[muffinman8641]

Sorry if this was a bad idea but instead of starting 2 different threads I figured I'd put these two unrelated questions in the same thread.

Question 1: I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop that's a few years old and frequently overheats. Even when it's sitting on a wood table on top of one of those usb-powered fans (which doesn't work but it adds ventilation), it overheats and shuts down sometimes on a half-hourly basis if I'm putting it to work. Are there any internal parts that can or should be replaced to improve this or are there some inexpensive accessories or home DIYs anyone would recommend? I don't think it's dust-clogged, but I wouldn't know how to dismantle the thing to check.

Question 2: What's the highest-level programming language currently in (relatively) common use? I'm not talking about prototypes or anything, but among Python, Ruby, Perl, etc. (none of which I know anything about), which is the highest-level in your opinion?

Thanks for any feedback!

[ipushmycar]

For Question #2:

J, Ruby, Python?

[Martyr2]

Well first if your laptop is overheating then it is probably because a fan or something used to vent out the heat is broken. You can follow the following guide to help you in replacing the fan which is probably the problem. Either it is not running at all or just really clogged up.

How to replace a laptop fan - ehow.com

As for your second question, most of the common popular languages you see are what you call "third generation" languages. As you increase in generation you get closer to English and are typically more "abstracted" away from the implementation details (the individual computer machine instructions). Languages in this area are C/C++, C#, Basic, Java etc.

There are fourth generation languages which tend to be languages which have specialized use so are not quite as wide spread.

I often see people using 3rd generation languages with frameworks on top of them to make them a bit higher level. For example like jQuery would be on top of Javascript. If you are looking for something high enough level where you can do some things relatively easy without all the "crypticiness" then I suggest you try out C#, VB.NET or Java. Not only are these very popular and easy to learn on but they tend to be very English like in nature (especially VB.NET). You want to go with a language that is easy to learn, popular enough to easily find help with when you are stuck and talked about enough that people on web boards like DIC have probably already encountered solutions using those languages. The three languages I just mentioned are all very very good choices.

If you are looking for a language that will take you far both Java and C++ will do the trick. C++ is a bit more cryptic than a .NET language for instance, but learn it and it will serve you well throughout your career.

[Lemur]

If you're going Unix at all: C, Perl, Ruby, BASH (technically, but useful nonetheless)

[calvinthedestroyer]

If you can see the fan, (with the power off) give it a spin by pushing it with a pen or by just blowing at it to see that it free spins. If it comes to an abrupt stop or doesn't move at all then the fan has probably seized.