlogs.

Personal vlogs are the ones where people talk about different aspects relating to a main topic. These include beauty vlogs and travel vlogs.

These videos are usually recorded beforehand, and edited and uploaded at a suitable time. You can find personal vlogs all over the Internet.

On the other hand, live broadcast vlogs are videos aired live. A vlogger usually hosts a live video on the site and speaks spontaneously to a live audience. These vlogs remain on the site for about 24 hours after which they disappear. However, vloggers can save these vlogs and upload them later.

Some popular vloggers

There are millions of vloggers on the Internet, hosting vlogs on diverse topics. While some of them vlog for fun, some take it up as a career and make money through brand collaborations and monetization policies of websites. One of the most popular vloggers is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, whose YouTibe channel, PewDiePie, has over 100 million subscribers. He vlogs on gaming, comedy, satire and more.

Ryan’s Toy Reviews featuring 8-year-old Ryan Kaji is another popular YouTube channel with over 26 million subscribers. Ryan is one of the highest earning YouTubers. He usually reviews toys from around the world.

Starting your own vlog

If you are interested in starting a vlog, here are a few tips:

Talk to your parents

Share your interest with your parents and seek their support in helping you start a vlog. It is always helpful to have an adult around. They can also help you with ideas.

Decide on a topic

This is most important. Even before you pick up the camera and start vlogging, you need to decide on a topic. Topic can vary from travel, to food, to even Do-It-Yourself crafts. This is what will give your channel direction and set it apart from others.

Decide on equipment

Most professional vloggers invest in a camera and lights. However, since you are just starting out, you can use natural lightning and a smartphone camera. Just ensure the camera is not shaky and the audio is clear, as it can get very disturbing for the viewer otherwise.

Choose a video hosting platform

Now that you have decided on a topic and have your equipment in place, it’s time to decide on a video hosting platform. While YouTube is the most popular, there are other platforms such as Vimeo too. Do your research and see what suits you best.

Viewing rights and monetization

Before you upload your video, decide on who gets to view your content. If you are creating content only for family members and friends, you can make the video private and share the link with them. However, if you wish to monetize your content, making your videos public is a better option.

 

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It is stressful situations for many to be restricted indoors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Expressing yourself can help you cope with the situation. A blog is one of the best ways for you to do just that. A truncation of the word ‘Weblog’ (which is a portmanteau of the word ‘web’ and ‘log’) a blog is like your own website where you can post content you like. While it started initially as an online diary, where people could share their day-to-day happenings, today, blogs are used for a variety of purposes such as a marketing tool, a travelogue, a recipe blog or just about anything you want it to be.

Blogging is a great de-stressor and a wonderful way to connect with like-minded people. Now, that you have time in hand, why not start a blog of your own? Here are some blogging tips that can help you make the most of your journey as a blogger.

The right platform

Do your research and choose the right blogging platform for your needs. There are several blogging sites on the World Wide Web, some require you to pay a minimum fee, while others are completely free. There are also sites that let you blog for free but require you to pay if you want additional features such as customization. Different blogging sites offer choose the best platform for yourself. Keep all this in mind before you choose the best platform for yourself. For beginners, Blogger, WordPress, and Medium are some of the sites that are a good starting point.

Multimedia is your best friend

Gone are the days when blogging was only about text. Today, most blogging sites let you use a variety of media to express yourself. You can upload pictures, videos and audio along with text in a single blog post. Sometimes pictures can express what words can’t and videos can also add another dimension to what you write. So use multimedia to express yourself better.

Do not upload media that is not yours as it can lead to copyright violation. However, if you think a video online conveys what you wish to say, you can link the video on your blog but remember to give due credit.

Think before you post

It is good to express your view, but remember that the Internet is filled with diverse people. Do not post anything offensive against people or any culture or religion. And do your best not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. Hence, before you click on the ‘post’ or ‘share’ button, read through what you have written, and if needed, ask a well-wisher to proof it for you. Only then, post your content online.

Build a network

If your wish to take up blogging as a career option in the future, promote yourself and build a network. Connect with like-minded individuals on social media platforms and share your work wherever possible. Similarly, share the works of people you follow or any good content online. Everyone is trying to do their best to express themselves. Sharing posts will not just fetch your blog more users, but will also get you feedback that can be used to better your blog in the future.

 

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COMPUTERS

Computers do hundreds of different jobs, from word processing to flying aircraft. A computer can perform different tasks because it is a general-purpose electronic machine, controlled by a computer program. Change the program and the computer does a new job. A computer stores data such as numbers, words, sounds and pictures, and processes it under direction of the program.

The first computers to work in the same way as today’s were developed in the 1940s. These huge machines used thousands of thermionic valves. Computers became far smaller with the introduction of integrated circuits in the 1950s, and have continued to become more powerful.

Desktop computers used at home, school and work are called personal computers (PCs). Other types include mainframes, used by large companies for data processing, and supercomputers, for doing complex scientific calculations extremely quickly.

The central processing unit of a PC is contained on a single large integrated circuit called a microprocessor. It has two units - one that carries out calculations and other operations, and another that receives instructions and data from memory.

Parts of a PC

A computer is made up of hardware, its physical parts, and software, made up of the data and programs it stores and uses. The hardware is made up of the computer itself and peripherals, such as monitors and printers that attach to it.

The main part of a personal computer is the central processing unit (CPU), normally simply called the processor, which can be thought of as the computer’s “brain”. It receives instructions from the program and carries them out. Programs and data are stored in the computer’s memory. Rows of metal tracks called buses connect the processor and memory. The data bus carries the data; the address bus tells the memory where the data should come from or go to.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

There are two main types of computer software - system software and application software. System software does the computer’s “housekeeping” jobs, such as controlling a printer, or writing data to disc drives. Application software makes the computer do specific jobs.

Most personal computers have application software such as a word processor (for preparing letters and reports), a database (for storing and retrieving information), a web browser (for surfing the World Wide Web) and e-mail software. Games and educational programs are also applications. Office computers may also have software for doing calculations (called spreadsheets), for processing orders, for accounts, for planning projects and for making presentations. Book and magazine designers use publishing software to design and edit pages before they are printed. Engineers and designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software to help them design new products, which they can view on-screen before making the real thing. Details of the parts can be sent to computers that control the manufacturing machines that make the parts.

In most offices, computers are linked together into networks so that they can share programs and data, which are stored on a computer called a server.

Many computers do just one specific job. Examples of these dedicated computers are games machines, in-car navigation computers, and the computers that help to fly airliners and fighter aircraft.

With laptops and desktops working overtime during this pandemic, it becomes necessary to take care of our gadgets to ensure their longevity. When the laptop or desktop is new, we take extra care of it. But as time passes, we tend to ignore basic things such as shutting down the gadget. Now that you are spending more hours at home, invest time in caring for your gadgets and making the best use of them.

Remember to shut down the system

This is the most important rule to follow. Always turn off the system after each use. Don’t let it run for days together, as it can heat up and affect the battery life. Like your body need rest, your system needs it as well.

Update the OS

It might be time consuming, but allow your gadget to update the operating system, whenever necessary, if you are doing something important, then schedule the updates for sometime later when you are relatively free. But remember to update the OS, as this can improve your system’s performance and also ehance its security.

No eating while using the system

Most of us munch on something or eat our food while using the system. This must be avoided at all costs. Crumbs falling on the keyboard, between the keys, can damage its internal parts. It is the same with water or any other liquid.

Pull the plug

Another thing we are all guilty is overcharging our devices. While certain devices come with audio cut-off where they automatically stop charging once optional charge is reached, most devices do not have the same. Avoid overcharging your laptop, as it can heat up the battery and affect is longevity.

Keep system away from heat

Do not expose your system to direct heat or high temperatures because this can damage its parts and most often lead to a thermal shutdowns. If possible, invest in a cooling fan for a laptop if the temperature where you live is usually high.

Clean the system

Periodically clean the system to get rid if all the dust and dirt. While doing so, please remember to use a clean, dry cloth. Moisture of any kind will harm the system.

Install an antivirus

Install a good antivirus that protects your data from viruses. Set your antivirus to run a scan periodically to make sure you track any virus before it does damage.

 

Picture Credit : Google