5 Common Problems Overlooked By Business It Networks.

Monday, 7 September 2009

IT Networks though simple
require extensive planning to ensure stability
yet we often encounter businesses that are acquainted with the imperative role networking plays in the efficient functioning of their company.

Informed business entrepreneurs often opt to upgrade their networking systems to suit their organizational structure. Although upgrading is an expensive
time consuming process
its benefits are ten fold. Though
there are some small size companies that insist on having a Windows XP workstation function as a network server
this decision may eventually lead to decrease in efficiency and productivity of the entire Information Technology environment.

Network Consultants should always analyze the nature of your business so as to recommend a networking/Information Technology system that would be the best fit for your business. IT Consultants should evaluate both hardware and software requirements to guide your company through the pros and cons of various networking options that your business may be considering.

From a network consulting standpoint
these are five common problems that are either neglected by businesses or not included in the overall planning of the Network Infrastructure.

Disaster Recovery: Although entrepreneurs are risk takers they provide for all contingencies. While they insure their store and goods against fire
theft
natural calamities
etc.
in many cases they ignore the need to implement a disaster recovery plan for financial records
employee payroll and client data. Losing valuable customer information to a fire would result in temporary chaos and a financial drain. Therefore
a data recovery system should be available to restore normal operation within 24 to 48 hours. There are several options to evaluate depending on the size of the business. A good Technology consulting company should be able to assess the needs and accordingly recommend an IT recovery plan that is fool proof yet affordable.

Redundancy: Although businesses are advised to maintain an alternate or redundant source of power supply for critical servers
many entrepreneurs ignore this simple loss prevention method in order to save a few hundred dollars. For example
servers that process customer credit card transactions are not exempted from the probability of failure and if not backed by a redundant power source
it may lead to a major financial loss. The point that I am trying to get across is that important network equipment should be identified and a redundant plan should be implemented to provide against unforeseen circumstances.

Network Security: Viruses are not strangers to the world of computers and internet. While performing technology analysis and auditing we come across businesses that have servers on DMZ without network security measures like a simple firewall. We have seen instances were employees had full access to the network server running virus inviting programs like Limewire. An obvious result of this would be a slow network. In most cases
passwords for workstations
servers etc. are identical and shared. Impermeable network security plans should be implemented especially when business IT infrastructure holds confidential information of clients or individuals that may become a risk as well as an embarrassing situation if lost
or stolen.

Network Speed: Businesses always focus on maximizing efficiency and productivity at the lowest cost and what better way to achieve this goal than to minimize wastage of employee time? Speed of IT networks depend on many factors from simple network security policies to restrict P2P software to intelligent switching hardware. You may be surprised but network infrastructure cabling (Cat 5
Cat 6
and Fiber Optics) also makes a significant difference on the performance of the entire network.

Expandability: Change in networking structure is an option that should always be open for clients. To plan ahead is important as a business need not overhaul a huge part of their network to see an insignificant benefit. A simple example would be to anticipate network storage requirements of data. Clients often overlook the importance of discussing options with consultants to make sure their IT system remains adequate for at least 3 to 5 years. The aim should be to minimize dollars spent without hindering the quality of work being performed by employees.

Consultants are professionals and while their recommendations should not be overlooked
they should not be adopted blindly either. As a customer you are entitled to know the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of every suggestion made. Request layman’s explanation for every problem encountered. Most importantly
ensure that the 5 major and basic areas are covered in the initial audit reports or recommendations made by any Technology consulting company.

Onsite Chicago is Technology Consulting company for business in the Chicago area. Featured in major newspapers they are considered one of the top business network consulting firms. To view a complete list if IT services from Network Management
Network security and data / telephone cabling please visit Chicago Business Network Consultants page.
Read More “5 Common Problems Overlooked By Business It Networks.”

40 Simple Ways to Build Trust in Your Website Visitors

It is absolutely necessary that your website must create the environment of trust otherwise
most of your efforts will be wasted. Have you ever thought – how to create the environment of trust for a website? Don’t be panic
its very easy to build trust for your online visitors.

If you want to know how your site ranks (in terms of building trust online)
then visit: http://www.infotrex.com/siterank and know by yourself
where your site is ranking.


As you already know that - you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Building trust for your online visitors cannot be achieved by just a single action. Trust is achieved by many little actions you do throughout your website and when its taken together
give users a sense of stability
honesty and legitimacy for your business and services you provide.

If you want to know how your site ranks (in terms of building trust online)
then visit: http://www.infotrex.com/siterank and know by yourself
where your site is ranking.


Another good or bad news is that only few website owners focus on building trust in the minds of their visitors. So
if you do it well
it can become a real and sustainable competitive advantage for your business and you can keep your competitors away.

Here are 40 simple actions you can take to get started.

1
Your website design is the first impression. Make sure it is professional and relevant to the subject matter.

2
Navigation must be intuitive. If visitors can't find what they are looking for easily
they will question your competence in providing what they want.

3
Make the website personal by giving it its own tone and voice. People buy people.

4
Follow the HEART rule of creating online content. (Reminder: HEART stands for Honest
Exclusive
Accurate
Relevant and Timely.)

5
Use language that is appropriate to the audience. It will build empathy.

6
Regularly add new content to your site. It shows that the business is alive and kicking.

7
Review all links. Doubts will quickly form in your visitors' minds if links don't work or
worse still
take them to error pages.

8
Good grammar and spelling matter. Errors give the impression of sloppiness and carelessness.

9
Don't make outrageous and unbelievable claims
like "Read this blog and you'll be a millionaire by the end of the week." People are used to scams
get-rich-quick schemes and rip-offs.

10
Publish REAL testimonials and third-party endorsements. Try to always use real names and link to websites where possible. Some sites show images of letters sent by happy customers.

If you want to know how your site ranks (in terms of building trust online)
then visit: http://www.infotrex.com/siterank and know by yourself
where your site is ranking.


11
Publish case studies about customers you have helped
who use your product
etc.

12
Don't put down
curse or insult competitors. It's unprofessional. It is better to offer an objective comparison of competitive services or products.

13
Focus on building your long-term reputation
not on making quick sales.

14
Write articles for humans
not search engines.

15
Make your 'About Us' page personal and comprehensive. It plays an important part in making visitors feel comfortable that real people are behind the site.

16
Publish your photo or the photos of the key people involved with the site. Again
this reinforces the fact that there are real people behind the screenshots.

17
Clearly identify who is behind the site. Nothing creates more suspicion than a site that tries to hide the identity of its publishers.

18
On the 'Contact Us' page
provide an email form
telephone number
fax and address of the company. In Europe
it is a legal requirement for sites taking funds
but even sites driven by advertising will benefit from openness.

19
Provide a telephone number that people can call and talk to a person.

20
Provide Web addresses linked to the website domain
not addresses from free webmail services such as Hotmail and Gmail.

If you want to know how your site ranks (in terms of building trust online)
then visit: http://www.infotrex.com/siterank and know by yourself
where your site is ranking.


21
Think carefully about reciprocal links. If your site is about organic food and you have links to Party Poker
people are going to question your integrity.

22
Think carefully about the adverts you display on your site. Ensure that they are relevant to your subject and audience.

23
Write and publish your privacy policy. Be clear about what you will and will not do with any personal data you collect. State that you adhere to all data protection laws. Make it easy to read and don't use legal gobbledygook.

24
Write and publish a security policy. State what measures you take to ensure that all transactions are secure as well as how well you handle customers data.

25
Ensure that you have a security and privacy policy which is linked from the footer on every page. Make the link more prominent on all the order pages.

26
Clearly publish your guarantee. I would recommend making it a 100% money-back guarantee if possible.

27
Clearly state your refund and returns policy.

28
If you use PayPal
put the PayPal logo on your site. If you have a merchant services account with a major bank like Citibank or HSBC
put its logo on your site.

29
Use Google search on your site for two reasons. First
it is a great search solution which will help your visitors find what they are looking for. Second
having the Google name on your site instills trust.

30
If there are well-known industry associations for your subject
join up and put their logos on your site.


If you want to know how your site ranks (in terms of building trust online)
then visit: http://www.infotrex.com/siterank and know by yourself
where your site is ranking.


31
Have a forum on your site and respond quickly to questions. Have the attitude that you are happy to help others without receiving immediate reward. As the old saying goes
'Givers always gain.'

32
Allow people to comment on articles. Interactivity and an exchange of views build community and a sense of involvement.

33
If people provide constructive criticism or comments in the forum
don't delete them
but respond with your point of view.

34
Use the words 'secure website' whenever you try to get any information from visitors
including newsletter sign-ups
forum input and payment.

35
On every page
state
We take your privacy and security very seriously.
Link the statement to the security and privacy policy.

36
If you are selling a subscription
offer a low-cost
entry-level option. This could be a one-day taster
'a week before billing starts' or a monthly trial.

37
Only ask for information from customers that you really need. For example
for an email newsletter sign-up
the only information you REALLY need is an email address
so that is all you should ask for.

38
If you have pricing on your website
make it transparent. I recently went to buy a book which was advertised for $10. When I checked out
they added tax
post and packaging
and the final bill was $19.50. I didn't buy it as I felt they had deliberately tried to mislead me.

39
Start a small newsletter of your company/services & circulate it among your clients/employees. Also
publish it on your website regularly.

40
Allow people to “unsubscribe” from your mailing list. This may sound very obvious
but I have found that many websites still don’t follow it.

To ensure that you are continually improving your trustworthiness
every time you go to a website
ask yourself whether you trust it or not. Then ask yourself why you have formed the opinion you have.

If you want to know how your site ranks (in terms of building trust online)
then visit: http://www.infotrex.com/siterank and know by yourself
where your site is ranking.
Read More “40 Simple Ways to Build Trust in Your Website Visitors”

4 Top Benefits Of A Professional Web Design

A professional web design is essential to internet success. This is especially true for businesses. While there are many software programs
tutorials
and do-it-yourself websites available across the internet
nothing can compare to a professional web design
for so many different reasons. Here
we are going to show you the top four benefits of a professional web design and why no business should take a chance on anything but professionalism.

Benefit #1 – First Impressions DO Count

Surely
you remember your mother telling you
the first impression is all you get in life. This still holds true in life and on the internet. Your website is your access to a world of customers and your customer’s access to you. It is a proven fact that you have no more than six seconds
that is right six (6) seconds
to grab a potential customer’s attention. If your website is not professional designed in an appealing nature with easy navigation
fresh content
and believability
you will have lost them almost instantly.

Benefit #2 – More Sales = Greater Profit

It is yet another proven fact that the right design will increase your sales. If you are new to website design and fail to include the fundamental aspects in your website
there is a great chance that your sales and profit will suffer as a result. With professional web design
the designers
project managers
and any person that works with the company knows just what it takes to create a profitable website
which will increase sales
and ultimately your profit.

Benefit #3 – Product Highlights

No matter if you offer 1 product or 5
0
products
a professional web designer will know just what it takes to highlight the right products. They have a good idea of your targeted audience
what they are looking for
and how to properly highlight products for increased sales. The same applies with services as well. It is necessary to show the best of what you have to offer in order to convert visitors to paying customers.

Benefit #4 – Unique

Perhaps one of the best things about a professional web design is the fact that your website will be yours and only yours. There will not be another website on the internet that looks like yours. When you use templates found on the internet or WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors
there is a good chance that hundreds of other webmasters
just like you
have the same exact template. Potential customers want to see something new
fresh
and unique. They definitely do not want to see the same website over and over again.

There you have it the top four benefits of a professional web design. There are so many more benefits
but the above four are the top reasons why you should be choosing a professional design company.
Read More “4 Top Benefits Of A Professional Web Design”

4 Tips For Choosing An Mp3 Player Part 2

Part III - So what am I looking for?

Probably the last question you need to ask yourself. Weigh up between image (size
shape
style
colour)
performance (play time
memory
compatibility
gizmos
other functions) and quality (useability
interface
design
battery life). Work out what's important
and Google or eBay will do the rest for you (or if not
then your younger brother or sister will also suffice). There is always a cheaper price for something
but there is always more hassle to get something that you want exactly. If you've ever bid for an eBay item
then found something way cheaper than what you've just bought
then you'll know what I mean. Look
if you're going to spend money (any amount of money)
then it's important to at least pick something that works long enough for you to at least look the part
and one that you won't throw out the window because that's all it's good for. Therefore
battery life
memory
interface and compatibility should not be taken lightly.

Part IV - So what do I do with it?

You've got yourself an MP3 player
so what's next. Well
you can use it as a fashion accessory
play some MP3 music
or just leave it sitting in the closet until a better model comes out. It's hard to say unless you've got one
and once you've got one
you'll work out what to do with it. Sometimes it's an expensive lesson to learn
but most times when you spend money for something
you invariably find a use for it
even if it's just another item on the eBay used section.

Useful advice? Well
don't just take my word for it
because even bad advice needs to be taken to be believed. Take these suggestions into account when you are choosing your mp3 player
and you'll be well equipped.
Read More “4 Tips For Choosing An Mp3 Player Part 2”

4 Tips For Choosing An Mp3 Player Part 1

Choosing an MP3 player used to be a much easier shopping decision than it is today. Just a couple of years ago
only MP3 players played MP3 music. Nowadays
every man and his dog that has a mobile phone
laptop or memory storage device can play MP3 music. Now that there are a few more things to take into consideration
it is wise to think about a few issues before splashing out some serious money (or trying to save some serious money).

Part I - Do you need an MP3 player?

Probably the most important question you need to ask yourself. Why do you want one? Does your mobile phone already come with an MP3 player? What about your laptop? Why would you need one if you've already got one? The only reason MP3 players exist in their own right is because a mobile phone is a much better device for making phone calls on the go
and an MP3 player
well
it is a much better device for playing MP3 music. When there is a comprise in function
there is a comprise in function (i.e. quality and performance).

Part II - Do you need a good MP3 player?

Probably the second most important question you need to ask yourself. It does sound like a rhetorical question. Of course you want a good MP3 player
but please provide a definition for "good". Do you want something that looks good
plays good (well is probably a better word) or sounds good (or all three perhaps). Remember that these days people will buy things for the image (looks/sounds good)
performance (plays good) and quality (lasts good). All three come at a cost (though not necessarily equal in weighting)
and usually you'll find that two out of three ain't bad. Sometimes big name brands not only looks good (the Japanese designers are experts at this)
sounds good (for example
hey look
I've got a Sony -insert model here- !)
but they might actually have good performance or quality as well (Some say the iPod belongs in that category
but I don't want to start another online forum about it). But most of the time
practical people start with performance or quality
and just hope that it's something they can hide in their designer label clothing's MP3 pocket.
Read More “4 Tips For Choosing An Mp3 Player Part 1”

4 Simple Tips To Fix A Scratched Cd Or Dvd

Sunday, 6 September 2009

In this article I will be showing you four little known tips to fix scratched CD or DVD and recover the data within
Every user has had trouble with a scratched CD or DVD. The theory goes like this - A CD/DVD reader or player uses a laser beam to read the data on the disk. This laser beam crosses the protective plastic layer and reads the real recording metal layer. If the protective plastic layer is scratched
the laser will be unable to pass resulting in non-readable disc. In the case of data CDs the CD/DVD reader is unable to read the CD/DVD properly resulting in reading errors while in case of audio/video discs
the CD player skips when we play it.

If somehow we manage to re-smooth this protective layer then the laser will reach the data and read it
now there are many ways we can achieve this using common household item’s as discussed below:

1
Toothpaste - Yups! Toothpaste is our very first scratched CD/DVD fixer
you can use any non-gel based toothpaste for this
just put a very small amount of it on the scratched area and polish it gently using a cotton swab
sometimes the paste may cause new minor scratches but they are just superficial. Now just wash the cd using water.

2
If the above trick does not work try some metal polish like Brasso gently wiping with a soft cotton ball followed by application of Vaseline.

3
Baking Soda - make a small quantity of baking soda paste and apply using a soft cotton cloth buffing the bad scratch. Clean the baking soda before using the disc.

4
You can also try using some oil as a polishing agent this also works many times.

There are many daily use products that can be used to get the cd working just keep on experimenting
please note that you must take special care while using the above tips as
Read More “4 Simple Tips To Fix A Scratched Cd Or Dvd”

4 Reasons Why People Still Prefer Audio Books In Audiotape Formats Than CD Formats

Despite how great CDs are
many people still prefer audiocassettes to them
especially when it comes to listening to audio books.

Below are some of the reasons why:

One
Audio books in a CD format cannot contain more than 75 minutes of content but audiocassettes can hold as much as 90 whole minutes (and
in many cases much more) of narration.

I agree you can have the entire audio book spread out in several CDs
but not many people like to carry around too many CDs.

So
while you might need just a few audiocassettes for a particular audio book
you will probably need many more CDs for that same audio book.

Two
most people don't like to spend extra cash buying CD audio books when they can get the same audio book cheaper in audiocassettes.

For example
while an unabridged version of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" on 12 audiotapes can be bought for just $31.96 on the Barnes & Noble website
the CD format from Barnes & Noble costs almost double that amount - exactly $55.96 for 17 sets of CDs!

Of course
its not that they want to rip you off - it's simply because it costs much more to produce CDs than it does to produce audiocassettes.

Three
when you turn off your CD player while listening to an audio book
you won't be able to resume from the particular spot you left off. With a cassette
you can begin from the exact same spot you left off.

With CDs it can be frustrating when driving because each time you turn off your car
it would mean restarting the audio book or trying to locate exactly where you stopped.

Of course there are modern and more advanced CD players that can now save your location when you turn off your car
thereby allowing you to resume at the exact same spot you left off.

This won't work when you turn off the car AND take out the CD. But it will work with an audiocassette!

Four
because audio books are mainly just narration
many users don't see why they should spend the extra money to buy CDs because of issues of recording quality when they can get near enough the same quality with audiocassettes.

Their argument is that if it was sound "quality" they wanted
they would go for audio books in CD formats
but sound quality is the same with audiocassettes and CDs when it comes to audio books.

In more succinct terms - "the voice of humans (without drums and other musical paraphernalia) has very little to gain from the depth and clarity that comes with digital recordings in CD format!
Read More “4 Reasons Why People Still Prefer Audio Books In Audiotape Formats Than CD Formats”

3 Ways To Prepare Yourself For Windows Vista

As you may be aware
Microsoft is finally releasing the followup to Windows XP
called Windows Vista
in a few weeks time. As with previous upgrades for Windows
this will create some problems for people who want to upgrade their computers.

When a new version of Windows is released
there are usually some bugs and other issues that need to be ironed out. Microsoft has put Vista through extensive testing
but it is hard for them to test it for every possible situation because there are so many different computer setups and configurations.

If you're thinking about upgrading your computer to Vista when it's released
here are a few things you need to know.

Compatibility

One of the biggest issues with new versions of Windows is compatibility with existing equipment - both in your computer and peripherals like printers and scanners.

Microsoft has tried to keep Vista compatible with all the existing hardware and software out there
but it's just not possible to be 100% compatible and still add new features and capabilities to Windows.

Before you go out and buy Windows Vista
check to make sure all the equipment you use is compatible or the manufacturer offers an upgrade to make it so. Microsoft has a program that will test your system and give you a report on its compatibility
or you can check with the various manufacturers directly.

Scanner are something that are particularly tricky when upgrading Windows so if you use a scanner
double-check that there is Vista compatible software available for it.

Specifications

If you've bought your computer in the last year or so
it should have plenty of power to run Vista. If it's older than a year
you may need to add some upgrades to bring it up to speed.

The following are the official requirements for Vista Premium Edition (the most complete version):

- 1GHz or higher processor
- 1GB RAM
- 40GB or larger hard drive
- Sound card
- Internet connection
- DVD drive

Most of those requirements are not going to be an issue for a reasonable recent computer
but the RAM is one thing you may need to upgrade. Even today
many computers include 512MB or even 256MB which is not enough to run Vista effectively.

Upgrading vs Preinstalled

Upgrading to a new version of Windows is always more problematic than starting with it preinstalled. There are almost always little glitches that need to be sorted out afterwards.

If you're thinking of buying a new computer now and upgrading to Vista when it's released
I would recommend waiting until you can get one with it preinstalled if at all possible. You'll be happier in the long run
in spite of having to wait a little longer.

If you're upgrading an older computer
and you have all the necessary requirements
the most important (critical!) thing is to back up all your important information before starting the upgrade.

The upgrade is not supposed to affect anything that's on your computer - only Windows - but there is always a chance that something doesn't work the way it should. If you get halfway through the upgrade and something goes wrong
you may not be able to load either Vista or your old version of Windows.

This may mean you have to reload your computer from scratch
which could wipe out all your files and information. Make sure you have an up-to-date copy of it all before you start the upgrade.
Read More “3 Ways To Prepare Yourself For Windows Vista”

3 Types Of Cheap Ink Cartridges

Your printer ink cartridges play as big a part in the final quality of your print as the paper that you use. If you use cheap paper
your print quality will suffer and in many cases the same is true of using cheap ink cartridges. This isn't always the case
however. Discount ink can be bought in a few different ways and each of them has advantages and disadvantages.

Refill Ink

The first option for cheap ink is to refill your empty cartridges. This is generally the cheapest of all the alternatives
but it is also tends to wind up with the lowest quality prints.

It'll depend on what brand and model of printer you have
but many of the newer printers are difficult to refill. It can also be quite messy because you're dealing with bottled ink
trying to inject it back into the empty cartridge.

Recycled Cartridges

There are plenty of companies that recycle cartridges for you. They basically take the empty cartridges
clean them up
refill the ink and test them.

This is more expensive than refilling your own because you're paying for the labor involved
but it tends to give you better results.

These companies have refilling and cleaning equipment that can do a much better job of remanufacturing your empty cartridge. They also generally offer a guarantee on their work
so if the cartridge doesn't work properly you can either get a replacement or get your money back.

Generic Brand Cartridges

Generic cartridges are not as common as the other two options
mainly because many printer companies have patents on their ink cartridges so no other companies can duplicate them.

There are some cartridges that you can find brand new generic replacement ink for. These generic cartridge are not recycled
they are new but they aren't made by the printer companies themselves.

These cartridges tend to be the highest priced of the three options
but they are still cheaper than the original cartridges
and work just as well.

Which option will be best for you is going to depend a lot on how much printing you do
and what you're printing. If you're printing photos that you want to be able to keep for a lifetime
you'll have different needs than if you're just printing copies of web pages for future reference.
Read More “3 Types Of Cheap Ink Cartridges”

3 Things You Should Do To Avoid Becoming Technically Challenged

Thursday, 3 September 2009

Technology is moving ahead at a break neck pace. Technology is revolutionizing the way we work
live and play. These days you can barely choose a TV without some technical knowledge. So
how can you keep it all straight and stay in the 21st century? Just remember these 3 steps.

Call technology by its name. Every person
place or thing has a name. Technology is no different. TVs are referred to as LCD or Plasma. Broadband has two implementations known as DSL or cable modem. VOIP means voice over IP. Just pick up a sales paper and read the ads to learn the jargon. Some retailers have online tutorials to bring you up to speed.

Learn what devices and gadgets are used for. What does a wireless router do? What are some related devices and accessories? A wireless router manages Internet access
network administration and security
and wireless connectivity for multiple computers. Normally
a user needs a wireless adapter if he has a wireless router. The wireless adapter allows a desktop to communicate with the wireless router. Understanding what devices do and their relation to other devices is important.

Know what device you need when you adopt technology. Suppose you are ready to build a wireless home network. You have signed up for High Speed Internet from the ISP of your choice. And you want to connect both your desktop and laptop to the Internet. What might you need to accomplish this? You guessed it. You are going to need at minimum a wireless router and wireless adapter. Now you just have to select the brand.

Now you are ready to get out there and learn more about technology. You have the tools you need to get you started. Next time you hear about latest device or gadget
remember these 3 steps. Welcome to the 21st century.
Read More “3 Things You Should Do To Avoid Becoming Technically Challenged”

3 Things You Need To Know About Voip

You have seen the ads about VOIP and you want in on it if it is what it promises to be. But
before you do so
you realize you need to know a little bit more about it. VOIP is fast becoming the talk of the world
literally! People are seeing the benefits of it in their bank accounts as well as in their service experiences. VOIP
or Voice Over Internet Protocol
is a way of communicating via the internet instead of using standard land phone lines.

What You Have To Know

* Not sure how it works? Just as your internet connection can stay on
so can a phone system that is hooked up to it. The phone runs through the web
allowing for you to talk to anyone
anywhere without the need of expensive phone service. A great way to learn more about VOIP is to take a free demo of how it works. You’ll find these throughout the web.

* How does it save money? Another common question people have is how VOIP can save you money. If you are one that spends a lot of money each month on long distance phone calls
call waiting and forwarding services… and all other gadgets available for your standard phone
VOIP can save you money. It can do this because when you call through the internet
distance simply does not matter. Does it cost you anything to email your friend in China? No! And
neither does it cost to use VOIP long distance.

* What do you have to do to get it? First
you’ll need to insure that you have the service available in your area. Next
you’ll need to do some research to find out what the businesses can offer you in terms of service and cost. Then
you’ll need to install software and simple equipment and that’s that. You’ll likely pay a monthly payment as you do now
but it is likely to be much lower.

VOIP is fast growing because it is easy to use
affordable and quite possibly is the way of making phone calls in the years to come.
Read More “3 Things You Need To Know About Voip”

3 Rad Ways To Pimp Your Cell Phone

Nine times out of ten you're thinking of dunking your cellphone into the fire or mixing it in the blender because everyone else seems to be sporting a snazzy
sexy cell phone
while you are stuck with one that's snarky
ugly
obsolete and so unhip that it's started to look like a pig's behind. Chances are that you are planning to call it an antique and shove it down the throat of some wacko buyer on eBay.

Let's move on to the next step – your new cellphone. Now you need to pick up something and jazz it up so much
that you can show it off and make your buddies go green with envy. So
here are the latest ways using which
you can pimp up your cellphone:

1
Turn your cellphone into an ecosystem: In other words
convert your cellphone into an environmental-friendly product and check out the "oohs" and the "aahs" you get when you gently explain
to the opposite sex
how your cellphone actually protects the ozone layer. Don't buy cellphones that use non-biodegradable plastics; don't go near cellphones that coat their phones with flame retardant chemicals such as bromine-based flame retardants; conserve electricity by charging your phone as much as is required – better still
there's a new kind of phone that's made using bamboo and is powered by solar cells. Go for that. Our planet is getting hotter by the day; at least make your cellphone look cool!

2
Go for total convergence: First
get your cellphone hooked into a mobile radio service – there are many mobile services available and many
many more are on the way. Next
get a mobile TV service going – it's about 10 bucks a month
but that's nothing if you want to really pimp your buddy up. Now
get mobile VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) going – make calls to anyone in the world using your local connection! Bang
that's gonna get you some cool eyeballs! Now – here's the sucker punch – build all these features into a full screen phone! Mobile companies are coming out with full screen phones where everything is touch operated and the screen lights up when touched! Imagine a full screen phone with radio
TV and Mobile VOIP! Cool!

3
Make it burglar-proof: There are applications available in the market that make your cellphone scream out like Bruce Springsteen did while bellowing out "Born In The USA". Okay
the Bruce Springsteen bit was a joke
but
seriously
mobile applications are available that make your cellphone scream if it is stolen. Not just that
these applications lock in your private data
which can be recovered when you find the phone. Imagine what a technosavvy image you will project! Move over Neo
you two-bit son of an antique!

These are the top three ways you can pimp up your cellphone. Not only will your cellphone increase your social rank
it will also offer you protection from theft and provide you with entertainment when you need it the most – while at work or while studying. Plus
it will massage the ozone layer for you. Now what more can you wish for – Go for it
dude!
Read More “3 Rad Ways To Pimp Your Cell Phone”

3 Mobile Launch Skypephone

3
Mobile have teamed up with Skype to offer free calls across the Internet using their new Skypephone. The Skype network has
within a very short space of time
become hugely popular for making free Internet calls through handsets that are attached to your PC and has built up a large customer base that recently prompted a buyout by eBay. If popular
this brave step by 3 could prompt an end of pay as you talk tariffs and push other mobile phone networks into action to try and offer similar competitive deals.

The new Skypephone from 3 has all the functionality you would expect from a modern day mobile phone including 3G
a 2-megapixel camera
mp3 player
mobile TV and internet plus the handset looks stylish and comes in either black or white with pink or blue trims. The Skypephone includes 16MB internal memory and comes with a 256MB micro SD memory card which is also expandable up to 1GB. The large Skype button in the center of the handset allows for quick and easy access to the Skype menu where you can simply make a free call or write a text message to people within your friends list.

The biggest challenge for the 3 Skypephone is encouraging people who are not already signed up with Skype
or whose friends are not members of Skype
to buy the phone. If this hurdle can be cleared then it could create a domino effect which would push all other mobile phone networks to provide a similar service and may make Skype a major player in the world of telecommunications. Once you are signed up to Skype you will not only be able to call people using the 3 Skypephone but also talk to friends connected to Skype through their PC.

3
Mobile offer the Skypephone on either pay as you go or monthly contract deals. The payg deal currently costs ฃ49.99 for the Skypephone handset and requires you to top up your phone with at least ฃ10 credit for standard voice calls and texts. The contract deals start from ฃ12 per month with a minimum tie-in of 18 months.

The Skype deal from 3 is also available with other compatible mobile phones such as the Nokia N95 or the Sony Ericsson W910i which makes the offer a lot more flexible and doesn’t tie customers to a single handset. For none 3 Mobile customers Skype is also compatible with mobile phones that run the Windows Mobile operating system
plus it is possible to connect to Skype using Fring (a third party mobile VoIP application that enables free mobile internet calls and live chat to other fringsters and PC-based services including Skype
Google Talk
ICQ
MSN Messenger and Twitter) through a mobile phone with the Symbian operating system.

This fantastic offer could help encourage a reduction in prices of mobile phone calls and it is likely that other mobile phone networks will be keeping a close eye on how the collaboration develops. Flexibility is the key and by allowing customers to choose whether they make calls through Skype or through normal network services
the Skypephone should be a huge success.
Read More “3 Mobile Launch Skypephone”

3 High-Tech Features Of The Apple Iphone

Tuesday, 1 September 2009

What's the big deal behind the Apple iPhone? It's expensive. It's revolutionary. But are its features worth the money?

With all the popularity
you can assume everyone’s at least heard about it. What does the Apple iPhone feature and what can it do?

#1: Multi-Touch Technology

The most outstanding feature is the iPhone’s radical multi-touch screen. The MT screen allows any mechanical button to appear on this high tech toy. It simply allows you to use your fingers to operate it. This is contrary to any other phone today
which either have mechanical keyboards or a stylus.

By tapping the screen with your finger
you can navigate menus
dial phone numbers
write e-mail messages and likewise use the whole functionality of the popular gadget. The three-point-five-inch screen displays a keyboard for inputting text via multi-touch. Most consumers are seemingly skeptical about typing with the virtual keyboard
but Apple has predicted the common problems and has made sure the iPhone was constructed with features like automatic spell check and word prediction
not to mention an enhanced customizable dictionary. More so
the iPhone addresses the problems of typos commonly known to multi-touch usage by adding self-correction capabilities.

When scrolling
the usual wheel is not found at the side of the gadget. The multi-touch screen functionality allows its owner to scroll by dragging a finger in the desired direction. The speed of scrolling is designed to be proportional to the speed at which you drag your finger.

The multi-touch feature furthermore enables several more functions like multi-touch sensing for magnifying or reducing photos and even web pages. Using this feature
you can regulate object size simply by placing two fingers at the side of the object and then moving them
by dragging
either further apart or closer to one another. This feature does not distort images because images are initially scaled according to its original dimensions in the first place.

Hands down
the iPhone is more intelligent than any other phone today.

#2: Revolutionary Sensors

The gadget’s sensors have the ability to detect changes to the iPhone’s environment. The sensors are minuscule yet absurdly powerful. The three major sensors include an accelerometer
sensor for ambient light
and a proximity sensor.

The accelerometer sensor conveys the ability to detect any changes in the iPhones positioning. …The iPhone’s screen display will actually rotate to portrait or landscape
while still packing its contents into the 3.5-inch screen. Because it changes the view according to ratio
images are not distorted among web pages
videos
or photos.

The proximity sensors.

These high-tech features detect the location of the iPhone with regard to the skin. When you make a call and hold the iPhone up against your ear
the display will automatically set to standby. This is important in that it serves two basic functions.

One
by shutting off the display when not necessarily needed
this saves your battery’s life. More so
this avoids accidental touches to the screen
which would otherwise be sensitive. As soon as the cell is moved away from your face
the proximity sensors react in this way.

Ambient light sensor.

Through the AL sensor
changes in the phone’s environment are detected and instantaneously adjust the display’s brightness. Your iPhone’s display will always be well adjusted in regard to lighting.

#3: Mac OS X Operating System

The hype behind the Apple iPhone increased when Mac fans found out the Mac OS X would be included. The Mac OS X is the operating system inside the latest Apple computers. On the other hand
the electronic doesn’t have the complete functionality of the operating system. The entire OS X is too large to fit within the 4GB or 8GB internal memory. The iPhone contains a 500 MB version of the operating system.
Read More “3 High-Tech Features Of The Apple Iphone”

3.03 Psp Downgrade

3.03
PSP Downgrade.

So you're looking a 3.03 PSP Downgrade? well this article may help you out.

First and foremost
you need an unpatched copy of Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories.

There is no other way that you can downgrade any PSP over 2.81 without it. Now for some reason people don't seem to appreciate this fact and will spend hours upon hours searching the Internet for other ways to downgrade with out the GTA. Let me save you time
there is no other way to downgrade any PSP above 2.81 with out the unpatched GTA.

In late 2005 a vulnerability was found in the way the PSP version of GTA: Liberty City Stories processes saved games. In December 2005 software was developed to execute unsigned code on PSPs with firmwares 2.00 through 2.60. In April 2006 firmware 2.70 was released and patched the exploit
however
as of January 25
2007
it was discovered that Sony did not completely patch the exploit
and unsigned code may be run on 3.03 firmware
a 3.03 downgrader was released 3 days after the exploit was found. Also
new copies of GTA: Liberty City Stories patched the exploit as well
preventing it from being executed on other firmware versions. Since then homebrew has advanced to the point that a copy of GTA: Liberty City Stories is no longer needed to run unsigned code except on firmware versions 2.81 to 3.03. Sony has now blocked the GTA exploit for good with the release of the 3.10 firmware update and later subsequent firmware udates.

So how do I know if I have the right GTA for a 3.03 PSP downgrade? Well
it's quite simple really. Get your copy of GTA Liberty City Stories and put it in your UMD drive
now scroll to the game folder and you will see a "UMD update" option. Now
if this says "Update 2.00" then you have an unpatched version
if it says "Update 2.60" then you have the patched version which is no good for a 3.03 PSP downgrade.

Now all you have to do from here is find the 3.03 downgrader
there are a couple of versions around the Internet which you can download and these are relatively easy to follow . Just be sure you download the software from a reputable place as there are some scumbags around who have put fake downgraders up on the Internet so unsuspecting people can download them and brick their PSPs.

Also
make sure you to follow the steps exactly as they are described
this is very important. If you do one thing out of place
or if you put a file and the wrong place you could effectively brick your PSP
so it is vitally important that you follow instructions when you do at 3.03 PSP downgrade.

I hope this article helps you to successfully do a 3.03 PSP downgrade.
Read More “3.03 Psp Downgrade”

2007 - Top Ten Antivirus Software Programs Reviewed

Protecting your computer from a virus is getting more difficult. Antivirus software is essential to a computer’s ability to fend off viruses and other malicious programs. These products are designed to protect against the ability of a virus to enter a computer through email
web browsers
file servers and desktops.

The programs reviewed below are the best from around the world. In the United States we are familiar primarily with the Norton and McAfee Antivirus programs
but there are many good programs out there that merit serious consideration.

Top 10 Recommended Antivirus Software Programs

Below are my ten top antivirus software programs for 2007.

For a much more detailed comparison chart on these products you can refer to http://www.zunio.com/comparisons/antivirus_review.html

1
Editor's Choice: BitDefender
Softwin
which owns BitDefender
has been around since 1990
and boasts an international team of technical experts who strive to continually improve software and respond to new threats.

2
Kaspersky
Founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky
the Moscow-based company has had great success leading the industry in anti-virus protection

3
Norton Anti-Virus
Owned by global security giant Symantec
Norton Antivirus is by far the most popular and widely used security system in the United States. Norton offers a small range of products for the home user
small business owner and large corporation with 1000+ users.

4
McAfee
McAfee is another big name in Internet security and a large competitor for Norton Antivirus
although their prices are virtually the same.

5
F-Secure
Based in Helsinki
Finland
F-Secure has been in the computer protection business since 1988. The company offers protection for the family computer
to home office users all the way up to corporations with large numbers of telecommuters spread all over the map.

6
Shield Anti-Virus 2007
PCSecurityShield offers protection against viruses
hackers and privacy threats to help keep you and your family surfing safely.

7
Protector Plus
Proland Software offers virus protection with its Protector Plus package
compatible with Windows Vista
XP
Me
2000
and Netware. Protector Proland is proud of its team of experienced engineers
who have been working on anti-virus software and computer protection programs since 1989.

8
DefendGate
Canada-based DefendGate offers everything from protection against viruses and identity theft to office productivity suites and desktop accelerators.

9
PC DoorGuard
This program is PC DoorGuard is designed for those looking to protect their email from spam
viruses
Trojans and worms.

10
CA Antivirus
On its website
CA Antivirus says it provides software to 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies and boasts that it was the first antivirus software to be awarded certification with Microsoft Vista in 2007.


Virus Prevention - Steps to take

A computer user should remain diligent and follow a few simple steps to protect against the threat of a virus:

1
Evaluate your current computer security system. With the threat of a new generation of viruses able to attack in a multitude of ways
the approach of having just one antivirus software version has become outdated.

2
Only install antivirus software created by a well-known
reputable company.
Because new viruses erupt daily
it is important that you regularly update your antivirus software
3
Make it a habit to always scan all new programs or files no matter from where they originate.

4
Exercise caution when opening binary
Word
or Excel documents of unknown sources especially if they were received during an online chat or as an attachment to an email.

5
Perform regular backups in case your system is corrupted. It may be the only way to recover your data if infected.

(c) 2007 Zunio.com
Read More “2007 - Top Ten Antivirus Software Programs Reviewed”