If you are already used to phoning people via your computer then you will already be thinking of the days of paid telephone calls as being a thing of the past. The big advantage of getting in touch with people in this way is that you can chat with friends or relatives who live in other countries for as long as you like without having to pay anything for the privilege.
Making calls via your internet connection is certainly a huge benefit, but just imagine the possibilities when you can see the person you are talking to as well. The addition of this extra dimension to any internet phone call can turn it into an experience worth remembering for a long time. Just imagine being able to see your youngest relatives in another country growing up before your eyes, or keeping track of how a friend is doing while working in another area for a few months. It certainly brings new meaning to staying in touch!
But if you aren’t technically minded it can be quite daunting to get everything set up in this way. Fortunately, however, the technology itself is pretty easy to understand and this is one of the reasons why so many people are getting connected so they can see each other when they make a call online.
You will obviously need a camera that is compatible with your computer and with the service you are using to make video calls. Check with your provider as they may sell a range of equipment that is specifically designed with their service in mind.
Installation is usually quite easy, but if you have any problems you have two options. Firstly you can consult your video call service provider to check that you have their software installed correctly, although this probably won’t be necessary if you are already making phone calls using your computer with no problems.
Secondly you should make sure the equipment you have purchased so that others can see you is connected properly to your computer. Even the slightest error can cause problems, so make sure all the relevant wires are properly pushed in.
When it comes to buying that equipment, you will no doubt have noticed that there is plenty to choose from. Web cams are available in lots of different shapes and sizes, so you should look at the whole range before making a decision. Some are a lot bigger and more robust than others, so think about the amount of desk space you have available and where you are going to position it before buying.
In short, getting set up to receive and make video calls couldn’t be easier. Once you have received your web cam you will be able to make calls within minutes â€" and enjoy a whole new era of getting in touch with people.
Disclaimer: Andrew Regan writes on behalf of a digital marketing agency. He hopes you enjoyed his article, but urges you to seek further understanding of its topics before making any decisions based on its content.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Taking Advantage of Video Calls On Your Computer
Asus launches new G70 gaming laptop: Get your adrenaline rushing!
The Asus eee PC is loaded with hi-tech computing powers and with an Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 processor and two independent Nvidia 8700M GT graphics engines. One can store mammoth amount of data in it, with dual hard drive bays packing a total of 640 GB giving the user a freedom to keep on storing their favorite games on it.
When one gets tired of gaming, the Dolby Home Theater system and 17in WUXGA Full HD display combined with the Blu ray RW drive and TV Tuner make it a splendid home theater system. Besides, the dual mode touch pad on board gives one quick access to multimedia control. Moreover, there are stylish hot keys on the top as well which give the users a real gaming experience.
This modern gadget is termed as capable of supporting latest games and high definition content. The G70 is loaded with on board 4GB of RAM, built-in two mega pixel camera and DVD writer or optional Blu-ray writer and htc X 7501.
This is an awesome feature of the latest laptop which makes it stand out of the crowd. Htc X 7501 is a powerful mobile office device that lets one work wherever and whenever he wants to. Besides, htc x 7501 is powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 with Direct Push Technology which facilitates the user with his office tools while he is on the road.
Also, the lightning options in the gaming machine are in compliance with gaming requirements. The laptop brings together four Altec Lansing speakers, Dolby Home Theater technology, and 3D surround effects. Further, htc X 7501 gives the user entire freedom to surf web and view documents. Thus, loaded with all possible features one can ask for in a modern and hi-tech gaming machine, this laptop is certainly banging on other competitor's heads.
You can get Laptops free with mobile phones on contract deals.
The Best Portable Generators on the Market Today
Portability
Generators can come in small packages, but there are caveats to every size available. Remember that the size of the generator will affect how much power the unit will provide. The smallest class of generator is usually only rated for one appliance at a time. In addition to having smaller engines, generators that can be carried with one hand will need to be refueled more often than bigger ones. Medium-sized portable generators will last longer, but full size units will have more fuel and power options. Larger portable machines may come with a wheels attached to the frame, but they are hardly as easy to move as the tiny introductory models. The portable units that provide the most power are so big that they are mounted on their own trailer.
Since there is a wide margin between the biggest and smallest portable generators, find a balance between the amount of power needed and the amount of space available. For instance, the ability to run many different appliances may sound appealing, but the largest generator models will require a truck for transportation, more storage, and more space in order to run and vent safely.
Fuel
There are several options available for fueling portable generators. Smaller models are more likely to use gasoline or propane for energy. Larger units are almost exclusively diesel. Since all generators produce energy through combustions, they cannot be run in an enclosed space. Make sure they are outside and cleared of debris so that the heat and carbon monoxide can dissipate.
Gasoline and diesel are often the most popular choices for fuel because it is easy to keep these liquids on hand. However, propane is a very efficient way to provide power and is available at most gas stations. As the cost of oil rises, propane is becoming a cheaper option than the others. Also, these generators can be hooked directly into a line for a steady stream of fuel.
Power Output
Obviously, smaller units will not be able to provide as much power as their larger counterparts. Many generators have their power rating incorporated into their name. This is usually the output of the generator in watts. All appliances require a certain amount of wattage to run. If that number is smaller than the rating of the generator, the unit will power it. However, many devices require a surge of power to get started. The generator needs to be rated above the starting wattage of the appliance or else it will not provide enough power to turn the device on. Not all appliances use more energy on startup, but it is wise to check in order to avoid overloading the generator.
Top Portable Generators
Since generators are used in many different capacities, finding the right one is not a difficult process. Companies that manufacture vehicles, like Honda and Yamaha, are known for their reliable engines; this allows them to provide high quality generators as well. There are a number of quality manufacturers that deal strictly in generators. The top product in each category is mainly a matter of personal opinion.
Generators with automatic start options are available for those who dislike starting a generator by hand. Others may be concerned with noise, longevity, or fuel efficiency. The large generator market ensures that any consumer can find just the perfect unit.
The best way to go about picking the perfect generator is by doing some research. Product reviews and consumer reports should reveal the best generator for a chosen job. Thorough research helps the buyer choose which product works best for their situation, but the research should not stop after the purchase is made. Always read the operations manual before using the equipment for the first time, and make sure to follow all safety rules.
In order to get the most out of the new generator, refuel carefully, and don't overload the unit. If handled properly, a quality generator will be able to grace camping trips, improve cookouts, and save the day during emergencies for many years to come.
Monday, June 23, 2008
GPS technology specialists, 2008
16GB Apple iPhone - A Review
The iPhone is slim and sleek at just 11.6mm thick, 2.4-inches wide, and 4.5-inches tall with a 2 megapixel camera. It allows you to make a call by simply tapping a name or number in your address book, a favorites list, or a call log. All your contacts from a Windows PC, Mac, or Internet service are automatically synced.
An iPod : With a 3.5 inch display widescreen iPod with touch controls where you can enjoy your music, audiobooks, videos, TV shows, and movies. Plus sync the content from the iTunes library on your PC or Mac all with the touch of a finger.
For Internet: It features rich HTML email and Safari browser, the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device. It has built in Yahoo and Goggle for convenient searching. You can multitask by making a phone call while emailing a photo or surfing the web over a Wi-Fi connection.
A YouTube player is available on the home screen, so that you can access and browse YouTube videos wherever you go. And when you find a video you want to send to your friends, you can even create an email with the link in it for you.
The Maps application on the iPhone approximates your location using cell tower information and enabled local Wi-Fi networks. Drop a pin on a map, then move it to a specific location to find nearby points of interest. Even check real-time traffic information.
The Multi-Touch touch screen display lets you control everything using only your fingers. You can type using the predictive keyboard. A full QWERTY keyboard allows you to send and receive SMS messages, email, etc.
The iPhone uses OS X, the worlds most advanced operating system. This software completely redefines what you can do with a mobile phone. It uses quad-band GSM, the global standard for wireless communication. iPhone supports AT&Ts EDGE network, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, which links to the compact Bluetooth headset. The iPhone automatically switches between EDGE and Wi-Fi to provide the fastest data connection possible.
Apple iPhone has a Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery with Talk time: Up to 8 hours, Standby time up to 250 hours, Internet use: Up to 6 hours, Video playback: Up to 7 hours and Audio playback: Up to 24 hours.
These are some of the reasons why Apple iPhone has an upper hand over other cell phones.
Ready For More Music, Movies & Games?
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How to get iPhones Very Cheap!
Want a cheap iPhone?
You can find a place to buy a cheap iPhone, they do exist, to the point where they sell iPhones less that half the price you would normally purchase one.
What are your options?
A very popular and reliable place to get these phones is by shopping internet retail stores. These retailers online are competing to have the most clicks and they will therefore, sell their products at much cheaper prices. It is not a gimmick or some scam, it's the real thing.
Do not amazed by how low these prices are, they are the real thing, i promise you that. It is usually more affordable for an online retailer to sell the phones that cheap in relation to a normal store.
A Number of these online stores would have been in this business for years, and this is a sure sign that the products they offer are the real deal and not some knock off product. Some of these vendors carry some very high end, high priced products in their inventory and they have been doing so for many years.
companies who sell Apple iPhones and other mobile products online, will set up their site to promote a social community. This allows a foundation for a rapport with the buyer, they will provide you with the latest updates in the store all the latest technology, or offer you other accessories for your phone, by simply keeping you an their mailing list.
There you are able to meet others and share your experiences. This is why have slashed their prices so low, in the digital world you are now their customer for life.
It does not matter where buy your cheap iPhone, your primary objective is to get it for less than the suggested retail price, it is advisable, however that you spend more time ensuring that the apple iPhone is new and also, make sure that you get a warranty just in case any fault is found.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
What You Need To Know About Broadband Phone
Broadband phone or internet phone permits users to actuate their internet links instead of the ordinary landline to make calls. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) translates the voice into digital packets and transmits it over the internet and these are translated back into analog signals before outstretch the receiver at the other end. This technology is availing equipment sometimes just a n ordinary phone to connect to the internet and transfer calls over the broadband connection enabled by your computer. This service will save you a great amount of money by transferring your calls to your computer and saving that charges out of your phone bill. The intriguing part of broadband phone service is that it runs the same way phone system functions.
The fundamental reason of users switching to VoIP is the eradicating of long distance charges. The benefit of using broadband phone service is it is just like our traditional phone. Hardware based broadband internet phone service is needed due to with software based VoIP, we need to run our call through computer.
The realm of broadband phone services could alter our cognizance on making call or on the calls that outstretch our house is simply by permitting for an eminent speed and excellent connectivity. The technology comprised designs broadband phone services in such a way that more calling capabilities and more links enabled, thus maximizing calling potential with a simple service. It is relatively inexpensive and totally renewable and available from almost all major phone companies.
Broadband phone services offer many excellent benefits for us. There are a number of available companies that provide these broadband phone services. But, be sure to check all of the choices available then examine between several of favorites in order to decide properly on which is the best suit our requirement.
Low costs is the rudiment key allurement of broadband phone services as it enables users to save considerable sums of money through broadband phone telecommunication. There is abundance of broadband phone service providers that always emulates each other for cheap and revolutionary services which permits subscribers to make calls via broadband internet connection at very low cost. Examining the plans from different broadband phone service providers are a good exercise. We will be able to pick the best many features that broadband phone service providers' offer.
Another great advantage of a broadband phone is about its standalone feature, so we just can do away with our landline. There is only one simple piece of device to install and it can be done in just few minutes. Once all the hardware is nailed up, you get the services activated and start making calls. The operation is so simple which require us to just keep old phone and plug it into the broadband phone line adapter and it runs just as it did before. No additional wiring is required, even if there is more than one phone in which we will need an adapter for each one.
There are drawbacks of being able to place a broadband phone call though. It is the unavailability of 911 emergency services. Not all 911 call centers support them, as the caller-ID features are not available in all broadband areas. Another is the unavailability of broadband phone call during power outage. Broadband phone call, either hardware or software, needs electricity to work. If the cable company has no power, we have no phone service. Our hardware-based service goes through a modem, which needs power as well. Traditional phone service has its own power provided by the phone company permitting it to function even when electricity is interrupted.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
New display LCD EzLink with USB 2.0 interface from Asus
Both the models VW223B and VW202B climb on panels LCD Wide Screen with a resolution equal to 1680x1050 pixels, while the diagonals are respectively of 22 and 20,1 inchs. The displays have a 15 pins D-Sub connector and a USB 2.0. In case of USB connection, it will be necessary to install a special driver that will manage windows positioning on the various secondary monitors.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Learn How To Get Free Cable TV as SIFI Becomes Reality
Is the ability to advance in home entertainment limited due to our TV sets? Don't get me wrong, for a price you can get some great programs even HDC type programs from cable, but what else can they bring us? Have we limited our potential because we are closed minded? Not everyone has. As you can see, many people are abandoning their norm of thinking and learning how to get free cable tv.
While learning how to get free cable tv on the Pc is not yet a standard or has it even come close to its potential. I think it will pick up from the limited ability of our cable satellite TV providers. While PC programming is very close to what cable supplies now, I see in the very near future huge leaps beyond our wildest thinking. Do you think we could move to interactive, virtual reality, image projection, or true 3 and 4 dimensional programming with our TV sets? While on vacation one year I visited a virtual reality game center. Now I can only imagine this being available in all of our homes. You look right; you look left and amazingly enough you're in the action of this reality TV. Now I'm not saying PC TV is to this point yet, but now I understand why our satellite and cable providers are getting nervous. Also, think about this technology integrated with our phone and communication system. A projection of your son, daughter, parents, or anyone even in another country could be projected setting next to you and talking or interacting. All of this seems SIFI and maybe it does sound a bit like the old cartoon "The Jetsons". However, all of this is possible through our growth and open mindedness. All of these things I mentioned are already out there in some form just waiting to find a way to incorporate them. So while SIFI is not even that much of a stretch, just imagine thinking about TV when we only had the radio. I do not think anyone even thought about these realities until they where introduced. I cannot predict what else is to develop. We as the consumer, drive the direction of technology with our willingness to bend with change.
I remember before I learned how to get free cable tv, having a TV that only got 4 channels about 35 year ago. Then we joined the race getting a 13 cable cannels 1 through 13 on the TV dial. Next cable came out with the converter giving us 18 channels, and then I bought a huge dish and got over 200 channels. Ok I moved on and got direct TV to receive maybe 400 channels. Then digital cable caught up and the offered the ability to watch different programming in other rooms and it was less expensive. Now I have moved on to PC TV that offers 10,000 channels at a one time small up front fee. While my basement and house right now is laced with thousands of feet of wiring from my original cable, analog cable from my 10 foot dish, direct TV cables, and digital cable. I even have antenna wires running through. I never had to add any wires for my PC TV I just clicked a key on my computer. Now I just need to figure out what to do with all those wires running through out the house.
Learning how to get free cable tv on your computer is an excellent invention. It is voted best new product of 2008. Watching TV online requires no additional hardware and when new channels become available they are automatically added. All the software necessary to view TV on the Internet use easy to use user interfaces. To watch TV on the computer is very simple. You just have to know where to look. Watch concerts, festivals, and videos from all around the world. How about watching live sports that are not shown on normal satellite TV including your favorite sports team?
As you learn how to get free cable tv you can watch local TV, world TV, Live TV, satellite TV from countries of all world. You can also watch your favorite TV series, music, news, sports, movies, comedy, religious, and adult content anytime you want. Watching in different languages on your PC not just at home, but at the OFFICE, work or wireless is also a plus. Create your own library of video content anywhere you have an internet connection. No additional equipment needed. Watch Live Games, even the ones that your cable company does not show them.
Your cable TV providers will not tell you what has happened to the television broadcasting industry. Internet has changed the traditional way to watch TV and brought TV programs to your computer or laptop with incredible low set-up fee but more exciting and plentiful programs and channels.
Is this article informitive to you, does this SIFI like very near future excite you, jump on the wagon and view these top sites moving in this direction. http://product-guide-review.info/HowToGetFreeCableTV/
Watch Satellite TV On PC - How To Convert Your Computer To PC Sattelite TV?
You will benefit from the fact once you own the software, you will not ever have to buy another thing. In this instant you will have the power of television in your lap or on your desk. This one time fee covers the outstanding technology, then you can watch thousands of channels throughout the world on your PC forever. You will never pay for this again in your lifetime.
All you have to remember is that within minutes, you could be watching the over 3000 Stations on the PC for the rest of your life, all the cost that it takes to take your family to the movies, and some of the sites will even offer the program software for free. Millions of people are already taking advantage of the varieties of programming available and are enjoying the savings they get from not paying for cable and satellite services. They also like the possibilities of watching various sporting events that they can't see anywhere else.
Another great benefit is that you can watch these shows in many different languages, such as French, Spanish, Italian and of course English as well as many more. They can even browse the television stations offered in other countries. With this technology they can watch satellite TV on PC for low money and save at least $90 a month that they would have spent on Cable television.
The best thing about it is that you will find that it is 100% legal and will work in all of the countries in the world such as the United States, Canada and all of the others. You will be able to find the world's greatest shows on television no mater where it is playing in.
You will be happy to know that with this software, you will be able to watch Satellite TV on PC, without buying expensive hardware, you don't even need a TV card. You only need to have a good Internet connection, preferably something with a very high Internet speed. Another consideration is where or not, you need broadband. The use of broadband, not only ensures that the connection is better, but that you get higher grade audio and video resolution with this product.
The best thing about using this product is that it is very easy to install, you just download the product and and then you will have instant access to all of the satellite channels and all of the hundreds of shows, you love to watch. You will also be amazed that you don't need any PC skills in order today. You may even like the idea that there is no monthly subscriptions like you will find on cable television. You should know that there are no mimics and once you pay the one time fee, this technology is free for life.
So if you want a more exciting online experience of watching satellite TV on PC, you should check around for a site that will sell you the software for free, with no waiting, you just pay, download and you can be watching your favorite shows in a matter of minutes, so enjoy this new TV on your PC.
Download PC Satellite TV Software Today! "Start Watching Satellite TV Instantly" Visit www.pcsatellitetvsoftware.com now! Read my another popular article Satellite TV For PC Elite Edition 2008 Review for more information.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Mobile Revolution
It's hard to remember a time before cell phones. A time when people could only contact one another from their homes or at the office near a phone. Or harder still, try remembering a time before fax machines and email; when getting a document to someone meant physical delivery.
Some people may bemoan the loss of a simpler, less accessible time. But what most GenXers and all GenYers have known is the digital era: when everything and everyone is just a click away at all times.
Mobile telephones have brought this digital connectivity to a new level. In addition to being accessible by phone, people can now connect through email or text message while on the go.
These technologies have been enhanced by the advent of the much-touted iPhone and other mobile devices that offer connectivity from our hand. Previous wireless telephones offered cursory versions of the Internet. People could check their email and view small pieces of online information but were unable to access all of the audio, video, text and interactive features the modern Internet has to offer.
Mobile technology has certainly revolutionized people's lives. You can check your Facebook profile, converse with a friend using Instant Messaging and bookmark an article to Digg all while riding the bus to work. Wireless phones have become a social necessity.
Conducting work via mobile phones is also becoming standard practice. Businessmen and businesswomen can attend meetings around the world, submit presentations, keep up with their email correspondence, and more all from their wireless devices.
Business software has adapted to fit mobile technology as mobile phones become an indispensible aspect of company-customer interaction. Relationship automation module provider Axonom recently introduced its Powertrak Mobile software for wireless devices. This technology offers the complete Microsoft customer relationship management applications standard in its original Powertrak software to leading mobile devices without the need for IT support and tedious installation.
More software will likely become 'mobile-friendly' as the mobile revolution continues to grow. Visit http://axonom.com/crm_solutions/powertrak/pt_crm_axmobile.html to find out more about the mobile-friendly technology offered by Axonom.
IPhone Unlock
Unlocking your iPhone will free you from the constraints forced upon you by Apple and AT&T. When you purchase a new iPhone, you're required to sign a 2-year contract with AT&T in order to make full use of the device's functionality. If AT&T is your current wireless provider, then activating your iPhone is a simple matter of purchasing an additional Data Plan for your wireless package. However, if you're using T-Mobile, Verizon, SprintPCS, or any other provider, switching to AT&T can be an expensive nuisance. In this article, you'll learn why others have been unlocking their iPhones and how to avoid AT&T's activation and cancellation fees should you decide to unlock your iPhone and use it on another network.
Reasons For Unlocking Your iPhone
There are several reasons why you may want to unlock your iPhone. For most people, the biggest motivator is being able to use their iPhone's email, audio, web and phone functions with their current wireless provider. For example, if you're currently a SprintPCS customer, it's a hassle to terminate your SprintPCS account (possibly paying a hefty cancellation fee) just to activate your iPhone on AT&T's service. It's much more convenient to unlock your iPhone and use it with SprintPCS.
Other iPhone owners may have a travel itinerary that frequently takes them abroad. It's possible for them to use their iPhone on AT&T's affiliate networks while visiting other countries. But, it may be more convenient to use a prepaid GSM SIM card. The only way this is possible is to unlock the iPhone.
Still others may want to sell their iPhone in the future. Because the PDA market updates and reinvents itself rapidly, many iPhone owners will want to upgrade to new models or to entirely different PDAs. Because the iPhone costs $400 (and more), it can be a valuable source of cash flow when upgrading. Unlocking the iPhone (and thereby, allowing others to use their own wireless provider) makes the device more marketable when the time comes to sell it.
Avoiding Activation And Cancellation Fees
Most wireless carriers want customers to sign contracts that lock them into the provider's service. There are typically heavy cancellation fees for terminating the contract early. In addition, there are usually activation fees for starting a new plan. AT&T is no different. However, their terms of service agreement includes provisions (albeit, in small print) that allow you to recoup and avoid these fees.
If you purchase your iPhone and activate it on AT&T's network, you can terminate the 2-year contract within 30 days and avoid the cancellation fee. When the iPhone was originally launched this fee was $175. Since then, AT&T has changed their policy and charges a cancellation fee based upon how long the customer has used the network. Also, if you cancel your contract within 3 days, you can get a refund for the activation fee that AT&T charged.
Enjoying Your Unlocked iPhone
Unlocking your iPhone provides you with the freedom to use it with any wireless provider you choose (as long as that provider uses the same GSM frequency as AT&T). Many people have complained about AT&T's lackluster customer service, comparatively-high prices and spotty coverage. For them (and perhaps yourself), using their iPhone on a different carrier's network is preferable. Once you've unlocked your iPhone (hopefully, in time to avoid the activation and cancellation fees), you'll be able to enjoy its functionality on a network that's better-suited to your lifestyle and needs.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Software industry Consolidating
trends that is observable in the worldwide software industry. In the
last some months suddenly mergers and acquisition in the software
industry are filling up newspaper.
Look at some of the recent examples. Microsoft trying to buy out Yahoo.
Google tying up with Yahoo for advertisement. Even newscorp a
traditional media company tying up with Microsoft.BBC bringing out
video features. Google buying orkut, you tube and the list is
unmistakingly very long. But the key word is simple. Software and IT
companies are going gung-ho over these mergers and acquisitions.
The software industry was all out for innovation and bringing new lines
of products in the beginning years of the internet boom observed during
initial years of this century. Then what has happened that focus has
shifted to mergers and acquisitions?
Every player in this field knows that Success in the software industry
for all times to come will be driven by discrete product innovations
and winners in software excel at building and extending platforms to
achieve scale in customer relationships. But at stake now is the future
control of installed bases. With growing competition only those
companies which have a clear category lead over others will survive or
otherwise those having the scale and scope will survive. According to
some surveys two of every three software companies didn't show profits
in 2006, making them more vulnerable as acquisition targets. With their
stock valuations rising, the larger players have amassed war chests.
Meanwhile, new license sales are no longer generating sizable growth-so
many software companies have concluded that they must pursue others'
installed bases and thus consolidate.
Further market worldwide is undergoing a fundamental shift. IT spending
growth has slowed and the industry's landscape is shifting away from a
helter skelter type of format to a more organized open standards or
those set by consortia of big vendors. Customers want reliability and
simplicity. Thus the final result is only few but strong players.
Thus at a time when product development is not giving benefits M&A
is the preferred choice to grow. Thus smaller r players have some of
these choices merge with another player, try to become a platform, or
fail. But some can expand into related services, as many are doing as
licensing revenue declines.
Indian scenario
Indian companies are not divorced from this global trend. According to
some surveys they are sitting over huge funds amounting to 1 to 2
billions and also the valuations of the Indian companies are high
compared to their US counterparts and thus this seem to be the right
time to enter into these large deals. At the beginning of 2008, Infosys
Technologies Ltd. forged a strategic alliance with Nihon Unisys Ltd. of
Japan in order to develop new software based products and market those
products. With the mergers and acquisitions, Wipro Ltd. would be in a
position to compete in the bid of the government projects. The company
is expecting a substantial increase the total revenue earned from the
Japanese market through the mergers and acquisitions. During January
and February of 2008, software companies stitched 18 M&A deals in
the cross-border category, where Indian IT/BPO companies acquired
overseas firms or vice versa, of which 14 were outbound transactions.
Similarly HCL Technologies Ltd acquired US-based Capital Stream Inc, in
an all-cash deal of about $40 million.
NIIT Technologies announced the acquisition of Germany-based SofTec
GmbH, a specialist in IT solutions and services in the airline revenue
accounting and operations space.Satyam Computer Services also announced
the acquisition of a Chicago-based management and consulting firm
Bridge Strategy Group, for $35 million, in an all-cash deal. Similarly
Mindtech (India) Ltd. acquired Infotech Consulting, a
Pennsylvania-based multi-disciplined technology services firm for $21
million.
Thus the trend is unmistakingly towards consolidation and US recession
is sure to spur this process as smaller players are already stressed
over their margin profits and finally may decide to give in before
further erosion in their net worth takes place.
Internet World opens its doors for the 17th year
29th April 2008: Internet World, the UK's largest digital business
show, today opens its doors for the 17th time, since first opening in
1992. The show features BBC Worldwide and Google amongst its speaker
and is set to raise the bar once more, with it's biggest event yet.
This builds upon last year's accolades, including Best Business
Exhibition. As the fastest growing event in its industry, Internet
World has been able to attract keynote speakers from industry leaders
including ITV, MySpace and Nokia.
Internet World is a digital marketing forum that attracts a serious
business audience. It is the only show that covers all the key issues
relating to online strategy; all addressed under one roof, it provides
an end-to-end solution for visitors. This is why 89% of attendees are
involved in purchasing, with 20% of those companies having over 1000
employees. Although primarily a UK event, an increased number of
worldwide exhibitors and delegates will be attending.
"With over 300 exhibitors and some of the best speakers we've ever had,
this year's event maintains our incredible progress. By remaining
focused on what is important to our industry our appeal will only
increase," commented James Drake-Brockman, Event Director of Internet
World.
"We have continued to adapt our approach to the event and evolved where
the market has. We are taking advantage of all multimedia
opportunities, through our website, blog and chart-topping viral game.
The buzz around the event is immense and anyone involved in the
internet world needs to be here."
The latest cutting edge topics covered at the event include IPTV,
mobile and behavioural targeting. They will complement other areas such
as e-commerce, digital marketing and content management to form a
well-balanced exhibition.
Internet World 2008 runs from 29th April - 1st May at Earls Court.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Digital Photography Basics
I am sure you know to put batteries in the camera, power it on and then point and click to take your picture. I would definitely recommend before you take any pictures to look over your user manual and check out the features you have on your camera. For example, I have a night, landscape, sport, and portrait setting for taking pictures. If I want to take a picture of my cute dogs snuggling together on the couch, I put it on the portrait setting and snap away. If I want to take an action shot of my son skate boarding down the road, I put it on the sport setting. You also need to set the quality of the shots on your camera. The higher quality the picture, the more memory it takes, so less pictures can be stored in your camera. And of course vice versa, the lower the quality more can be stored. I personally don't see a problem with high quality shots. If you download them regularly to your pc, you won't have a storage problem.
Don't forget about holding the camera correctly and making sure the optics are clean. Digital cameras are getting smaller by the day. You don't want to take shots of your cousins wedding and then realize you have several pictures of your finger. Make sure you keep your fingers away from the lens with your index finger on the shutter button and your thumb on the back to hold the camera steady. Also, it is really easy to get finger prints on your camera lens. This makes your pictures come out fuzzy. Make sure you clean your lens regularly with the correct cloth and solution.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
How I use ISO images
An ISO image is an archive file of an optical disc using a conventional ISO format that is supported by many software vendors. ISO image files typically have a file extension of .ISO but Mac OS X ISO images often have the extension .CDR. The name ISO is taken from the ISO 9660 file system used with CD-ROM media but the term ISO image can refer to any optical disc image.
- Wikipedia
Usage
The usage of ISO extension file is wide but the main purpose of me creating images is to backup the files. I find that it is quite easy to organize files and folders by ISO images.
For example, if you have tons of photos from your previous trips to various places such as Paris, Japan, US and Malaysia, then you can create different images to identify the photos or even group them altogether into one ISO image but different folders.
Example 1 - Different image to categorize
In this case, you will have Paris.ISO, Japan.ISO, US.ISO and Malaysia.ISO. What you will see from your hard drive is only four ISO files and all the photos are stores inside.
Example 2 - Only one image file
Create only Photo.ISO but have four different folders as Paris, Japan, US and Malaysia
My article about Backup and Restore Your Hard Drive Using ISO has described that you do not have to go through the installation process if you compile an ISO image of your hard drive.
For your information - PSP
ISO images are also used in PSP. The games are extracted from UMD disc and compiled into ISO or CSO files. CSO is a compressed format of ISO. Playing games from ISO is much faster than playing from the UMD drive.
Purpose
Having one ISO file is like having a mini hard drive. You cannot read ISO files just by double-clicking it. Daemon Tools is a popular tool where you can mount the ISO files as another drive.
For example, if your C and D drive are hard disk drive and E drive is you DVD-ROM, then you can mount your ISO file as F drive or G drive and so on. Once mounted, you can view your files in the ISO file through the drive you have assigned to.
ImageBurner
ImgBurn is a freeware that allows you to burn ISO images into CDs or DVDs. You can also create ISO images using the software. Do not worry. If you use the image burn function, the software will extract all the files in your ISO images and burn the files into the CDs or DVDs. However, if you use the normal copy function, the CDs or DVDs will only show your .ISO extension files.
Nero does the same but I find that it installs quite a lot of craps.
Pros
* Files store in ISO files cannot be deleted or moved easily like your files in your hard drive * Once you mount the image drive, you can drag the files to your hard drive
Some little problems
* To add files into your ISO images, you need to re-compile * If you delete the ISO file and remove from recycle bin, that's it
Thursday, April 17, 2008
GPS Tracking Using A CellPhone
together and GPS chipset revenue is expected to more than double to $1.3 billion in just three years time,
according to In-Stat. The GPS-based NextGen system, slated for completion by 2025, will straighten routes (blue)
and allow more planes to safely share the skies. Currently, Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) guide planes through
takeoff, then hand them over to a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility that keeps approach and
departure corridors orderly over the next 50 miles. The GPS system has been designed to be as nearly accurate as
possible. However, there are still errors.
Cell phone GPS tracking can also be a useful feature to the emergency services or police when responding to a 911
call from a GPS cell phone. For this reason, the FCC has legislated that wireless networks provide location
information for 911 calls made from cell phones. Cell phone GPS tracking systems is touted as one of the most
advanced technological milestones in the history of mobile communication systems. Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
enables the users to trail his own location through the analysis of satellite signals beamed down from many
satellites. Cell phone GPS website Mandated in the aftermath of September 11th, the Federal Communication
Commission (FCC) required cell service providers to make GPS tracking of cell phone calls possible. All phones made
since 2005 are GPS-trackable.
Cell phone GPS tracking is one of those advances. Cell Phone GPS tracking can prove useful in many walks of life
and especially when any emergency arises. Picture the scene of a road accident where injuries have occurred.
Update: Nokia intend the N95 to be a powerful one for all replacement for a media player, digital camera, digital
camera, PDA and now a GPS navigation device. It features a 2-way slide concept to simplify switching between
different functionalities. Nokia, Motorola and Beneflon are just a few of the companies now providing GPS-enabled
phones. This will change as the other manufacturers catch up, then we will see this technology being installed as a
default inclusion.
Digital Photos Stuck on your Computer?
film camera as the number one way that people capture their photos, you
need new and unique ways to display all your digital photos.
Does this sound like you?: Bought a digital camera, took thousands of
photos, loaded all of them onto your computer, since then nobody has
seen any of them. Well you are not alone.
There are a lot of unique products on the market today that allow you
to display your photos statically (one photo at a time). These products
range from coffee mugs, mouse pads, and calendars, to coasters,
puzzles, and playing cards. However, if you are like me and have
hundreds of digital photos you want to display, buying enough product
to display all my images would make me go broke, let alone clutter my
house. So if you want to display multiple images with a single product,
then digital picture frames, digital key chains, digital photo
ornaments, digital photo pen sets, digital photo jewelry boxes, or
digital photo snow globes are the way to go.
All of the above mentioned devices can display a single photo or a
slide show of hundreds of photos depending on the size of their
internal memory. Some on these devices can also store video and sound.
These devices are usually easy to setup. Some come with their own
software you have to load onto your computer and some are plug and
play. Just load the software, plug the display into you computer using
a USB cable, and load your images onto the device. After that, all you
will need to do is to set the slide show parameters (duration to
display each photo) and your done. Some of these devices are battery
operated, but the best ones come with both an a/c adapter and a powered
USB cable.
Now all you need to do is determine how you want to utilize these
digital photo products. You can give them as gifts, use them as
promotional products, or just use them for displaying your images at
your home or office.
Below are some very creative ways to use these digital photo devices:
1.Give them as a gift to a grandparent. Just preload them with pictures
of yourself and your children. You can update their displays every time
you visit them. What a great way to keep the grandparents updated on
your growing family!
2.Give them as an anniversary gift to your parents. Just preload the
display with family photos that span across several decades. This will
definitely be a gift they will cherish forever.
3.Use the display as a soothing night light for you baby. Most displays
can play sound along with the photos. Load the display with photos of
Mom, Dad, grandparents, other siblings and some lullabies. Your baby
will be comforted and sleep like an angel.
4.Give the displays away as promotional products. Preload the digital
photo ornament, frame, keychain, pen set, or snow globe with photos of
your company products and specials and give them away to potential
customers. Your customers will definitely remember your company after
receiving on of these unique gifts.
5.Businesses can also use any of these devices on their retail counters
or office desks to display current specials or new products. Real
Estate agents could display photos of their current listings. A retail
store could display photos of their current sale items. The
possibilities are endless.
I hope this gives you some ideas of what you can do with all those digital photos that are currently stuck on your computer.
If you can think of other unique ways to use these digital devices, feel free to add a comment to this article.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
How to Repair xBox 360 Problem, the Red Ring of Death
360, reported that the failure rate for xBox 360 game consoles are well
over 16 percent. This is an alarming amount of failure for a game
system, especially coming from Microsoft. The xBox 360 crashing and
other problems are widely, known among gamers, but I didn't realize the
problem was this rampant.
Among the biggest problem gamers face is overheating of xBox 360 game
consoles causing flashing 3 red lights called "Red Ring of Death." I
have experienced similar problem in the past and there's a simple
solution to repair this xBox 360 problem by using the famous 3 towel
trick.
Three towel trick is a temporary repair that may last for a few days or
even several weeks, nobody really has any idea how long this temporary
fix will last. However, if you are desperate to repair your xBox 360
from red ring of death problem, following procedure is how you fix your
infamous xBox 360 "Red Ring of Death."
The reasoning behind the 3 towel trick is to get your xBox game console
very hot thereby reconnecting the possible loose connection on the game
board. And if all goes according to plan, after using the towel trick,
hopefully the game console will function normally again.
Repair xBox 360 Red Ring of Death Problem with Towel Trick
First thing you should do is turn the main power to your system off and
disconnect all network cables, leaving only the power supply. Then turn
on the power back on and with 3 or 4 thick towels, wrap the game
console loosely. Turn the power back on. If you can't locate the power
button with wrapped towels, you can turn the power on before you wrap
your towel. Let the game console heat up for about 25 to 30 minutes.
After heating it up for 25 to 30 minutes, take away the towels from the
game console. Be extra careful not to burn yourself, because the
console will be extremely hot at this point. Let the game console cool
down for about 15~20 minutes and reboot your xBox. Do not connect your
network cables at this point.
After applying the towel trick, your xBox 360 still flashes "Red Ring
of Death," you're out of luck. You need to have it fixed by a repair
personnel. However, if you find that the flashing red lights are gone,
then your xBox is good to go again. Reconnect all your network cables
and play your favorite game. Your xBox may operate without any problems
for few hours, few days or even weeks or months without a hitch until
you run into same problem again.
Remember, the towel trick is a temporary fix for your xBox 360 problems
and you should seek a long-term solution. The reason for the dreaded
three "Red Rings of Death" is because of the overheating of the game
console. You can apply some of the tips below to keep your xBox from
overheating.
Keep the xBox 360 game console in an open space. Keeping the game
console in a tight space prevents the vent on the side to get clogged,
causing it to get hot. You might also try to keep the main power supply
from overheating by keeping it off of the floor. Some gamers use a tiny
fan on the game console and/or power supply to keep the xBox 360 from
overheating.
There is a product called Niko Intercooler, which has a 3 built-in fans
that attaches directly to your xBox game console. Having this useful
add-on for your xBox will keep your game console relatively cool while
playing the game. It is a handy add-on that every gamer should have to
avoid the ring of death and overheating. Intercooler is available for
about $15 to $20 at most of major retailers and Amazon.com
You can avoid many of your xBox 360 problems simply by using these
common sense tips. However, if these tips do not fix your xBox
problems, you'll need to send it out for a repair to Microsoft or other
third party repair center. If you are under warranty, Microsoft if your
best option, but the repair may take up to 4 to 6 weeks plus shipping
time and cost. And if your warranty has expired, you should consider
other repair center for quick service. Most third party repair centers
charge anywhere from $140 to $200 depending on the severity of your
problem.
Many smart gamers choose another option to repair their xBox 360, which
is using a self repair guide. There are number of xBox 360 repair
guides that are available online which can help you repair xBox 360
yourself. Just remember, if you try to fix it yourself and break the
game box for good, you may not be entitled to warranty coverage. So,
decide wisely if doing a self repair is a good option for you.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Next incoming iPhone 3G features
i say that it will come in 60 days but this is just a rumor and several
web site speak about that. However, not until Steve Jobs pulls out the
next-gen iPhone from his pocket at his keynote at Apple's June World
Wide Developers Conference will we really know what's new for the
Apple's next iPhone.
Talking about new features here is what is expected so far:
3G iPhone: it will be equipped with the "SGOLD3″ chipset made by
Infineon that supports 3.5G - doubling current iPhone mobile data rates
of to 7.2MBps. reference to that was found in the apple software
version 2.0.
Capacity & Price: 32GB 599$ , 16GB 499$, and perhaps 8GB 399$.
Dimension: the new 3G iPhone will be slimmed down 2.5 millimeters .
Camera: the iPhone 3G will have a 5 megapixel camera.
Push Email: the next generation iPhone will support Microsoft's
business e-mail server software Microsoft Exchange and a "push" email
functionality similar to BlackBerry.
Software: contact search, meeting invitations, and an advanced calculator.
Nike iPhone : Stuff.tv is kicking back in Nike's HQ at the moment and
claims to have official word about Nike's future plans with Apple. They
say that the Nike+ system will "definitely" extend beyond the iPod nano
to support the relatively bulky iPhone and iPod touch.
GPS iPhone: According to iPhone Hellas: "secret" documents reveal the
next iPhone will have built in support for Bluetooth headsets and
possibly even GPS navigation.
Some of this are just rumor and other are confirmed so keep an eye on my iPhone 3G articles series, i'll keep you informed.
GPS Systems
the primary function of calculating its own location on land or water
by using satellite signals. Once the GPS unit knows its own location,
it can help the user determine direction and distance to other known
locations.
For instance, a GPS on a boat can tell the captain how far
it is to the shoreline or how far it is to a favorite fishing spot. For
the outdoor sportsman a GPS can help with finding your campsite, your
vehicle or your next geocache. Popular outdoor activities such as
hiking, hunting, fishing, trail running, backpacking, rock climbing,
canyoneering and canoeing are all made more enjoyable and safer when
you take along your GPS.
The advantage to a portable GPS, besides actually helping you find your
location, is that it is small enough to not be a bothersome bit of
luggage when you leave for camping trips. Instead of worrying about
finding extra cargo space for your enormous GPS contraption, you simply
slip the GPS in your pocket until it is needed. When buying a GPS
system the first thing to consider is how you intend to use it. If you
plan on using it while on foot, you'll want a GPS that is lightweight,
compact, weather resistant and that is equipped with features important
to foot travel. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is one such
feature. WAAS greatly increases the accuracy of your GPS, in most cases
to within 10 feet.
Accuracy within a few meters is important for the
outdoor enthusiast but not nearly as important for navigating through
town in your rental car. Next, be sure your GPS has at least 12
channels of reception too. Since your GPS will only work when it
receives signals from satellites orbiting the Earth, less than 12
receiving channels will not get the job done in wooded areas or in
steep terrain. If you plan on using your GPS to navigate while driving
in your car, its weight is not nearly as important as its ability to
display street maps. The GPS mounted to the dash of your truck probably
doesn't need to be weatherproof, but the one on your boat better be.
Prices for GPS units vary a great deal and in general, you get what you
pay for. While some units cost around $100 and offer relatively few
features, others may cost as much as $1000 or even more and are loaded
with dozens of features.
Here is a good rule of thumb for determining
how much money to spend on your next GPS. You should expect to pay
between $200 and $300 to get a decent GPS Unit. I own a Garmin eTrex
Vista. I believe it is the best GPS available for under $300. There are
various brands, features and types of GPS navigation systems to choose
from. More sophisticated systems obviously will cost more than simpler
models. Some units are portable and can plug into the cigarette
lighter. Others require technical installation.
Keep in mind that some
manufacturers will void the warranty unless the unit is installed by a
certified dealer. As technology is constantly evolving, you should
purchase a GPS navigation device that is upgradeable. These devices
communicate with geostationary satellites, which tell the device,
exactly where on Earth it is. The potential applications for this
knowledge are endless. If you know where you are, where you were and
the time in between then you know your speed exactly. If you know where
you are then others do too. Many people out there do want to own one
but have no idea which one to choose.
There are so many models to
choose from, and with most GPS systems costing hundreds of dollars,
it's not entirely unreasonable to be scared to make a decision. This is
the reason why this list of some of the better systems out there has
been compiled to help you come up with an informed choice on which is
the best GPS system for you and your money.
There many different types
of GPS, which one is right for you. GPS parts and accessories
http://www.gpsshopsite.com
Tiscali International Network Scales High-Performance Infrastructure with Juniper Networks T1600 Core Router
MILAN, Italy & SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 14, 2008 " Tiscali
International Network (TINet), the wholesale carrier division of the
Tiscali Group, and Juniper Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: JNPR), the leader in
high-performance networking, today announced that TINet is scaling its
core infrastructure to support the growing demand for multiplay
services with the Juniper Networks T1600 multi-terabit core router.
As a major independent global carrier, TINet has one of the largest and
most interconnected IP networks in the world. The company exclusively
focuses on serving wholesale customers with high capacity IPv4 and IPv6
Transit, layer 2 MPLS services for IPTV and data transport and with its
global Ethernet private lines service. TINet currently serves a large
number of leading Telcos, ISPs and Content Providers in four
continents. TINet will deploy the T1600s in several Points of Presence
throughout Europe and America, to accommodate its fast traffic growth
and to support the latest 40 Gbps technologies. Capable of delivering
an industry-leading 1.6 Tbps (Tera bytes per second) of throughput in a
single half-rack chassis, the service-aware T1600 core router will
enable TINet to scale-up the delivery of multiple high capacity
services over its global MPLS infrastructure.
Our commitment is to anticipate and satisfy our wholesale customers
for whom a scalable and reliable IP Transit solution is a critical
building block for their service to end users, said Maurizio
Binello, COO, TINet. Our innovative business model relies on highly
scalable and highly flexible multi service infrastructure and
Juniper's equipment has played a paramount role. It is for this
reason that we operate a network exclusively based on Juniper
routing equipment.
Our advanced services are simple and fast to deploy. Our clients
have come to expect a reliable service that is backed up with expert
support made available right throughout the entire network. With the
addition of the T1600, we can increase network capacity in line with
our escalating service demands around the world, whilst maintaining our
value proposition of high quality service on streamlined costs.
As a leading IP/MPLS carrier who differentiates from its competition
with innovative services, the service-aware T1600 will deliver
high-performance at scale with the reliability that TINet requires to
help accelerate service revenue opportunities, said Kim Perdikou,
executive vice president and general manager, Infrastructure Products
Group, Juniper Networks. TINet's decision to upgrade to T1600s
with JUNOS software underscores Juniper's commitment to technology
excellence and innovation that protects customers investments as
they scale their networks to support the demands of high-performance
services and applications.
The Juniper Networks T1600 Multi-terabit Core Router The T1600 features
the JUNOS operating system, Juniper's single-source core operating
software, which helps to ease the ongoing burden on network
administrators, can lower operating costs and enables consistent
operations throughout the network, offering scale without disruption.
All JUNOS routing features are supported on the T1600, including
point-to-multipoint (P2MP) MPLS that delivers efficient core video
distribution. The T-series routers also include optical network
integration via10GE optical interfaces and 40 Gbps interface cards that
deliver exceptional interoperability and service agility over optical
transport and IP infrastructures.
Best of British: NSSA makes Viglen only UK company on storage and servers contract
Viglen, a leading British manufacturer and provider of IT solutions,
has become the first UK-based company to be appointed to a national
storage and servers framework suppliers contract.
The National Server and Storage Framework Agreement (NSSA) has
announced that the firm, chaired by Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar, is
among its list of companies which have been recommended to provide
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with a range of server and storage
products. Viglen was awarded two framework supply positions.
Viglen's place on the NSSA, which facilitates contracts worth around
£14m annually, takes immediate effect with the company having made both
the "Server Providers and Resellers" and the "Storage Providers and
Resellers" lists.
Viglen, which is based in Colney Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, now
becomes the first indigenous UK company to appear on both lists. Its
inclusion on the register was confirmed following a rigorous six month
evaluation for this national agreement.
Viglen's underlying value proposition - 'It's personal' - was thought
key to the success, with Intel, Hitachi Data Systems and Dot Hill all
nominating Viglen as their reseller for inclusion on the lists - so
much so that Viglen is the only company allowed to sell Hitachi
products to HEIs via the agreement.
Hitachi Data Systems, Managing Director, Steve Murphy, said: "Having
worked with Viglen for some time, we know that they share the same
values as us, in particular that of delivering customer satisfaction.
We were happy to recommend Viglen for the list and are delighted to see
their inclusion confirmed."
Intel UK and Ireland Country Manager, Graham Palmer, said: "Viglen is a
leading UK vendor for server and storage solutions, and their
successful appointment as a NSSA supplier should be seen as a vote of
confidence in those products."
Viglen Chief Executive, Bordan Tkachuk said: "Viglen shares a real
desire for excellence and in tailoring our technology to deliver
end-user ready equipment and we are delighted to be included on the
NSSA list. I am also pleased that, in addition to Viglen being selected
in its own right, Viglen was also chosen by three of its major vendors,
Intel, Hitachi Data Systems and Dot Hill, to represent their storage
products in the education market.
"It is a real endorsement of Viglen's strength and presence in this
education market, to be the only indigenous company to be awarded under
this framework contract. As a result, we have already started engaging
with new clients in higher education and providing them with server and
storage solutions that respond to their needs."
Video Conferencing and What it has to Offer
meeting or talk while making sure all that is discussed would be
readily understood. Better than other forms of communication, video
conferencing offers audio-visual connection with the other attendees.
There are two ways to outsource video conferencing. One would be using
a third party as an inside service provider with the use of your own
equipment while the other way is to work with an outside service
provider that hosts the conference call from an external network.
For both means there are advantages and disadvantages. Lets us take a look at the first way to outsource a video conference.
The advantages of using a third party as an inside service provider is
the assurance of encountering less technical problems. Most big
companies have their own set of technicians that keep an eye on the
video conferencing. However, not even the most skilled of workers can
beat a well trained professional group so they hire such people to
operate the equipment needed and avoid technical hassles. Also, the
costs for using a third party as an inside service provider tends to be
more constant in terms of billing and produces less surprise charges.
The disadvantage, though, is that it may take longer time for a big
company to set up its video conferencing. Since companies would hire
outside staff to oversee the video conferencing especially when it is
done in conference rooms and/or big offices, it may take some time for
the setup to be finished. This is because though trained professionals
are hired for the job, they still need to familiarize themselves with
the equipment.
As for working with an outside service provider, the main advantage is
that a company can rent and use a maintained facility that is already
equipped and ready to go. Additional materials that will be needed for
the video conferencing will take just a little time to add.
Its disadvantages, however, would be the inconvenience of having to
relocate to the place where the equipment is already set up.
Video conferencing is not only used for businesses. It may also be used
for personal and other purposes like education, security surveillance
and emergency response. But if you wish to use if for personal use you
may need to purchase additional hardware and software to equip your
computer and enable it for video conferencing.
Video conferencing is such a big convenience that anyone, regardless of
age, may benefit from. You don't even have to be computer savvy to
enjoy video conferencing.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Audio Conference Calls
communicate with a group of people at the same time. Being able to
balance talk time in a day would be such a great help for busy people
who value every second of their waking hours.
But just like any other product or service, there are pros and cons in using audio conferencing.
Let us first take a look at the different advantages that you can get
from it. Audio conferencing is a whole lot cheaper than other means of
conferencing. It can reach more people since it relies mostly on
telephone lines. It is easier to use since it takes advantage of a
technology that is relatively familiar to all of us. Furthermore, we
can enhance it by combining communication lines with other mediums such
as computers. Audio conferencing has a great potential for larger
groups to conference in and the technology used is fairly reliable.
Audio conferencing is also very accessible and consumes lesser time to
set up.
On the down side, Audio conferencing transmission may be of poor
quality at times since it relies on phone lines. Noise can affect the
conversation and may even cut the host out. Also, the presence of a
facilitator is needed especially when a conference consists of a large
number of people.
We all know that communication is not only verbal and this may also
pose as a problem with the audio conferencing. This communication
medium does not support visual images so the participants of the
conference do not actually see each other. This kind of setting may be
a little impersonal since you can not see and understand the body
language and cues of the people you are talking to.
The mentioned disadvantages, only apply if such communication means is
used in professional transactions or meetings. For businesses these
disadvantages could make or break a deal, thus other means of
conferencing would be advised. But if the nature of the conference
involves people who just want to get in touch with each other and catch
up, the down side of audio conferencing should not be a big problem.
Especially if the people conversing are family members and friends that
have a good understanding of each other since knowing someone
personally means you could easily get the idea of what they are trying
to say.
The visual downside of audio conferencing may be hard to solve but the
quality of voice transmission is not really that much of a problem
nowadays. There are tons of providers that offer high quality services
and for cheaper prices too. One just needs to carefully think over
which provider to choose to get the best value.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Installing CCTV Cameras in Car Dealerships
concern for dealerships. To prevent such incidents, they have started
investing in surveillance equipment increasingly so that they don't end
up on the receiving end. A theft in a car dealership results in major
losses in the income of the owner, because most often it's more than
one vehicle that is stolen from a dealership. It's not only the cars
but the spare parts and accessories are targeted too. There are many
organized groups involved in auto thefts, and these cars are later used
for narcotics trade, robberies, and burglaries. CCTV cameras have
become instrumental in reducing auto theft crimes.
Reasons for getting CCTV installed in your dealership
The primary function of CCTV camera is surveillance of the dealership
to prevent theft, and to deter opportunist robbers. It is always
beneficial to have CCTV cameras installed in such a way that people
know that they are under the electronic eye. In case of a theft, the
investigators will be able to help you in a better way if the identity
of the criminals is known to them.
When we talk about theft, we can not rule out the possibility of
internal theft. Besides, when the employees know that they are being
constantly monitored they will perform better. They will also feel that
they are working in a safe environment and will be less bothered about
heist or armed robberies. The CCTV cameras will help the security staff
you have employed in keeping a check on the activities going on your
dealership in a more efficient manner.
Buy good quality CCTV cameras and install them at right spots
There are numerous online stores selling surveillance products, choose
the one that gives you the best quality at affordable price. Some
stores do more than just selling you the product; they guide you as per
your security needs, give you products that are covered under a
warranty and also give you a free tech support. Closeoutcctv.com is one such complete surveillance equipment store.
Cameras installation is another important aspect to be kept in mind for
maximum security in and outside your car dealership premises. Placement
of cameras at the right spots is needed for maximum coverage. Remember
to use weather proof and vandal proof cameras for outside areas like
parking of your dealership. Some customer friendly online stores will
take into account your requirements and suggest the best CCTV camera
models and where they should be placed, so that your dealership is
secure 24X7. To know more about a wide range of surveillance equipment,
and to avail special surveillance packages, please visit www.closeoutcctv.com.
Apple Tops Brand Survey But Consumers Say Sony's A Peach
Unfortunately for Apple, this MP3 player race was dominated by Sony with the Sony NWE016BC just nudging the Sony NWZA816 into second place. Third was the Hitachi DMP20 2GB, followed by the New Green iPod Nano 8GB in fourth and the Black Samsung YP-P2JCB 8GB in fifth.
Apple's position in the market for superior design was challenged by shoppers who gave the Sony NWE016BC a perfect 10/10 for design, compared to a relatively disappointing 9.3/10 for the iPod.
Overall, the Sony NWE016BC was rated 9.8/10 while the iPod lagged behind with 9.2/10. One customer nicely summed up the Sony player as "very easy to use, excellent sound quality, very quick battery charge-up, lightweight & attractive to look at".
Poor battery life is a constant disappointment in Apple products and the Nano was no exception. Reviewers were given eight categories in which to rate their MP3 players and it was no surprise that battery life was the most poorly rated category for the iPod.
Shoppers also complained that the iPod was only compatible with iTunes and Glen from Kent felt that "a protective cover ... should come as standard rather than being an expensive accessory".
When shoppers buy goods online from any of Reevoo's 52 retail partners, including Woolworths, Currys, Dixons and the Carphone Warehouse, they are asked to rate their purchases. Their comments - good, bad or indifferent - are then published on both the e-tailers' websites and on www.reevoo.com.
Shoppers can also keep up-to-date on the latest consumer news and reviews on Reevoo's blog at www.decidewhattobuy.com.
Top Five MP3 Players
1. Sony NWE016BC - 9.8/10
2. Sony NWZA816 - 9.7/10
3. Hitachi DMP20 2GB Black - 9.4/10
4. New Apple iPod Nano 8GB Green - 9.2/10
5. Samsung YP-P2JCB 8GB Black - 9.2/10
Switching from MCSE on 2003 to Server 2008
Server 2008 will be introduced as a replacement for Server 2003 and is essentially a more stripped-back version of its predecessor. Designed to increase business functionality, Server 2008 will work best with the Microsoft Vista operating system.
So what has changed? Following user demand for increased functionality, Server 2008 will offer improved security and fewer pre-installed applications. Ultimately, this creates a more stable platform that allows companies to use only the relevant elements, rather than being burdened by running useless applications.
IT leads the way
The switch to Server 2008 is likely to be a gradual one that will take place over the next two or three years. But in order to take advantage of the new platform fully, the IT department must lead the way and pre-empt the changes by ensuring their MCSE and MCSA skills and qualifications are fully up-to-date.
Firstly, IT professionals will need to upgrade their existing Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) qualification to the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) certification. This upgrade involves an exam and is the most basic-level qualification to demonstrate expertise in core areas of Microsoft technology.
Existing MCSE training courses will still be available for IT professionals wishing to work with Server 2003. However, the MCIPT (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) qualification will eventually replace the MCSE altogether. The MCITP will reflect the move towards Server 2008 and will disregard Server 2003 completely, and with it, the MCSE.
The MCITP (replacing the MCSE) will be more closely linked to specific job roles and will cover operational processes, operational procedures and the analysis of business problems. The next (and highest) step is the MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect) qualification, which covers technical breadth and depth, communication, strategy, organisational politics, progress and leadership.
Keeping IT up to speed
The biggest change for the IT department in terms of training, however, will be the introduction of a certification lifecycle policy. Like other software providers including Cisco, Microsoft will now require its users to update their qualifications (i.e. the MCP, MCSP, MCSA, or MCSE) every three years. However, this rule will only affect the new generation of trainees and not those who are already qualified.
The lifecycle policy will be advantageous for both IT professionals and business. IT staff will be able to prove they have relevant, up-to-date skills for the future, both in their current position and as their career progresses. Simultaneously, employers can be confident that their IT staff are up-to-speed with technological developments.
The MCTS qualification will open up a world of new opportunities for IT workers as companies move towards Server 2008. While the new qualifications will not change the way Microsoft integrates with other systems, they will provide a certain amount of regulation within the IT industry 34; and currently, an MCSE-qualified IT professional earns an average of £39,000 a year.
What does this mean for HR and business?
The new platform and its associated training requirements will also impact on the HR department. The HR team will need to understand how to maximise the potential of existing staff and employing fully qualified Server 2008 professionals in the future. This will then have a knock-on effect on training budgets.
The HR department will need to ensure that all applicants for IT jobs possess the up-to-date qualifications necessitated by Server 2008. Certifications like the MCTS, MCIPT and MCA (replacing the MCP, MCSA, and MCSE) will provide essential indicators that both current staff and future applicants can cope with the requirements of the new platform.
But as ever, companies will need to assess what kind of qualifications their staff need according to the size, sector and projected growth of the business. And as new qualifications become more and more specialised, bosses will need to provide relevant training for their staff.
Ultimately, IT is constantly evolving. In order to compete in tough markets, businesses cannot afford to stand still for long #34; particularly when it comes to training. Replacing MCP, MCSA and MCSE skills needs to be top priority for companies this year, regardless of their size. For developments like Server 2008, it’s wise to act sooner rather than later.
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About the MCSE/MCSA/MCP Program:
Every day, IT professionals are asked to make network infrastructures more efficient, keep everyone productive, and deliver more applications. Firebrand Training's Microsoft MCSE 2003 Training Course for Microsoft Windows Server? 2003 validates your ability to perform these tasks on Microsoft's latest server operating system and identifies your expertise to employers, clients, and peers.
Our 14 day accelerated Microsoft MCSE 2003 Training Course provides information technology professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, support, and troubleshoot Microsoft® Windows 2000- and 2003-based networks with a focus on information security in the enterprise. This is an accelerated, residential, fully-immersed MCSE course, designed for computer professionals that require effective, real-world skill-building and timely certification.
You will live, learn, and test on-site to become an MCSE.
Our Microsoft MCSE 2003 Training Course delivers the greatest value on the market for Windows 2003 Certification Training.
During the MCSE program, students will achieve the following certifications Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) CompTIA Security+ Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
The Quest For The Best VOIP Provider
For example, a traditional phone line from the phone company costs about $25 per month for just basic service and dial tone, which might include unlimited local calling but really not much of anything else. Now compare that to the service that a VOIP provider can offer, which includes unlimited local calling, unlimited long distance in the continental US (sometimes also Canada and Puerto Rico), voice mail, call waiting, caller ID as standard features, and a traditional phone line cannot even begin to compare. Getting all those features on a regular phone line would easily cost three or more times more than what VOIP service would cost you.
In addition, two callers using the same service could talk to each other for free anywhere in the world as long as they both had a good high-speed Internet connection. It is also a great way to keep in touch when on the road. Take your VOIP phone with you, and then plug into the high-speed Internet connection at your hotel or your brother's house in Denver or your aunt's house in Chicago. Even though you might live in Houston, you will still receive calls on your VOIP phone wherever you are.
But how do you find the best VOIP provider? According to the marketing literature that each of them puts out, you would think there was a 100-way tie for the best one.
Before selecting your VOIP service, the very first thing you need to do is take a good hard look at your high-speed Internet connection. How reliable and stable is it? You need to understand that your VOIP provider is going to assume that your high-speed Internet connection is rock solid, stable, and reliable. If it's not, it's not their problem and you will not be happy with your VOIP service.
As far as finding the right VOIP service, definitely choose one that has implemented the E911 service. This is now required by the FCC. This allows you to call 911 in case of an emergency and for them to be able to find you. If the VOIP provider has not implemented this for their service, you need to run in the opposite direction.
Beyond that, you need to compare the overall value. Do not include the cost of your high-speed Internet connection in your evaluation because chances are high that you would have that anyway for surfing and email. How much long distance calling do you do each month? How much do you spend on long distance calling with your traditional phone? Could your calling needs be just as adequately handled by your cell phone, or do you need to talk more than your affordable cell phone plans permit?
VOIP services can be incredibly cost effective, but if you decide to implement it from a reliable VOIP provider, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and not just for the sake of technology.
Guides to buying Plasma and LCD TVs
High Definition (HD) basically improves the quality of the picture (approx. 4x better) and manufacturers are continuously trying to improve the picture quality. You may say "I'm happy with the image I have already" but wait till you see anything in HD then you will not want to go back to Standard Definition. Films and documentaries come to life when you have your television set up properly.
Reasons to buy an LCD or Plasma:
If you want to watch HD content
If you think they look nice in your living room and want to save space.
Do not buy one if you think that because LCDs and Plasmas are newer technology the picture will automatically look better. In fact, if you are only going to be watching normal TV then in most cases the old fashioned CRT TVs will still be your best choice for picture quality. However, if you want to watch HD then you need an LCD or Plasma.
HD LCDs and Plasmas have a higher number of pixel lines of resolution, hence the name High Definition. Full HD is currently 1920x1080 lines. If you are only going to be watching normal Pal tv (Terrestrial, Freeview, non-HD Sky/Virginmedia) then this resolution is 720x576. Therefore this image resolution has to be 'uprezzed' to fit on the HDTV - i.e. pixel lines will have to be duplicated. Imagine you have a photo that looks fine small but if you want to blow it up to poster size, the quality will reduce. Obviously, good quality TVs such as Sony and Samsung have invested in good 'uprezzing' technology therefore the picture still looks very good but you pay more for this.
Once you've decided that flat screen TVs are for you then which type do you get?
Quick Answers:
Get an LCD for HD through Sky or Virginmedia on 42" or less.
Get a full HD Plasma TV for Blu-ray or HD-DVD 42" or more, if you can afford it.
There will be exceptions to these rules - the main one being this: Some Plasma TVs that offer smaller resolutions have such a great contrast ratio that the picture quality is still good. But in general my rule sticks - High Definition means higher resolution and if the TV doesn't have it then you're not getting true HD, no matter how good the 'uprezzing' is in the TV.
Size of Screen: If you want a big screen (i.e. 42'' or more) then I would go for Plasmas. Bear in mind though you also need a big room to appreciate that size. Anything less than 42'' then something called bleeding can occur in Plasmas. That is when the image colours start to mix in with adjacent colours. Finally, if you want to enjoy HD don't get a TV less than 32 inches as you are not really enjoying the benefit of HD.
Contrast Ratio: Well Plasmas in general are better for contrast ratios (5,000:1 is a good ratio). This is often thought as being the crucial aspect in picture quality. However, there is another aspect that is of importance.....pixel resolution.
Pixel Resolution: Basically the higher the number of pixels the better picture you get. However, you may be paying unnecessary amounts of money for bigger resolutions when the picture being broadcast is smaller, as mentioned earlier. Out of interest I believe at present Sky and Virgin broadcast HD at 1440 x 1080 (this is to save on bandwidth). Therefore the only way to see full HD at 1920 x 1080 is via a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player or PS3. These all output at 1920 x 1080.
Refresh Rate: This is only important if you like watching fast moving images on your television, like Formula 1 etc. If you do, then get a 100Hz TV. Otherwise I personally wouldn't worry too much about this.
Progressive or Interlace: This describes how a picture is filmed and displayed on your television. Normal home video cameras (i.e. DV cameras etc.) shoot interlace. Old TVs (CRTs or Cathode Ray Tubes) display the image interlaced.
EXPLANATION:
CRTs have 720 lines of vertical pixels and 576 lines of horizontal pixels. In the UK (i.e. Pal) it takes 1/25th of a second to display all 576 lines. It does this by displaying 288 alternate lines in the first 1/50th of a second and the other 288 lines in the second 1/50th of a second, therefore taking 1/25th to display all the lines. LCDs, Plasmas and film are inherently progressive. This means that the image is captured and displayed in one pass. Each line is displayed at the same time. Most people (including the sales advisors in the shops) are unaware that LCDs and Plasmas do not display interlaced images. If something is shot interlaced and is shown on an LCD or Plasma, the TV will de-interlace it and display all the lines in one pass (1/25th of a second).
THEREFORE, PROGRESSIVE OFTEN MEANS BETTER PICTURE QUALITY, as progressive gives a higher resolution at any one moment in time. However, at present all broadcasts are interlaced (to save on bandwidth.) Therefore the only way to benefit from an HD progressive TV is by watching a Blu-ray disc.
Summary
1. Get a plasma for large screens (42'' or more) with a good contrast ratio.
2. If you don't have Sky HD, Virginmedia HD or a Blu-ray/HD DVD player then there is little point spending extra money on a television that has full 1920 x 1080 resolution when you will not see the benefits.
3. Don't worry too much about refresh rate if you are not watching many fast moving pictures (i.e. if you mainly watch dramas, I wouldn't spend an extra £100 for a higher refresh rate.