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Download Full Version PSP Games Absolutely Free

2012-01-27T20:02:00.001-08:00

Sony's PlayStation Portable is a great gaming console since its release. It supports almost all games that can be played in other platforms like PC, Wii, Xbox and in many other gaming consoles. Because of its portability and versatility of use it was a great hit in the market in a short period of time. It support many features like playing games, watching videos, movies, music, wall papers, softwares, emulator, video recording and much more. Almost all games which are released in other platforms are also released for PSP. Hence the PSP gaming industry has grown well in a short period of time. This article describes about downloading free games for PSP. This article won't discuss anything about downloading free demo games. Instead it will deal about downloading full version games for free.

Many people can't afford to buy each and every games which are released in the market. More popular games are more costlier as the amount of effort which has been put on developing these games is very high. Moreover the demand for these games are high. But many can't buy each and every high priced game which is released for PSP. Hence many people are in look out for the Free PSP games download over the internet.

Have you ever heard about the sites which offer free unlimited Full version PSP games?

I'm not kidding. These kinds of sites exist in internet. But they are very less in number. Hence its a hard job to find out these kinds of sites. Even if you search in search engines as "Free PSP games downloads", "Free PSP downloads", "Downloadable PSP games", "Download Free PSP games", etc you wont be able to find these sites as the search engines will give away millions of results.

What these sites offer?

The main aim of these sites is to develop a closed user group of PSP gamers. They offer you anything and everything related to PSP downloads. You can download free full version PSP games, PSP movies, music, softwares, emulators, wall papers, game cheats, reviews and much more. You can download anything you want to. They offer unlimited downloads free of cost. No viruses or spywares. You can download at High speed which is another major advantage of these sites..

All you need to do it register in one of these sites and start downloading right away.

10 Hot Jobs And The Certifications You Need To Get Them

2012-01-26T21:21:00.001-08:00

While scouting for the top 10 hot jobs, we combed through tons of data offline as well online. Making a small list for just 10 hot jobs has taken some important considerations like the following ones:

1. Longevity of relevance of the job

2. Salary and growth potential

3. Universality of the field

While most job seekers looked for higher positions and salaries, others considered permanence of their job was their priority. It is noteworthy that the definition of job security has changed substantially in the last decade and it is all about continuing in the same job but under different employers. Ready? Here we go!

10 Hot Jobs And The Certifications You Need To Get Them

The top hot jobs were all of a high profile nature and most of them were in the field of computers.

1. CISCO CERTIFIED NETWORK EXPERT: This hits the top for the second successive year. Candidates consider themselves lucky to pass this test even on their second attempt where the percentage success rate is just 15. This hits the top because of its ever-increasing popularity, salary potential and vast potential.

2. MICROSOFT CERTIFIED SYSTEMS ENGINEER: The MCSE certification has stayed on top for many years now. The job involves working with operating systems and security issues. The popularity is also because it doesn't require additional certification to get through to your dream job. Job profile: Systems Engineer and Systems Analyst.

3. TEACHER: Why do you think this found its way to Top-3 slot? Close to 1.3 million teachers need to be recruited in the next 5-6 years. Teachers in the K-12 bracket: 724,000 and post secondary teachers: 603,000. We had to give this position its due. All states offer various educator preparation programs for aspirants through their respective boards of education.

4. REGISTERED NURSES: Registered nurses are going to be in top demand in the next 5-6 years due to the government's spending on healthcare programs. This had to happen sooner than later after the recent well-publicized nursing shortage. Certification: The boards of nursing in every state administers the certification exam, National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Minimum qualification to appear for this exam is graduation from approved nursing schools. Average salary, $53,000

5. COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEER: CNN reports that 307,000 computer software engineers will be required in the next 3-4 years. This is one interesting job with lots of code writing or fixing for making the computers of the world work. Certification: University graduates with computer science as a major, with physics and math can jumpstart their careers. Some top certifications are MCSE, Sun Certified Java Programmer, MySQL and Red Hat Certified Engineer.

6. INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR: Tops the salary charts for both federal as well as private employers. Based on the risk profile and risk-benefit analysis, they advise their clients on personal and business financial matters. Salary ranges from $28,500 to $145,600. Certification: College graduation along with a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification can enhance prospects.

7. CISCO CERTIFIED INTERNETWORK EXPERT (CCIE): If difficulty, prestige and recognitions are any thing to go by, here it is. CCIE is not among the most sought after certification but it is very difficult. This simply is the most feared exam of all. Certification: By CISCO

8. RED HAT CERTIFIED ENGINEER (RHCE): Increase of interest in open source code has shot up the popularity of this job. This is hailed as the MCSE of Linux certifications.

9. MEDICAL SCIENTIST: Broad category that involves medical research. This career is hot because of the large amount of research activity initiated by the government and private organizations on AIDS, cancer, Parkinson's Syndrome and many more. Certification: Doctorate: $100,000 and above.

10. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER: This job ranks high because of its high growth index in the next 2-3 years itself. Salary indicated ranges from $38,950 to $92,940. They work in laboratories in universities, governments, or research firms etc. Stringent environmental regulations are expected making the job a much preferred one. Certification: College graduation and degree in Environmental Engineering or Geology.

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What is Win32 Heur and How to Remove Win32 Heur Virus From Your Computer

2012-01-26T07:07:00.001-08:00

Computer infected with a virus? People often ask me what is Win32 Heur? Win32 Heur or Win32/Heur is actually a deadly trojan virus that releases a firestorm of malicious activity throughout your computer. If you have come under the attack of this virus then you need to remove Win32 Heur as soon as possible.

A trojan virus is a malicious file or program that gets onto your system by pretending to be benign or desirable. These can be acquired several ways. Among them are:

• Through online P2P networks. Be very careful when downloading files from programs like Bearshare and Limewire. Try to avoid any exe files and video codec installers. These are the most frequent methods of infection.

• Installing any free or low cost programs and applications. Very often these programs are free for a reason. They come bundled with spyware, adware, and viruses. Always perform a quick scan of your computer after installing new software off the net.

• Visiting a website that had planted viruses or browser hijackers that force infected your computer. You are probably well aware of this problem as a bunch of pop ups appear and your browser is redirected. Without excellent real time virus and spyware protection, malware like the Win32 Heur virus can sneak onto your system.

Once your computer is infected, viruses can do a couple of dangerous things that can cause a lot of damage. First they use spyware and keyloggers to record private information like passwords, credit card, and bank account numbers. This is why identity fraud is the fastest growing crime on the internet. Don't allow yourself to become the next victim.

The other dangerous side effect is the corruption of your registry and possible collapse of your computer. The virus can inhabit your registry and alters vital system files. This can cause computer crashing, the windows blue screen, and other malfunctions. It could cost hundreds or even thousands to get it repaired or buy a new system.

Remove Win32 Heur

To manually remove the virus manually click "Start" and then "Search". Run a search for either "win32 heur" or just "heur". If the infected file appear then simply delete them. Don't just delete any file that reads win32 because it could be a necessary system file. Make sure you know the file is infected before removing.

For those who cannot remove the infection manually, fortunately I have found a Win32 Heur removal program. It can not only remove Win32 but also provide real time protection to protect you against future threats.

4 Ways to Stop Computer Freezes and Game Lag

2012-01-24T17:18:00.001-08:00

If you are an avid online gamer, you most certainly have suffered from game lag and computer freezes. Many have spent hours trying to tweak in-game graphical settings in order to increase the frame rate and boost the performance of their favorite games. However, in more case than not, those efforts award the player with only a slight improvement in overall game play. Your system might even meet the recommend hardware specs for optimum performance but the game causes computer freezes when the action gets heavy. However, tweaking the in-game specs and upgrading hardware may not be the best way to overcome game lag and computer freezes.

This irritation may be attributed to conflicting software that is competing for your system's resources or improper configuration. Most online games such as World of Warcraft should run smoothly on an average setup. Game manufacturers assure us that their recommended specs should run the game smoothly. However those recommendations are calculated when the games are tested on PCs that were optimized for those particular games. There are very few who are willing to dedicate a whole computer specifically for a single game. Nevertheless, there are a couple steps that you can take to free up more resources for your game play. These tips will allow you to better optimize your PC for smoother game play booth online and off-line. .

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #1: Get more bang out of your bandwidth.

There are literally dozens of services running on your Windows operating system. These programs have no respect for your online play. They need bandwidth and system resources just as much as your online games. Many of the programs automatically startup when you log on to the net or at the moment Windows loads. Windows service programs can perform a host of operations from searching for updates, downloading, and even sharing applications with your games. The task is to cut down on the amount services running while your are playing the game in order to free up bandwidth and resources. This is a great tip to stop game lag and computer freezes. Here is how.

1. Click on "Start"

2. Click "Run"

3. Type services.msc

4. Select "Extended" from the Services Window to view a detailed description. Also note the status of the service in question.

5. To stop the service, select "Stop the service" or right click the service, choose "All task" then click "Stop"

6. Click "OK"

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #2: Turn off your Anti-virus/Anti-spyware programs during play.

I am sure the suggestion scares you. However, these programs are very taxing on your computer. They can cause game play lag and computer freezes by initiating a host of small applications and processes during game play. Turning these programs off during your game play is not entirely risk free but you will be amazed at the results by doing so.

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #3: Making sure hardware and software can "communicate"

This an extremely important step that many gamers tend to miss. DirectX is essential to most next generation Windows games. High multimedia graphics and sound cards require lighting fast APIs, application programming interfaces, to deliver high end graphics and sound. The API acts as a kind of bridge for the hardware and the software. In essence, APIs provide the language for hardware and software to "communicate" with each other. If there is some "miscommunication" caused by improper setup, you will suffer from game lag or computer freezes. The task here is to make sure that your audio and video hardware is properly configured with Windows DirectX technology by using DirectX diagnostics tools. Here is how:

1. Click "Start"

2. Click "Run."

3. Type dxdiag and press enter to load the "Direct X Diagnostic Tool" menu.

4. Click the "Display" and "Sound" tabs.

5. Verify that DX features are enabled and there are no problems.

Perform the test were need. If there are any problems reinstall Direct X and update your hardware drivers. Also you can open the Task Manger by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete and viewing the process tab to gauge which services are taking up the majority of system resources. Visit the "Cause of High CPU Usage" page for more details

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #4: Clean and Organize your Hard Drive.

A simple yet overlooked necessity to stop game lag. The faster your game can find files the less you have to worry about game lag and computer freezes. By defragging you help to cut down on the amount work the hard-drive needs to find files. Cleaning your registry cuts down on the errors and will create more free space for your RAM and CPU to work more efficiently. These two steps are a necessity to stop computer freezes. The link "4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer" will show you how to perform these steps.

Without a doubt the habit of upgrading your computer's hardware for the next generation of games will allow take advantage new graphic and sound card technology. However, this act makes PC gaming a more expensive hobby than it really needs to be. Hopefully, the tips above rewarded you smoother game play and will help to end your days of computer freezes and game lag.

The Serious Dangers of Mold and Mildew in Your House

2012-01-23T17:00:00.001-08:00

Two years of severe hurricane hits along the Gulf Coast and heavy rains and flooding this spring in the Northeast are providing a nationwide breeding ground for indoor mold and mildew growth (some deadly) now that summer heat is here. What is the solution?

The subject is surrounded by controversy. The Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine, as well as scientists and doctors at Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and several State Health Agencies have all looked at the problem. There have been several studies conducted by medical researchers over the past few years looking for any linkages between various respiratory and physical ailments and deaths and the presence of molds in our living space. While some say there is a linkage, others say the facts don’t support that.

Here are the facts. Mold is everywhere; inside and outside. Some molds are good (penicillin), some are very toxic and emit gases that can be inhaled (Stachybotrys “black mold”). Although some people apparently aren’t bothered by mold, all varieties have the potential to cause illness. Mold reproduces by generating spores that are released into the air, where they land on moist surfaces. They can grow on any organic surface such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpeting, wallboard and wood. They thrive in dark, warm, moist locations, like under carpets, inside walls and ceilings. They will also contaminate items that come in contact with those surfaces.

Mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in many. Complaints of flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory impairment, migraines, sick building syndrome, dizziness and nosebleeds are common. These are the mild symptoms. Many researchers claim that mold can attack several main body systems, including the brain, central nervous and immune systems and have been the direct cause of some deaths. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, who wants to smell mold/mildew and inhale spores from household fungus? They can lodge in your lungs (remember dark, warm and moist). Asthmatics, infants and individuals suffering immune system deficiencies are particularly susceptible.

So, what should you do if you think that your home might have a mold/mildew problem? Here’s a suggested 5 step process:

• Mold Inspection- retain a qualified, certified mold inspection firm to evaluate your home and determine cause of mold and severity of infestation.

• Isolation of the Area- if there is a mold problem, you will want to isolate the area carefully to prevent carryover into non infested areas during clean up.

• Clean Up/Remediation- care should be taken to not stir up the mold; if it is severe, or in the walls, a specialized remediation firm (in space suits) may have to be used and materials removed in hazardous waste containers.

• Repair of the Cause- if there is structural damage or leaky plumbing causing a moisture problem, fix it.

• Maintenance/Prevention- an ongoing program to ensure no recurrence of the cause and use of proven purification technology to maintain a clean environment and kill mold growth.

On this last point, emphasis is placed on use of technology that has a proven track record of mold abatement. HEPA filters and electrostatic filters that are called purifiers are not effective on mold/mildew. There is, however, affordable, proprietary and safe technology currently available that has a demonstrated ability to sanitize surfaces from a variety of microbials and to stop mold/mildew growth. This effective technology has become widely accepted since it’s use by the government during the 9/11 Pentagon cleanup, is currently in use in several government facilities and is available to the general public through an authorized dealer network. For more information visit www.freshair2u.info [http://www.freshair2u.info]

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Product Positioning Strategies

2012-01-22T15:27:00.001-08:00

Positioning is what the customer believes about your product's value, features, and benefits; it is a comparison to the other available alternatives offered by the competition. These beliefs tend to based on customer experiences and evidence, rather than awareness created by advertising or promotion.

Marketers manage product positioning by focusing their marketing activities on a positioning strategy. Pricing, promotion, channels of distribution, and advertising all are geared to maximize the chosen positioning strategy.

Generally, there are six basic strategies for product positioning:

1. By attribute or benefit- This is the most frequently used positioning strategy. For a light beer, it might be that it tastes great or that it is less filling. For toothpaste, it might be the mint taste or tartar control.

2. By use or application- The users of Apple computers can design and use graphics more easily than with Windows or UNIX. Apple positions its computers based on how the computer will be used.

3. By user- Facebook is a social networking site used exclusively by college students. Facebook is too cool for MySpace and serves a smaller, more sophisticated cohort. Only college students may participate with their campus e-mail IDs.

4. By product or service class- Margarine competes as an alternative to butter. Margarine is positioned as a lower cost and healthier alternative to butter, while butter provides better taste and wholesome ingredients.

5. By competitor- BMW and Mercedes often compare themselves to each other segmenting the market to just the crème de la crème of the automobile market. Ford and Chevy need not apply.

6. By price or quality- Tiffany and Costco both sell diamonds. Tiffany wants us to believe that their diamonds are of the highest quality, while Costco tells us that diamonds are diamonds and that only a chump will pay Tiffany prices.

Positioning is what the customer believes and not what the provider wants them to believe. Positioning can change due the counter measures taken at the competition. Managing your product positioning requires that you know your customer and that you understand your competition; generally, this is the job of market research not just what the enterpreneur thinks is true.

What the 127.0.0.1 IP Address Means

2012-01-21T13:10:00.001-08:00

Behind all the names on the urls of Internet websites are a series of numbers called IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. IP stands for Internet Protocol, and constitute the primary network layer for use on the Web.

The 127.0.0.1 IP

This particular IP address, also called a local host, is the basis for which loopback network connections are processed. Loopback means going back, and that is what 127.0.0.1 does, because it is the address of your machine. Using telnet, ftp, or try in any way to get to 127.0.0.1, you will be transported back to the host machine, yours. However, it is only the initial three numbers (127) that are needed; use any number combination with 127 and the result will be the same.

A frequent joke among programmers is to get the greenhorn to connect to this IP address. However, in reality the IP address has serious functions.

Uses and Purpose

There are several practical uses for this IP address. The most common example would for a software developer or network systems administrator to try out new applications or experiment with unique set ups. This can also be used by programmers who design software that talks to each other through the computer.

This IP address is also used for beta testing a host of web applications, from Java applets, Active X controls to web browsers.

It usually begins with the client sending out a message to server, which would be possible only if the 127.0.0.1 address is used. The result would be, if a web browser were to relay the request, a return to the host page of the site

The other popular usage of the local host IP address are gaming servers, which are interconnected to local hosts. By using the local hosts, the process and the flow of information becomes more streamlined and efficient.

Because it functions as a loopback, this IP address cannot be used in any network element or node.

Testing the Loopback Properties of 127.0.0.1

You do not need to be a computer programmer to test the loopback function of this address. You can go to the command prompt of your operating system, and at the c:\ type the following: "ping 127.0.0.1". After hitting the Enter key, you will get an answer like "Reply from 127.0.0.1...".

If you type in "ping localhost" instead of the numbers, the result would be the same, as localhost and 127.0.0.1 are the same.
You can also try it on telnet: assuming that the computer assigned to you has the name "Dan" you will get the following result:

# telnet 127.0.0.1
Trying 127.0.0.1...
Connected to dan
Escape character is '^]'

Currently IPv4 is the standard in use on the Internet today. Aside from 127.0.0.1, other reserved addresses are 10.0.0.0/8 (for private networks), 169.254.0.0/16 (for link local),

Others are 192.88.99.0/24 (relays from IPv6 to UPv4), 255.255.255 (for broadcast), 224.0.0.0/4 for Multicasts (former Class D network), 240.0.0.0/4 for Class E Network, 192.0.2.0/24 for Documentation and example code and 198.18.0.0/15 for Network benchmark tests; 172.16.0.0/12 is also used for private networks.

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Merger and Acquisition - A Strategy for Corporate Growth

2012-01-20T07:16:00.001-08:00

Two companies that are recognized as among the best at making successful acquisitions are General Electric and Cisco Systems. These companies have been star performers in growing shareholder value. The core principal that runs through almost every acquisition is integration. Over the past 10 years Cisco Systems has acquired 81 companies. Their stock price is up a remarkable 1300%. GE outperformed the S&P 500 index over the same period by 300%. There are several categories of strategic acquisition that can produce some outstanding results:

1. ACQUIRE CUSTOMERS - this is almost always a factor in strategic acquisitions. Some companies buy another that is in the same business in a different geography. They get to integrate market presence, brand awareness, and market momentum.

2. OPERATING LEVERAGE - the major focus in this type of acquisition is to improve profit margins through higher utilization rates for plant and equipment. A manufacturer of cardboard containers that is operating at 65% of capacity buys a smaller similar manufacturer. The acquired company's plant is sold, all but two machines are sold, the G&A staff are let go and the new customers are served more cost effectively.

3. CAPITALIZE ON A COMPANY STRENGTH - this is why Cisco and GE have been so successful with their acquisitions. They are so strong in so many areas, that the acquired company gets the benefit of many of those strengths. A very powerful business accelerator is to acquire a company that has a complementary product that is used by your installed customer base. Management depth and skill, production efficiency/ capacity, large base of installed accounts, developed sales and distribution channels, and brand recognition are examples of strengths that can power post acquisition performance.

4. COVER A WEAKNESS - This requires a good deal of objectivity from the acquiring company in recognizing and chinks in the corporate armor. Let me help you with some suggestions - 1. Customer concentration; 2. Product concentration; 3. Weak product pipeline; 4. Lack of management depth or technical expertise and 5. Great technology and products - poor sales and marketing.

5. BUY A LOW COST SUPPLIER - this integration strategy is typically aimed at improving profit margins rather than growing revenues. If your product is comprised of several manufactured components, one way to improve corporate profitability is to acquire one of those suppliers. You achieve greater control of overall costs, availability of supply, and greater value-add to your end product

6. IMPROVING OR COMPLETING A PRODUCT LINE - this approach has several elements from other acquisition strategies. Successfully adding new products to a line improves profitability and revenue growth. Giving a sales force more "arrows in their quiver" is a powerful growth strategy. You take advantage of your existing sales and distribution channel (strength). You may be able to improve your competitive position by simplifying the buying process - providing your customers one stop shopping.

7. TECHNOLOGY - BUILD OR BUY? This is a quandary for most companies, but is especially acute for technology companies. Acquiring technology through acquisition can be an excellent growth strategy. The R&D costs are generally lower for these smaller, agile, more narrowly focused companies than their larger, higher overhead acquirers. Time to market, window of opportunity, first mover advantage can have a huge impact on the ultimate success of a product. First one to establish their product as the "standard" is the big winner

8. ACQUISITION TO PROVIDE SCALE AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL MARKETS - In this area, bigger is better. Larger companies are considered safer investments. Larger companies command larger valuation multiples. Some companies make acquisitions in order to get big enough to attract public capital in the form of an IPO or investments from Private Equity Groups.

9. PROTECT AND EXPAND MATURE PRODUCT LINES - This has been very effectively done in the pharmaceutical sector where a new technology is acquired to repurpose and re patent drugs.

10. PROTECT CUSTOMER BASE FROM COMPETITION - The telephone companies have done studies that show that with each additional product or service that a customer uses, the likelihood of the customer defecting to a competitor drops exponentially. Get your customers to use local, long distance, cellular, cable, broadband, etc and you will not lose them. Multiple products and services provided to the same customer dramatically improve retention rates.

11. ACQUISITION TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO ENTRY - For example, a large commercial IT consulting firm acquires a technology consulting firm that specializes in the Federal Government. The larger IT consulting firm has valuable expertise that is easily transferable to government business if they could only break the code of the vendor approval process. After many fits and starts, they simply acquired a firm that had an established presence. They were able to then bring their full capabilities from the commercial side to effectively increase their newly acquired government business.

Many larger firms have established business development offices to execute corporate growth strategies through acquisition. These experienced buyers search for companies that fit their well-defined acquisition criteria. In most cases they are attempting to buy companies that are not actively for sale. The win for the successful corporate acquirer is to target several candidates, buy them at financial valuation multiples, integrate to strength and achieve strategic performance.

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Advantages of Dynamic IP and Static IP

2012-01-19T15:09:00.001-08:00

One of the techie words that you would often come across when you sign up for your home broadband package or business package is IP address or Internet Protocol address. When you get a broadband connection, you are normally offered an IP address so that other PCs in the world wide web network can connect and communicate with your PC (if you are a home user) or your web server (assuming, you are hosting a website on your web space).

Non-technically speaking, IP address is a unique number often assigned to your PC in a network. If you are connected to internet, just check the internet options to go to LAN settings. You would find the IP address of your PC. This address helps other PCs to identify your PC as well as helping your PC to get information from other PCs which have similar unique numbers.

IP addresses are of two types: Dynamic IP and Static IP. What are their features? Why do you get dynamic IP free, why does getting a static IP cost you a bit? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type?

Remember, when your PC is not connected to internet, it can have any type of IP which is offered by the administrator. Usually, in a LAN network, the IP address of individual PC will be unique and that is the only required in such a network unless the PC is connected to internet.

Dynamic IP

Dynamic IP is usually offered free by all ISPs and this IP will change every time you log on to internet. This means your PC will be assigned different number codes at different times.

Advantages of Dynamic IP

In a network that is administered by Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), the allocation of IP address and network configuration are done much faster.

All the computers (clients) get IP address, DNS, gateway from the DHCP server, automatically. This also makes your task of adding new computers to the network much easier. Regardless of the size of the network, dynamic IP is quite useful as it is easy to allocate, distribute and manage.

In a large LAN network, dynamic IP administration helps you to save your time as you need not configure hundreds of computers manually.

Dynamic IP also helps you to log in as an anonymous user.

The main disadvantage of dynamic IP is that it is not suited to web hosting. You would require static IP then. However, home users will not find any difficulty in using this type of IP.

Static IP

A few broadband providers offer this option which has some distinct advantages. It is a useful feature when you consider web hosting as the server often needs this type of IP address as the DNS will be able to interpret the domain names as IP addresses which never change in the network. Static IP is quite helpful to identify a specific PC in a large network of PCs. Hence, static IP is often used in a large infrastructure environment.

Advantages of Static IP

As static IP never changes in the internet environment, a specific PC can be accessed and controlled and maintained from any place.

For web hosting purposes,static IP is very ideal. If you are a business user and want to promote your business via internet, go for a business broadband package which sometimes may provide you with a free static IP address. Businesses can see better growth and be in touch with their customers when they have their own websites. If you are looking for a cheaper option, find a business package that comes with free static IP and free web space.

Make sure that you pick the right business broadband package after going through the extras provided by the ISPs like free emails, free domain name, webspace etc.

Just think that you can create your own email addresses with your domain name. If your email accounts have some unique identity, they make a huge difference and become an important part of better management of your businesses, it is better to have your own email accounts with your own domain name. It will also help your company to cut a niche among your competitors.

If you are a gamer and use a dedicated broadband connection for that purpose, take a static IP and find the difference. It would definitely help you to have an significant edge over others. This is because the FTP servers make the data transfer much faster.

How To Fill Out A Job Application The Right Way-5 Easy Steps To Success

2012-01-15T04:33:00.001-08:00

While it may not seem as important as a resume, most people don't realize that a badly filled out job application can be much more costly than a bad resume. A recruiter will see hundreds of application forms, so any that are filled in badly will stand out for all the wrong reasons. These tips should help you avoid problems like that and show you exactly how to fill out a job application the right way!

Read through the application before you begin filling it in, and follow any instructions to the letter. While most applications will ask for similar information, they will not all do it in the same way, so it's a good idea to make sure you are following the guidance given. If you make a mistake here, the potential employer will likely think "This candidate doesn't know how to fill out a job application correctly, why should I trust them with anything else?" And there go your hopes of getting an interview!

Do a practice run- Photocopy the form and have a practice run at filling it out. This will help you get an idea of how many words you can fit into the boxes etc, and will definitely improve the way the finished article reads.

Be consistent. One of the things that people often overlook when learning how to fill out a job application is the consistency of their data. Make sure the form is filled out with information that matches with your resume. If you "stretched" the dates on your resume because one of your jobs ended prematurely, you will need to make sure your application information covers exactly the same dates. A smart recruiter is well aware of such tricks, and finding you out to be dishonest at this early stage can only be a problem.

Check it. How to fill out a job application 101-Make sure there are no mistakes! Read through it once immediately after you finish it, and then if possible you should leave it a day or two and re-check it. It's much easier to spot mistakes and other errors when the document is not fresh in your mind, and for this reason it's a good idea to give yourself some "edit time" between filling it out and sending it away.

Never volunteer negative information. The object of filling out an application is to get yourself in for an interview, and giving out negative information will only hamper this goal. Try and give all your answers as positive a spin as possible, and leave the lengthy answers for the interview. There are many different schools of thought on how to fill out a job application, but one thing is for sure, it's very hard to use the small space on an application form to explain away any negative information that you have volunteered.

As you've seen, the methods of how to fill out a job application can be every bit as tricky as writing a resume, so just make sure you stick to those guidelines and you should be a winner every time!

Samples of Thank You Letters of Appreciation - No Need to Struggle With Your Thank Yous

2012-01-12T12:12:00.001-08:00

Samples of thank you letters of appreciation can help when you're wanting to write an appreciation letter or a thank you note, and you find it hard to express on paper what you're feeling inside.

Perhaps your friend, family member, employee, teacher or colleague has achieved a great accomplishment and you would like to let them know how much they are appreciated for a job well done.

Other reasons for writing thank you letters of appreciation are:

Interview Follow-up
Volunteers
Personal Favors
Recommendations
Sympathy
Helpful deeds or advice

Maybe you've received a financial gift or a substantial contribution of some kind and you would like to show your gratitude, but you need to see samples of thank you letters of appreciation in order to help you express outwardly the thoughts within your mind and heart.

The following are good samples of thank you letters of appreciation:

"Dear Mrs. Mason:

We would like to express our appreciation for your incredible service as a member of the Local YMCA. The contributions you have made to our local branch over the past year have been invaluable to us.

We wish you much success in all your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Mary Jones, Administrator"

Another example of a thank you letter of appreciation would be:

"Dear Uncle Jonathan:

Just a note to let you know how much we are grateful for your lovely card. Your thoughtfulness towards us at this time of sadness in our life has been so comforting.

You will hear from us again once we've gotten through all of this.

With all our love,
John and Samantha"

Basic guidelines for writing appreciation letters are to be always concise, sincere and warm. In other words state what you are appreciative for and briefly state the reason why. Write your appreciation letter within a few days of receiving whatever deed of kindness occurred. Remember, personal notes should be handwritten and business letters should be typed on letterhead stationary.

If you search online, you're sure to find great samples of thank you letters of appreciation for your own personal or business needs - just make sure the interpretation is your own, and that you convey what is real and sincere.

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3D Wallpapers - The Best Choice For Your Desktop Background

2012-01-10T12:56:00.001-08:00

A recent survey has shown that the first personalization that people tend to do when they buy a new desktop computer, is to set the background to a wallpaper image that is unique to them and a 3D wallpaper is possibly the best way to do it. 3D wallpapers for desktops are now widely available and for a fraction of the price that they used to be. They are something that will be viewed and used every single time that the computer is switched on so having a special 3D background that shows something personal about you or your life is definitely worth a small investment.

With the modern computer monitors and screens being of such high quality and definition, a great 3D desktop wallpaper will jump out of the screen and bring joy into the onlooker. Many of the tasks that require the computer nowadays involve a great deal of stress and very often involve paying bills or departing with cash so a happy and lively 3D desktop background is a great way to relieve some of that inevitable stress.

3D backgrounds are available in all sorts and sizes from the bright, bold and colourful to the subtle and sublime. There are 3D wallpapers for desktop computers around that depict exquisite nature scenery's of forests or fields where the trees and bushes jump out of the screen and give the viewer a sense of being in the middle of the fantastic out doors. There are also the more simple black and white 3D desktop backgrounds that defy the laws of reason and gravity.

Sports teams now also produce 3D desktop wallpapers of the club badge and the favourite players in the middle of an exciting action. This type of 3D background is hugely popular thanks to the high quality of the wallpaper and the massive popularity in sports teams. It is also possibly the best way to show your affiliation with that certain team. A good 3D desktop wallpaper will invoke conversation about the subject and in the case of sporting teams will spark nostalgia about when the team or players have done something great.

Some of the great 3D wallpapers are the ones that deceive the eye of viewer and make them try to guess what is going on. Spiralling structures and staircases that make absolutely no logic to the human eye are great for setting as a 3D background on the computer. This type of 3D wallpaper will actively engage the brain to try to figure out where the spiral or stairs are leading to and how they can possibly make sense. Some of the most clever and intuitive 3D desktop backgrounds have been designed to incorporate slots and spaces where the computer programmes sit on the screen. These will add the effect that seems like the programmes and documents on the desktop are jumping out of the screen.

Therefore, whatever your taste there will be a 3D wallpaper for desktop background that will be perfect for your home computer.

Sample Performance Appraisal

2012-01-05T09:07:00.001-08:00

A performance appraisal carried out for professional and administrative personnel and a confidential employee performance appraisal contains the names and job titles of employees and the department for which they work. It also states the names of the appraisers and their job titles. Performance appraisal sheets are normally divided into three main topics that are, evaluation or job performance area, ratings, and comments. The evaluation area comprises of various factors. These factors include job knowledge, professional competence, and managerial ability. Apart from these, productivity, quality of work, problem solving ability, communication, and initiative are also areas that need evaluation. Factors such as attitude and cooperation, personal leadership, adaptability, and self-improvement also cannot be ignored while evaluation.

Based on the appraisals, professional and administrative personnel can be rated as outstanding, excellent, acceptable, marginal, or deficient. The comments section contains improvements, suggestions, goals to be achieved, potential of employees, etc. Performance appraisals show the overall effectiveness of employees in their job performance, that is, it is a summary of all comments. Plans for professional growth is a section that supervisors and employees should develop cooperatively. This section includes additional responsibilities, management opportunities, special courses, committee assignments, etc. While evaluation, it is advisable to give examples of strengths and weaknesses of the employees as and when possible.

Confidential employee performance appraisals also contain other job requirements such as focusing on specific needs of business or needs for individual improvement, public contact, ability to stay within cost guidelines, etc. They also give a performance summary, which shows the employee's outstanding and strongest points, employee's shortcomings and weaknesses, and specific accomplishments and changes since last performance review. They also help in deciding goals for improvement, that is how the employee can be more effective and what additional training can be helpful.

Performance appraisals also have an employee feedback section. This section contains the employee's most important accomplishments on the job, weakest job performance areas, areas in need of improvement, and other work concerns they would like to discuss. It also provides the date scheduled for the next review and the areas targeted for improvement.

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Best Cheap Tablet Android You Can Get For Under $250

2012-01-04T20:13:00.001-08:00

The world is computers, ever since its inception has so numerous technological innovations and the trend has been evolving ever since. From large frame computers to desktop computers, from laptops to tablet computers, there has been unbelievable growth in this market. With innovation, even consumer behavior has evolved. Consumers are now more interested in looking for sleek and smart gadgets that are easy to carry and provide optimum functionality. One such gadget is the android tablet that has taken the world by a storm.

Its remarkable popularity comes down to the fact that it has a lot of easy functions and is equally affordable as well. We all know and have even experienced how recession has affected the purchase patterns for the modern consumer. Our desires and wishes are now dogged down by the hike in prices we are seeing all around. Although, that doesn't mean you do not fulfill your wishes of owning sleek and sexy gadgets. This article will provide an insight on the best cheap tablet android available in the market despite the unfavorable economic climate.

If you research a bit online, you will find a lot of options for the best cheap tablet android. It is important to decide a price cap of affordability in your mind. This will help you take a swift decision, whether you should buy tablet or not. Best cheap tablet android could be bought at a price as less as two hundred dollars.

You will get a price range that is around that two hundred dollar mark. For example, getting a 10" android tablet now is no more a dream you cannot achieve. Yes, that's right. At an unbelievable price of $230, you can now get a 10" android tablet. Of course, not all its functions can be matched with a gadget like iPad. But it is still worth the amount of month you are paying for it.

However, there are certain factors about the 10 android tablet that you should learn before making a decision. It is slightly slower in speed than regular personal computers. Although being a gadget, it should not really be a problem considering it is the best cheap tablet android. Also, you might not get support for all applications available. However, most of the popular ones can be easily run on a 10" android tablet.

People might wonder that such a steep reduction in price for the best cheap tablet android would mean that compromises must have been done with the product quality. That is untrue because the 10" android tablet is a gadget that is like none other provides great features and optimum functionality. They have only tried to take a competitive advantage by offering the best cheap tablet android on the basis of money. That is primarily because of consumers are naturally inclined towards products that are relatively cheaply priced.

Legacy Audio Drivers - Resolving Missing Sound

2012-01-04T05:59:00.001-08:00

Missing or corrupt legacy audio drivers are perhaps one of the more common problems that you may be encountering with your home set up at any point of your computing experience. Just a quick look on the various tech forums reveals that this is indeed quite a problem for many people out there and the extent of Microsoft's technical support will be to ask you to uninstall and reinstall the product, which in most cases is not very helpful.

True, some of the time, you can solve this problem using this method but more often than not, the problem lies much deeper than just removing and adding the product back to the device manager field. The common visual marker of this problem happening to you will be that the 'Sound, Video and Game Controllers,' category will indicate to you a yellow exclamation mark, which is telling you that there is a problem with your legacy audio drivers. What you will hear is essentially nothing, because there will be no sound coming through your speakers no matter how loud you turn the volume knob up.

The problem is down to the fact that Windows was unable to load the device driver because either it is corrupt or missing or some of the device profile aspects will show you that the device is not even installed in the first place. This means that your legacy sound card is sitting inside your PC inert and not functioning, with the motherboard unable to activate it with the proper use of software drivers.

Even using the PC Doctor will result in it telling you that the drivers are possibly not installed properly. You can use diagnostic tools like DriverAgent, which is a software that runs through all your legacy drivers and tells you where and what file is the problem, and may even give you a solution to the problem. AC'97 Audio drivers are one way to fix the problem, by replacing the legacy audio drivers that are corrupt or incompatible with the motherboard or OS of your system.

Before you think about replacing the drivers with universal ones, you also might want to try and get a copy of the drivers that have been given to you on CD, as sometimes, they are incomplete and corrupt due to the CD being damaged or a bad data transfer process. Use the second option first, and then if that does not work, try to replace them with universal drivers.

Another possibility could be an internal conflict within the Windows environment itself, and all you might need to do is to go online and key in your product and the problem it is giving you. 99% of the time you will be able to find other people who have encountered the same problem as you have, and you would then be able to resolve it rather quickly.

Your last resort would have to be sending the product back as there may be a problem with the hardware itself. With these simple steps, you might be able to resolve missing sound from your legacy audio device.

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Grand Theft Auto Online Game

2012-01-03T15:09:00.001-08:00

From the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City game to the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas game the action, the weapons the vehicles and even the terrain itself just keep getting bigger and bigger. Considering the mind blowing success that Grand Theft Auto games have had in their PC and PS2 versions it's no wonder that the Grand Theft Auto online game is already a favorite among players. All you need to do is connect to the Internet and you get to live in San Andreas and play the game as your favorite character. Together with your friends you can rule the city of San Andreas.

The Grand Theft Auto online game is a modification of the script for Grand Theft Auto San Andreas and it is designed for multiple players. When playing the Grand Theft Auto online game you actually get to live in the city of San Andreas. Like any other citizen you get to earn money, deposit the money in a bank or manage a bank account. When you start playing the Grand Theft Auto online game you get to choose which character you want to be, you can buy a house and a car in San Andreas, take a drive around the city, and spend the money you have earned any way you like.

Like any other player you can also join a gang or even start a gang of your own. On the other hand, if your favorite character is a policeman you get to join the police and fight against the neighborhood gangs. The possibilities are unlimited when you are playing the Grand Theft Auto online game. The game will remember your online actions and when you return to play it will resume the action from where you left it the day before.

The Grand Theft Auto online game is a multiplayer game and therefore it does not have a particular script and it allows the action to unfold according to the players' wants. You and your friends can go online, live in San Andreas and make the rules or break the rules. The action and adventure are as intense as you want them to be, because you control everything that happens in the city.

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How to Recover Deleted Text From Android Devices

2012-01-02T06:55:00.001-08:00

There are a variety of different reasons why an individual would want to recover deleted text messages and other data from their Android cellular device. There are times when people accidentally delete text that they intended on saving for future use, there are numerous individuals that would like to catch cheating partners committing infidelity, employers that are trying to catch thieving employees, and parents that have worries that their teenager is engaging in sexting, bullying, or even using illegal drug substances. Each of these situations can cause a tremendous amount of stress, pain, and excess worrying, and are perfect cases where a cell phone forensic investigation could be beneficial.

When you consult with an expert that performs cell phone forensic investigations on Android cell phone devices, they know how to expertly recover deleted text and other helpful information that can give you the information you need to confront your spouse or partner about the infidelity that they have been engaging in. Besides being able to undelete deleted text, they can also obtain other deleted information that would include the call history that has been removed, device properties, names and telephone numbers of contacts, the browser history of websites that have been visited, data that has been erased from the file system, and any pictures or graphics that have been removed from the cellular device.

The important thing that you should note before trying to recover deleted text messages on your own, is you should never try to use SIM card readers that can be purchased over-the-counter. It is a one in a million chance that you will be able to find one that works just right with your device, and in many cases all they end up doing is completely destroying the very data that you are trying to undelete. Even professionals with tools that cost thousands of dollars generally will need to try several different tools before they find the perfect one that works with a specific cellular device.

If you suspect that your wife is texting another man, or your husband is deleting text messages, it would be worth your while to have an expert recover deleted text and other data from the device so that you will know for sure. What is so great about this type of service is all that you are required to do is send in your Android device and the expert will take care of the rest. Once they have undeleted deleted text and other data, they will send you a disk that contains all of the evidence that was found on the phone.

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Forces and Trends in Business

2011-12-31T23:46:00.001-08:00

The corporate environment is characterized by a number of variables: competition, dynamism, turbulence, complexity and change. All organizations must develop ability to continuously and consciously transform themselves and their contexts. Such contexts include restructuring for optimum effectiveness, reengineering key processes and streamlining functions that are able to provide a source of competitive advantage. The aim is to adapt, regenerate and most important, survive. (McLean, 2006).

For a company to thrive today, strategists must find ways to increase the organization's ability to read and react to industry and market changes. They must know their goal to boost the company's strategic flexibility by recognizing disruptions earlier and responding faster.
Strategic flexibility or adaptability can be defined as the organization’s capacity to identify major changes in its external environments, quickly commit resources to new courses of action in response to such changes, and to recognize and act promptly when it is time to halt or reverse existing resource commitments. Being adaptable means leaders must not get stuck in a too-rigid way of looking at the world. The organization must view change as an inevitable and essential part of an organization's growth, in order to achieve this adaptability.

When there is uncertainty or unpredictability in the environment, managers tend to focus almost all their energy on successfully executing the current strategy. What they also should be doing is preparing for an unknown future. Flexibility stems from the ability to learn; managers tend to overlook the negative and emphasize the positive. They need to understand not only what led to the positive outcomes but also what led to the negative ones. This will optimize their learning experience. According to Ford (2004) four points to foster and maintain adaptability include challenging complacency, giving all employees a voice, encouraging participative work and driving fear out of your group.

The companies chosen for this task vary by industry: a famous automobile manufacturer (Ford) a bank going through a merger (Compass) and a start-up software company (DawningStreams). Ford and Compass have been in business for a long time; it is likely they have changed their strategic plan based on changing forces and trends. DawningStreams is new (established in 2005 and incorporated in 2007). Even though they have not had their first sale and have no staff, the owners have devised several iterations of their strategy.

There is a diversity of stakeholders all that are interested in the activity of business organizations. Emphasis must be placed on their adaptability in strategic analysis and their adaptability in strategic management of business organizations. The organization must have a strategic management model.

Each company might scan the same areas, but for different reasons. Considering technological advances, Ford would prepare itself to lead the market by having various electronic equipment in their vehicles, as well as robotic equipment with which to build them and the supply chain technology to keep all in check. Compass Bank is going through a merge and expanding globally; therefore they will need to keep abreast of communication technology. DawningStreams is a software company; they will need to monitor those companies who would be their competition to ensure their product offers better functionality. All three companies would make sure potential customers would be able to get good information from internet websites and advertisement, which encompasses yet another area of technology the organizations may need/want to scan. In this instance, many members of the organization must be enrolled: upper management and finance, who will determine budgetary factors; the IT department, who will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of some of the technology; the staff who must be trained to use the technology; a sales force who will sell the technology.

To the outside observer, it may seem unnecessary for any but Ford to scan the (actual) environment when it comes to issues such as emission control, fuel efficiency and hybrid cars. That is true however; Compass Bank and DawningStreams can plan a strategy to be friendlier to the environment (and their pocketbooks) by practicing paper reduction (through the aforementioned technology). Lastly, DawningStreams’ product may be useful as a file sharing service to environmental groups.

With regard to the legal environment, all three must be acutely aware of laws, which affect their respective industry among others. To Ford, legal applies, among other areas, to environmental protection laws and department of transportation safety laws. To Compass Bank, they would abide by the rules of the Federal Reserve (www.federalreserve.gov) and the Federal Insurance and Deposit Corporation (www.fdic.gov). DawningStreams must follow laws as they pertain to the transfer of files, which have intellectual property and also the export of products, which have algorithms. All three companies are global and will need to monitor those laws in other countries, which could effect the strategic planning.

At one company after another--from Sears to IBM to Hewlett-Packard to Searle, strategy is again a major focus in the quest for higher revenues and profits. With help from a new generation of business strategists, companies are pursuing novel ways to hatch new products, expand existing businesses, and create the markets of tomorrow. Some companies are even recreating full-fledged strategic-planning groups. United Parcel Service expects to spin out a new strategy group from its marketing department, where strategic plans are now hatched. Explains Chairman Kent C. Nelson: ``Because we're making bigger bets on investments in technology, we can't afford to spend a whole lot of money in one direction and then find out five years later it was the wrong direction.''

In such a world we need a planning model that allows us to anticipate the future and to use this anticipation in conjunction with an analysis of our organization--its culture, mission, strengths and weaknesses--to define strategic issues, to chart our direction by developing strategic vision and plans, to define how we will implement these plans and to specify how we will evaluate how well we are implementing these plans. The fact that the world is changing as we move forward in the future demands that the process be an iterative one.

Ford Motor Company – Socio-cultural

Ford Motor Company embraces the socio-cultural changes taking place to allow the company to move in the right direction with respect to attitudes in the society. Two areas that stand out in terms of socio-cultural attitudes would be that of fuel economy and smaller cars. The growing concern by the public for better fuel economy has influenced the company’s introduction of the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The organization is committed to the hybrid to improve fuel economy as a global strategy to meet customer demands. The increased demand in society for such environmentalism has assisted in the decision for Ford Motor Company to look forward to adding the hybrid feature to the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan and continue in such a strategic planning direction.

The customers that use these vehicles get a substantial break on their insurance in many states and a tax credit as well while enjoying the increased mileage of a vehicle that runs on gasoline and capabilities for 100 percent electric power. The environmental scanning by Ford Motor Company has allowed the company to be knowledgeable of the fact that the people in the United States are buying more small cars today than any other type of vehicle segment. The lifestyles changes have been monitored and there is good data that shows that such a trend will continue in this direction and the expected growth in this segment will continue. The company has redesigned the inside and outside of the Ford Focus to set the car apart from the competitors in the small car segment while increasing upgrades and features to experience positive outcomes. The direction that the company is taking is based on a competitive advantage and being a leader in the industry. The vehicle line has both a sedan and a coupe to attract targeted markets including younger buyers at an entry level to build upon brand loyalty and customer retention. Ford Motor Company will continue to use the socio-cultural factors to drive the business and enjoy future success.

Ford Motor Company – Legal –

Ford Motor Company with regard to the Environmental Protection Agency adheres to the legal aspect of environmental scanning. Ford Motor Company accepted an award in March 2007 from the Environmental Protection Agency called the Energy Star 2007 Partner of the Year Award in Energy Management. The company is the first automaker to have ever been awarded the award two years in a row. The award has come to be presented due to the commitment made by the company to increase energy efficiency and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from all of the facilities in the company.

The organization is committed to the responsible use of resources and energy efficiency. The leadership realizes that the environmental protection laws are of great importance and use the environmental scanning to move in the right direction to obtain future success in the company. In 2006 alone the company has improved the energy efficiency in the United States operations by five percent and saving approximately $25 million with enough energy saved to equal 220,000 homes. The effective energy management protects the environment and reduces the greenhouse emissions. Some of the actions taken by the company include replacing lighting fixtures that use 40 percent less energy and using different low-energy, long-lasting compact fluorescent lamps in the properties to include the plants, corporate offices, distribution centers, and research and development campuses. Due to the environmental scanning that takes place at Ford Motor Company the company will use the information that is collected and continue in this direction. New projects for the company include Fumes-to-Fuel that is a system that converts paint fumes into electricity that is being performed with Detroit Edison along with attempting to consolidate the application of primer, base and clearcoat paint applications into a single application to eliminate the need for separate applications and ovens. In addition to the paint booth emissions Ford Motor Company will continue to rely on alternative energy sources such as landfill gas and wind and solar technologies to power their manufacturing facilities.

Ford Motor Company – Technology –

Another environmental scanning tool that Ford Motor Company monitors and uses would be the technological portion. The company has invested $1 billion in the latest technology for flexible manufacturing. The technology that is involved is in many forms to include wireless technology that is installed on the delivery trucks with supplies to the plant as a monitoring status and improved efficiency to reduce inventory. The flexibility of products in the same plant allows the organization to use the same machinery and process for all areas from body assembly, paint facility, and final assembly. The improved efficiency at the manufacturing facility allows for several vehicle platforms to be built on the same line to produce multiple models and quickly change the vehicle mix, the volume, and options based on customer demand.

The technological changes that are being embraced by Ford Motor Company through environmental scanning enables the company to experience huge cost savings through new product launches and 50 percent reductions in cycle changeovers along with waste reduction. Robots are among the technological changes that are being experienced within the organization to include the 400 from the project that are used to weld and assemble the metal body of the vehicle for stamping and assembly. Artificial intelligence in the form of advanced visions systems and laser tracking systems are used to ensure quality through accuracy and dimension abilities. A multi-million dollar training facility is used to ensure that the workforce has the knowledge, skills, and ability to reap the benefits from the new technology that is being used by the company. The training that is administered includes the new servo-electric weld gun system that identifies the perfect center for welding that has replaced the older and loud air-powered system that used a less sophisticated spring system. The environmental scanning of technology that is performed by Ford Motor Company has allowed the company to have positive outcomes in efficiency while remaining a competitive company in the industry through cost savings and continuous improvement.

Compass Bank- Political -

On February 16, 2007, Compass Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of Compass Bank, announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE: BBV Madrid: BBVA) ("BBVA") will acquire Compass for a combination of cash and stock. Compass will become a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of BBVA and will continue to operate under the Compass name. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2007, pending customary closing conditions, including necessary bank regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Spain and the approval of the stockholders of both Compass and BBVA.

BBVA, which operates in 35 countries, is based in Spain and has substantial banking interests in the Americas. The transaction will facilitate BBVA’s continued growth in Texas and will create the largest regional bank across the Sunbelt. Upon completion of the transaction, Compass will rank among the top 25 banks in the United States with approximately $47 billion in total assets, $32 billion in total loans and $33 billion in total deposits. In addition, the combined company will rank fourth in deposit market share in Texas with $19.6 billion in total deposits and 326 full-service banking offices.

Compass is a $34 billion Southwestern financial holding company that operates 415 full-service banking centers in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Texas. Compass provides a broad array of products and services through three primary lines of business – Corporate Banking, Retail Banking and Wealth Management. Compass is among the top 30 U.S. bank holding companies by asset size and ranks among the top earners of its size based on return on equity.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, which has been approved by the board of directors of Compass and the relevant bodies of BBVA, Compass will become a wholly owned subsidiary of BBVA. After closing, BBVA intends to merge its U.S. based banking affiliates – including the former operations of Texas Regional Bancshares, State National Bancshares and Laredo National Bancshares – with Compass.

The aggregate consideration is composed of a fixed number of approximately 196 million shares of BBVA common stock and approximately $4.6 billion in cash. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including necessary bank regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Spain and the approval of the stockholders of both Compass and BBVA. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2007.

The merger between both companies will be determined by the political factors ranging from implications of laws and regulations to the state of world politics including the consideration of wars which may be going on in different parts of the world. New laws, regulations, tax programs and public policy create forces and trends, which may provide challenges and barriers or opportunities for any company or organization.

Compass Bank – Technology –

Ford is in the process of implementing a laser marking system on its production line to ensure the highest standard on each transmission assembled. The system will be checking for quality on different points on the assembly line. Ford is teaming up with a company called MECCO to implement this process and a trial run of the new system will last for 3 months. MECCO is a leader in its industry when it comes to laser technology. The decision to implement this new laser marking system came because it is more cost- effective and safer than previous ways of marking checkpoints for quality.

Although this process at Ford has not officially been implemented yet, Compass Bank can learn a few different things. It may be a good idea for Compass Bank to do a short trial of online cell phone banking to see how popular it becomes and if it worth all the time and effort, being spent to get it launched. Compass Bank should also consider investing into a company who is the best at what they do, is in the same time zone, and can meet their demands in a timely manner, not simply because they may be cheaper. Finally, Compass Bank can learn that they need to consider what will be most cost-effective and in the best interest of the company over time. Organizing a time line and a list of costs and potential risks would also be beneficial to Compass Bank so they know what to expect and when with the implementation of online cell phone banking.

When completing the global scan one looks for emerging new technologies which may impact any business in any industry. At one time the emergence of the Internet was a technology that was becoming an emerging trend across all industries. Today very new technologies are used to develop information systems at a fraction of the cost and time of processes that were used five years ago. Wireless is a telecommunications technology that may have moved from a trend to a force in revolutionizing the way information is stored, accessed and used across all industries around the world. Some, if leveraged by a company within an industry before competitors use it, may even provide a competitive advantage.

Compass Bank – Competition –

Although mergers may be costly and rather difficult, the value it creates in the end is the desired outcome companies seek. The eagerness to merge is based on several beliefs, those beliefs are, that the performance gains are greater, expenses are reduced, market power is increased, and shareholder’s wealth is also greater than before. The value of a merger is enhanced when the overall benefit is more valuable than the aggregate of two separate pre-merger companies.
In the end, both John and Bernard should consider this before finalizing a decision. When Zion’s purchased Stockmans, there overall value increased by 43 branches. These branches will help performance and brings much more power to the financial market. In the Journal of Money article, Pilloff states “Companies are more willing to acquire others to avoid being acquired themselves.” Keeping this in mind, companies must figure out a cross border strategy.

As part of the broad environmental scan, it is important to identify the internal capabilities of the organization. There are various models for defining capabilities. Most focus on the broad set of intangible assets such as brand, human capital, organizational capital and even relationship capital. Others include the more concrete assets such as available capital, the organization structure, current technologies and information technology infrastructure. In addition to doing a broad environmental trend, Compass Bank needs to do a more detailed capability assessment using any of the models available.

DawningStreams - Competitors –

Business activities are becoming more and more complex to manage, because of distance, time zones, number of parties involved in projects, number of tasks to achieve, multiple prioritizations, lack of general synchronization, insufficient secure and confidential communication channels and growing complexity of IT infrastructures. The use of task list managers has become very common. It is becoming more difficult to keep teams synchronized, to follow and to implement new business processes and to exchange sensitive information confidentially. The DawningStreams software application is aiming at increasing the practicality of daily executive activities. The types of business, which will most probably be interested in our product, are construction (size of network), consulting (need for synchronization), pharmaceutical research (secure exchange of information) and the software industry (complexity of manufacturing).

Many companies have already developed software applications that enable secured communications and file sharing. However, most, if not all, are relying on Microsoft technologies, which prevent them from expanding to Mac or Unix users. DawningStreams is developed in Java, which can be used on any platform, including Mac and Unix. Microsoft has acquired the Groove Company and has released a new version of the product, which can perform many of the functionalities of DawningStreams, but not generic activities (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/groove/default.aspx). This is our closest competitor by far. More recently, we found, merely by accident, a company called Shinkuro (www.shinkuro.com), which offers the file sharing aspects of DawningStreams but lacks other capacities.

Although DawningStreams will face competition from many existing players, the fact that it will combine a super-set of functionalities in one application, for a very reasonable price, will give it some leading edge over other competitors. If the US patent is granted, the position of DawningStreams will become a niche. Even if the patent were not granted, it would take a profound architectural redesign of Groove (or other competitors) to include generic activities and match the offer of DawningStreams. As a strategy we will monitor the activities of those companies’ websites and understand what they offer in terms of similar functionality and try to ensure we match or best those functionalities to the best of our ability and resources

DawningStreams – Political -

Maintaining the secrecy of information is the fundamental function of encryption items. Persons abroad may use such items to harm US law enforcement efforts, as well as US foreign policy and national security interests. The US Government has a critical interest in ensuring that persons opposed to the United States are not able to conceal hostile or criminal activities, and that the legitimate needs for protecting important and sensitive information of the public and private sectors are met. Since 2000, US encryption export policy has been directed by three fundamental practices: technical review of encryption products prior to sale, streamlined post-export reporting, and license reviews of proposed transactions involving strong encryption to certain foreign government end-users and countries of concern. US encryption policy also seeks to ensure that American companies are not disadvantaged by the European Union’s “license-free zone.” (Bureau of Industry and Security, 2007).

DawningStreams will contain cryptographic functions. Any reliable and efficient cryptographic system requires a central authority to avoid identity theft. Cryptography is a key functionality of DawningStreams. All specialists insist on designing systems using well-studied algorithms and fully tested protocols; novelty is considered a source of risk. The cryptographic layer of DawningStreams will rely on a dual public-private key system. The private key encryption system will implement Rijndael, the Advanced Encryption Standard (http://csrc.nist.gov/CryptoToolkit/aes/rijndael/), the public key system will implement RSA (www.rsa.com) and the hashing function will implement the 256 bits version of the Secure Hash Algorithm (http://secure-hash-algorithm-md5-sha-1.co.uk/ ).

Encryption products can be used to conceal the communications of terrorists, drug smugglers, and others intent on harming U.S. interests. Cryptographic products and software also have military and intelligence applications that, in the hands of hostile nations, could pose a threat to U.S. national security. The national security, foreign policy, and law enforcement interests of the United States are protected by encryption export controls. These controls are consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 13026, which was issued on November 15, 1996, and the Presidential Memorandum of the same date. (Bureau of Industry and Security, 2007).

DawningStreams also plans to be an international company, as offices now exist in the Netherlands and the US. As part of the strategy, we will ensure we remain compliant by registering our product with any necessary agency and allowing those agencies access to the processes if they feel there is a threat. We will be responsible to monitor (as best as we can) our client base and to put the proper verbiage in our contracts that illegal activities will not be tolerated. We will continue to monitor the BIS site mentioned in previous paragraphs and also sites in the European Union such as the Crypto Law website of legal expert Bert-Jaap Koops (http://rechten.uvt.nl/koops/)

DawningStreams - Technology/Intellectual Property –

The management of organizational strategy requires a comprehensive assessment of the macro environment of the business. Intellectual Property (IP) refers to the original ideas and innovations evolved by an organization in order to haul up its systems and processes. Creation of ideas requires large investments. This necessitates the protection of IP. Benchmarking is the continuous process of measuring products, processes, and systems of an organization against those that are rated best in the industry. It helps in uncovering weaknesses and flaws in the organizational systems, processes, and products. (Watson, 2003)

The study of the global research conducted by McAfee Inc. and MessageLabs Ltd. on security threat in small businesses in the U.S. reveals that 80 percent of small-and-medium-sized businesses (SMB) believe that an information technology (IT) security failure would be damaging in attaining their business priorities. Yet, only few are courageously making steps to fight against infringements due to resource limitations from other business related priorities. The research implies that company size plays an essential part in the way senior management views security. Among the challenges that SMBs face include keeping up-to-date with security solutions and keeping costs low. Small-to-medium businesses’ behavior towards security is very tactical and meets only immediate requirements. (unknown, 2007)

DawningStreams’ relevance to these forces is two-fold. We are a software company—there is an opportunity for us to lose the intellectual property by those who would download and attempt to modify the code. We have competitors who offer functionality similar to ours, however we offer an additional functionality the others do not. It is this ‘specialty functionality’ for which we applied for a patent the United States Patent and Trademark Office. If the patent is granted, there is less likelihood of software piracy or the loss of our IP. Environmental scans should show us if there are other companies trying to do this.

The functionality, which most resembles our competitors’, is the ability to share files. That brings in a different concern with intellectual property- the possibility someone else’s IP could be sent from one of our users to another, as this could seriously damage our reputation, as what happened with Napster. (www.napster.com).

Conclusion

References

Bilek, E. (n.d.) Compass Bankshares to be Acquired by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.,

Investor Relations. Retrieved from the Internet on March 31, 2007 at

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/77/77589/bbvarelease.pdf

Cole, Jim. Zions makes small deal, cites growing Arizona market. American Banker, 171(175), 1-1. Retrieved March 31, 2007 from Proquest Database.
Ford Motor Company (2006). Ford Motor Company. Retrieved March 2007,

from the World Wide Web, Web Site: [https://ford.com]
Ford, S. (2004) Adapted from 13 Skills Managers Need to Succeed, Harvard Business School

Press. Retrieved March 31, 2007 from EBSCOHost Database.

Hockenberry, Todd. (2006). Ford implements advanced laser marking. Industrial Laser Solutions, 21(4), 6-7. Retrieved March 31, 2007, from EBSCOhost database
Jacobs, P. (2005) Five Steps to Thriving in times of Uncertainty. Negotiation (p.3) Retrieved

April 1, 2007 from EBSCOHost Database.

McLean, J. (2006) We’re going through changes! British Journal of Administrative Management

54. Retrieved March 30, 2007 from EBSCOHost Database.

Pearce, J. & Robinson, R, (2004). Strategic Management: Formulation, Implementation, and Control. [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-text]. The McGraw-Hill Companies. Retrieved March 2007, from the University of Phoenix, Resource, MBA 580-Strategies for Competitive Advantage Course Web Site: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp
Author Unknown, Strategic Planning, After a decade of gritty downsizing, Big Thinkers are back in corporate vogue. (2006) Retrieved from the Internet at http://www.businessweek.com/1996/35/b34901.htm

Unknown (2007) 80% of Small-to-Medium Sized Firms Fear a Security Threat. Computer Security Update 8 (4). Retrieved March 30, 2007 from EBSCOHost Database.
Unknown (2006) Strategic Planning, After a decade of gritty downsizing, Big Thinkers are back
in corporate vogue. Retrieved from the Internet at
http://www.businessweek.com/1996/35/b34901.htm
US Department of Commerce (2007), Encryption (ch.10, section 742.15). Retrieved March 27, 2007 from the Bureau of Industry and Security Website at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2007/foreignpolicyreport/fprchap10_encryption.html
Watson, G. (2003) Business Environmental Scans for Intellectual Property Strategy (PowerPoint Presentation). Retrieved March 28, 2007 from the Oklahoma State University website at http://www.okstate.edu/ceat/msetm/courses/etm5111/CourseMaterials/ETM5111Session3Part2.ppt#260,1,Business Environmental Scans for Intellectual Property Strategy

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Pros and Cons of RFID Technology

2011-12-30T16:54:00.001-08:00

I. RFID Advantages

Radio Frequency Identification provides a valuable service that is capable of revolutionizing the way companies track products. There are many benefactors of this technology: the military, retailers, suppliers, consulting firms, producers of the technology, and consumers. RFID provides companies with a better alternative to bar-coding because no line-of-sight is needed to read a pallet, a carton, or a product with a RFID tag. RFID tags also contain information on the product that is easily readable and accessible for the reader. RFID will also begin to automate company's supply chain, reducing labor costs, human error and time spent checking in products.

In 2005, manufacturers and suppliers requesting new bids from the military must be RFID compliant on four different levels: packaged operational rations, clothing, tools, and weapon system repair parts and components. The military requires that all cartons and pallets are shipped with a Military Shipping Label which displays shipping data. The Department of Defense has created the RFID Military Compliance Solution as a way to help suppliers and manufacturers meet the military's new standards for RFID. The program is run by Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, and they were commissioned by the RFID Military Compliance Solution. Avery Dennison Retail Information Services sells the RFID tags to companies which must be affixed close to the Military Shipping Labels to comply with Department of Defense regulations.

The U.S. military is saving an enormous amount of money by using active and passive RFID systems. By using RFID for communication and transportation systems in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military is able to diagnose and fix problems much faster than before. The implementation of RFID in just this area will save the military close to half a million dollars this year. The U.S. government has contracted IBM to do research on the current RFID being used currently in the military and the potential future applications for RFID in the military. The military has been successful in creating better visibility throughout their supply chain increasing their productivity and stability.

Retailers and other companies that have a demanding supply chain can gain an advantage on the field by using RFID in the supply chain. By demanding that all levels of their supply chain be RFID capable is a sizable investment. The productivity increase that follows the initial investment and implementation for companies will pay for their investment. Wal-Mart was the first retailer to use RFID in their distribution centers and warehouses, prompting many companies to follow in their footsteps once Wal-Mart's success was realized.

RFID is very successful with retail companies because it improves productivity, saves on human labor costs, and gives companies real-time visibility with all their products. RFID tags use an Electronic Product Code (EPC) which is an upgrade and a replacement for the Universal Product Code (UPC) system. "EPC has a 96-bit code that has digits to identify the manufacturer, product category and the individual item. Manufacturers obtain registration numbers & assign them to products. Each number is unique to a given item."

The cost of a tag is anywhere between twenty-five to fifty cents. In the next five to ten years it could be reduced to five cents per tag. At some point in the near future tags could fall to one cent tempting companies to use RFID tags on every product in a store. Wal-Mart says that since their stores now have RFID, it makes it easier to keep store shelves stocked allowing employees to interact with customers.

Target was able to save on their investment for implementing RFID, following in Wal-Mart's footsteps as Wal-Mart had already paved the way and suffered the pitfalls of implementing a new technology. In addition to the lower implementation costs, many of Target's suppliers had already begun preparing for the switch over to RFID assuming Target would follow Wal-Mart. Target as a large retailer knows how important it is to be able to provide real-time data on pallets, cartons and shipments up and down-stream through their supply chain.

A break-through in RFID technology was made by Intermec, Inc. in May of 2006, with new rugged and reusable RFID tags. These tags can be written thousands of times; it can handle hazardous chemical exposure, and withstands temperatures from -50 degrees Fahrenheit to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. In October of 2006, Intermec released a new version of the rugged, reusable RFID tag, including wide-band antenna that can be used on any surface in any part of the world.

RFID makes the business world seem like a smaller place, even companies like Wal-Mart who are very big and have a large integrated supply chain. RFID enables companies to be more efficient with their time and space. Companies that combine some newer supply chain technologies with RFID could see great results. Combining auto-picking with RFID would reduce man-power needed, time needed to move pallets and cartons around a warehouse, and time needed to send pallets to their proper destination. The goal of a company's supply chain should be to reduce time needed to be productive, by automating as much of the supply chain as possible. It reduces human error, and machines are capable of running twenty-four hours a day and cost less than human labor. The
application of RFID for a large company like Wal-Mart or Target, as well as smaller retail stores can ensure a better shopping experience with more in-stock items and a more knowledgeable store.

The RFID market is booming and many technological companies have gotten in the game producing RFID parts and systems. In many cases being a producer of RFID components and systems also allows you to become a consulting firm for the technology. Hewlett Packard (HP) is one of the largest companies developing RFID systems. HP's goal is to make it as easy and affordable as possible for a company adopting RFID technology. HP has experience in the RFID field, as they were one of the early adopters of the technology and have been very successful integrating it into their business. HP began with two larger clients, Hasbro (produces children's toys) and Conros (a large Wal-Mart supplier). Hewlett Packard has created two RFID Centers for Excellence, one in California and one in Taiwan, to demonstrate new potential uses for the technology, as well as how it can be implemented into a business. More centers are slated to be opened throughout the world, including Great Britain, Singapore, and Tokyo RFID Centers for Excellence.

The RFID market sits at roughly one billion dollars in 2006 and has varying estimates as to the growth potential of the market. Estimates of RFID market size in 2008 vary anywhere from $1.3 billion by IDC, to $4.2 Billion by the Yankee Group. As shown in Figure 1 in the appendix, most of the industry is made up of sales of hardware, tags, readers and other physical products of RFID. Roughly 20-25% of the market is made up of consulting work for the technology and the last 5% is made up of software for RFID. The two biggest areas firms are concentrating on are the production and consulting sides of RFID.

The biggest challenges for producers and consultants alike are the reliability and durability of RFID systems and products. It is hard to simulate the wear and tear a product will experience over time. HP has made testing RFID products one of their benchmarks, providing intense field-testing of RFID to ensure its durability and quality. A competitor of HP is IBM, who according to AMR Research is the market leader in RFID. IBM has over eleven years experience working with RFID, and like HP, they were an early adopter of RFID technology. The advantage that IBM has over HP is there world-renowned consulting services, coupled with their immense networking capabilities. IBM's services promise more results than HP's RFID systems mainly because of IBM's consulting expertise. IBM works with companies to locate the best avenues to implement RFID, attempting to maximize Return on Investment (ROI) by reducing one person per shift from manually tracking products allowing them to focus on value-added manufacturing activities. IBM also focuses on other ways to improve ROI including, offering a one-time savings of $230,000 in operating costs, continuous fabrication line operations, better customer service providing real-time information on products, and less errors and delays cause by human error.

RFID began to take off once companies like Wal-Mart and Target, and the U.S. military demanded that their top 100 suppliers must adopt RFID technology. Many suppliers were not ready for a move like this, a move that would completely retrofit their current operations at a high cost to the supplier. There were some suppliers that welcomed the change in technology and already began implementing RFID in anticipation of Wal-Mart and the U.S. military's demand that their suppliers adopt the new technology. Wal-Mart demanded that their top one hundred suppliers would need to be RFID ready by January 2005, and to Wal-Mart's surprise, twenty three extra suppliers have volunteered to make the change to RFID. There is a new generation of tags that hit the market in 2005, called the Gen 2 Standard, which make RFID more appealing to suppliers who have no RFID systems in place. The Gen 2 RFID improves on the first generation of RFID by increasing read times, increasing read ranges, and read tags more accurately.

Suppliers and manufacturers will notice the benefits of implementing RFID into their organizations streamlining parts of their operations. Return on Investment is the most important factor for a business implementing RFID. Suppliers will see their ROI increase as human labor hours are decreased, human errors are decreased and interoperability is increased. RFID increases the visibility of the suppliers so they can do their job in real time, assuring that the correct package is sent to the correct location. It also saves money in the long-term for manufacturers and suppliers because RFID will save time spent inventorying and tracking products. An advantage for suppliers and manufacturers using RFID is customization of products in a shorter period of time. Smaller suppliers and manufacturers will have a harder time implementing RFID, as costs range from $100,000 to $5 million to implement the technology, but as costs go down more companies will adopt RFID.

RFID does have another potential benefit for suppliers that could give them invaluable information. For Wal-Mart suppliers, readers are set up at the back door so suppliers know when their shipments have arrived increasing visibility for both entities. A second reader is placed at the entrance to the sales floor so the supplier can see what is on-hand on the sales floor and in the stock room. This will allow the supplier to see which products sell better than others so that they can be replaced, and it also allows the supplier to develop more accurate sales forecasts. A secondary benefit of RFID is that the promotions that merchandisers spend a lot of money to set up are often left in the stock room for too long or are improperly placed. Now merchandisers and vendors can make sure their promotions are being handled correctly. Suppliers and manufacturers have the potential to save money on production costs, while making money on customized products.

Consumers should be the ultimate winner with RFID being implemented throughout a company's supply chain. In the long-run, stores will save money throughout their supply chain, thus bringing down costs to consumers. Consumers should also expect to find more helpful and more informative customers service with companies that have RFID. These companies now have real-time data to share with the customer. A consumer complaint about retail stores has always been that there are too many out-of-stock items; however, with RFID in place many of these stores should see a significant decrease in out-of-stock items. Having RFID tags on certain products can also make people's lives much easier, such as a microwave that is a reader and recognizes the tag of the food you put in and will automatically cook it according to the directions on the tag. It also helps environmentally because companies will use resources more efficiently, benefiting everyone. Once RFID tags are able to be used on food products it will make a recall on a certain item much easier and it could potentially save lives.

Consumers use RFID everyday and many do not realize the benefits they are receiving from the technology. Contactless payment is a developing technology, the card being used contains a tag and the payment area contains a reader. Mobil and Exxon use a "Speedpass" as their contactless form of payment allowing customers to wave the card in front of a reader to pay for gas or anything in the convenient store. Visa and Mastercard are the two biggest developers of this technology, claiming that it will benefit everyone from consumers to businesses. It allows people to have preset money on a card (either debit or credit) which decreases waiting time at check-out stands and increases loyalty to companies that offer this feature. Another use of smart cards is keyless entries, which is becoming a popular trend in America, using just a card and swipe it over the sensor to allow entry. RFID is a beneficial technology for consumers saving time and offering conveniences traditional bar codes, credit cards and keys cannot offer.

RFID contains many advantages over traditional ways of coding pallets, boxes and products. It allows for non-line of sight reading of the tag which stores all the product information. RFID reduces human labor costs and human errors through the supply chain saving companies money, as well as reducing theft in the store and warehouses. RFID can save lives as well if there is a recall and the recalled food item or product is tagged, then it would be easier to collect all the units.

II. Disadvantages

Radio Frequency Identification has been around for over fifty years, but it has been the rapid development and deployment of the technology over the last five years that has raised people's awareness and understanding of the technology. While there are many potential benefits for RFID, there are many pitfalls as well. Every level that could benefit from RFID can also reap negative rewards from the technology.

The U.S. military was one of the early adopters of the technology using it for over ten years in a limited area of their operations. In 2003 they upgraded their usage of the technology by demanding that all suppliers must affix a RFID tag to every pallet, carton and big-ticket item being shipped to the military. The biggest problem the military faces is an issue of security. With complete product information on a tag it is easy for an enemy of the United States to pull information off a tag. This could result in loss of life of U.S. soldiers or even U.S. civilians if the wrong product ended up in the wrong hands. The tags could inform enemies of potential weaknesses and strengths of our military and give them a view on how to attack us at our weakest points.

Large companies like Wal-Mart and Target who use RFID face many potential problems with the technology. RFID has no proven infrastructure making it difficult for suppliers to keep up with these company's demands to become RFID-ready. If the suppliers cannot effectively implement RFID into their business, then retailers cannot fully view their supply chain. If retailers cannot get all their information in real time across their entire supply chain, then the issues they are trying to solve will remain problems. Out-of-stock items, first-in-first-out products and last-in-last out products will still cause problems for these large retailers.

EPCGlobal is a start to an international standards body for RFID. It has yet to be approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and there is still not a global frequency standard. While 900 MHz appears to be the best frequency due to its long read-range capability, 13.56 MHz is still used delaying the standardization of global frequency for RFID. High costs of RFID implementation is the reason many mid-size and smaller retailers have not adopted the technology. The short-term outlook for companies who use RFID isn't impressive, although long-term benefits will be realized.

Privacy issues are the number one pitfall for RFID and retailers. As long as the tags are only affixed to pallets and cartons then the retailers would not have any specific information on the consumer. However, when RFID tag prices fall, companies like Wal-Mart and Target plan on using RFID tags on individual products which they can trace consumer's buying habits and other information consumer's wish to keep private. It was privacy issues that force Benetton to cease their pilot RFID system. They wanted to embed a tag in articles of clothing to stop theft, determine consumer buying habits and keep their inventory at an acceptable level. Privacy advocate groups such as the Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion (CASPIAN) fight companies using RFID to track consumer behavior. A study showed that up to 78% of America was against RFID based solely on privacy issues. It will be difficult for companies in the future to tag individual items without a public outcry without some form of protection for the public's privacy rights.

Consumers have the largest disadvantage of any other entities involved with RFID technology. There are five privacy issues that consumers must try to protect themselves from: Hidden placement of tags, unique identifiers for objects worldwide, massive data aggregation, hidden readers, and individual tracking and profiling. Hidden placement of tags by companies is an easy way to get information from consumers. The consumer will feel safe buying a product with no knowledge of an RFID tag embedded in their clothing. These tags theoretically could track a person around the world if there were readers in specific locations throughout the world. Personal information may also be embedded in these tags giving information as detailed as your medical history. Prada and Swatch use embedded tags in their clothing, and Benetton did as well, but a boycott of Benetton was successful and they removed their tags. There is no law against companies embedding tags, and only California and Utah have made official requests to change the situation.

Companies who use RFID can compile massive amounts of data on consumers, including product likes or dislikes, buying power or even prescription history. RFID makes it easy to amass this data and to designate correlations. If a corporation owns many stores they can combine data between companies and create new data on buying habits.

Hidden readers violate people's privacy much the same way hidden tags do. Gillette and Accenture are introducing "silent commerce" which embeds tags on people's products and readers in strategic locations without the consumer's knowledge. These companies have experimented with different reader locations ranging from secret carpet locations to shelve locations and even hidden in floor tiles. Readers could even be installed in doorways on street lights, anywhere that people have to pass through, and instantly all information embedded in the tag is broadcast to the reader. If this were to happen privacy would be impossible because you would never know if the products you have contain tags, and you never know when you are within proximity to a reader.

The disadvantages of RFID hinge mainly on privacy concerns, technological imperfections, cost of the technology and no proven way to set up an RFID system for a company. The government and corporations are the two groups that offer the most concern for privacy issues. Hidden tags and readers threaten to take away human mystery, offering a world where people see, feel and hear only what the government and large corporation want people to.

III. Future of RFID

The future of RFID is uncertain, however, the technology is here to stay. Companies have many obstacles to overcome to make the technology a feasible option to be implemented. Privacy issues and will persist, although cost for RFID systems will decrease. In order for RFID to be successful, companies must work with privacy advocate groups to develop a fair way to implement RFID without alienating their customers.

Technology will continue to develop for RFID and many new applications will be realized. Automation will be a side-effect of RFID development, in the supply chain and in everyday activities. Contactless payment methods are already available, as well as automatic keycards to open doors. RFID tags installed in cars with readers on the roads and freeways will alert the authority if you are breaking the law. Supermarkets will eventually be able to realize their shopping cart checkout system once prices fall to a more affordable price. Fresh foods, metals and liquids will all be RFID compatible in the near future. If privacy issues are not watched closely, people will become tagged and there will always be someone watching and analyzing every person's decisions.

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Starbucks Target Market and Management

2011-12-29T16:50:00.001-08:00

Originally when Starbucks began they targeted the young college students, with slightly higher than average income levels. After this initial target market Starbucks has since realized that they could target specific neighborhoods and social classes. Different customers are more willing to pay for luxury good now more than ever. With that in mind, through Starbucks aggressive expansion techniques they have begun targeting almost every demographic.

"McDonald's is planning to capitalize on the public's willingness to pay $4 for a cup of coffee by hiring baristas and dropping espresso machines in 14,000 of their fast-food outlets. Meanwhile, Starbucks, with business lagging, is fighting back with an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" strategy, by offering heated breakfast sandwiches and adding drive-thru windows to some of their locations." (Tancer, 2008)

As McDonalds and other chains realize the money in luxury coffee more companies will begin to enter the marketplace. One the other side of the spectrum you have the small local coffee bars that were around before Starbucks took over the marketplace. These smaller coffee shops have their core customers who will not give their business to anyone else. These smaller coffee shops can offer specialized products and services or serving to the local markets needs. However Starbucks has a much larger buying power then the local smaller coffee shops giving them a competitive advantage. Coming back to our original quote, we believe that McDonalds has a customer base that is extremely large that now has the option to get their coffee where they get their breakfast already. McDonalds also has an extremely large bargaining power and runs each franchise with impeccable automation. McDonalds cup of coffee costs a lot less money than Starbucks and tastes the same in a lot of cases. One of Starbucks biggest competitors is the economy; Starbucks provides a luxury good that will be a good that people cut out when they want to save money. This has been witnessed with the recent closing of over a hundred Starbucks stores.

Tancer, B. (2008, January 10). Brewing Battle:Starbucks vs. McDonalds.

How to Cut Weight For Wrestling!

2011-12-28T13:36:00.001-08:00

Let's take a look at the typical year for a wrestler. During the off-season, the wrestler is in the gym lifting weights. The workouts are intense. The wrestler eats normally, sustaining muscle, and adding strength to their body. The wrestler might compete occasionally in a tournament or go to a wrestling camp. The wrestler is learning more moves, and skills, along with improved strength. All is good. Things look great for the upcoming season!

Then the season arrives. The wrestler decides to cut 15-20 lbs. to move to a lower weight class, where they will be big, strong, and ready for any competition. The wrestler eats very little, runs a lot (even with plastic suits on), spits, uses saunas, etc. to make weight. The wrestler makes weight. The wrestler has a good season, making weight each week, and binging after each match.

BUT THE WRESTLER COMES UP SHORT OF THEIR POTENTIAL!

The wrestler doesn't understand. He practices hard, really hard! He dropped two weight classes, and makes weight each week. He drills after practice, and works as hard or harder than anyone else in the mat room. He doesn't strength train during the season because he practices so much, and doesn't have the time or energy to work out. Besides, all that hard work in the weight room during the off-season has made him really strong!

Or did it?

If you are cutting weight for wrestling, and want to be the BEST your potential will allow, make sure you:

1. Keep Up Your Strength Training

During the off-season you want to work to gain as much strength as possible. I recommend training 3 times each week in the weight room, working the muscles that are used for wrestling. Be consistent and document your progress. Always strive to add a little more weight or repetitions. During the wrestling season, YOU HAVE TO STRENGTH TRAIN! You will not keep strength gained during the off-season if you neglect training during the season. If you are cutting weight, it is even more important to keep up your strength training. If you are cutting weight, practicing, and wrestling in dual meets and tournaments, your body is using its own muscle for food. You can prevent some of this by getting in a full body strength training workout every 4-5 days.

2. Eat More Frequently

Don't starve your body to make weight! If you starve your body, you are slowing your metabolism down. Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories. A calorie is a unit of energy. By starving, you will cause a rebound effect, and have even more trouble making weight next season. The answer lies in trying to lose fat, not muscle and water. You do this by eating more frequently. Four smaller meals each day will allow you to lose body fat while sparing muscle, give you energy to wrestle hard, and be strong the entire match.

3. Give Your Body The Correct Amount of Calories

To find out how many calories your body needs to keep up muscle while cutting weight, take your current body weight, and multiply times 13. This is the minimum number of calories you need to consume each day.

4. Eat a 40-30-30 Ratio

Now that you know how many calories you need to cut weight and still keep your muscle and strength that you've built up, you need to eat the proper ratio of protein, carbohydrates and fats. 40% of your calories should come from lean proteins (egg whites, turkey, lean beef, whey protein powder, skinless chicken). 30% of your daily calories should come from complex carbohydrates (multi grain bread, baked potato, sweet potato, brown rice, oatmeal), and 30% of your calories should come from unsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts). Usually you don't have to figure in the fats other than a tiny bit of oil on a salad, because the meats that you consume will have a small percentage of fat that will suffice for the day.

5. Don't Jog excessively If Your Goal Is To Make Weight

Nothing is more grueling than a tough high school or college wrestling practice. You shouldn't get in the habit of jogging for miles, and miles each week in order to lose weight. First of all, it will not give you the endurance for wrestling like good old-fashioned live wrestling in practice will. If you try to lose weight by jogging, you will start eating the muscle off of your body. Aerobic activity is NOT an efficient means of losing fat. A controlled meal plan is the answer.

6. Don't Dehydrate

In order to wrestle at your best, and have your body working efficiently, you need to have all of the body systems working optimally. Each of your body systems requires water. If you have to lose a couple of pounds to make weight after you have followed the above tips, then you will restrict your water intake. Restricting water intake is not the same as not drinking water at all though. You still need to give yourself 3-4 ounces of water every 3 hours on days that you are trying to make weight. Remember, this is to keep up your strength. You need to plan well in order to do this right. Don't weight until two days before, and get drastic in your weight loss system.

7. Stay Away From Sugar

Wrestlers who cut weight by eating very little and doing excessive jogging tend to get sugar cravings. Sugar has no place in your wresting meal plan. The only time my clients consume sugar is immediately following an intense strength training session. If you are within 3 or 4 lbs. of your weight class, you might want to consume 60 grams or so of high glycemic carbohydrates (sugar) on the form of grape juice or apple juice within 20 minutes of your strength training session. This replenishes the body's glycogen stores and helps with recuperation. In general, stay away from sugars. They have no long-term positive effects on your energy. They are much more likely to be converted and stored as fat.

Discover Card Account Login

2011-12-27T22:58:00.001-08:00

You can have a secure online access to your Discover card account through Discover card account login. The account center through which you access your account is secured by the highest Internet security Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption. Your information is safe through this enhanced security. It makes it impossible for anyone to access your account, unless you have inadvertently, or otherwise, disclosed your account login information to others.

Before you can login into your Discover account you need to register for online access. It is quite easy and fast, and once you have registered and logged in you can have access to improved management of your Discover account. You can receive your up-to-date account summary; access and review your statements and other activities up to the last 24 months; and make payments online, among other activities.

Once you login you can locate your account transactions, graphically analyze your spending pattern and track other activities. You save time when you login into your account online and use many of the online features available to you. Through financial tools, such as the recently introduced Spend Analyzer, you compare your spending patterns. You can graphically see how and where you are spending and your purchases are organized into broad categories. The Paydown Planner assists you in paying down the balance on your Discover card, and within a specific time frame. In addition, through the Purchase Planner you can plan your subsequent purchases as it helps you understand how your monthly payment could be affected by some large purchase.

Login For Customer Services

Through Discover card account login you can access its customer service for any information or query you may have. You can access your card account, learn about the rewards programs offered - such as the 5% Cashback Bonus program, make payments and transfers online, learn about your account activity and obtain account statements, among other information. Rest assured, your personal information and information about your account activities are safe and secure. The secure login protects the statements issued to you online, notifies you if there are any unusual activities involving your account, and if you are shopping online your real account number is never revealed.

You are allowed access to your account only after you provide certain information on logging in, such as your user ID or account number and the password which is known only to you. If either is incorrect you get The User ID and/or Password does not match our records or you are not registered message.

As of January 2009, Discover cardholders can access their account through their mobile phones. Through mobile access you can make payments and view pending payments, view your transactions, view your rewards activities, etc. With your mobile phone always next to you, you can now have your Discover account information practically at your finger tips!

You can access your Discover account via your telephone, through Internet on your laptop, and now through your mobile phone. All you need is to login into your Discover account.

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How To Repair Dell E173fpb LCD Monitor Easily

2011-12-27T09:53:00.001-08:00

Troubleshooting DELL E173FPB LCD Monitor with power blink symptom is quite easy if you know the right procedure to test it. There are two sections in the monitor that can cause power to blink. It is either primary or secondary section or even sometimes both sections can be faulty. So to isolate as which section is giving problem. I used an automobile 12 volt light bulb (brake light) and connect it between the 12 volt supply line and cold ground with the fuse removed. If the bulb still blink chances is very high the power primary section have problem.

Do not overlook the other voltages line as well such as the 3.3 and 5 volts. If any components shorted that gets the supply from the 5 and 3.3 volts, the power also may blink. If the 12 volts bulb lights up we can assume that the power supply is working fine and something shorted further down the line that makes the power supply to blink. If the bulb lights and you continue to check the power section, it will be going to waste your time. You should now concentrate on the secondary section circuit such as the four transistors C5707 that drive the high voltage transformer in the inverter board.

Just think these transistors like horizontal output transistor (HOT) in the CRT monitor that drive the flyback transformer where it worked so hard and chances for it to breakdown is very high. Checking the four transistors off board found one of them have a shorted reading with an ohmmeter.. This transistor can get faulty by itself or it could be some others components that caused it to develop a short circuit such as a defective high voltage transformer but all of the four high voltage transformers checked to be okay with ringer and ohmmeter test.

Now, here is the secret that I'm going to reveal. If you just replace the defective transistor only, chances is very high the transistor or another C5707 transistor will breakdown again. Usually what a technician does is to test the other transistors with either an analog or digital meter. If you use both meters to test the transistors then you have missed out on the faulty transistor because both meters won't reveal to you the hfe reading of the transistors. Only some digital meters have the hfe checking feature. In other words, you have to use test the hfe reading of a transistor. Although you can replace the other three transistors directly, why not we do some detective work to find the cause of the problem?

Using the Peak electronic atlas component analyzer, I could clearly see the different between a good and a bad transistor. A good C5707 transistor has hfe reading from 320 to about 390 but the bad one reads 467! The other two C5707 transistors have reading about 350. In the above case only two C5707 transistors were replaced and you save the other two. I had burn in test this LCD monitor for many days and it worked perfectly fine.

Conclusion- Whether you repair the DELL E173FPB LCD Monitor or any other model such as the E172FPB or E171FPB, basically the testing method is the same. You could also use this testing procedure on other brand of LCD Monitor too.

India - A Future Warehouse of the World

2011-12-26T19:45:00.001-08:00

Abstract
India has the world's second largest population and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. India has a promising future, given the unprecedented growth in economy and its clout in the global issues. India is now riding on the wave of a gigantic boom in computer driven new economy. Many developed countries of the world are seeking the huge pool of English speaking talented software professionals in India. As the world is transforming towards knowledge society, India too is moving proportionately competing with the world. With the increase of Internet users and the advancement of information and communication technology in India had boasted the development towards e-commerce in global economic society. In IT sector India is booming as a super power. In the last few years India has made rapid strides in the IT sector especially in the software services and IT enabled services. In this paper we analyses the picture of IT industry in a very near future in India & contribution of India in world's Information Technology Sector.

Introduction
From the 1950s, IBM had a virtual monopoly of computers in India. The 360 series release in 1960s was the major workhouse of the large organizations. They even maintained a chain of programmers who could write down software's for their machines. However in 1978, when George Fernandes, ministry of industries at that time, commanded IBM to take local shareholders into its subsidiary, the company refused strictly and went back after winding up its all operations in India. Its ex-employees then set up Computer Maintenance Corporation, with the primary object of maintaining IBM computers.
During the period of 1995-2000, the Indian IT Industry has recorded a C.A.G.R. (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of more than 42.4 percent, which is almost double the growth rate of IT industries in many of the developed countries. For Details contact AMCHAM National Secretariat, New Delhi Foreign companies particularly American companies have played a vital role in making India an emerging IT super power in the world. These MNCs account for nearly 22 per cent of Indian software exports. According to the latest NASSCOM estimates, in 2001-02, multinational infotech companies exported software worth Rs. 6500 crore from India. Country's total software export was pegged at Rs. 29400 crore. In terms of investment and growth, U.S. companies like Cognizant Technologies (largest export revenue earning MNC) IBM, Oracle, GE, Cisco, Compaq, Intel amongst others lead the MNCs in the Information Technology sector. Nine out of top 20 Indian IT firms are from United States. These account for over 37% of the turnover of the top 20 firms operating in India. Despite their significant contribution to the IT sector, these companies have to face a number of procedural and operational problems in India.
However, the volume of e-commerce, in India, is far below the levels achieved in USA, which was about 1 percent of the total GDP in 1999. Further, the expected volume of e-commerce in India in 2001 (US$ 255.3 million) is also below the levels expected to be achieved, which in comparison to Australia (US$ 3 billion), China (US$ 586 million), South Korea (US$ 876 million) and Hong Kong (US$685 million) is quite less.

Time has changed the way businesses are carried out. What was supposed to be known to few and limited to the home towns, appears to be an ancient methodology of carrying out the work. The present day brands work on world wide scale, that is they are successful in not just one particular region but have deepened their roots to all the corners in the globe that you can think of.
Information Technology is what constitutes the most important sector in the present day trend of carrying out business. It is because you can not be present everywhere to monitor the work, but with networking and communications, you can always stay in contact with the other business sites of yours.

ICT Approaches of India
A spate of reforms-post-1991 economic crisis-have given impetus to the Indian economy, particularly to the ICT sector. As part of the reform agenda, the Indian Government has taken major steps to promote ICT including the creation in 1988 of a World Market Policy, with a focus on software development for export; telecommunications policy reform; privatization of the national long-distance and mobile phone markets; and development of a more comprehensive approach to ICT. Although India's success is commanding increasing attention and investment, it has yet to result in the distribution of social and economic benefits across a broader base of the population. Challenges-including the perception of an unfavorable regulatory climate, an overloaded judicial system, poor infrastructure and costly access, and limited use of ICT-remain. The emerging shift in government strategy, toward knowledge-intensive services, has created a climate more conducive to addressing enterprise, domestic infrastructure, education and the use of ICT to meet development needs.
Policy: India's focus on self-reliant industrialization in the 1970s and 1980s has been replaced with reforms aimed at positioning India in the world economy: the foreign direct investment process has been streamlined, new sectors have been opened up to foreign direct investment and ownership, and the government has exempted the ICT industry from corporate income tax for five years. These reforms have helped India to become increasingly integrated into the global economy through growth in the export of software and skill-intensive software services, such as call-centers.
In 1986, the Indian government announced a new software policy designed to serve as a catalyst for the software industry. This was followed in 1988 with the World Market Policy and the establishment of the Software Technology Parks of India (STP) scheme. As a result, the Indian software industry grew from a mere US$150 million in 1991-1992 to a staggering US$5.7 billion (including over US$4 billion worth of software exports) in 1999-2000-representing an annual growth rate of over 50 percent.
The establishment of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was a key step towards effective implementation of telecommunications reforms. In 1992, the mobile phone market was opened up to private operators, in 1994 the fixed services market followed, and finally in 1999, national long distance operations were opened to private competition. Prior to these reforms, the Department of Telecommunications had been the sole provider of telecommunications services.
In addition, to attract foreign direct investment, the government permitted foreign equity of up to 100 percent and duty free import on all inputs. Government-created technology parks also offered professional labor services to clients, a cost-effective program for India since ICT labour is so inexpensive by global standards.
Infrastructure: Teledensity in India has reached 3.5 percent of the population. Approximately 1 percent of households have fixed line connections, compared to 10 percent in China. The mobile sector has approximately 3 million users, growing at 100 percent per annum, and is expected to outstrip the fixed line market in the near future. The number of Internet accounts is around 1.5 million, growing at 50 percent per annum. India also has very high penetration rates of terrestrial TV, cable and radio. Voice and data wireless solutions, for both domestic and export markets, are increasingly produced and used locally.
Access to telephones in Indian villages has improved in the last five to six years through the introduction of the Public Call Office (PCO) run by local shopkeepers. More than 60 percent of the villages in India have at least one phone. This also includes over 800,000 Village Public Telephones (VPTs). Worldtel is undertaking a pilot in four states to secure financing to upgrade the Village Public Telephones so they will soon be Internet-accessible.
In some urban locations, India's Software Technology Parks (STPs) provide infrastructure, buildings, electricity, telecommunications facilities and high-speed satellite links to facilitate export processing of software.

India also has a number of progressive computerized networks in place, including a stock exchange, the Indian Railways Passenger Reservation System, and the National Informatics Centre Network (NICNET), which connects government agencies at the central, state and district levels.
Enterprise: India's well-established framework for protecting intellectual property rights has been an important inducement to business investment: well-known international trademarks have been protected by Indian laws, even when they were not registered in India. In 1999, major legislation was passed to protect intellectual property rights in harmony with international practices and in compliance with India's obligations under TRIPS.
Much of the initial domestic demand stimulus for ICT and ICT services industries in India has come from government: 28 percent of total IT spending to date can be attributed to government and public sector expenditure. Major areas of government expenditure include: financial services, taxation, customs, telecommunications, education, defense and public infrastructure. As a result of the growth in ICT use in India, the ICT industry itself has also increased its domestic economic activity, for example, a number of ICT companies have developed accounting and word processing packages in Indian languages. The potential impact of this growth on the domestic economy is much broader than developing software for export only.
Human Capacity: In spite of relatively low literacy rates among the general population, India has several key advantages in human capital: a large English-speaking population and world-class education, research and management institutions-a direct result of investment in self-reliance in science and technology. In addition to establishing Indian Institutes of Technology in various cities around India to create a large pool of technical skills, the government has a computer policy to encourage R&D in personal computers. The IT training sector continues to grow at a rapid rate: total training revenues in 1998 were estimated at US$225 million, 30 percent up on the previous year. However, one of the biggest challenges to the Indian software industry remains the difficulty in attracting and retaining talented professionals.
Content and Applications: India has a large population with great linguistic diversity. Creating and maintaining locally relevant content for a country with 418 languages is a challenge. Nevertheless, local language content is slowly making ICT more relevant and accessible to a broader cross-section of the population. For example, India's Center for Development of Advanced Computing has recently launched a scheme called iLEAP-ISP to create a free multilingual word processor to be made available to all Internet subscribers. On other fronts, some states such as Tamil Nadu have launched their own initiatives to support the standardization of local language software through interface programs that can be adapted to word processors, dictionaries, and commercial keyboards for use in schools, colleges, government offices and homes.
An emphasis has also been placed on the development of relevant e-government applications in India. Some states such as Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have started to introduce applications which allow citizens to have faster and more transparent access to government services-for example, the provision of information on laws and regulations, and the procuring of licenses and official documents online.
Strategic Compact: Public-private partnerships, catalyzed by the IT Ministry, have played a key role in India's ICT-related development. One of the positive results of this effort has been the IT Act of 2000, which was based on the recommendation of the National IT Task Force, and aims to set the overall strategy for the IT sector. In addition, the government and the private sector are starting to come together to foster ICT development. For example, a joint effort by the Computer Science Automation Department at the Indian Institute of Science and a Bangalore-based private company have developed Simputer-a cheap micro-computer that enables illiterate users to browse the Internet.
India's development and contribution in world's information technology sector is of highest reputation. Cities like Bangalore have become the favorite(most preferred) destinations of all the big banners like HSBC, Dell, Microsoft, GE, Hewlett Packard, and several Indian multi national firms like Infosys Technologies, Wipro, and Microland who have set up their offices in the city. It is because the city offers good infrastructure, with large floor space and great telecom facilities. This can be judged on the basis of the high growth statistics of India and the changing outlook of the companies towards India .

It is because of this growth many popular brands that have not yet build up there rigid offices in the country are making it fast to have a destination in India too. For example, Sun Microsystems, a global IT major, announced in Bangalore to double the present workforce of the company's Sun India Engineering Center (IEC) from the present 1000 to 2000 in the next two years time. IEC, which is the largest R&D center for Sun outside the US , would also focus on developing products in India to suit the needs of the Indian market, which would be benchmarked globally.
This speedy growth of IT Sector is undoubtedly due to the efforts of Indian government and the other developments that took in the other parts of the globe.

The country has seen an era when after the IBM shutted its shop in India in 1950, the mainframes that were imported into the country were all from Russia . Western computer could not be imported because of an American embargo on export of high-technology equipment to India , which was considered an ally of the Soviet Union .
Slowly, with the time the country could develop its first powerful parallel computer in 1991 known as CDAC, by connecting together a string of less powerful computers.
With time and the continuous growth across the world, the country continued struggling and came up as the world leader in Information Technology Sector.
The industry has grown up to US $ 5.7 billion (including over $4 billion worth of software exports) in 1999-2000, with the annual growth rate not sliding below 50 percent since 1991.

It exports software and services to nearly 95 countries around the world. The share of North America ( U.S. & Canada ) in India 's software exports is about 61 per cent.
The Indian labor is not only cheap but is technically skilled too to the world class level. It is due to the Indian Education System that includes in its course curriculum the practical knowledge of the latest technology that is developed in world along with the fluency in English Language that imparts compatibility in an Indian technician to communicate and work through out the world.

Further the geographical location of India serves it the advantage of being exactly halfway round the world from the US west coast, which is another reason why India is preferred destination of many big brands.

Also, The presence of a large number of Indians, especially engineers, in the US gave India an easy entry into the US software market.
What adds more to the dominance of India in Information Technology Sector is the government policies like the enactment of cyber laws to protect and safeguard the interest of software companies in India .
Setting up of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), by the Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India and the International Technology Park in a joint project by the State Government, the TATA Group and the Singapore Consortium to promote and facilitate the software exports is another major step towards the growth of Indian Information Technology Sector.
Similarly an industrial park, known as Electronic City , was set up in 1991 takes more than a hundred electronic industries including Motorola, Infosys, Siemens, ITI, and Wipro, in an area of around 330 acres.
The Export Promotion Industrial Park , built near International Technology Park , gives an exclusive 288 acres of area for export oriented business. GE has its India Technology Center located at this park and employs hundreds of multi disciplinary technology development activities.
The other promotional activities that brought up India to this position include the IT Corridor project. Conceptualized by Singapore 's Jurong Town Corporation Private Ltd, the IT corridor Project was initiated by the Department of IT and the Bangalore Development Authority in order to develop state of the art facilities for the development of knowledge based industries.

Thought's of some World's IT leaders about India

"Economic growth will force better governance, and better governance will feed more economic growth"

SV, NYC, USA
The people and communities at large feel that they don't have the ability to make a difference

Juzar Singh Sangha, Bedford
India has to take more care of the village population who are still struggling to live properly

John Karondukadavil, India, Living in Poland, Jaslo
India can become a superpower if she concentrates on the technology market niche

Devyani Prabhat, Jersey City, USA
India must counter its skills and wage crisis

Pallavi, Sydney, Australia

Hopefully India will lead the world towards a more humane and tolerant future

Nilesh, Antwerp, Belgium

India needs to take strong and clear cut decisions to emerge as a global player

Nivedita Nadkarni, Madison, USA
India is a country gaining economic ground in the world

Justin, Bristol, UK
Indians now have to develop a sense of national pride

Leila, USA
India will never be a superpower, much less a global power

Jonathan, Boston, USA
India has had a sharp increase in the estimated number of HIV infections

Sezai, Eskisehir, Turkey
India's economic success is built on the sacrifices of previous generations

Shekhar Scindia, Edison, NJ, USA
While India's economic growth is encouraging, its sustainability is doubtful

Sigismond Wilson, Sierra Leonean in Michigan, USA

Conclusion
India is a perfect solution for all those companies, which seek for cheap, yet technically skilled labor who have innovative minds and state of art to work over a project. The ample of facilities provide in a perfect working conditions. For rest, cyber laws are there to monitor and safeguard everyone's interest related to IT sector.
All these reasons contribute for India to be as the most adored destination to many companies. . So we can conclude:

•India poised for an explosive growth in ICT
•India emerging as a global R&D Hub
•From brain drain to brain gain
•Millions of jobs will be created in ICT & other emerging technology areas
•Quality issues will have to be addressed
•Private Sector world class institutions will emerge with global collaborations
•India will reclaim its ancient heritage of the world's most advanced knowledge-based civilization called "Bharat".

India will become Warehouse of IT in the world
.

References
1. Goodman, Seymour E.; Burkhart, Grey E.; Foster, William A.; Mittal, Arun; Press, Laurence I.; and Tan, Zixiang (Alex), The Global Diffusion of the Internet Project, Asian Giants On-Line, Chapter 3 (India) and Chapter 4 (China), The Global Information Technology Assessment Group, Fairfax, VA, November 1998.
2. Press, L., Developing Networks in Less Industrialized Nations, IEEE Computer, vol. 28, no. 6, June 1995, PP 66-71.
3. [http://www.stpn.soft.net]
4. An Indian Perspective on IT & Engineering Programs ,Vijay Bhatkar, International Institute of Information Technology, Pune, India
5. Nasscom
6. Anuranjan Misra " Software outsourcing from India" National Seminar on Strategies in Business Process Outsourcing", IIMS, Bareilly, INDIA, Dec. 08-09 2004.
7. Anuranjan Misra" India - An Emerging IT Super Power" International Seminar on India 25 Years and Hence, IIMS, Bareilly, INDIA, Fev. 08,2006.

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How To Fix A Slow Computer Free

2011-12-25T18:27:00.001-08:00

There are many benefits to having a faster computer and for that reason we want to show you how to fix a slow computer free of charge.

We are providing this how to fix a slow computer free from charge as a simple guide detailing things you can do yourself without the help of a hardware expert. There is nothing more frustrating than a slow running computer and you can bet that it will decide to run slow just when you have something that needs to be completed urgently and you are in a rush with no time to spare

The first place to start when thinking about how to fix a slow computer free is with the utilities that are provided with the computer. By exploring the programs file on your computer you will find a systems tools folder containing a number of things that you can run to improve the situation.

When considering how to fix a slow computer free you may want to run a disk clean up program. The system will scan your files before doing this to see what space you will save so you will be able to assess whether it is a worthwhile activity.

The next consideration when thinking about how to fix a slow computer free is whether or not to run the defrag program which is designed to reorganize the data held on the disk drive to improve performance

There are a number of software tools on the market that promise to show how to fix a slow computer free of charge - although there is an initial charge for the purchase of the software tool.

When computers are first purchased from the manufacturer they are optimised to run quickly and efficiently. It is only when we start adding and deleting programmes and files that the machine loses this optimisation and we need to discover how to fix a slow computer free - and quickly.

Often a slow running machine has a corrupt registry and fixing this falls beyond the remit of this how to fix a slow computer free of charge guide. Specialist tools and help may be required to correct this problem. A slow running machine may also be infected by a virus of some kind and for that reason our advice in this how to fix a slow computer free guide, is to always ensure that your anti-virus software is always up to date.

Another common cause of a slow running machine is the running of too many programs at once. These need not necessarily be the programmes you as a user have activated but they will include the programmes that run in the background. No how to fix a slow computer free guide would be complete without an admonition to keep an eye on what resources your computer is using and think about upgrading memory, motherboard and drives to improve performance, if required.

Advantages and Uses of Video Conferencing

2011-12-25T05:28:00.001-08:00

Uses of Video conferencing

Video conferencing can be used in a host of different environments, which is one of the reasons the technology is so popular. General uses for video conferencing include business meetings, educational training or instruction and collaboration among health officials or other representatives. Thus far video conferencing has been used in the following fields:

- Telemedicine

- Telecommunicatio

- Education

- Surveillance

- Security

- Emergency Response

Advantages and Benefits of Video conferencing

Perhaps the biggest advantage or benefit video conferencing has to offer is the ability to meet with people in remote locations without incurring travel expenses or other expenses associated with face to face communication. Business meetings, educational meetings, healthcare conferences and more can all be easily conducted thanks to video conferencing technology. Individuals living in remote areas can also use video conferencing to keep in touch if you will, with the world at large.

More people are easily accessed and contacted using video conferencing. Because of this technology information and knowledge are often disseminated at more rapid rates, and collaboration between people occurs more willingly and freely. Students can take advantage of video conferencing to take classes at distant locations that would normally be unavailable. They can also take classes that will accommodate busy schedules.

Video conferencing can stimulate better brainstorming, knowledge sharing and information gathering. Businesses can use video conferencing to provide presentations to key members of an organization or to solicit new clients in a professional manner, regardless of their location. The possibilities for communication are virtually endless thanks to video conferencing technologies.

How to Sell Your Product to Costco - 11 Crucial Steps!

2011-12-22T03:46:00.001-08:00

Making the decision to do business with one of the countries most successful retailers is not one of those quick brainstorm ideas hatched over coffee and a bagel at your local Starbucks. I am sure you have lain awake at night dreaming of your product prominently displayed at Costco with thousands of members clamoring around to grab a hold of the last item before they are all gone. No doubt you have rehearsed your response to the frantic phone call from Costco begging for more product, offering anything to just get one more shipment. Cool and unbothered you pause before letting them know you will see what you can do, while at the same time, asking for better terms.

Fortunately this has happened and could happen to you. You may never find yourself invited over to Jim Sinegal's house for holiday dinner, but that doesn't mean you will never be successful selling your products to Costco if you are prepared.

Thousands of companies just like yours have made it into Costco and sold their products successfully for years. What makes the difference between companies that are in and the ones that are out? The successful companies had the following in common:

They were prepared: They did their homework and had a plan. They knew what they were getting themselves into and had already made the necessary adjustments for success.
They hired a company or individual who had expertise in selling Costco to fill in the gaps in their plan and advise them during the process.
They understood Costco's business model and that Costco would not bend their rules even for them.
They were in the right place, at the right time with the right item.

Will your product be the next big item at Costco? Only time and preparation will tell. To get you started I have outlined the first 11 steps which are crucial to preparing for a meeting with Costco.

Product selection: Determine if a single product or multiple products will be offered. At times, in order to create the value needed to meeting Costco's standards you may have to bundle products together. Bundling products can also help with your distribution network as you have created a different and unique item number.
Pricing: Research your distribution network to determine the lowest sell prices in the market on the products you would like to offer Costco. Ensure you have a handle on all prices and products being offered for sale. If you don't you can be sure Costco will. They will do their research which means you need to as well. Create a possible pricing structure taking into account prices currently being offered.
Distribution affect: Determine how selling product to Costco at reduced pricing or added value will affect your current distribution network. Distributors and dealers can sometimes become difficult if they believe you are undercutting them by offering the same products to Costco.
Packaging: Determine what type of packaging you will be offering to Costco. Costco is very specific on their packaging requirements. Generally the require a single display pallet. Get quotes from a couple of different companies on the graphics and packaging.
Logistics: Take a look at your current logistics capacity to determine if you are able to service a large client like Costco. Knowing your capacity will help you understand what your sell through expectations will be. Analyze Costco's routing guide to ensure you are including all required aspects when looking at logistics. Click here for Costco's routing guide

Other costs: Review and take into account these additional costs.

1. Customer service support: Do you have the phone support required to handle the influx of customers or will you have to hire a company to handle this aspect?

2. EDI Costco (Electronic data interchange): Price out EDI to include in your financials.

3. Promotional costs: Will you want to participate in any promotions? The various promotions at Costco are where the sales really explode and should be planned for accordingly.

4. Shipping: Costco will require a delivered cost to their depots. You must cost average this out and include it in your cost structure.

5. Returns and defects: How will you manage the return and defect portion. This can get expensive and should be carefully evaluated.
Potential sell through quantities: Based on what divisions of Costco you are going after create some scenarios that show potential quantity sales. Costco has 3 divisions in the US and an International division:

a. Costco wholesale,

b. Costco.com,

c. Costco Road Show,

d. Costco Canada,

e. Costco.com Canada,

f. Costco Mexico,

g. Costco UK,

h. Costco Taiwan,

i. Costco Japan,

j. Costco Korea.
PNL: Create a item PNL using the above information to determine program viability. You never want to do this after the deal has been made. Entering into a program and finding out after you are having success that you are losing money will be devastating.
Costco: Decide which division you should contact first. Make initial contact with the buyer and gage interest. You will probably need help here as getting through to Costco buyers can be very difficult if not impossible. If enough interest exists set an initial meeting at Costco HQ in Seattle WA.
Pre-Meeting: Final decision on at least two, no more than three packaging options. Nail down your options as you will only have approximately 30 minutes or less to pitch your idea to Costco and you want to have time left to discuss next steps. Make your final decision on cost pricing to include in the presentation. Create your presentation and print out more copies than you think you will need. Confirm your meeting one week prior to the date.
Meeting: In your presentation be thorough, but not over the top. Keep your pitch smart and to the point. Be prepared for Costco to have some questions, not just about your product, but about you and your company as well. Know your competition and your market. They will test you. Make sure you nail down next steps and follow up before you leave the meeting.

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Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion Explained and Exemplified

2011-12-21T12:37:00.001-08:00

Introduction

There is a clear-cut difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. One is legally acceptable and the other is an offense. Unfortunately however many consultants even in this country do not understand the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. Most of the planning aspects that have been suggested by these consultants often fall into the category of tax evasion (which is illegal) and so tends to put clients into a risky situation and also diminish the value of tax planning.

This may be one of the prime reasons where clients have lost faith in tax planning consultants as most of them have often suggested dubious systems which are clearly under the category of tax evasion.

In this chapter I provide some examples and case studies (including legal cases) of how tax evasion (often suggested by consultants purporting to be specialists in tax planning) is undertaken not only in this country but in many parts of the world. It is true that many people do not like to pay their hard-earned money to the government. However doing this in an illegal manner such as by tax evasion is not the answer. Good tax planning involves tax avoidance or the reduction of the tax incidence. If this is done properly it can save substantial amounts of money in a legally acceptable way. This chapter also highlights some practical examples and case studies (including legal) of tax avoidance.

Why Governments Need Your Taxes (Basic Economic Arguments)

Income tax the biggest source of government funds today in most countries is a comparatively recent invention, probably because the notion of annual income is itself a modern concept. Governments preferred to tax things that were easy to measure and on which it was thus easy to calculate the liability. This is why early taxes concentrated on tangible items such as land and property, physical goods, commodities and ships, as well as things such as the number of windows or fireplaces in a building. In the 20th century, particularly the second half, governments around the world took a growing share of their country's national income in tax, mainly to pay for increasingly more expensive defense efforts and for a modern welfare state. Indirect tax on consumption, such as value-added tax, has become increasingly important as direct taxation on income and wealth has become increasingly unpopular. But big differences among countries remain. One is the overall level of tax. For example, in United States tax revenue amounts to around one-third of its GDP (gross domestic product), whereas in Sweden it is closer to half.

Others are the preferred methods of collecting it (direct versus indirect), the rates at which it is levied and the definition of the tax base to which these rates are applied. Countries have different attitudes to progressive and regressive taxation. There are also big differences in the way responsibility for taxation is divided among different levels of government. Arguably according to the discipline of economics any tax is a bad tax. But public goods and other government activities have to be paid for somehow, and economists often have strong views on which methods of taxation are more or less efficient. Most economists agree that the best tax is one that has as little impact as possible on people's decisions about whether to undertake a productive economic activity. High rates of tax on labour may discourage people from working, and so result in lower tax revenue than there would be if the tax rate were lower, an idea captured in the Laffer curve in economics theory.

Certainly, the marginal rate of tax may have a bigger effect on incentives than the overall tax burden. Land tax is regarded as the most efficient by some economists and tax on expenditure by others, as it does all the taking after the wealth creation is done. Some economists favor a neutral tax system that does not influence the sorts of economic activities that take place. Others favor using tax, and tax breaks, to guide economic activity in ways they favor, such as to minimize pollution and to increase the attractiveness of employing people rather than capital. Some economists argue that the tax system should be characterized by both horizontal equity and vertical equity, because this is fair, and because when the tax system is fair people may find it harder to justify tax evasion or avoidance.

However, who ultimately pays (the tax incidence) may be different from who is initially charged, if that person can pass it on, say by adding the tax to the price he charges for his output. Taxes on companies, for example, are always paid in the end by humans, be they workers, customers or shareholders. You should note that taxation and its role in economics is a very wide subject and this book does not address the issues of taxation and economics but rather tax planning to improve your economic position. However if you are interested in understanding the role of taxation in economics you should consult a good book on economics which often talks about the impact of different types of taxation on the economic activities of a nation of society.

Tax Avoidance and Evasion

Tax avoidance can be summed as doing everything possible within the law to reduce your tax bill. Learned Hand, an American judge, once said that there is nothing sinister in so arranging one's affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible as nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands. On the other hand tax evasion can be defined as paying less tax than you are legally obliged to. There may be a thin line between the two, but as Denis Healey, a former British chancellor, once put it, "The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall." The courts recognize the fact that no taxpayer is obliged to arrange his/her affairs so as to maximize the tax the government receives. Individuals and businesses are entitled to take all lawful steps to minimize their taxes.

A taxpayer may lawfully arrange her affairs to minimize taxes by such steps as deferring income from one year to the next. It is lawful to take all available tax deductions. It is also lawful to avoid taxes by making charitable contributions. Tax evasion, on the other hand, is a crime. Tax evasion typically involves failing to report income, or improperly claiming deductions that are not authorized. Examples of tax evasion include such actions as when a contractor "forgets" to report the LKR 1, 000,000 cash he receives for building a pool, or when a business owner tries to deduct LKR 1, 000,000 of personal expenses from his business taxes, or when a person falsely claims she made charitable contributions, or significantly overestimates the value of property donated to charity.

Similarly, if an estate is worth LKR 5,000,000 and the executor files a false tax return, improperly omitting property and claiming the estate is only worth LKR 100,000, thus owing much less in taxes. Tax evasion has an impact on our tax system. It causes a significant loss of revenue to the community that could be used for funding improvements in health, education, and other government programs. Tax evasion also allows some businesses to gain an unfair advantage in a competitive market and some individuals to not meet their tax obligations. As a result, the burden of tax not paid by those who choose to evade tax falls on other law abiding taxpayers.

Examples of tax evasion are: ï?~ Failing to declare assessable income ï?~ Claiming deductions for expenses that were not incurred or are not legally deductible ï?~ Claiming input credits for goods that Value Added Tax (VAT)has not been paid on ï?~ Failing to pay the PAYE (pay as you earn a form of with holding tax)installments that have been deducted from a payment, for example tax taken out of a worker's wages ï?~ Failing to lodge tax returns in an attempt to avoid payment. The following are some signs that a person or business may be evading tax: ï?~ Not being registered for VAT despite clearly exceeding the threshold ï?~ Not charging VAT at the correct rate ï?~ Not wanting to issue a receipt ï?~ Providing false invoices ï?~ Using a false business name, address, or taxpayers identification number (TIN) and VAT registration number ï?~ Keeping two sets of accounts, and ï?~ Not providing staff with payment summaries

Legal Aspects of Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion Two general points can be made about tax avoidance and evasion. First, tax avoidance or evasion occurs across the tax spectrum and is not peculiar to any tax type such as import taxes, stamp duties, VAT, PAYE and income tax. Secondly, legislation that addresses avoidance or evasion must necessarily be imprecise. No prescriptive set of rules exists for determining when a particular arrangement amounts to tax avoidance or evasion. This lack of precision creates uncertainty and adds to compliance costs both to the Department of Inland Revenue and the tax payer.

Definitions of Tax Mitigation Avoidance and Evasion It is impossible to express a precise test as to whether taxpayers have avoided, evaded or merely mitigated their tax obligations. As Baragwanath J said in Miller v CIR; McDougall v CIR: What is legitimate 'mitigation'(meaning avoidance) and what is illegitimate 'avoidance'(meaning evasion) is in the end to be decided by the Commissioner, the Taxation Review Authority and ultimately the courts, as a matter of judgment. Please note in the above statement the words are precisely as stated in judgment. However there is a mix-up of words which have been clarified by the words in the brackets by me. Tax Mitigation (Avoidance by Planning) Taxpayers are entitled to mitigate their liability to tax and will not be vulnerable to the general anti-avoidance rules in a statute. A description of tax mitigation was given by Lord Templeman in CIR v Challenge Corporate Ltd: Income tax is mitigated by a taxpayer who reduces his income or incurs expenditure in circumstances which reduce his assessable income or entitle him to reduction in his tax liability.

Tax mitigation is, therefore, behavior which, without amounting to tax avoidance (by planning), serves to attract less liability than otherwise might have arisen. Tax Avoidance Tax evasion, as Lord Templeman has pointed out, is not mere mitigation. The term is described directly or indirectly by ï?~ Altering the incidence of any income tax ï?~ Relieving any person from liability to pay income tax ï?~ Avoiding, reducing or postponing any liability to income tax On an excessively literal interpretation, this approach could conceivably apply to mere mitigation, for example, to an individual's decision not to work overtime, because the additional income would attract a higher rate of tax. However, a better way of approaching tax avoidance is to regard it as an arrangement that, unlike mitigation, yields results that Parliament did not intend.

In Challenge Corporation Ltd v CIR, Cooke J described the effect of the general anti-avoidance rules in these terms: [It] nullifies against the Commissioner for income tax purposes any arrangement to the extent that it has a purpose or effect of tax avoidance, unless that purpose or effect is merely incidental. Where an arrangement is void the Commissioner is given power to adjust the assessable income of any person affected by it, so as to counteract any tax advantage obtained by that person. Woodhouse J commented on the breadth of the general anti-avoidance rule in the Challenge Corporation case, noting that Parliament had taken: The deliberate decision that because the problem of definition in this elusive field cannot be met by expressly spelling out a series of detailed specifications in the statute itself, the interstices must be left for attention by the judges.

Tax Evasion Mitigation and avoidance are concepts concerned with whether or not a tax liability has arisen. With evasion, the starting point is always that a liability has arisen. The question is whether that liability has been illegitimately, even criminally been left unsatisfied. In CIR v Challenge Corporation Ltd, Lord Templeman said: Evasion occurs when the Commissioner is not informed of all the facts relevant to an assessment of tax. Innocent evasion may lead to a re-assessment. Fraudulent evasion may lead to a criminal prosecution as well as re-assessment.

The elements which can attract the criminal label to evasion were elaborated by Dickson J in Denver Chemical Manufacturing v Commissioner of Taxation (New South Wales): An intention to withhold information lest the Commissioner should consider the taxpayer liable to a greater extent than the taxpayer is prepared to concede, is conduct which if the result is to avoid tax would justify finding evasion. Not all evasion is fraudulent. It becomes fraudulent if it involves a deliberate attempt to cheat the revenue. On the other hand, evasion may exist, but may not be fraudulent, if it is the result of a genuine mistake. In order to prove the offence of evasion, the Commissioner must show intent to evade by the taxpayer. As with other offences, this intent may be inferred from the circumstances of the particular case. Tax avoidance and tax mitigation are mutually exclusive. Tax avoidance and tax evasion are not: They may both arise out of the same situation. For example, a taxpayer files a tax return based on the effectiveness of a transaction which is known to be void against the Commissioner as a tax avoidance arrangement.

A senior United Kingdom tax official recently referred to this issue: If an 'avoidance' scheme relies on misrepresentation, deception and concealment of the full facts, then avoidance is a misnomer; the scheme would be more accurately described as fraud, and would fall to be dealt with as such. Where fraud is involved, it cannot be re-characterized as avoidance by cloaking the behavior with artificial structures, contrived transactions and esoteric arguments as to how the tax law should be applied to the structures and transactions. Tax Avoidance in a Policy Framework We now turn from the existing legal framework in the context of income tax to a possible policy framework for considering issues relating to tax avoidance generally. The questions considered relevant to a policy analysis of tax avoidance are: What is tax avoidance? Under what conditions is tax avoidance possible? When is tax avoidance a 'policy problem? What is a sensible policy response to tax avoidance?

What is the value of, and what are the limitations of, general anti-avoidance rules? The first two questions are discussed below What is Tax Avoidance? Finance literature may offer some guidance to what is meant by tax avoidance in its definition of 'arbitrage'. Arbitrage is a means of profiting from a mismatch in prices. An example is finding and exploiting price differences between New Zealand and Australia in shares in the same listed company. A real value can be found in such arbitrage activity, since it spreads information about prices. Demand for the low-priced goods increases and demand for the high-priced goods decreases, ensuring that goods and resources are put to their best use. Tax arbitrage is, therefore, a form of tax planning. It is an activity directed towards the reduction of tax. It is this concept of tax arbitrage that seems to constitute generally accepted notions of what is tax avoidance. Activities such as giving money to charity or investing in tax-preferred sectors, would not fall into this definition of tax arbitrage, and thus would not be tax avoidance even if the action were motivated by tax considerations. It has been noted that financial arbitrage can have a useful economic function. The same may be true of tax arbitrage, presuming that differences in taxation are deliberate government policy furthering economic efficiency.

It is possible that tax arbitrage directs resources into activities with low tax rates, as intended by government policy. It is also likely to ensure that investors in tax-preferred areas are those who can benefit most from the tax concessions, namely, those facing the highest marginal tax rates. If government policy objectives are better achieved, tax arbitrage is in accordance with the government's policy intent. Tax avoidance, then, can be viewed as a form of tax arbitrage that is contrary to legislative or policy intent. What Makes Tax Avoidance Possible? The basic ingredients of tax arbitrage are the notion of arbitrage, and the possibilities of profiting from differentials that the notion of arbitrage implies. This definition leads to the view that three conditions need to be present for tax avoidance to exist. A difference in the effective marginal tax rates on economic income is required. For arbitrage to exist, there must be a price differential and, in tax arbitrage, this is a tax differential. Such tax differences can arise because of a variable rate structure, such as a progressive rate scale, or rate differences applying to different taxpayers, such as tax-exempt bodies or tax loss companies.

Alternatively it can arise because the tax base is less than comprehensive, for example, because not all economic income is subject to income tax.

o An ability to exploit the difference in tax by converting high-tax activity into low-tax activity is required. If there are differences in tax rates, but no ability to move from high to low-tax, no arbitrage is possible.
o Even if these two conditions are met, this does not make tax arbitrage and avoidance possible. The tax system may mix high and low-rate taxpayers. The high-rate taxpayer may be able to divert income to a low-rate taxpayer or convert highly-taxed income into a lowly-taxed form. But this is pointless unless the high-rate taxpayer can be recompensed in a lowly-taxed form for diverting or converting his or her income into a low-tax category. The income must come back in a low-tax form. The benefit must also exceed the transaction costs. This is the third necessary condition for tax arbitrage.
o Since all tax systems have tax bases (The thing or amount to which a tax rate applies.

To collect income tax, for example, you need a meaningful definition of income. Definitions of the tax base can vary enormously, over time and among countries, especially when tax breaks are taken into account. As a result, a country with a comparatively high tax rate may not have a high tax burden (Total tax paid in a period as a proportion of total income in that period. It can refer to personal, corporate or national income. ) if it has a more narrowly defined tax base than other countries. In recent years, the political unpopularity of high tax rates has lead many governments to lower rates and at the same time broaden the tax base, often leaving the tax burden unchanged. )that are less than comprehensive because of the impossibility of defining and measuring all economic income, tax arbitrage and avoidance is inherent in tax systems. Examples of Tax Arbitrage/Avoidance The simplest form of arbitrage involves a family unit or a single taxpayer. If that family unit or taxpayer faces differences in tax rates (condition 1 above), and condition 2 above applies, then the third condition automatically holds.

This conclusion follows because people can always compensate themselves for converting or diverting income to a low tax rate. An example of such simple tax arbitrage involving a family unit is income splitting through, for example, the use of family trust. An example of simple tax arbitrage involving a single taxpayer is a straddle whereby a dealer in financial assets brings forward losses on, say shares, and defers gains while retaining an economic interest in the shares through use of options. Transfer pricing and thin capitalization practices through which non-residents minimize their tax liabilities are more sophisticated examples of the same principles. Multi-party arbitrage is more complex; the complexity is made necessary by the need to meet condition 3 above, that is, to ensure a net gain accrues to the high-rate taxpayer. In the simpler cases of multi-party income tax arbitrage, this process normally involves a tax-exempt (or tax-loss or tax-haven) entity and a taxpaying entity. Income is diverted to the tax-exempt entity and expenses are diverted to the taxpaying entity. Finally, the taxpaying entity is compensated for diverting income and assuming expenses by receiving non-taxable income or a non-taxable benefit, such as a capital gain.

Over the years many have indulged in numerous examples of such tax arbitrage using elements in the legislation at the time. Examples are finance leasing, non-recourse lending, tax-haven(a country or designated zone that has low or no taxes, or highly secretive banks and often a warm climate and sandy beaches, which make it attractive to foreigners bent on tax avoidance and evasion ) 'investments' and redeemable preference shares. Low-tax policies pursued by some countries in the hope of attracting international businesses and capital is called tax competition which can provide a rich ground for arbitrage. Economists usually favour competition in any form. But some say that tax competition is often a beggar-thy-neighbor policy, which can reduce another country's tax base, or force it to change its mix of taxes, or stop it taxing in the way it would like.

Economists who favour tax competition often cite a 1956 article by Charles Tiebout (1924-68) entitled "A Pure Theory of Local Expenditures". In it he argued that, faced with a choice of different combinations of tax and government services, taxpayers will choose to locate where they get closest to the mixture they want. Variations in tax rates among different countries are good, because they give taxpayers more choice and thus more chance of being satisfied. This also puts pressure on governments to be efficient. Thus measures to harmonize taxes are a bad idea. There is at least one big caveat to this theory. Tiebout assumed, crucially, that taxpayers are highly mobile and able to move to wherever their preferred combination of taxes and benefits is on offer.

Tax competition may make it harder to redistribute from rich to poor through the tax system by allowing the rich to move to where taxes are not redistributive. Tactics Used by Tax Evaders Moonlighting Tax evasion at its simplest level merely involves staying out of the tax system altogether. The Revenue deploys small teams of volunteer officers to carry out surveillance to track down moonlighters. Early success was followed up by the deployment of compliance officers in virtually every tax office. Revenue Investigation Officers routinely scan advertisements in local newspapers or shop windows and even before the advent of the modern personal computer they frequently had access to reverse telephone directories to track down moonlighters from bare telephone number details. They also study bank and other financial institutions deposit and loans databases, customs records, and star class hotel bookings for private functions and ceremonies to identify rich individuals who maybe evading taxes.

Non Extractive Fraud Alternatively it can arise because the tax base is less than comprehensive, for example, because not all economic income is subject to income tax. ï?~ An ability to exploit the difference in tax by converting high-tax activity into low-tax activity is required. If there are differences in tax rates, but no ability to move from high to low-tax, no arbitrage is possible. ï?~ Even if these two conditions are met, this does not make tax arbitrage and avoidance possible. The tax system may mix high and low-rate taxpayers. The high-rate taxpayer may be able to divert income to a low-rate taxpayer or convert highly-taxed income into a lowly-taxed form. But this is pointless unless the high-rate taxpayer can be recompensed in a lowly-taxed form for diverting or converting his or her income into a low-tax category. The income must come back in a low-tax form. The benefit must also exceed the transaction costs. This is the third necessary condition for tax arbitrage. Since all tax systems have bases that are less than comprehensive because of the impossibility of defining and measuring all economic income, tax arbitrage and avoidance is inherent in tax systems. This involves profit switches or timing differences, for example:

o Post dating Receipts
o Ante dating Expenditure
o Hidden Reserves
o Incorrect accounting of transactions such as showing an income as a payable.
o Stock manipulation Perhaps the most common place method seen in practice is the manipulation of stock to produce the desired "profit".

It is not unknown for the evaders' Accountant to be involved - putting at risk the livelihood and, if the amount involved is significant, personal liberty! The most blatant case of this kind is where the Accountant virtually treated this as year end tax planning. Based upon the formal disclosures made by the evader under the Hansard procedure to the Inland Revenue (in which he implicated the Accountant and in connection with an account in a false name also his Bank Manager), the following scene can be recreated: "Studying the draft accounts the Accountant did a quick calculation to work out what range of figures could be used for closing stock in hand without giving rise to suspicion. He then apparently discussed with the client the impact on net profit of reducing Closing Stock.

Arrangements were then made for the audit to take place and in the meantime some stock was moved off site! "The Accountant and Bank Manager who assisted the evader are both guilty of conspiracy to defraud - it matters not that they made no financial gain themselves. Extractive Fraud This might take the form of Suppressed receipts or inflated outgoings: Suppressed Receipts Typically these involve defected mainstream takings and often an undisclosed bank account. However the more resourceful evader may take advantage of special arrangements or unexpected receipts: Where the proprietor or director personally deals with some customers it may be possible for cheques to be made out in a manner which facilitates diversion. Alternatively cheque substitution may be used, such that the otherwise "off record sale" cheque is banked and an equivalent amount of "on record cash" is extracted.

It is not unknown for late cash payment of credit sales to bypass the bookkeeping system with the debt subsequently being written off as bad. Unexpected receipts always present a good opportunity for deflection. For example:

1. Scrap sales
2. Insurance or bad debt recoveries
3. Refunds, rebates or discounts
4. Returned goods sold for cash, disposal of fully written down assets and windfalls in general.

The evader may take advantage of a new business opportunity, which remains hidden, and off record. Examples of this seen in practice include:

1. the dentist with three practices of which only two were discloses
2. the off record sale of hitherto obsolete car parts to the burgeoning classic car market Inflated Purchases & Expenses Where the ability to deflect receipts is too difficult the evader might draw cash from the business bank account and disguise such withdrawals as some form of legitimate business expense. In practice this often involves the use of "ghost" employees or fictitious outgoings to cover such extractions. Fictitious outgoings have to employ the use of false invoices. These might take the form of altered invoices, photocopied or even scanned "blanked" versions of genuine invoices, completely bogus invoices or even blank invoices supplied by an associate.

Another approach seen in practice involved the use of a seemingly unconnected off shore company to raise invoices for fictitious services. To hide the true ownership of the off shore company the evader uses a "black hole" trust to hold the shares. Essentially this involved a compliant non-resident trustee and "dummy" settler - the trustee providing "stooge" directors as part of the arrangements.

Employment Tax Evasion Schemes Employment tax evasion schemes can take a variety of forms. Some of the more prevalent methods of evasion include pyramiding, employee leasing, paying employees in cash, filing false payroll tax returns or failing to file payroll tax returns. Pyramiding "Pyramiding" of employment taxes is a fraudulent practice where a business withholds taxes from its employees but intentionally fails to remit them to the relevant departments. Businesses involved in pyramiding frequently file for bankruptcy to discharge the liabilities accrued and then start a new business under a different name and begin a new scheme. Employment Leasing Employee leasing is another legal business practice, which is sometimes subject to abuse.

Employee leasing is the practice of contracting with outside businesses to handle all administrative, personnel, and payroll concerns for employees. In some instances, employee-leasing companies fail to pay over to the authorities any portion of the collected employment taxes. These taxes are often spent by the owners on business or personal expenses. Often the company dissolves, leaving millions in employment taxes unpaid. Paying Employees in Cash Paying employees in whole or partially in cash is a common method of evading income and employment taxes resulting in lost tax revenue to the government and the loss or reduction of future social benefits. Filing False Payroll Tax Returns or Failing to File Payroll Tax Returns Preparing false payroll tax returns understating the amount of wages on which taxes are owed, or failing to file employment tax returns are methods commonly used to evade employment taxes. Payments of Benefits These include free benefits such as personal entertainment, excessive allowances for foreign travel, provision of educational schemes (foreign education) to only preferred employees, car and driver paid by company etc are simple examples.

Conclusion

I hope that I have made clear the difference between doing things right and legitimately and in a fraudulent manner. Whether you are a taxpayer or a consultant it is important to make sure that you understand the nuances of good tax planning. Whilst it is understood that tax planning is becoming more difficult and there is only a thin line between what is right and wrong it obviously requires the expert to do the needful. However be careful not to be tricked by those who claim to be experts in tax planning when they are mere computational experts.

Basic Configuration Tutorial For the Cisco ASA 5510 Firewall

2011-12-20T02:16:00.001-08:00

Continuing our series of articles about Cisco ASA 5500 firewalls, I'm offering you here a basic configuration tutorial for the Cisco ASA 5510 security appliance. This device is the second model in the ASA series (ASA 5505, 5510, 5520 etc) and is fairly popular since is intended for small to medium enterprises. Like the smallest ASA 5505 model, the 5510 comes with two license options: The Base license and the Security Plus license. The second one (security plus) provides some performance and hardware enhancements over the base license, such as 130,000 Maximum firewall connections (instead of 50,000), 100 Maximum VLANs (instead of 50), Failover Redundancy, etc. Also, the security plus license enables two of the five firewall network ports to work as 10/100/1000 instead of only 10/100.

Next we will see a simple Internet Access scenario which will help us understand the basic steps needed to setup an ASA 5510. Assume that we are assigned a static public IP address 100.100.100.1 from our ISP. Also, the internal LAN network belongs to subnet 192.168.10.0/24. Interface Ethernet0/0 will be connected on the outside (towards the ISP), and Ethernet0/1 will be connected to the Inside LAN switch.

The firewall will be configured to supply IP addresses dynamically (using DHCP) to the internal hosts. All outbound communication (from inside to outside) will be translated using Port Address Translation (PAT) on the outside public interface. Let's see a snippet of the required configuration steps for this basic scenario:

Step1: Configure a privileged level password (enable password)

By default there is no password for accessing the ASA firewall, so the first step before doing anything else is to configure a privileged level password, which will be needed to allow subsequent access to the appliance. Configure this under Configuration Mode:

ASA5510(config)# enable password mysecretpassword

Step2: Configure the public outside interface

ASA5510(config)# interface Ethernet0/0

ASA5510(config-if)# nameif outside

ASA5510(config-if)# security-level 0

ASA5510(config-if)# ip address 100.100.100.1 255.255.255.252

ASA5510(config-if)# no shut

Step3: Configure the trusted internal interface

ASA5510(config)# interface Ethernet0/1

ASA5510(config-if)# nameif inside

ASA5510(config-if)# security-level 100

ASA5510(config-if)# ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0

ASA5510(config-if)# no shut

Step 4: Configure PAT on the outside interface

ASA5510(config)# global (outside) 1 interface

ASA5510(config)# nat (inside) 1 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0

Step 5: Configure Default Route towards the ISP (assume default gateway is 100.100.100.2)

ASA5510(config)# route outside 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 100.100.100.2 1

Step 6: Configure the firewall to assign internal IP and DNS address to hosts using DHCP

ASA5510(config)# dhcpd dns 200.200.200.10

ASA5510(config)# dhcpd address 192.168.10.10-192.168.10.200 inside

ASA5510(config)# dhcpd enable inside

The above basic configuration is just the beginning for making the appliance operational. There are many more configuration features that you need to implement to increase the security of your network, such as Static and Dynamic NAT, Access Control Lists to control traffic flow, DMZ zones, VPN etc.

Visit my website in my resource box below for more information about Cisco products and solutions. You can also learn how to configure any Cisco ASA 5500 Firewall Here (applicable for ALL ASA models running software versions 7.x and 8.x).

How to Mod Your Xbox

2011-12-19T07:22:00.001-08:00

Most of the people that own the Xbox 360, at one point owned an original Xbox. The few of us that didn't trade probably decided that it is more beneficial to keep it, as some of the games were not backwards compatible. Now that the majority of the games have become backwards compatible, what oh what do we do with our Xbox? Within this article, I will teach you how to mod your Xbox with emulators

Use the system as your virtual console, only not pay for that nostalgic feeling we get every time we see Super Mario 3. If you already have a modded Xbox than good for you. I have one and I had a hard time transferring files into my Xbox as well as the emulators themselves. I am going to provide both a walk through and a download with all the emulators in them for the Xbox. I am sure roms won't be a problem, but remember only download them if you already "own" the game.

I would like to mention that I am using Avalaunch as my custom firmware and that anything mentioned here has been done on it.

The easiest way to transfer is using a router and a program called flashfxp. Connect the Xbox to your router using an Ethernet cable. Now click the little button that looks like a thunder bolt.

Next, select quick connect, and you will be prompted to a screen where you have to enter the URL of where the Xbox is connected. Most of the time, you can find this when you go to the network section of your custom Xbox, but in case you don't, here is something that might help on how to mod your Xbox with emulators successfully.

The address is usually 192.168.2.1?. The ? = the port number your Xbox is connected to on your router. Example, if the Xbox is connected to port 2, than the address will be 192.168.2.12, and if it is connected to port 4, the address will be 192.168.2.14. DO NOT change the port number on the program, leave it at 21 as default. For the user name type in "Xbox" and for the password type in "Xbox" Next, click connect.

They will show up on different folders. Browse through them and find the one folder than contains the folder labeled "games". This is where your going to put your emulators. (I am aware that there are different custom firmwares for the Xbox, this is the case on the one I am using though)

Next, simply put the emulators in that folder and restart your Xbox. Most of the emulators will allow you to browse through your folders, so just create a folder called roms for your individual emulators and put your roms there. Every time you install a new rom, you have to restart your Xbox I find. That's it. Hope you enjoyed this article on how to mod your Xbox. Don't worry about the emulators, I've included a link below with all the necessary downloads.

HP Wireless Printer android market free design software

Transactional Vs Relational Selling

2011-12-18T13:41:00.001-08:00

There are many different styles of selling, and many different ways to define those styles. Two of those styles are Relational and Transactional:

Someone who follows relational selling puts a great deal of emphasis on building a relationship with their potential client. They focus on creating feelings of trust and comfort with the people they work with. It's often called "solution-based selling" because the salesperson spends their time uncovering the needs and challenges of their prospects.

A salesperson who has a transactional selling focus concentrates on the actual sales transaction. They put their attention on the business exchange with their potential clients. Because of this they are often more movement- and action-oriented, i.e. they want to get the deal done.

Very few salespeople, however, are one or the other. It's best to think of it as a spectrum with relational on one end and transactional on the other. Most salespeople tend to blend the two styles together while leaning towards one of the them. This mixture is good because each style has its own pros and cons:

Relational Selling

Pro -It creates a strong relationship that the salesperson can leverage because of strong feelings of "know, like, and trust".

Con - It's easy to stagnate and not move the business relationship forward; creates the danger of being an "unpaid consultant".

Transactional Selling

Pro - It creates business deals, which is important because the salesperson's job and focus is to make sales.

Con - It can be seen as aggressive and pushy; and by moving too quickly it's easy to miss information that is important to the sale.

The ideal, then is for a salesperson to find somewhere in the middle that they are comfortable with, and that is effective for them (which can also vary based on industry and company).

Where do you fall in the spectrum, and how is it working? If you were going to adjust your selling style, which way should you move?

Linksys E1000 Router Set Up and Troubleshooting

2011-12-17T23:44:00.001-08:00

All Linksys E series routers work on the N technology. You can get wireless speed up to 300 Mbps. You can connect wireless computers, wireless printers and other Wi-Fi devices up to 300 Mbps. Linksys E1000 is nothing but Linksys WRT160N router with a new Cisco connect software.

All the E series routers have Gigabit Ethernet ports which can give you speed up to 1000 Mbps wired connection speed. E1000 router works on 2.4 GHz wireless signal. E2100L router also works on 2.4 GHz wireless signal. This router has a USB port on it. You can connect the USB hard drive to the router and share the hard drive with all the computers connected in the network. E2000 and E3000 routers work on 2.4 GHz as well as 5 GHz powerful wireless signal. You can connect your gaming devices, blue ray players, DVR system to this router for smoother and faster video streaming.

Linksys E1000 router setup:

All the E series routers come with the great Cisco connect software for the easy installation. Before installing the router, make sure that your Internet is working properly through the modem. Connect your computer directly to the modem and try to go on line. If you are able to access the Internet from the modem, then your Internet is working properly. Now insert the CD in to the same computer. Do not run the CD on any other computer. Use the same computer that you used to connect to the modem. Follow the steps of the CD. It may not ask you to connect the computer to the router. But it is recommended that you should connect your computer to the router for the initial set up of the router. You will need to connect the computer to one of the Ethernet port on the router and the modem to the Internet port on the router. That means there will be 2 connections to the router. Now go to the next step on the set up CD. It will take up to 5 minutes to set up the router.

Definitely you can setup the router without CD also. You just need to open the setup page of the router and change the settings manually.

The Cisco connect software is a very intelligent tool. It will check your Internet connection settings and it will try to set up your router automatically according to those settings. It will also create wireless network automatically with the unique network name and password. On the final step you will see that the router is set up successfully. It will open the window where you can check the settings of the router. It will create an option on your computer in the all program list. If you want to change the settings of the wireless network, you can open the Cisco connect software and change the settings.

The Cisco connect software will run only on Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or better, Windows 7, Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.9, Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11, Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8, Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.1.

This software will also give you option of parental control where you can limit the access to the Internet according to time as well as websites. This software is capable of creating a guest network access. You can limit the number of guest computers. The guest wireless network will be totally a different wireless network. This guest network works on different IP address range so that the guest people can not share your main wireless network. The guest will not be able to access the router settings or the computers in the main network. But you can set up the Guest network only if you run the Cisco connect software.

Once you have the main computer up and running through the router. You can use a small flash drive to create a set up key. On your other wireless computer, connect this USB set up key and run the program. It will connect your computer to the wireless network automatically. It will search for the wireless network and it will connect on its own. You don't need to do anything. You can run the USB set up key only if the wireless connection is managed by the windows connection manager. If you change the wireless settings of the router using the set up page of the router, the Cisco connect software will stop working.

If you are not able to set up the router using the Cisco connect software, you can set up the router manually. But you will not be able to use the advantages of Cisco connect software like USB set up key or Guest network access. You can open the set up page of the router and change the Internet connection settings manually according to the Internet service provider.

The hardware warranty for Linksys E series router is 1 year but the free technical support is only for 90 days.

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Good Massage

2011-12-17T03:58:00.001-08:00

For a good massage hands is the primary tool for every therapist. For them, fingernails should be kept clean, filed and short so that you don't hurt the client while massaging. To ensure a good and healthy massage, hands should be washed properly with a good hand washing soap so that the disease isn't transferred to another client.

Positions for the masseur and patient for a good massage therapy

Being a masseur you need to keep in mind lots of things like maintaining a good posture while giving a massage. You cannot throw your body to the client or take support of his/her body. You need to stand straight and provide gentle strokes to the person ensuring they have a nice time. Additionally, the table at which you will provide the massage needs to be of your height so that it's comfortable for you as well while providing the massage therapy. Hence, your position as the massager is very crucial to determine the comfort you are providing to the client.

On the other side, positioning of the patient is equally important. They must be laid on a comfortable table. A pillow must be tuck under the ankle to make sure the feet are comfortable. Ensure that the patient is comfortable in the position you have put them into. If not, make sure they are by providing the necessary requisites. Try to communicate with the client as some might not say anything even if they are not comfortable because of their nature. So, proper communication is required to make them comfortable.

So, some of other tips to ensure good massages are:

• Make your hands warm before applying it on the patient body
• Do not wear any accessories on your wrist like watch, bracelets etc
• Clean room is a must
• Proper amount of oil/gel/lotion should be used
• Use pillow under patient ankles
• Do not take off your hands after you have started the massage
• Work toward the head
• Maintain a good posture

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LAN Design and the Hierarchical Network Model

2011-12-16T12:03:00.001-08:00

CCNA focuses on networks for SMBs (small, medium businesses).
A hierarchical design model is recommended.
Easier to manage and expand.
Problems are solved more quickly.

Hierarchical design divides the network into 3 layers.
Core, (CL).
Distribrution, (DL).
Access, (AL).

Each layer provides specific functions.
This "modularity" facilitates scalability and performance.

Access Layer, (AL): lowest

Interfaces with the end device (user).
Includes routers, switches, bridges, hubs and wireless APs.
Provides a means of connecting devices to the network and controlling which one communicate on the network.

Distribution Layer, (DL):

Aggregates data received from the AL before transmitting to the CL for routing.
Controls traffic flow using policies and delineates broadcast domains with VLANs defined at the AL.
VLANs allow traffic segmentation (separate subnetworks).
DL switches are typically high-performance devices that have high availability and redundancy to ensure reliability.

Core Layer, (CL):

The high-speed backbone or the internetwork.
Critical for interconnectivity between distribution layer devices ? needs to be highly available and redundant.
Often connects to Internet resources.
Aggregates tfc fm all devices, so it must be capable of forwarding large amounts of data quickly.
Note: smaller networks often combine the distribution and core layers.

Three Logical Laye3rs are separated into a well-defined hierarchy.
It is much harder to see these layers physically.

Benefits of a Hierarchical Network:

Scalability:

Hierarchical networks scale very well.
The modularity allows you to replicate design elements.
Expansion is easy to plan and implement.

Redundancy:

As a network grows, availability becomes more important.
Availability increases dramatically with hierarchical networks.
E.G. AL switches connect to 2 DL switches. If one DL switch fails, the AL switch can switch to the other one.
Redundancy is limited is at the access layer. Typically, end devices do not connect to multiple switches.

Performance:

Properly designed networks can achieve near wire speed btwn all devices.

Security:

AL switches can be configured to provide control over which devices are allowed to connect to the network.
More advanced security policies available at the DL.
Some AL switches support L3 functionality, but it is usually the job of the DL switches, because they can process it much more efficiently.

Manageability:

Changes can be repeated across all devices in a layer because they presumably perform the same functions.
Deployment of new switches is simplified because configs can be copied with few modifications.
Consistency within each layer simplifies troubleshooting.

Maintainability:

Because of their modularity and scalability, hierarchical networks are easy to maintain.
This also means these networks are less expensive.
With other designs, manageability becomes increasingly complicated as the network grows.

Principles of Hierarchical Network Design:

Hierarchical design is no guarantee of good design.
Simple guidelines help differentiate btwn well-designed and poorly designed hierarchical networks.

Network Diameter:

Usually the first thing to consider.
The # of devices a packet crosses to reach its destination.
Small diameter ensures low and predictable latency.

Bandwidth Aggregation, (adding together):

Combines links btwn switches to achieve up throughput.
Cisco has a proprietary link aggregation technology called EtherChannel.
Aggregated links are indicated by multiple dotted lines with an oval or a single, dotted line with an oval.
Can be used at every layer (less common @ AL).

Redundancy:

Redundancy can be provided in a number of ways.
E.G. 2x connections btwn devices, or 2x devices.
Redundant links can be expensive.
Designing redundancy starts at the AL. You ensure that you accommodate all network devices ? 3 of AL switches.
This helps determine 3 of DL switches ? CL switches.

What is a Converged network?

SMBs are increasingly running voice, video and data.
Convergence is the process of combining these.
Until recently this was limited to large enterprises.
Legacy (older) equipment hinders convergence.
Because analog phones have not yet been replaced, you will also see legacy PBX telephone and IP-based systems.
Convergence is now easier and less expensive.
With a convergence there is just one network to manage.
This costs less to implement and manage.
IT cabling requirements are simplified.
Convergence also creates new opportunities.
You can tie voice and video directly into an employee's PC.
No need for an expensive phone or video equipment.
Softphones (Cisco IP |Communicator) offer a lot of flexibility.
With software businesses can quickly convert to converged networks with little capital expense.
With cheap webcams videoconferencing can be added.

Separate Voice, Video and Data Networks:

Voice networks contain isolated phone lines running to a PBX (Private BDXT Exchange) switch located in a Telco wiring closet PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network).
Telco closet often separate fm the data and video closets.
New phone ? a new line to the PBX.
Using a properly designed hierarchical network voice lines can be added with little or no impact.
Now that networks can accommodate the BW it makes sense to converge.

Considerations for Hierarchical Network Switches:

Tfc Flow Analysis:
The process of measuring BW usage and analyzing it for performance tuning, planning, and HW improvement.
To select the appropriate gear in a hierarchical network, you need to spec out tfc flows, users and servers.
Networks must be designed with an eye on growth.
Done using tfc flow analysis software.
Should consider port densities and forwarding rates to ensure adequate growth capability.

Analysis Tools:

Many tfc flow analysis tools are available.
E.G. Solarwinds Orion 8.1 NetFlow Analysis.

User Communities Analysis:

Identifies user grpings and their impact on net performance.
Affects port density and tfc flow, which influences the selection of network switches.
Typically users are grped according to job function.
E.G. HR one floor and Finance on another.
Each dept. has different users and needs, and requires access to different resources through the network.
Choose switches that have enough ports to meet the dept needs and pwrful enough to accommodate tfc.
Good network design also factors in the growth.
Investigate the tfc generated by end-user applications.
Some user communities generate a lot, some do not.
The location of the user communities influences where data stores and server farms are located.
By locating users close to their servers, you can reduce network diameter, reducing the impact on other users.
However, usage is not always bound by department or physical location.

Data Stores and Data Servers Analysis:

Data stores can be servers, SANs, NAS, tape bu units, or any other storage device or component.
Considers both client-server and server-server tfc.
Client-server tfc typically traverses multiple switches.
BW aggregation and switch forwarding rates can help eliminate bottlenecks for this type of tfc.
Some server apps generate high volumes btwn servers.
These server shouls be located close to each other (i.e. secured data centers).
Tfc across data center switches is typically very high.
Requires higher performing switches.

Topology Diagrams:

A graphical representation of a network infrastructure.
Shows how all switches are interconnected, including which ports interconnect devices.
It shows where and how many switches are in use.
Can also contain info on device densities and user grps.
Helps visually identify potential bottlenecks.
Very difficult to create after the fact.

Switch Features:

Switch Form Factors:

Fixed or modular config, and stackable or non-stackable.
Thickness is expressed in rack units. (i.e. 1U, 3U).
Fixed Config Switches - Cannot add hardware.
Modular Switches - chassis allows for multiple line cards which contain the ports.
The larger the chassis, the more modules it can support.

Stackable Switches:

Can be interconnected using a special backplane cable that provides high-bandwidth throughput btwn the switches.
Cisco's StackWise technology allows you to interconnect up to nine switches using fully redundant backplane connections.
Stacked switches effectively operate as a single larger switch.
Desirable where fault tolerance and BW availability are critical and a modular switch is too costly.

Performance:

Port Density:

Port density is the 3 of ports available per switch.
Fixed sitches typically 1,000 ports!

Large enterprise networks require high density, modular switches to make the best use of space and pwr.
Also prevent uplink bottlenecks.
A series of fixed swtches consume many additional ports for BW aggregation btwn switches.
Whith a modular switch, aggregation is less of an issue because the chassis backplane provides the BW.

Forwarding Rates:

The processing capabilities of a switch in bps.
Switch product lines are classified by forwarding rates.
If this rate is too low, it cannot accommodate wire-speed across all ports.
Wire speed = rate that each port is capable of (10Mbps etc).
E.G. 48-port GbE switch at wire speed = 48Gbps of tfc.
If the switch only supports 32 Gbps (internally), it cannot run at full wire speed across all posrts simultaneously.
Access switches typically do not need full wire speed because they are physically limited by their uplinks to the DL.

Link Aggregation:

Determine if there are enough ports to aggregate to support the required BW.
E.G. GbE 24-port switch could generate up to 24 Gbps.
If it is connected to the network by a single cable, it can only forward 1 Gbps to the rest of the network.
That results in 1/24th wire speed for each of the 24 devices.
Link aggregation helps to reduce these bottlenecks by allowing up to 8 ports to be grped, providing up to 8 Gbps.
With multiple 10GbE uplinks very high throughput rates can be achieved.
Cisco uses the term EtherChannel = aggregated ports.

Power over Ethernet (PoE):

PoE allows a switch to deliver power over existing Ethernet.
Can be used by IP phones and some wireless APs.
Allows more flexibility for equipment installations.
Adds considerable cost to the switch.
PoE switch marked with a `V`for volts.

Layer 3 Functions:

Typically, switches operate at L2 and deal primarily with MAC addresses.
L3 switches offer advanced functionality.
L3 switches = multilayer switches.

Switch features in a Hierarchical Network:

Access Layer switch Features:

Port security - first line of defense for a network.
How many or what devices are allowed to connect.
All Cisco switches support port layer security.
VLANs - component of converged networks.
Voice tfc is typically given a separate VLAN.
Port speed:
Fast Ethernet is adequate for VoIP and most data tfc.
PoE - much more expensive, so use only when required.
Link Aggregation - supported at all 3 lvls.
QoS - needed for VoIP.

Distribution Layer Switch features:

Collect all AL switch data and forward it to the CL switches.
Provides the inter-VLAN routing functions.
DL switches have higher processing capabilities than AL.
Need L3 to support inter-VLAN routing.

Security Policies:

Need L3 so advanced security policies can be applied.
ACLs control tfc flows through a network.
ACLs allow switches to filter tfc.
ACLs are CPU-intensive because they need to inspect every packet and match ACL rules.
Placing ACLs at the DL also reduces the 3 of switches that require the extra mgmt configuration.
Policy-based connectivity and departmentaléworkgroup access to the core layer.

Quality of Service:

DL switches need to maintain the priorities of tfc coming fm the AL switches that have implemented QoS.
If not all the devices support QoS, the benefits will be reduced -. poor performance and quality.
DL switches are under high demand.
They need redundancy for adequate availability.
DL switches are typically implemented in pairs.
Recommended that they support multiple, hot swappable pwr supplies.
Finally, they need to support link aggregation and high-bandwidth aggregated links back to the core.

Core Layer Switch Features:

The CL is the high-speed backbone.
The forwarding rate is dependent on the number of devices participating in the network.
If you choose an inadequate switch at the core, you face potential bottleneck issues slowing down all tfc.
CL switches should support aggregated 10GbE.
L3 redundancy has faster convergence than L2, so, ensure CL switches support L3 functions.
CL switches should support FULL redundancy features.
QoS is important at the core since high-speed WAN access is often prohibitivel expensive.

Switches for SMBs:

Identify the Cisco switches used in SMB applications.

The features of Cisco Catalyst Switches:

You cannot simply select a switch by the size of a business.
Businesses are often cross integrated with other entities.
A 6500 makes sense as an AL switch where there are hundreds of users in an area, such as a stock exchange.
Cat Express 500 - forwarding rates = 8.8 - 24 Gbps.
Cat 2960 - L3, QoS, no PoE, 16 - 32 Gbps.
Cat 3560 - enterprise-class PoE, QoS, 32 - 128 Gbps.
Cat 3750 - stackable high performance.
Cat 4500 - DL midrange modular - up to 136 Gbps.
Cat 4900 - data center.
Cat 6500 - DL and CL - up to 720 Gbps.

Miscellaneous:

MDF - Main Distribution Facility.
Gi 0é1 - abbreviation for Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Spanning Tree - protocols allows redundant paths, but shuts down some links to avoid switching loops.

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Choosing The Best VoIP Providers - What Do You Need To Know?

2011-12-15T20:06:00.001-08:00

People these days find it extremely hard to determine which VoIP service provider is the best considering that the number of service providers has increased a great deal in the past few years. This technology is extremely famous not just amongst commercial users, but amongst home based users also. VoIP has revolutionized the entire conventional phoning system. For those who wonder why VoIP has gained such immense popularity in such a short period of time must take a look at the benefits offered by it. The major reason why VoIP services are so popular these days is that it enables you to make free computer to computer calls, where PC to phone calls are rather cost-effective.

VoIP services offer advantages that are simply out of this world. But, before choosing a particular VoIP service provider, you must take a few factors into consideration to make sure that the one you settle on is the best. Given below are a few tips to help you choose among the best VoIP providers:

For starters, you must consider the services offered by the service provider. Providers that offer affordable packages might not necessarily offer good service also. For this reason, try to search for the best VoIP providers that do not charge much and offer good quality services. However, you need to acknowledge the fact that the service quality offered by the VoIP provider that you have chosen is based on your internet connection. A fast broadband internet connection is necessary for you to enjoy the wonders of VoIP.

Then comes the price charged by your chosen VoIP provider. Price needs to be given a thought although quality is important also. You must look up VoIP providers that offer high quality services, but do not cost way too much. This is not a major issue considering that a majority of VoIP providers that have recently entered the market offer rates that are extremely competitive.

You should also consider the customer support services that your chosen VoIP service provider offers. It is necessary for your VoIP provider to offer high class customer support services. Just in case you are doubtful about the capabilities of the provider, simply move on to the next service provider.

The service plan offered by VoIP service providers must also be considered. It is quite usual for VoIP providers to offer several service plans for you to choose from. Packages include the unlimited calling package along with the limited calling minutes package etc. These are particularly beneficial for business owners who frequently need to contact their partners and clients based across the world.

Finally, the VoIP provider that you choose must offer certain added features. These are inclusive of caller ID, voice mails, conference calling, call waiting etc. Moreover, these should be offered free of cost.

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Comms Cabinet

2011-12-15T05:31:00.001-08:00

The concept of using cabinets to house data processing equipment is an offshoot of railway switching systems, in which multiple relays and wiring harnesses could be placed in one central location. This idea is very suitable for data processing applications, due to the tremendous amount of cables and patch leads that are characteristic of even the simplest of data systems.

The term "comms" is actually a shortened version of "communications", which was the next industry to adopt this very useful design concept. Broadcasting companies and other industries that worked with audio and video equipment found that the massive wiring networks that were needed to route signals through their systems would quickly end up as a pile of "spaghetti" without some organization. Thus the communications industries picked up the ball and ran with it, resulting in more advanced patch bay designs and a modular approach that collected various components into one central cabinet.

The data processing world would likely be lost without these comms cabinets. It is hard to imagine any network of significant size functioning simply with their data devices stacked around a room, with snakes of all kinds strewn across the floor. This may work for the smallest of systems, but even the smallest LAN is comprised of several modules, all with intricate patch setups. This is where a comms cabinet becomes so important, for many reasons.

A data management system uses a tremendous amount of electricity on a day to day basis, and the cost is anything but cheap. In fact, controlling power usage is one of the biggest concerns for data managers and CFOs alike. Any innovation that will cut down on the power bill is a huge benefit in the data room, and a comms cabinet is just such an innovation. By housing several devices and their wiring configurations in one box, the user will not only have quicker access for equipment upgrades and repairs, but the concentrated system of patch leads uses a substantially less amount of energy with close-in and self-contained wiring.

A comms cabinet can be found in many sizes. There are the small cabinets, often hung on a wall to save floor space, that will house one or two components, such as an Ethernet hub and a router. These will range in depth from 6U to 21U. There are cabinets that are floor mounted, and these will usually be found in the larger data centers. These will range in depth from 12U to 47U in most cases. A comms cabinet can even refer just to a component housed by itself in one small form-fitted box, such as a patch bay. The applications are endless, and how a comms cabinet is used and how large it is will be dictated by the size of the data management system and the needs of the user.

Obviously, there are many reasons to use a comms cabinet in any data processing system. These can be a very practical add-on to an existing system, especially where extensive cabling is used. A comms cabinet can clean up a data center's patch cord problem quickly, and can help keep the operating costs down in the bargain.

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Importance of Technology in Business

2011-12-14T17:06:00.001-08:00

Technology plays a vital role in business. Over the years businesses have become dependent on technology so much so that if we were to take away that technology virtually all business operations around the globe would come to a grinding halt. Almost all businesses and industries around the world are using computers ranging from the most basic to the most complex of operations.

Technology played a key role in the growth of commerce and trade around the world. It is true that we have been doing business since time immemorial, long before there were computers; starting from the simple concept of barter trade when the concept of a currency was not yet introduced but trade and commerce was still slow up until the point when the computer revolution changed everything. Almost all businesses are dependent on technology on all levels from research and development, production and all the way to delivery. Small to large scale enterprises depend on computers to help them with their business needs ranging from Point of Sales systems, information management systems capable of handling all kinds of information such as employee profile, client profile, accounting and tracking, automation systems for use in large scale production of commodities, package sorting, assembly lines, all the way to marketing and communications. It doesn't end there, all these commodities also need to be transported by sea, land, and air. Just to transport your commodities by land already requires the use of multiple systems to allow for fast, efficient and safe transportation of commodities.

Without this technology the idea of globalization wouldn't have become a reality. Now all enterprises have the potential to go international through the use of the internet. If your business has a website, that marketing tool will allow your business to reach clients across thousands of miles with just a click of a button. This would not be possible without the internet. Technology allowed businesses to grow and expand in ways never thought possible.

The role that technology plays for the business sector cannot be taken for granted. If we were to take away that technology trade and commerce around the world will come to a standstill and the global economy would collapse. It is nearly impossible for one to conduct business without the aid of technology in one form or another. Almost every aspect of business is heavily influenced by technology. Technology has become very important that it has become a huge industry itself from computer hardware manufacturing, to software design and development, and robotics. Technology has become a billion dollar industry for a number of individuals.

The next time you browse a website to purchase or swipe a credit card to pay for something you just bought, try to imagine how that particular purchase would have happened if it were to take place without the aid of modern technology. That could prove to be a bit difficult to imagine. Without all the technology that we are enjoying now it would be like living in the 60's again. No computers, no cellular phones, no internet. That is how important technology is in business.

Connecting Multiple Computers to a Single Broadband Line

2011-12-13T19:24:00.001-08:00

If you have multiple computers at your home or office that you want to connect to a single broadband connection, there are two basic ways to do it:

Sharing an internet connection via a hardware router
Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Sharing connections via hardware router
Using a router is the best and most common way to share a broadband connection. Router is a device that works as modem and a hub at the same time. Broadband connection is plugged directly into the router and the router then distributes the connection to the computers connected to it. Furthermore the router will set up a local area network in your home or office. All computers that are connected to the router are a part of this LAN also. Routers can have wireless option allowing you wireless access to your broadband and LAN, which is definitely a great advantage that allows you to work from any place in your home or office. The prices of routers have gone down over the past few years and they cost less than 70 EUR now.

To set up your LAN and Broadband you first have to connect one of your computers to your router using a cable, after a short installation you will be able to use your broadband on any computers that are connected to your router by cable or wireless. Even though it might seem complicated, configuring a router is actually a simple task.

Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing or ICS
ICS has been implemented in widows 98, 2000, ME and XP operating systems. This standard will allow you to connect several computers on to a single broadband line. ICS is easy to set up and requires a bare minimum of hardware, however there are certain downsides to them and it should only be used as last resort. There are two basic ways of setting up ICS depending on number of computers you are connecting to your broadband, in both cases you will require an Ethernet card on each of the computers.

If you are looking to connect only two computers you can do that by simply connecting them through a LAN cable and Ethernet cards. Once you have completed the necessary hardware connections, run the set up wizard for ICS in order to set up your connection sharing.

For connecting more than two computers to a single broadband connection you will require a hub or a switch. You will connect all the computers together through the hub, including the main computer who has direct connection to broadband Internet. Downside of this entire concept is that you will have to keep Gateway computer (the one with direct internet access) always turned on in order for all others to have internet access through it. Furthermore running additional process on Gateway computer might cause performance issues. Besides certain applications are known to have problems working though ICS and others simply don't support it, which can disable you from using them.

To summarize, ICS should be used only as last resort when you don't have any other options at your disposal. Connection sharing through a router is much more comfortable and faster, even though it costs more it is well worth it.

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What Does a Computer Repair Technician Do?

2011-12-13T03:30:00.001-08:00

A very general description of a computer repair technician is an individual who is responsible for computer system and equipment maintenance to maximize their efficiency. Also, the computer repair technician must repair any computers that require fixing. However, a technicians aren't just a simple mechanics, they are qualified specialists.

Why Are Technicians Specialists?

A diploma or certificate is needed to become a computer repair technician. Getting an education will arm a technician with theoretical knowledge in addition to the practical facets of repair and maintenance. Simply getting training on the job is will not suffice. Knowing how to repair computers is important, but equally as important is knowing why the problem occurred so that steps toward prevention.

A computer repair technician will generally work in an environment that is very specialized. For instance, they could work for a software company, a corporation's IT department, a retail computer store's service center, and many others. Specialized knowledge will be required for each job that technicians from other areas will not have.

Technicians also have to work with equipment that is frequently very specialized; including laptops, PCs, servers, networks, routers, and many others. Also, a company may have applications that are top secret and need a technician on hand to make sure that the most important systems are functioning with maximum efficiency. Because computers are being heavily relied upon by businesses for operations and making decisions, a technician has a critical role in ensuring that everything is running smoothly.

Is Formal Training And Education Necessary?

No, it's not absolutely essential. However, if a computer repair technician doesn't have any formal education/training, then he or she is very limited in what they can do. Those who learn on the job can is typically limited to repair work only.

Also, he or she must be supervised by a qualified technician who can determine the source of the problem. Those who don't have qualifications won't have opportunities for advancement to positions that involve planning and management.

Even if you don't aspire to advance to management positions, getting a diploma is still the best way to go. You could start off with a general course that is short in duration, followed by a specialized course that lasts a longer period of time, perhaps six months or so.

This specialized course would involve an advanced part of computer repair. Working for a year and then taking an advanced course is probably the best course of action. If you go by this plan, you can get your advanced diploma in approximately two years and have work experience as well.

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Understanding Power Supply Repair Safety

2011-12-12T13:00:00.001-08:00

It is very important to know the power supply repair safety before you begin to dismantle the equipment. If you accidentally caused a small amount of current to flow through your body, you may get a shock and even death! Always be alert when deals with power supply. Understand how electricity and power supply work can help you to avoid from electrocuted. Always wears a rubber shoe and have an isolation transformer in your technical department or working area. You may find out more information about isolation transformer by searching on the internet.

If you want to check the hot section in a power supply, always use the one hand 'rule' so that it would not complete a path for current to flows through your body just in case if you were to accidentally touched a live connection or cable. If you are tired and weak, do not repair any electronic equipment or else you might end up causing more problems for the equipment by replacing a wrong component. Take a break and come back to tackle the problem when you are fresh again.

Always use original part numbers for replacement when dealing with components in the critical section such as the fuse area. If the fuse rating is 3 ampere, then you must replace it with the same value which is 3 ampere. Sometimes a slightly higher ampere such as 3.15 ampere may be acceptable. Do not use a 10 or 15 ampere for replacements otherwise fire may occurred due to over current because the fuse may not melt.

The main filter capacitor with a high capacitance and voltage must be installed in the correct location. The positive marking at the capacitor must be inserted to the hole where it printed (+) and a negative marking to (-). A wrongly installed filter capacitor can cause the filter capacitor to explode and may injure your face if you are near to it. In some severed cases, the blown capacitor may burn the power supply as well.

Lastly, don't because of this information explained above scared you away from repairing a power supply. Just make sure you understood the power supply repair safety first and things will become easier. Understanding the safety procedure above can protect your life.

Need To Conduct A Proper Forensic Investigation

2011-12-11T18:55:00.001-08:00

Computer investigation is a relatively new tool in our arsenal of investigative assets and it's quickly proving to be an extremely valuable source of information and is emerging as a new powerful profit center for the investigative firm or company.

A digital forensic investigation is the recovery and analysis of any type of Digital Storage Media (DSM) searching to find potential legally admissible evidence. The type of evidence relevant to theft of trade secrets, theft of or destruction of intellectual property, wrongful termination, domestic cases, embezzlement, fraud, and tragic child pornography investigations.

Without forensically wiping the media, not much is really deleted from a computer and we can recover part or all of the deleted reports, emails, Internet sites visited, and graphics the suspect thought was gone forever. For the purpose of this article I will address finding the right person or firm to conduct a proper investigation.

I am aware of stories where the Detective was asked to recover incriminating
e-mails from a suspect computer collecting thousands of dollars from the client and then packing and shipping the hard-drive off to Texas, New York or some other location that's not in my -state -USA. Only to be told; "Sorry we err...lost your computer...but say we'll ship back a brand new hard-drive for your trouble." Explain that to a client. I guess you can't, can you? The answer is to find a local or regional forensic Investigator in your own area. Don't relinquish Command and Control of your investigation by shipping out your evidence not to an investigator but a technician who knows little about the collection of evidence for court purposes and has limited or no experience testifying.

What to look for

Find a seasoned fellow investigator with the technical expertise necessary. Most of us use qualified technicians for certain aspects of a forensic examination, but it's the investigator who is trained to recognize legal, admissible evidence that will make your case. A seasoned investigator with an established firm will be around when the time comes for court testimony.

Make sure your digital forensic resource has the hardware, software, and lab to meet your needs. Remember, should your case go to court, your case is only as good as your resource will look to a judge or jury. Visit the facility of the resource you are considering - any reputable investigative lab should welcome such a request.

Does the investigator have the assets to read stored data (SIM cards) on cellular telephones? Or any other device that is part of your investigation?

Is the forensic investigator experienced in court testimony? Does the investigator's resume' or credentials meet court standards for testifying in criminal as well as civil procedures.

Ensure the investigator is properly licensed with the Private Protective Service Board.

It is very important to look for standard document procedures

Release forms
Evidence tags
Contracts
Chain of custody documents
Photographic and video equipment

The absolute minimum time frame for a proper investigation cannot be predicted as the size of the digital media dictates the investigative hours some cases literally take weeks. However the gleamed evidence from this type of case is often powerful and concise.

Insure the investigative lab allows you the margin to add your fees for the service with exception of direct expenses, which are normally fixed.

Finally understand that utilizing this investigative tool is expensive. Costs for setting up an investigative laboratory can easily exceed $100,000.00. The investigator must maintain expensive inventory hardware, software, technology staff and certification costs. The technology is rapidly growing and your resource should recognize their responsibility to stay current - which comes with an ongoing high cost. While this tool is one of the best, it is not for the financially or technically timid.

Feel free to contact me for any questions you may have. jls@silentprotocol.com

The simple definition of computer forensics

... is the art and science of applying computer science to aid the legal process. Although plenty of science is attributable to computer forensics, most successful investigators possess a nose for investigations and for solving puzzles, which is where the art comes in. - Chris L.T. Brown, Computer Evidence Collection and Preservation.

How To Run 16-Bit Software On A Windows 7 64-Bit Computer

2011-12-11T04:00:00.001-08:00

I live in an area of the country where there are many elderly people. Many of these wonderful people still have old computers that are running old software. However, little by little they are beginning to upgrade their computers and Operating Systems to the latest and greatest 64-bit Windows 7 - but they want to keep using their beloved old software. Therein lies the problem!

The other day I set up a new Windows 7 machine for a client. He was extremely happy and then he said "OK, now let's install my wife's American Greetings CreataCard Gold 5 and my Hoyle Card Games". He and his wife had used these same programs for years and they couldn't live without them!

Well as you can probably imagine, these two programs would not install. Both of these older programs are16-bit and will not install on the 64-bit Windows 7 OS. If my client had purchased a computer running 32-bit Windows 7, he could have run his programs in Compatibility Mode but this function will not work in 64-bit Windows 7.

So, the guy was very disappointed but I stayed as "cool as a cucumber" because I knew that there were several, great, free virtual machine programs that will allow you to run these older 16-bit programs on Windows 7 64-bit.

These are the programs that I recommend (especially #2 & #3):

1) DOSBox (DOSBox is a DOS emulator and only runs 16 bit MS-DOS programs and not 16 bit Windows Applications).

2) VirtualBox (a "virtual machine" that allows an unmodified operating system with all of its installed software to run in a special environment, on top of your existing operating system).

3) VMware Player (a "virtual machine" that will run legacy Windows applications on top of your existing operating system without interfering with the original OS).

Have fun continuing to enjoy your older programs on your brand new Operating System!!

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Repair Slow Computer - Repair Your Slow Computer With the Best Answer Now!

2011-12-10T08:11:00.001-08:00

How to repair a slow computer? Have you been wondering this question day and night? To repair slow running computer, you should completely perform a few maintenance tasks. If you want to prolong the life of your computer, maintain it from now on. Here are some repair solutions you can follow to make your PC run as fast as possible again.

Repair Slow Computer Step by Step

1. The first repair step you should do is to eliminate virus or spyware on your slow computer. Have you installed any anti-virus programs on it? If not, I recommend you use one of the protection programs to detect and eliminate virus immediately. A slow running computer sometimes can be repaired by eliminating infection files on it. This is the basic repair principle for repairing computer slow problem.

2. You also can run disk defrag to repair sluggish computer. There should be much fragment in your system disk. Clean up the fragment and fix hard drive errors, you can make your computer run faster than before. Fragment in system disk will slow a computer performance down and retard the transmission of data.

3. To repair slow computer, you need to update device drivers regularly. Conflicts among outdated or incompatible device drivers of course will bring you a slow running computer. Fix device driver errors then you can avoid more sluggishness and system errors on your PC.

4. Remove Windows registry errors to repair slow computer. Perhaps you often encounter error messages on the PC. Have you ever thought about this terrible phenomenon that could be caused by registry errors? Most of the computer slow problems are related to corrupted and malicious registry entries. If you visit various website and install/uninstall applications frequently, you will have high risk to get registry problems. Just repair them and get your computer faster again.

Repair Slow Computer Instantly

If you have no time to perform these steps, you can download registry repair software to help you rescue the slow running computer in minutes. You don't need to repair computer slow problems manually.

How To Start A Computer Consulting Business

2011-12-09T15:38:00.001-08:00

To start a computer consulting business, first you should have the preliminary knowledge of computer systems. Other important requirements to start a computer consulting business are powerful problem solving skills and of course an inner feeling of helping the people in difficulty. Here are some useful tips to start computer-consulting business.

Make Survey Regarding the Distance and Size of Prospective Clients:
Make a survey that how far are the potential clients living from your office. You should be able to reach them with in an hour or so. This is very important factor particularly from the point of networking services. Also, gather information regarding the size of the prospective customers. Ideally, you should start with the clients those having between 10 and 50 computers. If we talk in terms of the annual turn over, the client should have annual sales between $1 million and $10 million.

Client should be Serious about IT Requirements:
Before you start computer consulting for clients make sure how serious they are about the information technology. A prospective customer, who does not have his own dedicated server and accessing the Internet using dial up lines, is not suitable for consultation. However, those who are interested in focusing more on their IT requirements are definitely ideal clients.

Far Better Than Traditional IT Jobs:
Being a computer consultant is definitely more rewarding than joining a traditional job in any IT company. Because in traditional IT jobs, there are several hurdles in the progress those are not under your control. For example, you may not grow as fast as you deserve because of incompetent colleagues, dull management and a system where seniors get the priority whether they are competent or not. On the contrary, when you start computer consulting business these things comes under your control. For example, if your colleague is not able to keep pace with you then you are always free to part with him and invite some better people to join hands. So, if you have the talent and ambition, no one can stop your income from skyrocketing.

Increasing Scope:
The scope for the computer consulting business is increasing with the growth of information technology. It is very difficult to run any business today without using computers. Almost any business organization is looking for some kind of help regarding computers. You also have the option whether you want to become an outsource consultant or internal employee. Either way you are choosing a winning career with bright chances of success and profitability. Furthermore, the computer technology is changing at very fast rate. This fast change is also creating new and new opportunities for the computer consulting business.

Computer Service Contracts - Moving From Customer to Client

2011-12-08T15:41:00.001-08:00

Computer service contracts are the butter of a computer services business. The difference between having a computer service contract and not having one, is what defines the difference between a customer and a client. As a business owner you want clients - people who are on long term computer service contracts.

Your goal is to move your customers into computer service contracts and begin a long term, stable relationship with them. The customers that you are in contact with several times a year should be very receptive to at least a small computer service agreement.

These are the customers you should spend time trying to convert. Make sure you keep in contact with them on a monthly basis. Let them know of special offers you are making and any discounts you have on computer service contracts. If a customer is calling you several times per year then they should benefit from a computer service contract. Outline to them what their savings would be.

Ultimately, you would like to have computer service contracts with everyone. That won't be possible. But even a $500 computer service contract gets them to raise their hand. They are indicating a willingness and ability to pay on a regular basis. This is what your business will thrive on - one regular, paying customer at a time.

Bottom Line on Computer Service Contracts Computer service contracts are golden to your computer services business. When you set up a computer service contract you are solidifying a long term relationship. For customers who aren't on a computer service contract but very easily could be - it is wise for you to keep in regular contact with them. These customers have the potential to turn into clients so you need to do whatever it takes to make that conversion happen.

Copyright MMI-MMVII, Computer Consulting 101. All Worldwide Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in author resource box required for copyright compliance}

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Home Computer Repair

2011-12-07T22:53:00.001-08:00

Home computer repair is facilitated through thousands of online services where you can gather enough knowledge to gain confidence to repair your own computer. Many problems dealing with operating systems, multimedia software, music software, image creating and visual effects software, various hardware elements and vireos protections can be taken care of under the direction of a qualified technician.

Most of these companies concentrate their efforts exclusively on home and small office computer users who require greater attention to detail and personalized service. Most of the times they maintain retail stores that allows them to keep costs low in order to provide competitive service prices.

There are many companies who provide home computer repair services. These services include repairs, upgrades, installs, new system sales, virus removal, computer maintenance, networking and more. Highly trained computer technicians perform all of these services. Many computer technicians will travel to your home or office to diagnosis, estimate and complete upgrades and repairs. In most cases, all work can be done in a single visit.

Sometimes, you can even achieve a computer diagnostic via remote by temporarily handing over your mouse and keyboard controls to someone in another part of the country or even the world. In this, you give them permission to search through your computer via their own computer, for the purpose of seeking out whatever is ailing your computer. This option is not possible unless you are able to get online, so if the issue is one of connectivity, a personal visit will definitely be required.

Mission-Vision Statements

2011-12-07T09:44:00.001-08:00

Mission Statements and Vision Statements are created to clearly convey the direction of the company. Companies without a meaningful Mission / Vision statement tend to be rudderless.

Mission and Vision Statements are all over the map. Some companies only have one or the other, while other companies will use a Mission Statement as a Vision Statement and vice versa. Used properly, Mission Statements and Vision Statements are powerful tools. They provide employees with a company direction. They provide the answer to which activities to pursue and which not to pursue. If an activity does not help your company move toward its vision, then don't do it.

Mission Statements

The prime audience for a mission statement is the employees of the company. A Mission Statement should be concise. It should reflect the company's business strategy and focus on the customer. It should answer three questions:

- What do we do?
- How do we do it?
- For whom do we do it?

What do we do? This question should not be answered in terms of what you are selling to your customer. It is about how your product or service solves their psychological need. Your customer expressed 'frustration' over some problem and by purchasing your product or service, their 'frustration' is now gone.

How we do it? This answer should deal with the product or service that you are selling, how you will sell it and how it is delivered to the customer. It should fit with the psychological need expressed above.

For whom do we do it? This answer should identify who we will be marketing to.

Geico example - It is important that when severe weather threatens, you know where to turn for information to ensure that you, your loved ones and your vehicle are safe. Auto damage adjusters from around the country will help handle the claims this storm season. These adjusters will remain in affected areas as long as necessary to take care of you and every GEICO customer.

- What do we do? When weather threatens, we want to make you feel safe
- How we do it? Use adjusters from around the country
- For whom we do it? Our customers

Vision Statements

A vision is a statement about what your company will look like in the future - say 10 years from now. A vision should stretch the organization's capabilities and image of itself. It gives shape and direction to the organization's future. It should be fairly short and easy to remember. Let's look at some examples...

Microsoft example - Bill Gates' initial vision was to have a computer on every desk. Employees at Microsoft worked to make the computer useful [applications that people wanted] and they worked to make it easy to use. Today, their vision is to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. The initial vision had more meaning.

Sony example - Sony is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its motion picture, television, computer entertainment, music and online businesses make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Their vision could be clearer, something like 'Sony will be the most comprehensive entertainment company in the world' or 'the world will look to Sony for comprehensive entertainment'.

Boeing example - Boeing has a long tradition of aerospace leadership and innovation. We continue to expand our product line and services to meet emerging customer needs. This vision is rather vague - they should be proposing what they believe those emerging customer needs will be.

Aerovironment example - AV develops and produces Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Efficient Electric Energy Technologies that enable our customers to rewrite the rules - of engagement, productivity, efficiency and safety - to their advantage. Aerovironment is a small company that went public recently. Their vision statement is quite clear.

While doing this research, I found it much easier to find a vision statement from a smaller company. The bigger companies didn't always post their vision. Smaller companies appear to be more in tune to their vision than bigger companies. However, I would suggest that it is a mistake for a bigger company not to have a vision statement. It provides direction. What will the company be selling in the future? What does our customer base want? It keeps focus on developing the product or service of the future. It promotes innovation. It keeps you ahead of your competition.

There is an old saying - If you don't know where you are going then it doesn't matter how you get there. But if you know your final destination [your vision] then you and your employees will choose the paths that will help you get there.

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Windows 7 Freezes Up - Learn How to Fix Computer Freezing Problem

2011-12-06T19:42:00.001-08:00

It is not something strange if your Windows 7 freezes up randomly and makes your computing really irritating and slow. Such freezing can happen not just in the Windows 7 but also in the other operating systems. However, fixing a computer freezing problem is not that hard. It requires a little well-directed effort to clean up computer through a registry repairing tool.

Before trying to figure out how can we stop Windows 7 from freezing up, it is better to understand the internal structure of the Windows registry and the operating system set-up files. You will be amazed to know that many computer errors are not linked to the virus and spyware based infection in the system. Rather the corruption in Windows registry is the real culprit. Windows registry is mostly affected by the internal errors in the operating system.

The Windows 7 registry is a database which contains the codes for files, programs, hardware and software that is installed in the computer. These registry codes contain information in the form of keys. Corruption in the registry might result in total system failure or various Windows errors which cause computer to crash, programs to freeze and cause system to run really slower.

Why does the Windows registry gets corrupted? The major reason behind this Windows corruption is that the registry is frequently accessed by Windows during its operations and the presence of invalid and unwanted registry keys create a lot of trash inside the Windows engine. To keep Windows 7 registry in good health it is important to periodically clean registry through a sophisticated registry cleaning software.

It is also important to remove the suspicious applications and programs running in the computer to avoid Windows 7 freezing. Sometimes there may be dual infection in your computer. In this type of infection not only your Windows 7 registry gets corrupted and needs massive repair but also there is virus based penetration in the Windows set up. In this situation it is recommended to conduct a virus scan as well.

Some additional things that you can do are:

>> Add RAM
>> Cool down your computer
>> Keep a short list of start up items/background services.
>> Defrag Windows registry data
>> Clean system junk
>> Clean browsers junk
>> Optimize services and apply a profile for fast computing (You can do this through some efficient system utilities software).

However, if your Windows 7 freezes up, the best solution is to repair the computer registry.

The Best in the Business - The Top 3 Desktop Computers in the Market Today

2011-12-05T22:53:00.001-08:00

Sure a reputable desktop computer will have the most cutting edge features as well as the most technologically advanced functionalities on board. However, what makes a truly excellent system is that it should simply be more than just a sum of its parts. Below are three of the best desktop computers of this year that will surely suit every individual's need - may it be for superior computing capabilities, an excellent multimedia experience, or just to show off one's style.

The Ephex (Maingear)

With an i7 Intel Core 965 processor, Maingear's newest desktop computer is definitely one of the fastest PC's around. However, with this accolade it would only be right that it is also one of the most expensive. At a whopping $4,000, the Ephex is definitely a system fit for those who are looking for the best in the business with price being a non-factor. This extremely overclocked system allows for record-setting performance when it comes to running games and applications. Its tri-SLI 3D graphics cards are also an excellent addition to further boost the Ephex's performance prowess.

Aside from being extremely expensive, customer support and service might be an issue given that Maingear is not entirely a mainstream brand.

The Vaio JS250J (Sony)

The newest addition to the long line of Vaio computers is the JS250J - another all-in-one-device that is capable of performing a multitude of computing tasks at equally excellent degrees. Much like its predecessors, the Vaio JS250J is also an excellent combination of high performance and top of the line home entertainment features - all this for a lower price than its direct competitors. With a price tag of somewhere in the 1000-dollar region, the Vaio JS250J is also one of a few in this price range that has a built-in Blu-ray player.

Although it may not be as fast as the latest Apple iMac, the Vaio JS250J's Dual Core E5200 Intel processor (2.5 GHz) is able to hold its own. Along with its 320GB hard drive, the newest Vaio will also have a 4-Gigabyte DDR2 SDRAM to ensure high speed performance.

The 24-inch, 2.8 GHz iMac (Apple)

This latest version of the iMac is an upgrade of the one released by Apple a year ago. This one sees a few major tweaks, none more notable than the improved 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. This enhancement provides relevant gains in the performance of the new iMac. Also, the added option to upgrade the graphics is another welcome addition. This 24-inch-screened powerhouse will still posses the sleek and polished look made popular by its predecessors. No one seems to be complaining as this design still remains as appealing as it was when originally released a few years back.

One of the downsides of the new iMac is that it only provides 90 days of free phone support. This means that iPhone users will need to shed off a few more dollars if they want to continue this service. This cost will be on top of the $1,400 they'll need to spend in order to get their hands on Steve Job's latest masterpiece.

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Remote Access Software and Security

2011-12-05T08:48:00.001-08:00

Today most of the people are using remote access software solutions to access files from any remote location. With the increase in the IT support services, remote access solutions are the emerging ones, giving freedom to the customers to easily get their documents remotely. They can upload and share their important documents to the participants of a seminar or meeting as it is convenient to do remotely.

Remote software allows the users to take access and control of a computer as well as peripherals required for use. We can setup the connection via the client server or the IP/domain name of the PC which we are accessing. The computer which is accessed require authentication to ensure the security and authenticity as well. There are many solutions in the market available like Kaseya, TeamViewer, and CISCO etc. which are being used by most of the individual users and small-medium businesses. But security is the major concern for the data we are accessing remotely.

Security of the data should be the first priority while using any software or program. Companies spend a lot of their finances to make their applications and data secure while they work on them on site or remotely. The unauthorized access is controlled via many layers of firewalls and encryption software also. A username and a password for making access are provided for entering into the data location. Normally the data to the logon screen are encrypted & decrypted and it gives access to the user.

Remote access software security prevents the unwanted users and the uninvited guests also, like hackers. With information provided by the FBI proves that the top criminal processes which are caught in the United States of America are hacking & identity theft. To prevent this many anti-fraud units have been setup for these types of issues. Usually the hackers make viruses and use them for stealing personal data. These viruses are such programs which can crash the hard drive of the computer system. Many organizations forbid their employees not to use the web; they can allow using only those sites which are proved to be safe.

The major benefit of it is if unfortunately the company's PCs stop working, still you can access to the main central server. You can still run your business operations. These solutions are also affordable and easy to use. With them you do not have to employ extra technicians and engineers for your department.

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Cisco CIUS Secure Enterprise Android Tablet Product Review

2011-12-04T18:07:00.001-08:00

Cisco's new enterprise Android tablet, the Cisco CIUS, is different from all the other Android tablets available. It is not intended for the consumer market, but for the very different enterprise business market. You won't see this in stores, and unless an organization has a number of things working on the back end, it has nothing different than any other Android tablet.

This is a difficult product to classify, because the tablet aspect is only one part of its capabilities. It is also a phone, desktop video conferencing device, and virtual desktop endpoint. Furthermore, it is designed from the ground up to be secure. With all these capabilities, it can be a very useful device for organizations that are ready to take advantage of all it can offer.

There are two versions of the Cisco CIUS, pronounced "see-us". The one that shipped first is the 7" version, and is the one that I have been using and demonstrating to people. The 7" tablet is running a Cisco Android version based on version 2.2 Froyo. There is rumor of a 10" version available soon, but no confirmation.

The most engaging part of the demonstrations that we have been doing for customers is the High Definition video conferencing client using either the front or back cameras. The HD video operates at 720p with 30 fps, and is a high quality video conference. It is a very different video calling experience than one gets from Google Talk or Skype, which are lower resolution with a lower frame rate.

CIUS Specifications:

Size: 5.5 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 1.2 lb
Screen resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels
Processor: Intel Atom Z615 at 1.6GHz
Memory: 1 GB RAM and 32 GB Flash
Connections: micro USB, micro SD, micro HDMI
Wireless connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n with 3G and 4G in future, bluetooth 2.1
Operating System: Android Froyo 2.2.2
Camera: front and rear facing 1280 x 720, 5 megapixel

Docking station specifications:

3 USB ports
Gigabit ethernet wired
DisplayPort with cables for VGA, DVI, HDMI
Can be powered by 802.3at, PoE class 4

Pros

Enterprise tablet that is manageable with a controlled App store.
Cisco IP Telephony endpoint with video and voice calls.
Standards based HD video endpoint with 720p resolution at 30 fps and dual cameras.
Secure operation with Cisco AnyConnect VPN.
Replaceable battery.

Cons

Heavier than similar sized Android tablets.
Requires other Cisco applications to take full advantage of capabilities.
7" form factor too small for full virtual desktop client unless using XenApp.
7" version has low external monitor resolution at 1024x600.
Cisco Unified Communications Manager version 8.5.1 or later required.

There are a few different back end applications that are necessary to put into place to give the Cisco CIUS basic functionality. The CIUS can operate as a full Android tablet with access to the Google Apps Market only, but I expect that most organizations are not going to want to limit it to being just a tablet.

The first application to set up for Enterprise deployment of the Cisco CIUS is the Cisco Unified Communications Manager version 8.5.1 or later. This application provisions and updates the Cisco CIUS. It allows the organization to create an internal App store, with applications that can be pulled from the Cisco App store and the Android market. This addresses multiple concerns, although it is required to set up an account at Cisco which has an additional fee. The first is that only Apps that are approved can be loaded on the organization's CIUS's. The second is site or block user licensing for purchased applications. Additionally, it centrally controls tablet security.

The CIUS docking station enhances the capability of the tablet significantly. I have found that keeping the dock plugged into an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse enhances the usability of many applications, and is almost a necessity given the small size of the 7" form factor. Even the video output ports on both the dock and tablet support both VGA and HDMI, one drawback is the low external resolution size, which is limited to 1024x640 pixels.

The CIUS docking station turns the Cisco CIUS into a full Cisco IP phone. The best way to use a Cisco IP phone is to connect it into a Cisco Communications Manager server. The Cisco Communications manager can be the company's entire phone system, and it is currently the #1 shipping business phone system in the world, so there are many organizations that could take advantage of this capability. If an organization has a different phone system, it is still possible to stand up a small Cisco Communications manager installation for just the Cisco CIUS's, and then integrate the Cisco phone system into the company's existing IP or traditional phone system.

The HD video conferencing endpoint capabilities of the CIUS can be enabled by connecting it into the Cisco Communications Manager, but for full HD video conferencing capabilities it is best to have the Cisco Video Infrastructure in place. This provides for standards based video calls to other organizations over the internet, HD video conferences using a centralized conferencing codec, and bandwidth management for the calls.

The Cisco CIUS can be used as a full Virtual Desktop endpoint using either VMware View or Citrix HDX Receiver for Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop. The two virtual desktop applications have their pros and cons, and it is good that the Cisco CIUS supports both. At the 7" form factor when not using the external monitor, the most useful is Citrix XenApp, which provides full screen application capability.

It is important to operate the Cisco CIUS over a good network. Both the Local Area Network and the Wide Area Network has to have a good Quality of Service policy implemented, and there has to be sufficient bandwidth for the voice, video, and virtual desktop streams. The CIUS preferentially uses 802.11n wireless LAN for call control even when docked, so it is best to have a good wireless infrastructure in place that has sufficient coverage, bandwidth, and Quality of Service. The advantage of always using wireless for call control is to allow the user to undock the CIUS in the middle of a video or voice call and to permit it to continue the call without interruption.

The Cisco CIUS is a new category of tablet device that is focused at a distinctly different market than the consumer tablets from Apple and other Android tablet manufacturers. When it is deployed in an enterprise environment that has the right types of back end applications, it can be a very useful device. The two issues of small screen size and low external monitor screen resolution on the 7" CIUS are a limitation for its use as a general purpose tablet. This is overall a good product that works well and can be the main device for a mobile device strategy. It is an especially good choice for organizations that have concerns about security and have existing voice, video, and virtualization deployments.

Computer Repair Shops in Albuquerque NM - Eight Points to Consider When Choosing a PC Repair Store

2011-12-04T04:16:00.001-08:00

If your computer system is broken and you need computer repair in Albuquerque NM then you have to decide which local computer shop will provide the best service and do the best job.

Lets look at a common cause for computer failures and eight very important considerations you should keep in mind when deciding where to take your desktop computer, or laptop, for repairs.

There's nothing more frustrating, and even frightening, then having your computer breakdown and stop running. Not having the ability to use your computer is bad enough, but the possibility of losing all of your data is an even greater fear for most of us.

Your computer can crash for any number of reasons but the most common cause for computer failures these days is primarily because of software; usually a computer virus.

Modern computer hardware is very reliable and is seldom the culprit when your computer stops working. Computer viruses are responsible for more problems than anything else nowadays.

So how to do you know if your computer is infected with a virus? Here are some common symptoms:
Slow running computer
Computer constantly locks up
Programs take forever to load
Constant Pop-ups
Computer reboots itself
Blue screen
Error messages

Most of us don't really think too much about getting a computer virus until it happens to us. And, of course you backed up all of your computer data right?

If you think you have a computer virus the first thing you should do is run anti-virus removal software. Malwarebytes is a free piece of software I've run successfully on many computer systems. Search for it on Google and get it!You don't have to be a geek to install it.

If you can't fix your computer problem with a virus scan, or you have a hardware problem then you need to go to your local shop and get the problem taken care of.

Choosing the best computer repair shop then becomes the issue.

There are many popular computer repair stores in the Albuquerque area some of which include:
Dr. Dans Computers 4405 Cutler Ave NE, Albuquerque NM
Sandia Computers 3625 Wyoming Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque NM
Computer Corner 4410 Menaul NE, Albuquerque NM
PC Magic Pro 1541 Eubank Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque NM
Data Doctors 8001 Wyoming NE Suite B-1 Albuquerque, NM
Absolute Computers 7401 Menaul Blvd NE Ste C, Albuquerque, NM

These are just a few computer repair stores to choose from. It's your choice. But how do you decide?

Do you want reliable,fast, friendly, affordable and professional service with great customer support? We all do right? So do a little homework and save yourself possible headaches when deciding on where to take your computer for service.

Considerations When Deciding Where To Take Your Computer For Repair
Eight Points

1 Location:
This is an obvious one. No one wants to drive thirty miles to get their computer fixed. Look for a computer store within a reasonable distance from your home.

2 Professionalism
You can spot a professional computer store a mile away. You will get a good sense of this the moment you walk in. Are you greeted promptly with a smile? How is the staff dressed? What is the condition of the store? Your first impression will tell you a lot.

3 Fast Turnaround
When your computer is broken you don't want to wait days and days in order to get it fixed. Pick a computer shop which can get you up and running in a reasonable amount of time. Of course you may have to wait a couple of days on average, but same day computer service ranks high in most people's book.

4 Experience
Generally speaking,if a computer repair business has been around more than ten years it's a fair assumption their well established and know what their doing.

5 Affordability
You don't want to pay an arm and a leg to get your computer fixed. Labor is generally where the bulk of your cost will be so ask a lot of questions so there will be no misunderstanding when you return to pick up your computer system.

6 Personal Consultation
A free consultation is a big plus. If you can get a free assessment without obligation of what's wrong with your computer system before you agree on repairs then go for it. You will most likely give them the business because they showed a sincere interest in you.

7 Warranty
A warranty or guarantee on work performed should be a given. If you're not offered a warranty turn around and walk out.

8 Certified Technicians
Ask whether or not the service technicians are certified. This is something oftentimes overlooked but it's a fair question. You really don't want the store owners buddy working on your laptop do you?

If you have been the victim of a computer virus or computer hardware malfunction and can't get your computer to work, you've probably felt mad and helpless.

Although it might feel like the end of the world it's not. You can get your computer repaired from a qualified computer repair shop;just take your time and shop around.

AIP SSC-5 Vs AIP SSM-10

2011-12-03T15:27:00.001-08:00

Reviewing some more networking equipment. Both run Cisco's well reknown adaptive security appliance, The AIP SSC-5 and the AIP SSM-10. These are 2 slightly differently built items, but have the same sake. Rapidly deployable, and easily manageable they enable small businesses, branch offices and enterprise teleworker environments to minimize operation costs. All come with functions like firewall protection, intrusion prevention, antivirus, worm scanning, malware protection.

The SSM-10 is rack-mountable, while the cheaper SSC-5 is an external hardware. The SSC-5 has a total of 1 expansion slots, and an Intel Celeron 1.60 GHz processor, 256 mega of installed RAM, 64 MB of flash memory, the firewall's throughput is 150 Mbps, while VPN throughput is 100 Mbps, can handle 10 IPSec VPN peers and 2 SSL VPN peers. Confronted with the SSM-10's features, the SSC-5 seems puny. While having the same amount of flash memory, and RAM, the SSM-10 can handle 50 IPSec VPN peers, and 50 Web VPN peers, runs 6k concurrent sessions (32k in virtualization).

These excellent items might non function through time, in that case, I don't recommend buying new ones, instead send them to get repaired, or at least buy used ones. Dominating prices lead to a certainly under-estimated second hand market, which still has to show us it's true potential.

After all, if it's checked, you got to consider this is not something you wear, and should be seen, instead, a repaired unit will function the same way as a new one does. Save the planet!

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The Difference Between a Client and a Customer

2011-12-03T00:07:00.001-08:00

Is it better to be a client, or a customer? Many purchasers wonder about the distinction, and even some service providers may be confused about the differences. Here are some of the differences between the two, so you can decide which relationship better fits purchasers of your products and services:

A client is under the care of a service professional
When your buyers are clients, they are under your care. This means that it is generally expected that you will do what is in their best interests, even in those cases where the best interests of the client conflict with your own best interests. The best interests of the client will supersede your own, and clients will expect you to act in accordance with this principle. Nevertheless, a client is also a purchaser of your products or services, just as a customer is. The chief difference is the added level of protection a client enjoys, when compared to an ordinary customer. Client relationships are usually created when professional services are performed (such as with an attorney), and so the additional price for these services also encompasses the additional protection provided (which is generally not offered to ordinary customers).

A customer is the buyer of a commodity
A customer, on the other hand, is the purchaser of a commodity. As such, they can expect no special protection afforded to them, unlike a client. Customers can expect you to act in your own best interests, particularly in those cases where their own interests come into conflict with your best interests. Since it is understood that this is the relationship, customers should recognize that they must look out for their own interests when buying from you, and that there is less loyalty to be expected on both sides of the transaction. However, both sides enjoy much more freedom to retain each other's services, or discontinue them at will when a service provider has a pure customer relationship with purchasers. Consequently, the prices for services can be much lower, which can be an important consideration for many services and products.

Put simply, many service providers prefer to create a client relationship with their customers, since the increased protection on both sides can lead to more loyalty than if a pure customer relationship exists. This benefits both customer and service provider, although clearly it is not always necessary or even desirable for all transactions. Regardless of which you choose, you should make your choice explicit, so purchasers of your products and services know what to expect when conducting business with your firm.

5 Methods of Identifying Project Risk

2011-12-02T07:59:00.001-08:00

Five methods for identifying risks that information technology professionals and project managers may consider using are Documentation Reviews, Information Gathering Techniques, Checklist Analysis, Assumptions Analysis, and Diagramming Techniques. Although the scope of this article is not to detail the methodology of each technique, the usability of each in an agile environment will be addressed.

Documentation Reviews consist of a detailed analysis of a project document to determine if there are any apparent risks relating to requirements or assumptions. An example of utilizing this method would be when conducting a review of a system integrator's implementation plan and you identify inconsistencies between proposed actions and best practices or you identify a conflict with the proposed implementation schedule and your organization's internal operations schedule. Performing a Documentation Review would allow you to quickly identify and address risks by developing mitigation plans without actually performing a more in-depth quantitative or qualitative analysis.

Information gathering techniques include Brainstorming, the Delphi Technique, Interviewing, Root Cause Analysis, and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis. Brainstorming and Interviewing would be the most beneficial overall because it allows obtaining the largest number of ideas or reference points for identifying project risks by being able to include numerous individuals both internal and external to projects. Involving a large number of individuals in this process, such as business process owners and end users would more effective than taking an insular project team member only approach. The Delphi Technique has its applications, but its round-robin methodology is not an efficient from a time management perspective and busy professionals or executives would not want to spend time reading project risk thoughts of others, that process is best left to the project team to collate and analyze the collected data. Root Cause and SWOT Analysis techniques are both very extremely useful tools and particularly effective after already having conducted Brainstorming sessions and Interviewing.

Checklist Analysis are excellent when working for an integrator that perform many identical or similar projects for multiple clients where there is a risk knowledge base to work from, but becomes a burden to develop one for each individual dissimilar project in an operational business environment, unless the scope of the project warrants the work effort for its development.

Assumptions Analysis in my opinion is closely related to Documentation Reviews whereby you review the documentation along with the assumptions that are contained within to determine its accuracy, consistency, and completeness.

Diagramming Techniques, such as Cause-and-Effect Diagrams and Flow Charts, are useful to visualize and document risk root causes and other project processes. Executive and senior management have historically preferred to review charts and graphs to get an overall bird's eye view of an issue or project phase rather than read through detailed status report pages.

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Computer Repair - How Dust Can Damage Your Computer's Hardware

2011-12-01T18:58:00.001-08:00

What happens when you have a computer that is so dusty and dirty inside the computer case? Well most of the time you are looking at some point to damage the hardware inside the computer. Too much dust in the computer case can cause the computer to run much hotter then if it was clean. Heat and dust can damage computer hardware. In some cases it may damage your motherboard, fans, network cards, dial up cards etc.

It is very important to clean out your computer case at least 3 or 4 times a year. If you computer tower is on the floor or in an area that regularly collects dust you may want to clean it out more frequently. Remember that cleaning your computer is one of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your computers hardware.

Having a computer that is extremely dirty can cause hardware failure. For example if your computer stops working and you take it to a computer repair facility. They look over the computer and tell you that your motherboard is bad. The motherboard is the big chip board inside your computer that controls all the other hardware connected to it. Now lets say that you have for some people your whole life on this computer. You can imagine for must customers loosing their data is at times worse then having to buy a new computer.

When you lose data its something that you just can't replace. Pictures of your wedding, kids, graduation, vacations etc. That is why it is so important to make sure that you are cleaning out your computer cases at least a few times a year.