Articles written by Derek Draven

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About me - Derek Draven

Derek Draven has been a natural writer since the earliest of his grade school days when he wrote children's stories in his spare time. Now, as an adult, Derek has chosen to pursue a wide range of writing opportunities, including Helium.com. Ever the architect

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Politics, News & Issues > US News Latest campus shootings: Are violent TV, movies and video games to blame?: 1 of 54
Whenever violent, newsworthy crime suddenly becomes the story of the week, the public is always quick to place blame where it is most convenient. This is done in an effort to rationalize and explain away the terrible atrocities that have been committed. After the Columbine school shootings occured, it was revealed that the gu... More..
Computers & Technology > Computer Buying Tips Is it better to buy a store-bought computer or build one yourself?: 1 of 39
The attractive prices of pre-built computer systems seen in retail outlets such as Best Buy and Future Shop prompt many to gravitate towards such systems, rather than build a computer themselves. PCs carrying the Dell, Gateway or Hewlett Packard logos suggest affordable price for a great new computer system, but that isn't al... More..
Entertainment > Movies (Other) Which side of the force in the Star Wars movies is more powerful: The light side or the dark side?: 1 of 23
At heart, this may appear to be a rather humorous debate. However, I've come to the conclusion in recent years that such a simplistic idea as the Light and Dark sides of the Force mirrors our own inner consciousness. George Lucas may have come up with the idea of the Force being a neutral entity with light and dark polar oppo... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Babies (Other) Should people be allowed to choose their baby's sex?: 3 of 58
Genetic favoritism is a live hand grenade that can cause severe damage to a country's population, culture and future success. The Chinese are perhaps the best example of this. Most Chinese couples desire a baby boy rather than a girl, which has raised questions as to whether the Chinese population will suffer an imbalance in ... More..
Entertainment > Music Business The future of the music industry: 4 of 47
All of us recall a grandparent who sat us down and proceeded to tell us a story about how much better things were in his or her day. Apparently no one ever locked their doors, everyone knew each other, children were respectful to their parents, and big businesses made reliable products.Industry is a word we throw around a lot... More..
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Trends & Genres A guide to PC gaming: 1 of 9
Console video gaming is truly the pop culture rage, and rightfully so. But in terms of scale, potential and content, video gaming on the PC is an entirely different creature.There are huge benefits, and more than a few drawbacks to PC gaming. The first and most obvious benefit of the PC is the keyboard/mouse combo. Make no mi... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes The demise of rock: What happened: 3 of 26
The reason for the demise of rock and roll is a pretty simple one. When a certain musical style reaches its peak of popularity, it begins to settle in, become the norm, and (with regret) suddenly become too commonplace for most folk. Record companies realize that to continue reaping billions of dollars, they must come up with... More..
Computers & Technology > Computer Maintenance How to accelerate the speed of your PC: 8 of 65
Despite the technological advances we've achieved during the last two decades, we are still plagued with computers that can't keep themselves running at top physical condition. So what happens when your fancy PC or laptop suddenly starts to run out of breath? Is it time to throw in the towel and spend more money on upgrades? ... More..
Computers & Technology > TV What to look for when buying a digital TV: 4 of 24
Just as computer processor power is constantly growing at a geometric rate, so too are today's home electronics. When the home consumer decides to abandon their traditional TV in favor of a beautiful new HD display, the choices can be quite staggering. The good news is that TV buying is a lot easier than it was a mere 2 or 3 ... More..
Entertainment > Music Business How commercialization has harmed the music industry: 1 of 6
I've always fostered a certain ironic glee at the way the music industry has risen and fallen within the space of the last 60 years. Without big name music labels, it is quite possible that we would never have been exposed to bands like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin or The Rolling Stones. In fact, in the prime, music labels and r... More..