The Wonderful World of Pixel Art - Animated Gifs and Free Emoticons

by Paul Nizhinsky

The internet is a huge place. By its very nature it's home to an almost infinite amount of weird and wonderful interests and pursuits that most of us probably don't even now exist. With its sheer size and user-generated content, it's a place full of discovery that panders to every human whim, fancy, and interest. One of these is the wonderful, quirky, and often adorable world of pixel art.
Let's cover the basics: what is pixel art? Pixels are the tiny little squares used to make every image on your computer screen, and can be used to make tiny animations in .gif format. You can make these yourself in programmes like Corel Photo-Paint, or more specific programmes like Jasc's Animation Shop. Many, particularly younger people, will be familiar with some of the uses of pixel art. Emoticons, anikaos, and animated gifs are all examples of basic pixel art used on forums, MySpace, and Windows Live Messenger as a means of aiding expression in an essentially text-based form of communication, as well just simply for fun.

Emoticons are perhaps the most widely used and searched for.
A range of emoticons come as standard with Live Messenger and most forums. These tend to be your basic set of emoticons to cover the main emotions and actions expressed while chatting. Many websites however offer more advanced and diverse emoticons in varying sizes and shapes, some even with sound. The latter tend to frequent more on pay-sites. There are though far more user-generated emoticons on the net, and are frequently exchanged between users of Messenger - which allows you to add and save emoticons used by others.
While emoticons are by far the most popular in the west, their eastern counterparts 'anikaos' (pronounced ani-cows, meaning literally 'animated faces' in Japanese) are becoming more and more popular as interest in Japanese popular culture continues to grow. Anikaos are typically floating spherical blobs bobbing up and down with a cute face depicting any number of emotions and actions. They tend to be used more on forums and are incredibly diverse, ranging from generic white blobs to household animals, peas, and characters from anything between Star Wars and Dragonball-Z. The user-generated nature of anikaos, like most pixel art, means their diversity and numbers continue to multiply.
Yet, beyond the world of communication-aiding emoticons and anikaos, the possibilities are even more varied. People can make literally anything they want in miniature using pixel art - and they do. People love to have things made tiny and love to use them on their websites, MySpace pages, and on Messenger.
A very popular form pixel art at the moment is animated gifs of Nintendo and Sega characters from the '80s and '90s such as Mario, Kirby, Link, and Sonic the Hedgehog recreated exactly from the 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit games on which they appeared. The current craze for all things retro, especially in gaming, is certainly adding fuel to this. Particularly with girls, animated gifs of the characters Hello Kitty and Pucca Love are also extremely popular, and can be found on many a MySpace page. Hello Kitty and Pucca Love are very cute characters that are used frequently to personalise web pages and make them more attractive.
The fact that both Hello Kitty and Pucca Love have huge merchandising markets 'offline' easily explains their popularity in this respect. Likewise with both sexes, Pokemon animated gifs are extremely popular, particularly on MySpace and gaming sites. The cuteness of many Pokemon characters and the fact they are already computer game sprites makes them perfectly convertable into animated gifs.
But it doesn't end simply at branded corporate characters, oh no. There is a whole pixel art culture out there with people creating weird and wonderful designs of their own constantly. Witness blinking cheeseburgers, winking cake slices, a strange beige bob running towards you with a chefs for absolutely no reason at all! The possibilities are endless and quite frequently very, very strange. Very aptly, there seems to be a perfect miniature of the boundless lengths of human creativity contained within this little culture.
Mostly, gifs get passed around in networks fairly randomly, but if you're actively on the lookout, my advice would be to specifically refine your search. For example if you're specifically after gaming gifs, try punching in 'nintendo animated gifs' or 'super mario animated gifs'. Many sites with the best gifs don't even have domain names, so it pays to be patient. There are sites out there that endeavor to collect gifs together from around the net, but some are more organised than others and the quality varies from site to site.
A frequent problem is that they just won't be categorised, making your search difficult. If you find yourself falling in love with this kooky little world, then it doesn't even end here. Pixel art is not just animated gifs and emoticons - there are communities out there dedicated to making 'pixel art for pixel art's sake'. These people make incredibly high quality pictures and landscapes of such complexity that it takes your breath away. Pixel Joint is a great little community to get involved in if you find yourself going for this more advanced stuff, whether to appreciate or to create. Have fun!

Cutecore Gifs a GREAT resource for free animated gifs and emoticons.

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Zune Software - Maximize Your Multimedia Experience

by Johnny Bristau

You have a new toy. It's that Zune player you've been mooning about for the past year. With its superior high quality audio, crystal clear high definition video, 80GB capacity, FM radio, and cutting-edge Wifi capability, it's practically everything you've always wanted in a multimedia player. Of course, you'd like to get the most out of your player. Well, you can achieve all that - and more - with the right Zune software.

Know What You Want
Because of the player's popularity, the Internet is teeming with software downloads, enough to overwhelm the average multimedia player user. In order to maximize the benefits of your Zune software, you have to know exactly what it is you want to get out of it.
A good software package must be able to give you access to millions of music and movie files. It should have a ripping feature so you can use your own CDs and DVDs, and a Zune converter to convert the ripped files into the required format. It should also be able to do the opposite, meaning burn music and movie files into CDs and DVDs for backup storage. Furthermore, it should have the capability to assist you with synching these files from the computer to your Zune player, whether through a USB cable or through Wifi.
Know Where To Get It
Of course, to get what you need, you need to find the right spot on the web to download software for your Zune. The question is where. Zune Empire has the latest software available.
This package gives you access to over 300 million - and counting - music and movie files. You can rip your burgeoning CD and DVD collection and convert them to the Zune's preferred format through the software's built-in converter, as well as backup your files into CDs and DVDs.
If you still find yourself overwhelmed, this Zune software has an easy-to-navigate user interface that can be conquered by even the most technologically-challenged laymen. You'll also be supported every step of the way, so even if you get lost in the woods, you'll still find yourself out of there.
Know How to Get It
As they say, the best things in life are free. Unfortunately, this software isn't - free, that is. Still, it almost is. A minimal fee is required to take advantage of the fine features of this Zune software. After all, the people behind it still need to eat. How else would they be able to come up with constant improvements to keep the software updated?
It's a worthy investment. Not only do you get to benefit from the Zune software's cutting-edge features, you also get bonus downloads for free movies and music, as well as - dig this - games and e-books. It's a veritable multimedia minefield, one that your player can eagerly sync to.
Indeed, owning a Zune may be the best thing that ever happened to you. The right Zune software almost makes that a sure thing. You're in for a very good time - all the time. Check out http://www.zuneempire.net/zune-software/

Get the latest Zune Software from Zune Empire. They have continually updated their software and download sites so you're sure to find the software you're looking for. You can find the best software to convert DVDs, MP3s, iTunes or just about any other media out there. Check out http://www.zuneempire.net

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Zune Reviews and You

by Johnny Bristau

Microsoft has joined the portable multimedia player bandwagon by releasing the Zune player. Not surprisingly, it has since been the subject of mixed reviews. The Zune reviews flooding the Internet and print media have bordered on gushing to downright scathing. Indeed, it's enough to confuse and overwhelm the average consumer. But how do you know if the mp3 player is as good - or as bad - as they say?

The Pros
A Washington Post Zune review by journalist Rob Pegoraro declared that it is "more pleasant to use than other iPod rivals." Understandably so. The Zune player boasts of crystal clear audio, fantastic QVGA video display, FM radio, up to 80GB capacity, track sharing, and - dig this - cutting-edge Wifi, the singular, defining feature that even the most scathing reviews can't complain about.
In one of the more positive reviews available, Jason Cross of Fox News wrote that asthetically, the Zune "looks and feels great." It's soft finish makes you want to touch it and doesn't get as "fingerprint-ridden" as the iPod. It's easy to hold and control with just one hand.
With over 12 million - and counting - music files available, Zune music reviews have been kind, to say the least. The sound quality is superb, and Cross swears that the sound is "slightly cleaner than the output from the latest iPods."
Zune movie reviews have also been promising. Though it's the same resolution as the iPod (320x240), it's half an inch bigger (a full 3 inches, instead of the iPod's 2.5 inches) and is bright, sharp, and beautiful. Furthermore, it turns 90 degrees, which makes a big difference. By turning the Zune sideways, you get a 20 per cent bigger screen size, making videos and photos far more watchable.
Zune download reviews are raving about its Wifi capability. Engaging in Wifi allows you to transfer and receive music and pictures to and from other Zune players within a 30-foot radius. A song can be transferred in 15 seconds and can be played 3 times in 3 days before being prompted to purchase it from the Zune Marketplace. Cutting-edge Zune-compatible software from Zune Empire is also available to maximize your experience.
The Cons
On the other side of the fence, Zune reviews have been less than enthusiastic. It has been unkindly labeled as Microsoft's not-to-be-outdone, "me-too!" portable multimedia player. It is also noticeably bigger than the iPod and earlier reviews accused it of being heavier. However, it has since been found that though a little taller, it weighs roughly the same as an 80GB iPod.
A product review could make or break anything, whether it's a person or a product. But as the recipient of mixed reviews, the Zune player is neither made nor broken - yet. Indeed, though there was an onslaught of negative reviews at the beginning, more and more positive ones are being made everyday. It was apparent that the initial Zune reviews were rushed and hell-bent on proving how it doesn't measure up to the iPod. Fortunately, the tide is turning. At the end of the day, the best Zune reviews still come from you.

Whether you're looking for Zune reviews or information on downloading movies and music Zune Empire.net is the place to search. They have put together a Zune resoure that cuts through the garbage circulating the internet to bring you the information you need. If you have a question about your Zune check out http://www.zuneempire.net

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Workflow Diagram Software - Inherent Advantages and Disadvantages

by Dean Forster

Managers and project managers have found that is easier to automate, entirely or completely, a business process. During the automation process, documents and other sorts of information will be passed from an employee to another involved in that project according to a set or pre-defined rules. A workflow has many advantages, such as an improved level or efficiency, as many unnecessary steps are eliminated, a better process control as the work is standardized and a higher level of flexibility, as workflow software programs can modify the workflow according to new requirements. Workflow diagrams can be easily designed with the help of Workflow diagram software. Using a workflow diagram will help you get a better overview of any project . While not as detailed as usual flowcharts, workflow diagrams will get you a clearer view of the entire process. You will clearly see all the aspects of your business, such as your suppliers or the way customers receive their products.

You can choose from many workflow diagram software tools available on the market and using them will greatly ease your managing job.
DiagramStudio is one of the most powerful and feature rich workflow diagram software tools available. It can quickly become your most valuable programs if you need to quickly create technical drawings, illustrations, flowcharts and organization charts, diagrams and process flow representations. As you can see, it is not only used to create workflow diagrams, but it has many functions to ease the job of any project and company managers. You can also use DiagramStudio to create database structures, all sorts of engineering schematics and drawings, and even web site structures. DiagramStudio can also prove a valuable tool for your system administrator, as it can also generate network diagrams, floor plans and various sorts of maps. While it can be used by your technical staff, DiagramStudio can also be used by project managers, database and web site designers and administrators, software developers and other IT specialists.
It is indeed easier to better understand the information if it is presented in a graphic, intuitively drawn way and DiagramStudio can generate all sorts of diagrams and charts. It is not necessary for you to have a rich previous experience with similar software programs, as DiagramStudio has a very intuitive user interface, as well as over 40 diagrams templates which you can use to quickly create your desired chart or diagram. It includes many powerful drawing tools and among its features one can mention several line styles, curve patterns, layer features and arrowheads. The drawing facilities are completely editable, allowing you to create any sort of graphical drawing you want. Charts and diagrams can be created automatically, manually and the automatically generated ones can be edited according to your requirements. You can find out more about this topic at http://www.diagramssoftware.com
DiagramStudio includes a large library containing many objects, symbols and diagram templates. All the drawing features and drag and drop compatible, so you can create or modify charts and diagrams in no time. Long are the days when you had to spend many hours to design a workflow diagram. Nowadays you can use diagram software tools to automate this process and save a lot of time and money in doing so.
Learn more about Diagrams Software including flowcharts and business diagrams at http://www.diagramssoftware.com.

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With Online Video, What Are The Issues Surrounding Codecs?

by Andy Stetzinger

A Codec is a device or program capable of performing encoding and decoding on a digital data stream or signal. The word codec may be a combination of any of the following: 'Compressor-Decompressor', 'Coder-Decoder', or 'Compression/Decompression algorithm'.
In other words, it's the program used when a video was made. It takes the 'essence' of the video, wraps it up, and tells the computer how to handle it. A common problem when an end user wants to watch a video stream encoded with a specific codec is that if the exact codec is not present and properly installed on the user's machine, the video won't play (or won't play optimally).

Windows XP SP2 itself only has a very limited number of video and audio codecs installed, other than Microsoft formats, Intel Indeo is the only available .avi Codec that is installed per default. All other codec formats, such as DivX, Xvid or Matroska must be installed manually.
Mac's don't come with many codecs either, Linux? Even less. Again, the user must manually install additional codecs by themselves. While some tools are available to help users identify the proper codec, and tell them where to go download the codec, and the 9 other things they need to do to get the codec to work properly, the best advice I can give you is to avoid "codec hell" all together.
My personal recommendation is to use Flash to encode videos. Adobe/Macromedia reports that 96% of the computers online today are able to view Flash content. You simply aren't going to get a better percentage out of anything else.

KeyThing's video systems re-encode your videos to Flash on the fly so you don't have to worry about it. I keep my eyes open for new and emerging codecs, and make sure that our technology works with them. Making Codecs one less thing for you to think about when creating or adding video to your web site.
Permission to reprint this article is granted by its author, provided the copyright is not removed, and the following text accompanies each article you use:
Andy Stetzinger (aka: High Tech) writes regularly on the technical side of online video, how and why it is so effective, and how easy it is for you to use. For your free copy of our 36 page blockbuster report "ONLINE VIDEO SECRETS REVEALED - an Insiders Guide" along with a complimentary subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, "High Tech & High Touch," go to http://www.keything.com/vomw

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Wireless Network Installation and Configuration

by Dean Forster

You might just be at that point, where the small, wired home network you created a few months ago just is not doing it for you anymore and you want to extend it with a wireless network. Of course, you might as well be at that point, where you want to build a completely new network. Whichever the reason may be, the problem is the same - you need to know exactly how to do a wireless network installation.

Most of the time, you will find it necessary to install a wireless router. Now, you will only need to install one of these if you either are building your first home network or simply want to keep the wireless network installation at the simplest level as possible. Remember to install the router in a somewhat central location in your home so this way all receivers will be almost in the same line of sight. You see, with wireless internet, the speed depends on the distance from the router to the receiver. All you have to do now is connect your router to a power source, and of course an Internet source. Nowadays many routers support broadband modems and even dial-up connections. Still, when you buy a router make sure that it has an RS-232 serial port if you need the dial-up connection, because otherwise you will find yourself having a useless router. Last, but not least, you can also connect a wired router (called a switch or a hub) because wireless routers generally do contain built-in access points.
Now choose the name of your network. Often with Wi-Fi the network names are generically called SSID. Of course, this SSID has to be identical with all computers that are sharing the same wireless router. For your own protection, it is recommended that no matter what name your router manufacturer set to change it to something else. In order to find a network name for your router all you have to do is consult the product documentation. Finally, read the documentation to find out how to handle WEP security and also how to turn on firewall features and how to set other options.
Wireless Access Points
One wireless type network connection is supported by only one access point. It is very important to remember this further on. It is recommended to use this type of access point only if you indeed need the features that only a wireless router can provide and also you want to have more than three or four computers around the house that will be connected to the internet. You can read more at http://www.howtosetupwirelessnetwork.com
The positioning rule is the same as with wireless routers - access points have to be placed in a central location so that all receivers will be in the same line of sight. Plug in the power cord and if necessary the dial-up internet connection as well. Now cable the access points to your hub or switch. In this case, you will not have to configure any firewalls at all, yet you will still have to set a network name and enable the WEP function.
Giving these two options of installing a wireless network in your house, from this point on, all you have to do is install them in your own operating system and you're good to go.

For more information on successfully installing and configuring a Wireless Network Set Up visit => http://www.howtosetupwirelessnetwork.com

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Why You Should Use A Software Testing Service Before You Release Your Software

by Terry Edwards

If you are into software development, then you need to know how important a software testing service is. You may be in a hurry to get your software released to the masses and start making lots of money, but if you fail to have it tested first before you release it, you are asking for trouble. Using a software testing service may delay the release of your software, but it will keep you from getting into trouble.
A testing service is just like the name sounds. It is a service that will test your software and look for bugs and glitches. This will help to ensure that the software program is working properly before it is released. These services will have standardized quality control tests that each piece must pass before it is suitable for release.

Do you want another good reason to use a testing service? They can detect problems that can result in damages to a company by the software. For instance, if your software is supposed to perform certain calculations and there is a mistake in the way the calculations are set up, you could end up getting sued because this mistake could cost any company that uses your software a lot of money. No one wants to take the liability of damages caused by a faulty program.
You can do a search online to find a number of services available. You can choose to use an offshore testing company for the lower prices or you may choose to use one that is available in your country. Either way, try to get recommendations from other people that have used them. Read their website carefully to make sure that they follow a standardized protocol for testing.
Be prepared to wait a while for the results of your software testing. There are so many intricate details that a good software testing company will check for in your software that it will take some time. They must also put your software through many testing phases to ensure user compatibility.
So if you are into designing software or are starting your own software designing company, do not skip this step. When you finally get to release your new software, you want to be able to know without a doubt that it is the best software that it can be. It can make the difference between making and breaking your software development business.

You can find out more about a Software Testing Service as well as much more information on everything to do with software testing at http://www.SoftwareTestingTips.com

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Why Trace Email - Here Are 4 Reasons

by Ed Opperman

There are several different reasons. You may want to trace an e-mail address. It is becoming more commonplace for people to try to trace e-mail addresses. In this article we will look at four reasons why you may want to trace one.
There are many various ways you can use to trace an email address on the Internet. However, do you know why you would want to trace email? There are a couple of different reasons why people all over need to trace email.
Here are some of the more common reasons why people are tracing an email address back to the owner.

One: Are you getting a lot of spam email and you want to find out where it is coming from? This is one big reason why people are tracing an email address. When you trace email like this back to the owner you can stop them from sending you any other spam emails.
Unwanted junk mail can carry viruses that are harmful to your computer. Plus they are very irritating. Even if you have a spam filter catching your email it can be time consuming scanning it to make sure you are not missing an emails you actually do want to read!
Two: Are you looking for an old friend or family member? Some people trace email to help them find someone that they want to see again. By tracing an email address you will be able to locate that person. Then you can contact them to renew the friendship or relationship with your family member.
Three: You want to do a reverse email search because you have the email address and want to know who's it is.
Four: You have the address and the name of a person but you need to find out their e-mail address. This can be tricky as getting an email address and changing it is so easy to do.
These are four of the more common reasons why people everywhere trace email. You may even have your own reasons that are not so common. Why you are tracing an email address will only be important to you but you still need to know why you are doing the search.
This will make it easier for you find what you are looking for. So take some time to figure out what your reasons are. That will help you stay motivated if the search gets hard.

Ed Opperman invites you to visit his dating service search website for all of your trace email address needs. He offers online infidelity investigations, reverse email searches, telephone investigations, and more. To learn how you can catch them cheating online please click here now: ---> http://www.emailrevealer.com

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Why There is a Need to Wipe Free Space

by Sam Miller

There are practical reasons why you should always make sure you wipe free space on your personal computer. If you are moving out of the office and you have personal and confidential files stored in your office computer, of course, you would strive to delete those files. On the other hand, if your company is aiming to dispose old personal computers to buy brand new units, there is also a need to remove from the hard disk important corporate files that may contain the company's pertinent information, trade secrets, confidential provisions and management initiatives. The problem is that not all people are aware that deleting files on the Windows operating system is usually not enough.

If you have been constantly deleting files in your computer, you might have noticed that sometimes, some of those deleted files would surface and show up again accidentally in the future. That is not an unlikely occurrence. The truth is, when you erase files from the Windows operating system, the file may be nowhere in sight but the truth is, it is still stored in the computer hard drive. Thus, there is a need to wipe free space off your personal computer.
Why is there a need to wipe free space off the computer hard disk? As mentioned in the two scenarios above, there might be personal, confidential and pertinent information in files that have been previously saved and deleted in the personal computer. Even after deleting, you might not be aware of it, but the file erased is usually staying on the disk drive. Even if you empty the Recycle Bin folder, the files are certainly still in the computer memory, somewhere where you could not easily find and retrieve it.
The problem is that there are currently numerous computer programs that are aimed at recovering and retrieving deleted files. Thus, anyone who would get hold and own the computer you are disposing would be able to recover those files as well as the pertinent information. In these days, confidentiality and security of information is very much sought after. There could important and sensitive trade and personal secrets that could be exposed to just about anyone if you would not move to ensure data safety on your personal computer. You need to make sure that other people would not be able to restore and retrieve the information you have already deleted from the computer hard disk.
To wipe free space in your personal computer, you should install a file shredder program. The computer application would effectively wipe off all the files and information you have already deleted from your personal computer. No restoration and retrieval computer program could ever undo the deletion you have made using the file shredder. This way, you can be 100% sure that the sensitive and personal file you have deleted would not be accessed by anyone, who could intentionally use such pertinent information maliciously. What is more luring about file shredders is that you need not invest a significant amount for the program. File shredders are usually downloadable for free, or can be purchased cheaply for just a few tens of dollars.

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Why Not Buy the Electronics Items at a Discounted Rate This Christmas

by Victor Epand

We can not move even a single step without the help of electronic goods and appliances. Among the various electronic goods available through wholesale electronic sales, we have a large variety of electronic goods. Electronic items include the various goods and devices for entertainment, kitchen appliances and various other electronics for regular use. Today human beings are completely dependent upon the electronics goods for their existence.

An electronic item helps us to do every task easily and perfectly. Among the useful various wholesale electronics that are available, we are largely dependent on the home appliances that include kitchen appliances and other machines for cleaning purposes. The complicated matter is from where to get these wholesale electronics at affordable prices.
We have various choices to get the wholesale electronics at affordable prices. Especially items like kitchen electronics and television sets can be easily purchased from any where at a price that suits your pocket. Most of the companies involved in the production of these wholesale electronics are interested in producing a quantitative profit through their various schemes and offers.
The only reason behind the producers of wholesale electronics is to maximize profit by attracting more and more customers. The driving agent for these offers is the competitive behavior of the market. Every company wants to earn more profit than its competitive company; this competition actually helps the customers to get the various wholesale electronics at attractive affordable prices.
There are various retail outlets available that sell wholesale electronics like television and MP3 players together within certain schemes that allows the customer to gain a magnificent amount of money. On the part of the brands, this system allows them to sell two items at once that gives them a marginal profits but leads to the maximum sale which is more important to match up with the market forces. There are several instances when the companies go for reduction in the prices in order to sell the old manufactured goods. This is a process that is necessary for the existence of every company.
During the festive season, most of the companies involve themselves in the various festive sales. Companies reduce the prices of the electronics during the festive season to gain maximum profit; it is actually due to the fact that during festivals people are more interested and free in their expending behavior. Even the purchasing power of the customer increases as every one is inclined towards the various shopping plans.
Electronic goods are the one of the most important and necessary products for every person for various purposes. Whether it is a home appliance or a mobile phone or some other goods for the workplace, we purchase them to ease up our task and produce favorable results. We can not deny with the importance of electronic products in our daily lives. The only thing that came in to path is the high prices of these products. For this, one needs to look out for the various affordable electronic at online sale and at the various sales during the mega sales of festivals.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computers, laptops and software. When shopping for used computers, used laptops and used software, we recommend you shop at only the best online stores for used computers, used hardware, used monitors, used laptops, used batteries, used portables, used software, used games, and used business applications.

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Why is My Computer So Slow? Four Possible Reasons

by Edward Lathrop

Today's computers have faster microprocessors, more memory and bigger hard drives. When you think about the differences between a Pentium 4 and 386, you have to conclude the improvement is astounding! So, why are so many of these modern day miracles running way below their potential?
In this article we will discuss four very common but often overlooked reasons why that rabbit in your PC has turned into a snail and we'll tell you what can be done to get it back up to speed.
You need more memory.

Don't overlook the obvious. Up until recently not having enough memory wasn't a problem. With the price of RAM becoming very affordable, most people were filling their computers with more than enough memory to do the job. Enter Windows Vista! Many computers built to an older spec were loaded with Vista and put on the market.
When the new owner got the computer home and took it for its first joyride it just didn't live up to expectations. The reason for this is, Vista is a resource hog. Many computers now come out of the box with Vista and 512MB of memory. With Vista you need at least 1GB of Ram. If your computer is slow and it has Vista with 512 MB of Ram you need to add more memory.
Spyware and viruses
Speaking of resource hogs. Spyware and viruses steal a lot of your computer's resources. Though it is not their main function to just make your computer run slowly, these programs can bring your computer to a screeching halt.
Of course, you do have a good Spyware/Virus remover. Don't you? Also, you do realize for them to be effective, you have to keep up to date. By up to date, it means up to the minute.
You should have your remover program set to update and run automatically overnight or at some other time you don't regularly use your computer. If you don't, spyware and viruses will eat your computer alive! Slowing down is nothing compared to what could happen to your computer's resources if you don't have a good remover program you update and run daily.
Background programs
When you install new software on your computer, often times you install it to run in the background every time you start up. Most times you do this without knowing it. Look at the bottom right hand side of your screen.
If you see several icons there, you have extra programs running and stealing resources. Right click on these and see if you have the option of closing them. Many times, you can open the program and choose an option to keep these programs from starting automatically. Many times I've seen this move get a PC back to its old fleet footed self.
Corrupted registry
Here's one problem that is mostly overlooked. Any changes you make to your computer effects and actually, corrupts your registry. So, it stands to reason, even when you do something positive; like remove spyware, you end up with a corrupted registry.
After months of corrupting your registry, albeit unintentionally, it will become good and out of whack. This will, in its early stages, cause your computer to slow down. In its advanced stages, it will freeze and crash and do more mysterious and troublesome things.
Many times, I hear people say they have scanned for spyware and viruses and found none, but still the computer runs very slowly. Most times, it isn't until the registry is cleaned out and repaired by a top-notch registry cleaner that the computer's speed is restored. Make sure to run a good registry cleaner every week or so to keep your registry in excellent working order. After all, the registry is what your operating system is made of.
So there you have it. To recap:
· 512MB is usually enough for Windows XP but not Vista.
· Keep your computer free of spyware and viruses.
· Don't let too many programs start automatically, and
· Run a good registry cleaner often.
Keep these key points in mind and put them to use. Then, you'll never have to ask, "Why is my computer so slow?"

The author, Ed Lathrop is an experienced comp TIA A+/Network+ certified computer technician thoroughly familiar with the operation, repair and upkeep of today's modern PC's. His site, Free Use Registry Repair Compare Website rates the latest registry repair programs and gives you an analysis of what is effective and what may, actually be harmful to your computer.

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Why Is My Computer Running Slow?

by Dominik Szuksztul

Computer slowness can be caused by a variety of issues, which can be categorized in 2 categories: hardware or software. Computer hardware are the physical parts of the computer system, for example motherboard, CPU, RAM, etc. Computer software are all the programs and applications that are installed on your PC. Software includes the operating system like Microsoft Windows XP or Vista and all of the applications such as Microsoft Office, Photoshop, etc. Viruses, spyware and malware are software as well.

Things to check:
* Startup programs
* Virus and spyware scan
* Hard Drive out of space
* Fragmented hard drive
* Bad sector or corrupted files
* Overheating due to dust
Most common reason for computer slowness is unnecessary applications running in the background. When new programs & applications are installed many times they will be configured to start automatically when your computer starts.
These applications are not always needed, and will take up a portion of your computer's memory (RAM) which in turn will slow your computer down. To check what applications start automatically, clicks on the start button, then click on run, then type 'msconfig' and click on OK. Once the Systems Configuration Utility is open, click on the Startup tab. On the startup tab you can select the programs that you want to start.
Unselecting any of the programs in the startup tab will not remove them from your computer; it will merely keep them from starting automatically every time you turn your PC on. I recommend unselecting all the applications that you don't need. If you see software that you don't recognize it could be indication of virus of spyware.
If your computer is running slow and you're getting a lot of pop-up windows, even when you're not using the computer, your computer is most likely infected with a virus and/or spyware. Everybody should have antivirus software installed, updated and running at all times. There are many antivirus software packages, the best one on my opinion is Nod32 from ESET.
Regardless of antivirus software that you use, you should always keep it updated, and regularly scan your system for viruses. Most antivirus software don't check for spyware, so if your computer is infected by spyware, you should download a specialized spyware removal software. There are 2 programs that I use myself all the time, Spybot and Adaware they are absolutely free to use. Once you download and install these programs, make sure to run the updates and scan your entire computer.
Make sure your hard drive is not out of space. If it is, it's a good idea to get an upgrade, or delete some programs and files. Delete all of the temp files, temporary internet files and cookies, you could do it manually or use another free program called "ccleaner".
When files are stored on your computer's hard drive they are not always stored in the most efficient way and can become fragmented. Fragmented files take a lot longer for your system to open or save. To start the defragmentation utility click on Start then programs -> accessories -> system tools -> disc defragmenter. Defragment all of the drives listed. The defragmentation process can take anywhere from about 5 minutes to a couple of hours, and sometimes needs to be repeated. I recommend defragmenting the computer hard drive about once a month.
Another cause of computer slowness could be a corrupted system file or a bad sector on the hard drive. Bad sectors can corrupt systems files which can slow down your PC or even keep it from running.
To check and correct bad sectors run the scan disk (chkdsk) utility.
Make sure the computer is not overheating or running very warm. Most computer allow air to flow through the computer, this is great for cooling but also causes a lot of dust to accumulate inside of computer case. Dust will cause poor air circulation and might overheat your PC. Open up the case of the PC and blow all dust out using compressed air.

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What You Need To Know About Computer Access Levels and Encryption

by Darrin Johnson

You have probably noticed the term "encryption" when using the Internet to purchase a product online or using a web site that holds information related to your banking accounts. Encryption is simply a way of encoding - or disguising - information that is sent to and from computers to prevent hackers from intercepting and reading it. This keeps that information unusable in the hands of people attempting to crack it for reasons that are not legitimate.

Encryption also is data encoding in the form of access levels on your computer. Most computer experts agree that variations on these access levels are vital to avoid fraudulent activities on your computer through the Internet. To have an access level means that each person using your computer will have a level of permissions to the sites they can access or which applications they can use. Administrators - normally the computer owners - have the highest level of permissions on a computer while other users on that same computer are granted lower levels of permission and access to critical functions.
Access levels are typically determined by the administrator, the person who approves and grants each person's access level. So, if you are working for a large business with a shared network, you may need to gain access to certain web sites or applications through the person who is designated the administrator. If you don't know who that person is, check with your company help desk.
Unfortunately, many business owners are oblivious to the dangers of granting others access levels higher than they need to perform their assigned job functions. When this happens, regular users can inadvertently download harmful viruses, allow hackers entrance to the entire computer system, or tinker with applications they should not even see. (Think HR personnel files.) This carelessness can essentially result in a wiping out of any information on the computer; or worse yet, confidential information may be distributed throughout the Internet, leaving you vulnerable to abuse of that data.
To avoid this, the administrator needs to modify the default settings on the computer, web sites, and applications which are often not set safely enough to avoid major threats. These settings if not made more secure can easily be hacked into by computer program users looking for information to steal or destroy. Additionally, the administrator needs to use an encryption algorithm discussed above to prevent hacker access to your important information such as credit cards, passwords, or any other data or program on the computer system.
Learning how to vary your computer's access levels can protect your business as well as salvage your sanity.

For practical PC security software information, please visit http://www.pc-security-keys.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning issues that help you to combat viruses, spyware, adware, and more!

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What to Watch Out for When Selecting an Online Computer Repair Company

by Jacob Erdei

Almost all on-line computer repair companies are legitimate. With that said there are still a few things to watch out for when selecting an online computer repair company.
When you come across a company be sure and check the prices up front. Some companies charge by the hour while others charge by the service. While the hour may seem like a better way to go most of the time it is not. Knowing the total price upfront and the max you will have to pay will let you know whether or not your computer is worth fixing. If the repair takes 5 hours and you end up paying $300 dollars you may feel ripped off.

Another aspect to look at is what guarantee they offer. You should always go for a company that has a "no fix no fee" policy. Some online computer repair companies out there will charge you a minimum fee no matter if they fix the issue or not. This of course may sound insane but it's not all that uncommon. The next item to check out is was comes with their guarantee. Many computer issues may seem resolved only to show up the next day. When this happens you want the issue taken care of without having to jump through hoops. Try and choose a company that has a 30 day guarantee or more. That way if the issue comes back on you, they will resolve it without you having to pay more. This is another reason why paying a flat fix fee is better then by the hour.
Many companies also have an unlimited support option. In a nutshell you pay a one time fee and get unlimited support for a whole year. The average cost for this type of service is around $300 dollars. If you are someone who is really computer illiterate and run into issues all the time then this is a great service. It's not for everyone but that's one reason why getting the repair cost up front can be helpful. If your computer has a virus and needs a computer tune-up that alone will cost close to $200 hundred dollars. For an extra hundred you can be covered for a full year. Be sure and ask what their unlimited support covers. Some will cover all issues computer related and others will not.

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What Makes a Great Colocation Facility?

by Robert Duupree

Mission-critical servers are stored in colocation facilities - which means, simply, that the heart of any business connectivity is housed within a colo. The quality of that business communications and functions, then, depend on the quality of the colo; any colo or data center has to be dependable and provide near-perfect uptime, and that breaks down into three things: reliable power, responsive network connections, and climate-controlled server rooms.

Area 1: Reliable Energy
Power controls every other data center function, from Internet connectivity and to cooling to security. A power system for a colocation facility requires more than just a few power supplies; there has to be full system in place of UPSs with enough capacity to carry the full facility load until an alternate power source is ready, transfer switches to move from the power grid to the backup power, and an independent backup power source, like generators or power stations, onsite and immediately available. Each of these must be reliable, meaning:
• Onsite power sources (UPSs, switches, and backup power)
• Established failover procedures
• Sufficient capacity
• Redundancy at every point in the systems
An effective power system has several points of vulnerability because of the different components required to maintain power through an outage or brownout. That means that every component must have sufficient capacity and redundancy built in. Capacity is especially important for the UPSs and backup generators, which have to be able to keep the entire building running until the power comes on. Redundancy is slightly different; redundancy means that the internal system can handle a failure. For example, if there are two UPSs and one goes down, the remaining one has to be able to handle the full load. That means that the system is redundant; a unit failure doesn't affect the overall system performance. Redundancy usually means an n+1 arrangement, enough for the entire load, plus a spare.
Only about 3% of the colocation facilities anywhere have this kind of power system, leaving many facilities vulnerable to power outages for anything from weather to system overloads.
Area 2: Clean, Performance-Based Connectivity
Internet connectivity has the biggest impact on daily network performance because it affects everything from website performance to demanding video conferencing, media, and business tools.
One overlooked influence on connectivity is the routing logic that the colocation facility has. There are several different Internet backbones, major Internet service providers like MCI, AT&T, and Qwest that provide a link to millions of server. A colocation facility usually has connections to several major backbones, as many as nine. The routing logic determines how Internet traffic is sent. Intelligent routing methods (called performance-based routing) look at latency and trip times, packet loss, and jitter to determine the most efficient route, and the route is recalculated thousands of times per second.
Performance-based routing is a very demanding service, which depends on redundant, high-end routing hardware and software, multiple backbone connections, and technical savvy, but it also creates a very responsive and high-performing network which is ideal for business networks. Ultimately, better connectivity means faster network speeds, lower latency, and, most important, increased uptime.
Area 3: Cool Buildings
One major factor for server performance is heat. Higher temperatures degrade performance and can even cause hardware damage or failure if the server machine overheats. Colocation facilities control the temperature and humidity for the optimum server performance (72 to 76 degrees and 45 percent humidity).
Colocation facilities manage their climate with two kinds of dedicated cooling systems, chillers and CRAC units. Chillers are systems of pipes which circulate chilled water throughout the server rooms. CRAC units (computer room air-conditioning units) are targets air conditioners which never shut off. Servers generate enough heat to overheat a several-thousand square foot room in only a few minutes; by continuously cycling, CRAC units prevent heat buildup in server rooms.
A great colocation facility even takes other precautions to control heat, like keeping rooms clean and dust free (dust buildup in server cases can also cause overheating) and having designated hot/cool rows so that servers always intake cool air. Remember.... Business is built on communication. A colocation facility can help with your business network performance by providing network uptime and speed, which in turn improves your overall communication, from simple website access to video conferencing, VPNs, or any demanding business services. Make sure that your network is maintained in a colocation facility that can actually help your business:
• Redundant, super-capacity power systems
• Intelligent and effective routing over a multiple-backbone Internet connection
• Dedicated cooling systems for consistent climate control

American Internet Services' San Diego colocation facilities feature the best service and equipment available in the colocation industry.
http://www.americanis.net

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What Is Wireless? What Is ADSL2 And ADSL2+? What Is Satellite?

by Dean Barnard

Wireless is the new modern technology and is becoming very popular with prices reducing and the connection speed increasing.
Wireless refers to communications between two points requiring no cables/wire.
You can purchase wireless routers that enable you to use Ethernet or wireless, or wireless access points.
The advantage of wireless is you are able to be anywhere in range with a laptop or computer and receive a connection.

What is ADSL2 and ADSL2+?
This is where ADSL took its leap into a better faster more reliable connection.
ADSL download speeds are usually between the range of 256 to 15000Kbps and upload speeds of 6Kbps to 256Kbps.
ADSL and ADSL2+ use the telephone line same as the old ADSL but transfer data faster and further then before. ADSL users can connect up to 12Mbps depending on how far you are from the exchange, the ISP (internet service provider)
ADSL2+ can offer speeds up to 24Mbps once again depending on how close you are to the exchange, ISP (internet provider)
With benefits like these and connection speeds this fast, you are able to experience movies, audio and even websites in real time with no delay.
What is satellite?
Satellite is another form of fast internet but yet again costs more than broadband and the downloading limits are restricted.
You will need a satellite dish, a phone line and dialup line for uploading data to the internet, so if you don’t have 2 phone lines you will not be able to use the phone while surfing the net.
Your computer connects to a satellite dish and you connect up to about 400Kbps
Satellite is generally used when broadband has not been implemented so far, for example mine sites that only have the alternative of dialup or satellite. Satellite being the better alternative.

www.deansitsupport.com/blog
http://www.deansitsupport.com

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What is Virtual Memory?

by Sergio Woods

Virtual memory serves the same purpose as Memory (RAM) but works a little different than RAM. Virtual memory basically helps out your computer's RAM by taking on some of the data it needs to hold so it won't become overwhelmed so to speak. RAM is actually a component which is physically installed in your computer, where Virtual Memory is actually specially allocated space on your hard disk.
Windows actually tricks the microprocessor into thinking that this space on the hard disk is actually the same thing as RAM so it treats it as RAM. Of course data in Virtual Memory is retrieved much slower than data in RAM because RAM uses electrical signals to transmit information and data where the hard disk uses read/write heads to input and retrieve data onto the disk. Information kept in virtual memory is stored in a special place called the Page File. The pagefile.sys is hidden so that it can't be accidentally deleted or corrupt, it is not recommended to manipulate your page file unless you know what you are doing.

You can actually set how much space on your hard disk you want to allocate for Page File usage by following these steps...
(Windows XP)
1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click Performance and Maintenance
4. Click System
5. Click the Advanced Tab
6. In the Performance Section Click Settings
7. Click the Advanced Tab
8. In the Virtual Memory section you'll notice how much space is already allocated for Page File use
9. To change it click Change
10. From here you can change the page file size to your preference, but I don't recommend going over the recommended size.

My name is Sergio Woods and I've been studying computers for over 7 years now. I have a great deal of knowledge in aspects ranging from Internet Administration to software programming to hardware and component installation. In my studies I have come to realize that there are very general things even the most casual computer user should know how to do in order to keep their computer running at its peak performance.
I feel the need to share my knowledge with any and everybody who has the desire I do to learn everything there is to know about the most revolutionary entity in our society. Also I've realized that there are a lot of people charging people an arm and a leg to give very common computer advise which is not worth that much at all. Sometimes people just need a little push in the right direction, and Computer Maintain.com is here to give you that push. Remember your comments and recommendations are greatly appreciated.
http://computermaintain.com

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What is Memory?

by Sergio Woods

Memory is just another word for the technical term RAM (Random Access Memory). It is basically a holding place for data so it can be easily retrieved by the microprocessor. Unlike a Hard Disk, RAM is volatile meaning when you turn your computer off, whatever is stored in your memory (RAM) is lost. Please do not get memory confused with hard disk space, they are two totally different things. There are many different types of RAM, which usually fall into these two main categories: Static RAM and Dynamic RAM. To keep it simple the main differences between the two are speed, space, and price. Static RAM is much faster than Dynamic RAM because Static RAM doesn't have to continually refresh as Dynamic RAM does. Static RAM is generally also capable of holding much more information than Dynamic RAM. With that being said you can see Static RAM is generally more expensive than Dynamic RAM.

Every time you open a program, your adding data to your holding place (memory). The more programs and processes you have running at the same time, the more memory you are taking up, and the slower your computer's performance will be.
So say your computer has 512 MB's (Megabytes) of RAM and you take a look at your processes and you are using about 400 MB's or memory, you may want to close some programs. When you get to the point where you have used up almost all of your memory and virtual memory, your computer with give you a message stating that you cannot open anymore programs or applications until your close some of the ones you have running.
You can see how much RAM you have by following these steps...
(Windows XP)
1. Click Start
2. Right-Click on My Computer
3. Click Properties

My name is Sergio Woods and I've been studying computers for over 7 years now. I have a great deal of knowledge in aspects ranging from Internet Administration to software programming to hardware and component installation. In my studies I have come to realize that there are very general things even the most casual computer user should know how to do in order to keep their computer running at its peak performance.
I feel the need to share my knowledge with any and everybody who has the desire I do to learn everything there is to know about the most revolutionary entity in our society. Also I've realized that there are a lot of people charging people an arm and a leg to give very common computer advise which is not worth that much at all. Sometimes people just need a little push in the right direction, and Computer Maintain.com is here to give you that push. Remember your comments and recommendations are greatly appreciated.
http://computermaintain.com

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What is DVD Duplication?

by Rita Lambros-Segur

You may have heard people talk about DVD duplication. Most people assume that it just means copying a DVD. However, it's the literal duplication of optical media - generally the production of a small number of DVDs from existing master copies onto recordable discs. This is common among musicians, software companies, and other groups that need to have a number of copies of their discs made.
If you're a business that needs to have DVDs copied, or just have a personal project involving DVD duplication, you don't have to do it yourself. Companies exist to do this job for you. When you go looking for a service to help you, chances are that you'll be asked what sort of disc you'll need. Not all DVDs are the same, after all. The DVDs used in small orders are different from those used in larger duplication batches.

Unlike tape duplication, copying DVDs doesn't cause the quality of the copies to degrade. Since DVDs simply store data, and there's no damage to that data in transfer, there's actually very little difference between the original and the copy. It's more like moving files on your computer than copying a tape. However, DVD duplication can't make the copy any better than the original data you provide. There are some mistakes that can be made, which can hurt the quality of your copied DVDs. The best way to avoid these is to make sure you're working with a quality DVD duplication company. Beware of offers that seem too cheap to be real. Chances are, shortcuts are being taken, which can hurt your end product.
If you need to produce copies of a music or multimedia disc, marketing and business materials, or just a personal project, DVD duplication could be helpful. However, whether or not you'll need to pay an outside company for this service depends on the quantity of discs you want. If you require only a few, you can do the job yourself, using a quality DVD burner. If you'll need more than that, paying for DVD duplication by a professional takes the hassle out of your hands.
Talk to the representative of any DVD duplication company you're thinking of working with to decide what options will produce the best quality DVDs for your project in the most efficient way. That way, you'll be able to balance concerns about cost with those about quality, and get the best DVDs for your needs.

Learn more about new burning methods and services for CDs and DVDs copying at: http://www.dvdduplication101.com

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What Is All The Rave For Biometric Payment Technology?

by Matt Murren

There is a lot of popularity for biometric payment technology which is basically known to be a point of sale technology which makes use of a security system of biometric authentication so that a buyer is identified and then authorized in the context of a transaction. The authorization would enable appropriate deduction of funds that may be linked with any kind of bank account.
When we talk about fingerprint payment, be aware that this would be based on finger scanning to be the most common method of it. When a shopper becomes a registered member in a biometric program at a well reputed store, this would mean that it is a way of providing identification that is valid as well as credible bank account information.

When we talk about fingerprint biometric device, suppose you are the shopper whose index finger is scanned by the store’s finger scan reader. This reader would encrypt all those specific measurements of your fingerprint so that it is stored as your biometric data along with whatever banking information is provided. This is all stored in a centralized type of database.
When this biometric payment technology is triggered, you would have to use the same fingerprint scan to register your checkout with the store's fingerprint reader. Your personal identification number maybe required for this so that the reader can do a quick, comparative study of the data from its available pool of encrypted data that is stored in the centralized database.
In the U.S., there is a lot of importance with which it has gained popularity, whether it is in gas stations or in grocery stores, or even the usual convenience stores.
Just last year, the leading provider in the field of biometric payment technology known as Pay By Touch declared that over two million customers had gone ahead to enroll themselves in their provided services and this was further supported by a whopping figure of $8 billion in the context of transactions.
The advantages of using it include speedy transactions which is very important to today’s rush filled world, enhanced type of security so that you don’t have to worry about hackers, lower cost each time you opt for this kind of a transaction and lastly, there are no hassles. It remains a slightly controversial topic because there are several critics who believe that if fingerprints are shared with other agencies that are authorized like government agencies or even law enforcement officials, this can be duplicated and even misused at the end of the day. However, this is counterattacked by the vows of providers that actual encrypted numbers alone are used for verification and not customer profile identity as such.
While the debate continues, there is no doubt that biometric payment technology is here to stay and grow.

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.biometric-technology-advisor.com

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What is a Database Management System?

by Steven P. Ross

Information is being generated more rapidly than ever. For example, consider a hospital. Think of all the records that they have to keep in their system, for every patient that comes in. Not only do they have to keep a medical record of that patient, but they also have to keep records of payments, and documents related to that person's personal information. How do they do this? With a database management system.

Database management systems are used for all kinds of reasons. Big Fortune 500 companies will use them to keep complex and accurate information on all their customers. Basically, a good database management system will process, organize, and store information into a system, and make retrieval simple and as easy as possible. Also, it will work to centralize all the information into one system, so you can easily have everything at your fingertips, and have it there quickly.
All databases have a certain organizational structure, which files away attributes of the information, which you can then search for and locate within the database. Let's use a common example to illustrate this. Let's say you have a database of the different kinds of shirts you have in your closet. One attribute of the shirts would be their size -- which can be expressed in small, medium, large and so on. Another attribute could be the color of the shirt -- red, blue, orange, etc.
If these were organized in a database, then you could type in a command to the database to get the information you seek. For example, let's say you wanted to know how many medium-sized blue shirts you have in your closet. You could give orders to the database to locate entries within the database that match both the attribute of being blue, and being a medium size. Any good database could give you back in instant answer to that question.
Of course, that's a very simple example. However, you might be the owner of a business and what to know which customers have spent over $10,000 with you in the last three years, who have three or more children in the household, and are 50 years or older. Imagine trying to figure that out manually by going through all your records that are in a file cabinet.
You can get the answer to how many of those customers exist in less than 15 seconds with a good database management system!

Want to learn more? Steven Ross is an expert in Database Management Systems and has written many more articles on the topic at: http://www.databasemanagement101.com

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What Does MICR Toner Mean? All You Need to Know About MICR Printing

by James Kara Murat

Remember Frank Abagnale, Jr. (or Hollywood hottie, Leonardo DiCaprio, to you!) in the movie "Catch Me, If You Can?" A lot of scenes there showed him cashing Pan Am Airline checks that he wrote using a typewriter. Well, that is not possible now with the emergence of MICR or Magnetic Ink Character Recognition.
Banks have started to find ways to streamline their handling of checks as more people grew mobile and (perhaps have grown rich) found more use for bank checks. To automate the processing of these, a standard electronic processing, handling and reading system was established. This is now known as Magnetic Ink Character Recognition.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) defines MICR or Magnetic Character Recognition as the accepted machine language specification used in payment transactions on paper - that's bank checks for you. These are characters printed (MICR Printing) in a special magnetic ink (MICR Toner) that is then read by high speed magnetic equipment that is especially made to recognize these. MICR printing follows an agreed pattern or syntax that, besides authenticating the check, provides the bank with the necessary information like the account number, bank routing number, check number and even the amount requested.
Printed with an E-13B font or CMC-7 font, these MICR characters have to follow a standard arrangement of numbers and symbols for these to be read by a high speed check sorting and reading machine. Just like some barcode fonts, these symbols have a pre-determined prefix and suffix that serve as codes for these machines-there's no way Leonardo DiCaprio's character could decipher this as MICR printing follows a lot of strict conditions such as the positioning of the printed lines in relation to the Clear Band Area of the check.
MICR printing involves a special formulation ink called the MICR toner, and these can be printed using a laser printer or printed on a printing press or w/ impact machines. The MICR toner is magnetically charged so that the reader-sorter machines can recognize them through each character's unique shape. And since it is a machine that optically recognizes these characters, it become important then to have an even or consistent print quality, correct placement of characters on the designated printing area to ensure readability.
MICR Toner
You can use your regular desktop laser printer in MICR printing as long as you use MICR toner. MICR toners are specially formulated magnetic inks that are not the type that you usually use with your printers. These may be readable to the human eye but what the reader-sorter machines are looking for are the magnetic signal or the electronic "fingerprints." Trying to pass a check in a bank with invalid MICR codes will have them rejected at the clearing center, may cause you a lot of delays, or worse, the bank teller may suspect a modern Frank Abagnale, Jr. who is totally clueless about Magnetic Ink Character Recognition.

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What Does It Take To Be A Programmer?

by Camille Weber

Not all people has the guts to learn how to program, even I.T students were having a hard time understanding the algorithm of every programming / formatting and scripting languages. Logic is the magic word that every programmer/developer should have. Without this, you don't have the right to become a programmer. Logic cannot be taught through teaching rather it is naturally acquire or develop through examples like what are professors done during our lecture days. Being a programmer/developer is a big "plus" or an "asset" as not everyone is capable of doing software, website and system or not everyone has the skills. There is a big money on programming/developing, as they will pay us for the unique knowledge we can provide which normal people cannot do.

Let's talk about the latest news on programming. Are you still updated on the latest programming terminologies like object-oriented, IFS, RPG or navigator? Are you still updated on the newest programming languages nowadays like Java, Visual Basic.Net, AS/400 and SQL. As a good and successful coder, we must be updated on the top languages as technology is so fast and every coder should go with that flow. Its easy to adopt when you already have the skills as all languages has the same algorithm and conditional and logical commands and just changes only on the syntax or source code itself.
Every successful programmer start from nowhere, they took lots of time debugging, "meaning to say removal of errors" and they're like in a bit trouble finding the error they made and discover at the end of the day that it's just a misspelled variable name. Funny right! but it's true. Being a programmer is like you are in a big maze, lots of twist and turns and even mysteries. But at the end of this maze you will found out and experienced the true meaning of "Victory"
So what else, a programmer should have: dedication and being focused: coding is not easy and a very hard task, as all programmers should be dedicated and have a great patience in scrutinizing every single details,. There's no room for error and distraction when you are a programmer. Programmers are all a problem solver, from the writing of codes or syntax to debugging up to compilation and execution.
Another thing is, programmer are not just for programming languages or scripting languages or so called - front ends. Large systems or software or even website can't stand alone and need database.
These database such as My SQL and MS SQL are known as back ends. Front-end depending on the language of our choice is connected on its corresponding database(back-end). Every input done on the fronts-end will be thrown on its corresponding field on its database. It simply says that programmers and developers are not just good on front ends but also on back ends or to the interaction of these two.
And the last one............ Practice, Practice and Practice

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What Can You Expect From Programmers You Hire?

by Aazdak Alisimo

Most businesses end up hiring programmers at one point or another. A question you will soon face is whether you are expecting the same thing as they are offering.
The basic service provided by programmers has not changed since the early days of punch cards. The programmer is still the one who prepares the instructions for the magical machine known as the computer. This is a two step process. The intended function has to be understood and the logic of it available in a human understood language, but it must be coded into a computer in a manner that the computer can understand and process. This has not changed, but rather become more and more complex.

The expectations of programmers has changed as the complexity increased. It was necessary that the programmer become more quality aware, even a bit more competitive. It was not enough just to write and code a program, but the program had to meet certain criteria in order to be feasible. Efficiency became an important concept to the programmer. A good program did not merely work, but worked in the most efficient manner. This would include the best use of available hardware and the least drain on memory and processing resources.
The program had to have reliability. A program that failed or malfunctioned frequently was going to be worthless. Although it was impossible to reach an error free perfection, the programmer needed to set his sights there and shoot to come as close as possible. The debugging of programs became an increasingly important role of the programmer. Once a system was installed and a program in operation, it became essential to keep it running. The programmer's work did not end with the coding of the program.
A good program needed readability and portability as well. In some cases, a program might be written for a very specific environment, but in the majority of cases, it must be compatible with a large number of different devices and able to be easily understood by almost any computer.
The basic task of the programmer has not changed, but his specific responsibilities have evolved greatly. The rapid movement forward of technological knowledge has created a demand for qualified programmers. This demand will only be increasing in the near future and the role of the programmer will continue to evolve. It is impossible to imagine the place that the programmer will occupy in the future, but it is certain that it will be right in the center of the computer picture.

Aazdak Alisimo writes about computer programming issues for ProgrammingCompanies.com, where you can find programming companies for your simple and complex projects.

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What are the Key Features of a Database Management System?

by Steven P. Ross

Every day the demand for a good database management system is increasing. The fact is that information is growing and expanding faster than ever. And this makes sense -- all old records still need to be stored and saved, while new records are being added and updated daily. Even companies that five years ago had no use for a database management system are now struggling to even get a handle on the simplest information, as it relates to their customers.

All database management systems have one goal in mind -- to take the information you enter into it, and store it effectively. Then, when you need to get that information back, you can access it quickly, without any problem or headaches.
Additionally, you want the feature of being able to access all of your information in one singular central location. What good is all your information going to be if it is scattered about on various disparate systems? If the accounting is on one computer, your inventory on another computer, and your sales information on a third computer, you will not be able to make the necessary snap decisions that are required in the business world.
Another feature many database management systems have is to give you the ability to make complex statistical and data analysis, so you can make the most accurate decision as quickly as possible, since time is money in business.
In addition to those features, another good feature of a database management system is its ability to stay secure. This is especially true, as it relates to hospitals. Most hospitals have very sensitive information about their patients, which could put them in legal problems if that information was accessed.
You want to make sure that you have proper security on your database management system, otherwise your information may be compromised. Nobody wants their competitors to get a get hold of their client list, and hospitals and psychiatrists, among others, have a duty to keep their information about their clients confidential.
Security can be enforced on each individual application that exists within a database management system, or it can be set up on the system itself. This will depend upon how many users are accessing the system, and how many applications are running on that system.
In conclusion, I've given you some of the basic features that make up a good database management system.

Want to learn more? Steven Ross is an expert in Database Management Systems and has written many more articles on the topic at: http://www.databasemanagement101.com

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What Are Google Gadgets?

by James Dupont

You have all seen calendars, currency converters and clocks displayed on webpages. Some of these are designed by the webmaster while others are gadgets that Google has which you can display on your website without any programming. All that you have to do is to copy a piece of code and paste it on your webpage then sit back and watch the your webpage come to life.
Using these web objects on your website for free, you can improve your site with the latest weather forecast, currency converter or mortgage loan calculator to name but a few. These content-rich gadgets catch the interest of your visitors and keeps them coming back
These gadgets are made by ordinary Internet users like you and offer unique, interesting and dynamic content that can be placed on any website for free. You can also add them to your personalized homepage or your computers desktop if you have Google Desktop installed.

They are easy to install. Just select the gadget you want from the directory, customize it to suite your need and then copy-and-paste the HTML into your page's source code. Reload to see the gadget on your page.
Why not make your own Google gadget?
They are a great way to share information that you care about with other web surfers. Anybody will then be able to place your gadget on their website for other web surfers to see. They are easy to create - anyone with a little web design or programming experience can do it.

To see actual working examples and to get more information, have a look at the the Google gadgets here
James DuPont works for Independent Digital creating dynamic websites and will be happy to help you with your website and WordPress blog. James can be contacted via the Independent Digital contact form. See http://www.idig.za.net

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Web Services - An Introduction

by Atul Jindal

Today the Internet connectivity is increasing the day by day. Earlier the connectivity was limited only to the computers that were using same hardware and software technologies. But this limited functionality was insufficient to fulfill the ever-growing needs. So there was necessity of such kind of a system can allow inter platform communications, or I can say that the communications should be independent of the Operating Systems and Programming Languages. To address this issue the concept of web services was introduced.
A web service has list of methods and procedures that can be used by any of the applications irrespective of the programming languages, OS, hardware used to develop them. Any type of applications can access the functionality provided by the web service and such functionality is called web methods or web APIs.

A web service allows the communication via internet standards XML and HTTP.Thus I, can say that any computer that has an access to the internet can have access to the web service. Once the web service is deployed on the Internet it can be used by any of the clients using HTTP and XML. There can be a web service, which provide the details of any person based on its social security number. This service can be readily available to any clients who need to access it.
The fundamental requirements for a web service are listed as under.
· A common format for data representation so that the communication or data exchange should be platform agnostic.
· A standard specification for sending messages to web service and receiving responses from web services.
· A standard format to describe a web service.
· A standard for publishing and discovering web services enabling applications to access them.
The various requirements described above are based on the open standards such as XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI.
· Since XML (eXtensionable Markup Language) is considered as cross platform standard for transferring data over Internet because it is understand by any hardware and software. The XML also describes the data.
· In order to communicate there must be a common protocol to exchange the information. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is Microsoft implementation, responsible for transporting messages between network applications and includes protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP and MIME. It uses the XML for information exchange. The messages received or returned by SOAP are called Request and Response envelopes. These are strictly based on XML and described in WSDL for that web service.
· WSDL (Web Services Description Language) describes, publicly available methods provided by the web service. The information it provides such as the name of methods, parameters passed to the web services and the values it returns. It is a standard for describing the web service methods. WSDL is a XML format that is used to describe web services.The following are the elements of WSDL.
o definitions: This is the root element and has web service name and its target namespace.
o types: This element defines the data types used by the web services. WSDL uses W3C XML Schema syntax to define data types.
o message: This describes the request and response messages.
o portType: It is most important element of web service. This defines the operations such as the input and output/Request and Response messages involved.
o bindings: In bindings element we define the way messages are transported i.e. binding style and transport protocol.
o documentation: It will provide the brief description of the service.
· UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration) provides a mechanism for clients to dynamically discover services available. When a service provider wants to make a web service publicly available it registers it in UDDI directory and provides WSDL for describing the web service.

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Web-Based Conferencing - What Every Company Needs

by Nahshon Mediros

Wouldn't it be great if everyone in the office were all born with the gift of mental telepathy? There'd be no need for the telephone lines and fax machines, much less the Internet. But since this is impossible, we have to be thankful for the next best thing - web-based conferencing.
Save Your Christmas with Web-based conferencing
Imagine this: Christmas is in the air and you've just taken a holiday leave to visit your family. As soon as you step off the plane, you turn on your cell phone and it rings like crazy. It's your boss. An important client wants to talk to you about something equally important. Your boss orders you to get on the next plane back. You say you can't and refer a co-worker to replace you in the meeting. He says he needs you, doesn't take no for an answer, and even threatens you with your job.

If you want to keep your job, there'd be nothing left for you to do but comply with your boss's orders. Goodbye warm nights around the fireplace, goodbye presents, goodbye mom and dad. This may seem like the worst situation any employee would want to be in, but these things happen every so often to people who are not yet acquainted to web-based conferencing.
Now if you know your way 'round the net, and the same thing happened to you, it wouldn't be such a problem. You tell your boss that's there's no need to waste money on airfare. When he starts to scream on the phone, you tell him to calm down and introduce him to web-based conferencing.
Designed To Meet Your Needs
Web-based conferencing systems have creative communication tools that allow you to save time and money on travel costs. With the features on these systems, you'll find that web conferences can be as interactive and as dynamic as face-to-face meetings.
A typical web-based conferencing system is equipped with just about every application you might need. You can share ideas with other participants by uploading your PowerPoint presentation. You can also write notes and draw diagrams on screen, like an online "whiteboard." Along with these smart features, web-based conferencing have screen sharing, file transfer, and web touring options.
Another powerful feature is application sharing. This allows you to share applications from your desktop to your participants. Be careful with this feature, though, because it allows the participants full access to all your documents. The creators of these conferencing systems have also designed helpful applications for the audiences or other participants. There's the Live Chat option that allows the participants to talk amongst themselves.
The systems are also equipped with a Polling feature, which provides the moderator with instant feedback on multiple answer questions, the Q&A, which gathers all the questions from the attendees, and the Help Request feature that will allow attendees to alert the moderator when they need help on anything.
Get Your Web-based Conferencing Started
The web-based conferencing system is so easy to use. All you need to do is visit the site and register an account with your username and password. This only takes about a few seconds. Make sure your client and boss create their own account too. The site will then provide you with all the necessary information regarding the different features of the system and you're a step closer to getting that much deserved holiday break.

Now web-based conferencing and online collaboration tools are giving businesses the cutting edge. Your ice breakers for meetings can also enliven your monthly powwows. Visit Web-Conferencing-Zone.com today for more information before the next meeting.

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WAN Acceleration - 10 Reasons Why Businesses Need To Deploy This Technology

by J. Lofton

WAN optimization and application acceleration solutions are the hottest topics in IT these days. Many IT professionals are scrambling to get budget money approved to deploy these solutions in their environment as quickly as possible. You too can take advantage of this powerful, business enabling technology once you understand the driving reasons why this game changing other IT professionals have to get their hands on these solutions.
In this article, you and I will review some of the key reasons why most businesses need to deploy a WAN Optimization and WAN Application Acceleration Solution quickly.
Here is the list:

#1 - Server and Storage Consolidation
#2 - Disaster Recovery
#3 - Reduce WAN Bandwidth
#4 - Backup Consolidation and Data Replication
#5 - Data Protection and Regulatory Requirements
#6 - Increased Productivity Gains
#7 - Mobile Workers and Traveling Executives
#8 - Network Growth and Management
#9 - IT Efficiency
#10 - COST SAVINGS!
Now let's dive into each one in more detail:
#1 Server & Storage Consolidation - It's no secret that server sprawl and the "never delete anything" mindset is causing big headaches for IT professionals. Many companies either already have, or are in the process of consolidating servers and storage out of branch offices and into centralized data centers or host locations using virtual machines and storage area networks (SANs). This consolidation typically reduces cost and enables IT organizations to have better control over the company data. While server and storage consolidation produces many benefits, it can also produce some significant performance issues. Server consolidation typically results in chatty protocols such as CIFS (Common Internet File System), Exchange or NFS (Network File System), which were designed to run over the LAN, running over the WAN. For most of our customers we recommend that they deploy WAN accelerators before beginning to consolidate the server and storage environment so that end users do not have to deal with the performance impact associated with centralizing servers and data. At the end of the day you are able to get control of server sprawl, control the ever growing storage needs while simultaneously giving your end users LAN like application performance.
#2 Disaster Recovery - Have you deployed and tested a real DR strategy? Are you getting increased pressure from management to ensure resilient business continuity? With the growing importance of disaster recovery, businesses are relying heavily on WAN-based backup and data replication to secure important files and data. Backup and replication over the WAN ensures that data can be safely protected at a distance to the primary site, but also introduces new performance challenges that require companies to seek out methods that accelerate WAN backup applications. Disaster recovery and business continuity strategies can improve dramatically when businesses deploy a WAN Acceleration solution. This allows for the use of existing WAN bandwidth and allows IT to leverage an existing branch office as their DR site, rather than resorting to expensive 3rd party disaster recovery options. Now for the first time, even small organizations can leverage the combination of WAN acceleration, virtual servers, and IP SANs to be prepared for the worst scenario.
#3 Reduced WAN Bandwidth - "We'll just increase the bandwidth!" Ever made that statement? Now you have another option that actually works. Whether it's the inability to upgrade bandwidth at a few locations, or just the sheer amount of applications needed, there is a seemingly constant concern for managing bandwidth. By accelerating application performance, and reducing bandwidth utilization, WAN Accelerators enable the delivery of applications despite bandwidth limitations. The magnitude of the change is significant enough to change the end-user experience and also the nature in which they work. With WAN Accelerators deployed you can reduce your current WAN bandwidth by up to 95%. This allows for easy deployment of new applications such as voice and video over IP. This can really an eye opener when you see it in action!
#4 Backup Consolidation and Data Replication - Does the thought of restoring corrupted data keep you up at night? For faster and more reliable access to protected data, backup technology has moved beyond tape cartridges to spinning disk. Disk-to-disk and more scalable volume management systems allow for low-latency data to be backed up or restored in a fraction of the time required with tape. Data backup and recovery windows with WAN acceleration can go from 1 day to 2 hours. These innovations open the way for IT organizations to build security and scalability into their data protection architecture. Yet without the use of WAN acceleration to extend these benefits to distant remote branches, centralized backup cannot operate beyond the LAN without also creating congested pipes and soaring bandwidth costs.
#5 Data Protection and Regulatory Requirements - "SOX, SAS, PCI, and FISMA - Calgon take me away!" Regulatory compliance is forcing organizations to increase the security and maintainability of data center passwords. Customers report that by implementing the WAN Acceleration appliances, they are able to handle data protection in a completely different way. Instead of having to risk the loss and damage to tapes and with physical transportation to a backup facility, they can automate the process over the wide area. Not only does it save time, but it brings a new level of protection to sensitive company information. Keeping the auditors off your back!
#6 Increased Productivity - "My computer is slow, can you make this program work faster?" WAN Acceleration increases user productivity by speeding the performance of applications between distributed sites and between remote offices and enterprise data centers, allowing faster access to centrally located applications and facilitating collaboration within a distributed workforce. The appliances also have a number of features designed to optimize the work of IT. IDC (a research firm) found recently that improved user productivity accounted for the greatest benefits from deploying WAN Acceleration appliances. On average, users increased their productive time by 7.4%, saving 10.6 hours annually. These savings averaged $102,741 per 100 users per year.
#7 Mobile Workers and Traveling Executives - Businesses are becoming increasingly distributed. We've found that companies must support a large number of branch locations, vendor relationships, and employees that are simply no longer in the traditional headquarter location. As more and more users work outside of the traditional office, the need for them to connect to the critical corporate applications with "LAN like" performance is overwhelming. Mobile WAN Acceleration is allowing more and more employees to work in a productive manner outside of the standard office environment. A recent survey found that 23 percent of American workers regularly do their jobs from someplace besides the office, and that 62 percent of respondents who cannot work off-site would like to. The survey also found that workers prized the ability to telecommute more highly than stock options or on-site child care. This demand will only continue.
#8 Network Growth and Management - The IT staff of most businesses has not really grown over the past 5 years, yet that same staff is responsible for maintaining more and more network infrastructure as the business grows and the bottom line becomes more reliant on that network. With WAN Acceleration, the IT staff can simplify the setup and management of new and existing branch offices as well as set up regular reporting to easily keep track of the branch offices application usage and available WAN bandwidth when the need to roll out a new application presents itself. All of the WAN Accelerators can be centrally managed and updated by the single WAN Acceleration management appliance.
#9 IT Efficiency - In addition to seeking to reduce costs and drive new revenue, organizations use WAN Optimization and Application Acceleration Solutions to enable operational efficiency. Reducing calls to the IT help desk is a very concrete benefit to the IT organization in multiple ways. Also, IT can now quickly roll out new applications across the enterprise without the application performance concerns that have slowed the deployment of new apps in the past.
#10 COST SAVINGS! - The Return on Investment (ROI) can be impressive and immediate. Businesses save money immediately on the reduction in server maintenance (and of course replacement costs since they are no longer present). They avoid the costs of upgrading the WAN in an effort to increase performance, the cost of a WAN link to a branch can easily be thousands of dollars per month. Even the costs of backup and associated tapes and off-site media storage can be very significant. Lastly, it allows the business to avoid making new infrastructure purchases and reduces the need to hire new employees as the business grows because productivity of the business' existing staff has been enhanced tremendously.
I hope this has been an informative review of the key reasons why you need to deploy WAN optimization and application acceleration in your network environment.

Justin Lofton is the VP of Engineering for Tredent Data Systems, Inc.
Tredent Data Systems is the leader in wide area networking solutions. From carrier services (MPLS, Internet, Ethernet, etc), Cisco networking and Riverbed WAN acceleration technologies. http://www.tredent.com

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