Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Encrypted Life: Top 3 Reasons to Use a VPN

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VPN (Virtual Private Network) services are often confined to the stigma that only hacker criminals use them to keep those snooping federals at bay.  However, this is not exactly an accurate perception of these useful networks.  For those who are rather tech-savvy, being able to encrypt and reroute your cyber activity can be an invaluable asset… simply because having the capability to access cyberspace via your own reliable, secure network provides more than just the ability to cover your tracks.

An individual wearing a bright orange shirt in a crowd of people wearing other brightly colored (but not orange) shirts is still easy to find.  However, place that same individual in a crowd of other orange shirt wearers, and this person just became a great deal more difficult to track down.  Then, if you move this crowd to a far away land with different laws… then good luck, you’ll now have to fill out a lot of paperwork to find your man.  This is essentially how VPNs work.

A VPN is basically a secure computer network that is composed of several private computers, which essentially operate as a collective trust.  While it is possible to follow a cyber trail through a VPN network, it is still rather difficult to gain access to it, decrypt the data once you’re there, and depending on the server’s location, gain permission to even try.

#3: Use While Traveling Abroad…


If you’re a jet set businessperson, a wander-lusting drifter or an incurable philanthropic humanist with a zest for adventure, then you’ve already felt the aggravation of using annoyingly unreliable local networks.  If you’re trying to follow your favorite TV shows online from the land you call home, you might not be able to do so, depending on your service.  Also, you might even be subject to a nation’s ridiculously obscene firewall, and be blocked from accessing certain sites or apps, as you would in more civilized, free countries.

However, if you have access to your own VPN service, then this problem miraculously goes away.  Because you can directly connect to your network, you won’t have to use those outdated (and sometimes obtusely restrictive) networks in other parts of the world.

#2: Speaking of Free Speech…


This is one for the investigative reporter, human right’s advocate, and the ones who blow the whistle against abusive governments and corporations… and need a way to protect themselves from retaliation. 

It is true that if bludgeoned hard enough, a government or corporation can crack a VPN.  However, using a VPN will add just one more layer of protection from snooping, thereby increasing the time and resources spent on tracking down the good watchdog.  In addition, if you use a foreign service like a VPN in France or Dubai, then you’ll even force the regime to deal with international cyber laws and protocol.

If you’re neck deep in a story, which will expose a corporation that uses unicorns for slave labor (oh, the cruelty), then using a VPN would be in your tremendous benefit. 

*Note: quick tip… you might also want to do some research on using Tor, Tails, and MAC address “spoofing”, if you really are about to uncover something big.  Go get ‘em, 007!

#1: Safety & Security


If you work in IT security, you regularly access your million-dollar bank account in Morocco, or you’re a private home stock or forex trader, then you might want to start thinking seriously about network security.  It is possible for someone to watch your activity between an LAN (local area network) and the part of cyberspace where you work.  However, using a VPN will make this almost an impossible task for a common hacker.

In order to track your communications from your router to your VPN, the hacker would have to maintain local access to your own home network… essentially requiring the bad guy to be physically present.  This issue places yet another step between you and a cybercrime or identity theft.

In addition, communication through a VPN is usually encrypted, which means that even if a hacker were able to trace your activity, they would have to crack an encryption, which is certainly no easy task.

Considering a VPN?


If you want to get the best bang for your buck out of the VPN of your choice, then it is best to keep a few things in mind:

  • First, you get what you pay for.  Use a cheapo or free VPN, and you might end up with a false sense of security.
  • Second, if you are in desperate need of covering your tracks, then do not try to rely on your VPN alone.  You need to employ other protections.
  • Third, it may be worthwhile to utilize a VPN that is located in a non-extradition foreign nation, which doesn’t usually cooperate with the country where you’re located.

Simply put, using a VPN is just another way to refuse being a victim.
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Monday, February 10, 2014

Make your Printer Ink Cartridge Last Longer

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Tired of making your wallet lighter-- by paying for printer ink cartridges that finish off faster than you can ever imagine? Integration of these simple but valuable tips will stretch your budget and help your ink last longer.

Steer Clear of Ink Warnings

Are you getting frequent warnings that say that your printer is out of ink—ignore them! Most ink cartridges are designed to flash their “ink out” alerts even when there is 8-45 percent of ink remaining in them. So, stop getting flustered by these pop-ups and messages and wait for your print outs to showcase the completion of ink.

Bold is not always Beautiful

It’s true. Instead of going in for chunky, thick and bold fonts that require a higher quantum of ink and end up depleting your cartridges before time, go in for skinny texts and make your investments last longer. Some of the best ink-sipping fonts that make your task affordable are New Courier and Arial—try them. If you want to go in for more savings, then put in some time and effort to download Ecofont. This simple-to-use free font uses 20% less ink—by putting in small white circles in each character.
 
Go small!

Using a smaller font size is not only more attractive to the eye; it ends up saving good money too. If you still do not know the difference between a 14-point font and one that is sized at 12-point, then do know that super sized fonts require more ink for printing and are not worth the cause. So, go super-sized only if you really have to do the same.

Proof read before Printing

If a small grammar ,mistake or spelling error can make you go through the act of reprinting all over again, then it is  a good idea to proof read your document—before you go ahead and click on “print”. The habit leads to good savings in the long run and makes your toner last longer.

Tweaking Your Printer Settings the Right Way

While the factory settings of printers are designed to turn them into ink guzzlers—the same is not very difficult to change. If you intend to bring about changes in your printer's settings (default) and if you are using a Windows-based computer, then try this. Click on start > printers and then click right click on your preferred printer and go through the list of printer preferences, select accordingly.

Changes worth doing:

     Set your print quality to "draft"
     Set the color option to "print in grayscale"
     The "document options" can be made to print multiple pages per printing sheet



Print What You Require

Instead of printing all the ink-hogging extras like ads, banners, images and other non-textual content, it makes good sense to delete all that is not required with just a few clicks and print only the text that is absolutely necessary.


So, instead of brooding over the cost of many more Canon cartridges that come your way, just go through these tips and make sure that you use them to enhance your savings—the right way!
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Arsenal of literature and their advantages

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The concept of Literature
Literature is one of those things that have contributed a lot in the development of this world and there are many writers and readers all over the world. There are different types of writing such as academic writing, creative writing etc and there are always thousands of fans that look for the newest edition all over the world. Literature is very important as it is the only proof that will remain for years. The script that was found in the stones made us understand about our ancestors and our origin and similarly the achievement of today’s world would be explained in the future through literature. There are many poets and writers that are popular all over the world and their majestic works have been appreciated all round the globe. 




Online stores and their advantages
But in the current day world, people do not have time to go to stores and look for the best piece of literature because the lives of people are very hectic and busy and they spend their time working all the time. There are online book stores that have been a boon for the bike lovers and these online book stores are very popular among the people all over the world and the demands of these book stores that are online are increasing all the time as the number of people shopping books form these online book stores are increasing every day. Librable is very popular in this business.
Librable
One such online bookstore is the Librable that has been very much famous among the book lovers all over the world and the store provides varieties of work from different writers of the world. There are also several types of academic books and other books that the store provides. Some of the best selling books all over the world can be found in this store and that is the reason why this store is one of the finest in the world and why the demands of this store are increasing every day all over the world. There are many people who are using these stores to get their best books and these stores are also very successful in the business. The store provides books in different formats and one can order those online and enjoy the best.
The benefits of ebooks
E Books are very popular in the current game and there are many people who prefer e-book than traditional book because these e books can be read any time and anywhere. One can read these ebooks in their mobile phones and other such devices. These are the reason why ebooks are so popular among the people all round the globe and the company provides the same to the customers all over the world. In the last few months, the demands of these ebooks and other literature works are increasing all over the world and more and more people are coming forward as they have realized the advantages of ebooks and online reading.
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Friday, January 31, 2014

Other Advantages of PTZ Cameras Over Ordinary CCTV Cameras

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CCTV
Security technology has dramatically and rapidly improved over the years. Decades ago, all we got are low-end CCTV cameras that provide limited resolution video footage, which roughly provide good evidence in solving crimes. However, as years progressed, so as the reliability and efficiency of CCTV cameras. Today, it is very common for security cameras to have high-definition recording capability, which provide much clearer and more define video footage, allowing authorities to easily identify suspected criminals.

HD CCTV cameras are not the only groundbreaking and game-changing security cameras out in the market today. Since technology has greatly improved over the years so as the features of CCTV cameras. Among the more high-end CCTV camera systems in the Australian electronics consumer market today are pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras. These cameras are way more high-tech than regular CCTV cameras as they have features that maximize the cameras’ field of view. The system was designed to efficiently monitor subjects without having to be limited by the camera’s position, distance, and angle.

PTZ cameras were only commonly used by media and broadcast companies to capture images at any given point and angle. Referred to as camera robotics, PTZ cameras helped television and film coverage much easier and more seamless since they can be operated by automation systems. Today, broadcast companies are not the only consumers of these cameras as business establishments, homeowners, and even government offices are relying to this CCTV camera type.

PTZ cameras do great as crime deterrents, surveillance tools, quality assurance monitoring equipment, and internal theft preventive tools. The most secured places in the country like prisons, banks, government offices, and museums are equipped with these cameras, proving their reliability and efficiency.

There are countless benefits consumers could get from installing PTZ cameras on their property, including but not limited to the following:

The system was designed to monitor large areas. Unlike regular CCTV cameras, PTZ cameras can be controlled via remote control to pan, tilt, and zoom, giving the person operating it more leverage for detecting suspicious activities within the premises.

It is easier to identify people’s faces. Since PTZ cameras’ view can be zoomed towards the subject, identity of the subject can be easily known. The operator can easily and quickly zoom in the lens to the subject’s face or other body parts for faster identification.

Cameras can point to pre-determined angles. Operators can set PTZ cameras to go on tour or to point to certain angles. This feature maximizes the coverage capability of the camera, making sure that every position in the area being monitored is properly surveyed.

Saves you money from buying multiple cameras. Since PTZ cameras like Swann PTZ maximizes monitoring of covered area/s, you may not have to buy multiple regular cameras. This will help you save a lot of money without sacrificing your property’s security.

PTZ cameras are weather-proof. One of the common issues raised against CCTV cameras is that they are susceptible to failure when they experience heavy rains or snow. This issue is addressed by PTZ cameras. These cameras are built to withstand inclement weather condition, thus, it would work even in the most unforgivable weather.

PTZ cameras do not come cheap. However, if you are serious about your home, property, or business establishment security, then you would want to consider buying it and consider it as an investment for security and safety. There are many retailers in Australia today that offer reasonably priced but excellent quality CCTV cameras like Swann PTZ. Find one near your place so you can talk with experts and get their opinion, which can help you decide whether PTZ cameras are you or not.
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Thursday, January 30, 2014

BYOD Organization Expenses -- Calculating The Cost Of BYOD Technology

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If people living during the 1970s had adopted the BYOD acronym, pocket-sized digital calculators may have been the weapons of choice. The first one came about in 1967. According to the History of Hand-Held Electronic Calculators from the College of Education at Illinois, a team of engineers working for Texas Instruments developed the first working sample.

Twenty years later the shirt-pocket use of digital calculators established an undefined example of what Bring Your Own Device technology would eventually introduce into American society. However, the 1970s integration of calculators into schools, businesses and government agencies revealed nothing of the organizational costs associated with modern BYOD concepts.

According to the Ai The Art Institutes, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x provided U.S. citizens with the first doable pocket-sized mobile communication device. In 1983, BYOD technology, although not yet conceived, became a realistic possibility. By 2001, cell phones dominated the U.S. mobile communications market place. According to Robert D. Keith with the University of Florida, competition from cell phones forced BellSouth’s withdrawal from the pay phone business.

Modern cell towers support the digital framework of society. Along with basic communication resources, BYOD technology provides students, businesses and governments with a near limitless toolbox for portable data mining and data management. It also expands the opportunities for data thefts, employee time waste and hacker comedians who just enjoy causing havoc in the digital community.

Organizational Expenses: The Cost of BYOD Technology

By the year 2020, the concept of Bring Your Own Device may be a fading memory in the history of technological advancements. Some IT experts maintain and hope that it is a passing fad. Others, such as Megan Fitch, Chief Information Officer at Beloit College, believe that the BYOD phenomenon is a proven resource for higher education. The same principles should work for businesses and other organizations.

However, protection of sensitive information resides in the mind of every IT expert. BYOD technology is a barn-door funnel for theft and disruption. According to Hartford Has It, stolen cell phones cost U.S. victims an average of $300 each. One in three thefts involve mobile devices. Only you can determine what your company would lose if that stolen phone contained an unencrypted copy of your accounts database.

Other BYOD cost factors include the expense of:
  • Maintaining control by permitting only company issued device connections
  • Supplying sufficient bandwidth to meet the accumulation of personal simultaneous device connections
  • Additional support for the every expanding array of mobile connection devices, including device drivers, special printer requirements, and other substantive software and hardware support options.
Recognize employee reluctance to carry multiple mobile devices. Employees will use company-provided devices for personal goals as well as business goals. Yet company-supplied equipment is easier to manage, easier to regulate, and forces limited access methods. Each company must determine the tradeoff value.

Calculating the Cost of BYOD Technology

Every business must establish a level of participation that matches organizational expectations and commitments. Determine the cost of BYOD technology by comparing benefits to liabilities and expenses. In 2013 the IRS spent more than $900,000 on a BYOD pilot program (6). Yet an investigation by the Treasury Inspector General discovered that even the IRS failed to complete and implement a cost-benefit analysis of the program. Such failure misses the core of sound financial planning.

To determine your cost to implement BYOD resources compare the:
Reasons of adopting the technology:
  • Mobility
  • Productivity
  • Familiarity
  • AND Possible reduction in costs of supplying electronic equipment;
To the Reasons for not adopting the technology:
  • Accumulated threats and vulnerabilities
  • Physical security of the devices
  • Increased demand for network support and hardware management
  • Disparate operating systems and hardware
  • Cost of company furnished equipment.
Matt Smith is a Dell employee who writes to help raise awareness on the topic of BYOD Technology Solutions and other network management subjects.
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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Mini-ITX: The Next De Facto Desktop PC Platform

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A Mini-ITX motherboard in a Bitfenix Prodigy (Pinterest)


The rise of the mobile computing devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables, etc.) are slowly and surely relegating the desktop PC factor from everyone’s computer down to workstations and the enthusiast segment. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, as the smaller, portable computers make for a more inexpensive and practical solution for most mainstream needs.

That being said, the humble desktop will still be with us for many years more. With so many PC hardware manufacturers and plenty legacy equipment in use, it would simply be impractical for it to be ditched as a standard computing platform. What will more likely happen is that it will become increasingly more compact and sport more modern connectivity options.

The Mini-ITX form factor, established by VIA Technologies in 2001, was designed for low-power, embedded PC designs that could be implemented as low-cost, mainstream use machines for non-power and processing intensive tasks such as internet browsing and word processing. For one reason or another, the standard didn't catch on until the second half of the decade.

At first it was just the industrial integrators and computing appliance manufacturers that were utilizing Mini-ITX in their designs, but even the home PC and enthusiast markets eventually realized that this compact form factor was pretty much just the right size to be able to carry full-sized desktop components (processor, memory, video and sound cards) while being a mere 17 by 17 centimeters. There are smaller form factors, but they could only mount laptop and notebook-specific parts, which tend to be significantly more expensive, and often not enthusiast-grade.



The then-growing home theater PC (HTPC) builders’ scene found the Mini-ITX motherboard to be an ideal platform for their set-top creations, since streaming audiovisuals to the screen didn't take high-powered PC components to pull off.

Motherboard manufacturers eventually responded to gaming enthusiasts and compact workstation proponents to create Mini-ITX motherboards that could handle higher power, performance oriented desktop components, and out came the pocket rockets of the gaming system builders, equipped with the very same high performance parts, fancy, albeit compact chassis, and exotic cooling solutions that their bigger desktop cousins had.



The modern crop of Mini-ITX motherboards are every bit as capable and fully-featured as its ATX and micro-ATX cousins. With more manufacturers building motherboards and other PC parts and accessories compatible to this form factor (even high performance video cards are being made more compact in order to fit in smaller Mini-ITX chassis), it is inevitable in this writer’s mind that this form factor of PC motherboard will eventually replace ATX and micro-ATX as the platform of choice for desktops.


About the Author

Stacey Thompson is a professional writer, marketer, entrepreneur, and a lover of weird little animals. She is based in San Diego, California, and is currently building herself a Mini-ITX gaming and productivity (yeah right) rig, with the help of her #pcmasterrace friends.
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Monday, January 27, 2014

Why the Next 5 Years of Computing Will Change the World

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Advancements in technology have been radical and explosive since the dawn of the computer age. According to the officials of computing technology and production, the next five years will see huge improvements in the capabilities of computers and their affiliates. The cornerstone of these improvements is a more personalized and responsive technology that can interact in all facets of life. Everything will learn, both human and machine, and will learn each other.

Education

Digital classrooms and supplies will be the future of education. An encouragement toward studying digital applications and software to help support students and teachers. Schools and classrooms across the globe and reachable for others in a way that has never been introduced before.

Retail

Online shopping and personal preferences will become more efficient and capable of meeting society of instant gratification. Faster delivery and more product selection will be the retail experience of the future.

Healthcare

As technology becomes more sophisticated, healthcare facilities and patients will feel the benefits of innovation. More specialization and accurate diagnoses and treatment plans will produced because of improved technology.

Security

Predictions have been made that over the next five years, identity theft and tax fraud will cost the IRS over $21 billion in taxpayer dollars. Computing technology will act as a “guardian” monitoring account activity and protecting your information through a variety of devices and applications.

Entertainment

Smartphones, computers and other forms of communication technology will learn more about their handler as well as provide them with other activities they may enjoy. According to some, digital technology will help improve the recreational activities of communities by showcasing these activities, the best methods of transportation and sharper, more informed reviews. So you don’t have to waste time searching through lists and reviews when deciding to do something exciting, your technology will do that for you.

This post was written by Steve Bronson in association with Waterline LLC, who specialize in crude oil tank cleaning
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Cleanliness and New Technology Make Workplaces Safer

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In today’s hectic workplace, it is easy to forget that the health and safety of employees should be a paramount concern. Having unsafe or unhygienic working conditions can open business owners to legal liability as well as costing the company time and resources to make up the difference. But to assuage concerns and negligence, new and innovative technologies have been created to help offset accidents and sanitation problems.

1. Hand Sanitation Dispensers

The easiest places to catch the common cold are at the workplace, schools and modes of public transportation. If you have an office then you are likely using computers, phones, and other forms of electronic communication that have a high rate of exposure to illness causing germs. You can help to offset that exposure by having hand sanitation dispensers throughout your workplace. When attached to a wall or structure, hand sanitation dispensers give sanitizing liquid into the palm of the hand. The person does not have to touch a germy soap handle or bottle. Having them in various places throughout the office, not just in the restrooms, helps decrease the exposure and spread of germs and other bacteria that cause you to become sick and miss work.

2. Water Filtration Systems

A basic feature of any standard workplace should be the ability to have clean access to water. And while the tap water in your location may be of a high standard, nothing beats the true security of clean, purified water. Water purification systems exist in so many different shapes and sizes that you should not have any trouble deciding on the right one for your company.

3. Steam Cleaning

While there is no doubt that cleaning with the traditional cleansers and soaps is effective, if not recommended, there have been recent innovations that can prove just as effective. Steam cleaning has earned a great deal of publicity recently because it combines the environmental consciousness of the green lifestyle as well as rapid cleaning. By heating water up to the point of boiling, and then using high power, steam can break down dirt, grime, and other crusty materials as well as creating a germ free area. If you have a work environment that contains young children, animals, and other immune-sensitive entities, perhaps steam cleaning could be a useful technology.

This post written by Steve Bronson in association with Waterline LLC, professionals in industrial tank cleaning.
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How Technology is Revolutionizing the Industry

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Since the advent of the internet age, the technological and communication fields have been totally revamped and function in completely different ways. With new ideas and new ways to communicate these ideas, information has never been so quickly shared and brought to fruition. But how is it truly changing the world around us? What are the noticeable, everyday differences that the dawn of online technologies has brought?

1. Faster

The speed at which information is being created, shared and built is truly astonishing. 20 years ago, what took a week to complete or share now take milliseconds. But with this change comes an entirely new and hyper-competitive market that needed information yesterday and wants to see results in a minute. Although this time period will be referenced as the Age of the Internet in the future’s history books, this is definitely the age of instant gratification. People want what they want, when they want, exactly how they imagine it. And why do they want things to be this way? Because it can be done, because we now have the technology and resources to do unlimited number of activities. The possibilities are endless which can create a society that always wants more of everything.

2. Accuracy

What people want more than instant gratification is they want to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the information they are receiving is the most accurate and up-to-date information. The truly benevolent function of the internet is being able to ask a question and receive thousands of answer instantly. And depending on the subject, it seems as if there is no question that hasn’t been inputted in the internet’s cache. Even more amazing are sites like Wikipedia that allow for public individuals to create their own content and then have staff members or just other individuals edit and check the information’s accuracy. In the age of Google, there are no such thing as questions, only answers.

3. Audience

The internet has not become a facet of every person’s life, almost inescapable. But more significant than that is that never before have people throughout the world been more connected. Companies, schools, musicians and others have been able to reach audiences that would have been excluded prior to the birth of the internet. Instead of a world comprised of countries and territories and regions, there is now a global community.  

This article was written by Steve Bronson in association with Brahman Systems, who specialize in cable protectors on industrial sites. 
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Importance of IT Support in Small and Medium Business

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How to take beneficially IT support to compete with Blue Chip Multinational Corporation

Have you ever try to know about what same thing between Big Multinational Corporation isand small and medium enterprises [SMEs]? They both have to run with security, reliability and speed of their IT systemSMEs are improvingwith on most current IT support as they try to challenge in world of computer and internet now days.

So many SMEs facing problems with their IT support because of shortage in IT skilled employ and experts to use up to date technology and give boost to their business. Most of top corporations can afford a dedicated information technology department,which is helping them to create better understanding between customer and company but most of SMEs don’t have funds to create big IT support for their company.

Some of the well-known problems

You might have problems with computer that suddenly cripple your business operations. If you had for severaltimes, then you should know that this is very common problem with SMEs. In normal situation small business owners usually take a help of friends or private contacts are roped in to setup a peer-to-peer network, or they have to make themselvesown IT person, troubleshooter and problem-solver.But every time in absence of IT professionals this can’t help you with your growing business.What all this adds up to is having a computer network with many security problems, leaks and poor performance with strange issues cropping up.

Every time you have to sacrifice with your productivity and efficiency because of poor IT structure. But SMEs shouldn’t underestimate these IT problems that increasingly damage your whole business. A very fast and smart communication helps you to get better selling chance and give you better way of earnings.Even inoffice works like human-resource and accounts, it is very necessary to have the right IT structure However, IT system includes calculations and internet service with computer supports, which is help to create very suitable plans and in addition its helps with fast communication to customers. This is directly decrease the wastage of money and time and create profitable system. Now a day in internet world SMEs are most favourite target from fraudsters over big multinational company. It quite obvious that’s SMEs is most favourite because Blue Chip Multinational Corporation employs well graduate IT professionals to prevent frauds 

IT Sources in Brisbane

IT is an integral part of any SMEs in everyday operations, no matter how small or what is your business. Now if we talk about Brisbane city which is very popular for different business class, small as well as big multinational companies are making own ways to earn money here.But it makes necessaryto have IT structure in business system. In Brisbane IT supportcan be easily find online or offline locations. This IT sources provides you a computer and internet support as well as cloud servers to help with create fast service for your customers. This all IT supports company give you option to create fast and reliable communication with customers and help you to achieve your mark without sacrifice in productivity. Luckily Brisbane IT support giving a very helpful 24x7 service which is quite helpful to make plan with work in night without having trouble in IT system. That’s why it’s more helpful for Brisbane SMEs to take advantage of have more time to work over their compotators. SMEs should understand that IT system gives them a very secure and fast system.
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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Common Conventional Faxing Frustrations - Image Quality | Paper Jams | Communication

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Fax Machine Breaking with Frustration
Source: mlive.com
Often times, sending a fax can be a complicated process. Fax machines are labyrinth-like machines, involving intricate and delicate elements that are, many times, difficult to figure out. A fax machine that is running well, properly calibrated, and operating within open lines can be a smooth piece of equipment that does exactly what you want. Otherwise, it can be a frustrating apparatus that causes more headache than help. Fax machines can pose several problems for users looking to send documents quickly and easily.

Image quality

Many times, transmitting documents via fax can lead to poor image quality. In these cases, received pages will not appear the same as the original, negating the entire purpose of sending the fax in the first place. Pages with text may become unreadable and images may appear blotchy, too light or too dark. This is frequently due to leaking/spilled toner or ink within the receiving fax machine or even an improper density setting that can be adjusted on the receiving machine. The problem may also lie in the scanning mechanisms within the sender’s fax machine.

Paper Jams

There is hardly a more frustrating problem involving the use of a fax machine than jammed paper in the document feeder or printing area. Beware though: attempting to pull jammed paper out of the machine in the direction opposite of the way the paper is supposed to naturally travel can damage some of the small parts inside your fax machine. To remedy the jam, gently pull the paper in the direction that it would normally run, while trying not to yank it out at an angle.

Communication

Frequently enough, you may come across problems while sending or receiving faxes that involve communication issues between your machine and the other at the remote location. Many times this involves phone connection issues, since faxed documents are being transmitted through a modem line, and just like a telephone, there may be interference or problems with the wall jack (which acts as a junction in the system). If you don’t hear the dial tone, it is likely that either your machine is unplugged or no signal exists.

If the receiving fax machine is using a dual-use fax/phone line, you may be greeted by a voice on the other end from someone who is answering what appears to be nothing more than a phone call. A user may lose the connection during the transmission of the fax, and unless that machine indicates its fax status by way of printing a receipt or otherwise, you may be left wondering whether your document was successfully sent and received.

Maintenance

To say the least, cleaning out your fax machine can be a headache. The quality of the fax can rely substantially on a machine that is clean and without any buildup that could create mechanical problems. Other than using canned/compressed gas-dusting air to blow out some of the dust and loose gunk stuck inside the fax machine, it can be quite a hassle to clean the internal components to ensure that it runs smoothly. If you choose to take on the task of wiping down the ink cartridges and purchasing scanner head cleaning sheets, refer to your fax machine’s owner’s manual to get it done.

This article was written by Amit Gangrade, article writer at FindAFax. Amit Gangrade is from Orlando, Florida. He is a recent alumn from the University of Florida, where he studied anthropology and Spanish.
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Why Backing Up Your Small Businesses Digital Data Is Crucial

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Losing important data can devastate a small business. According to a recent survey of business executives disaster recovery was the primary reason that company's chose to use a data storage service. In the recent NAS vendor Avere Systems and Gatepoint Research Report 63% of the 100 business executive respondents said that disaster recovery was the primary motivation behind their companies using a data storage service.

While protecting your data from an unforeseen disaster is certainly a very good reason to set up a data storage solution it is not the only one. Below you can find some of the major advantages of using a data storage solution to protect and store your data. Bear in mind that even if your company diligently backs up it's data, it remains important to plan for the worst and make sure that you have an approved local data recovery vendor in place. This will ultimately save your company time and money should the worst happen. If your business is located in London, then Easy Recovery offer a great range of services.

Preventing prolonged downtime

Prolonged downtime is a disaster that many businesses will never recover from. This downtime is often caused by the loss of key data. The reason for data loss doesn't have to be due to natural disaster such as an earthquake, fire or flood. Human error is a common cause of the loss of data due to mistakes or failure to save key files.

Critical if you are audited

Regulatory and tax agencies will want to see a complete set of your financial records. Failure to present these can mean that you are not compliant and can result in significant fines. Loss of data due to oversight, lack of systems in place, or disaster will not be accepted as a reason to fail to produce accurate records.

Avoiding work needing to be repeated

having to repeat work is a massive waste of company resources. If work is not properly stored and cannot be easily retrieved then the work will frequently need to be done over once again. This may involve having to recreate spreadsheets, presentations of re-invoicing customers.

It can be automated

If you choose to use an online backup service or NAS device you won't have to worry about manually backing up your files. These data services work in the background and automatically update your data. Some data services will back up your data according to a schedule that you have set, where as other backup services will be constantly backing up your data whatever changes are made.

Types of backup solution

There are a number of different types of backup solutions that you can use to back up your small business company data. Some of these include:

Flash drives

These are small devices which are inserted into a USB port. Flash drives can hold anywhere up to around 64 GB of data for and are great for selective backup. Because flash drives are small and easy to carry they are great for backing up important documents.

CD and DVD's

CD and DVD are able to hold less data than a flash drive, but they do tend to be much cheaper than flash based memory and can also be used to store data on an permentant basis. Backing up data onto compact disks can take longer to complete than a flash drive backup, but they also offer the opportunity to keep data neatly organised since disks can be stored in chronologic order on cake spindles.

External hard drives

External hard drives are perhaps the most practical backup solution available for small businesses. External drives can often hold up to six terabytes of data, there are relatively easy to use, and they make organising your information easy. Many external drives also come with free automatic backup software, and some even use RAID to backup your data to multiple drives at once (mirroring).

NAS devices

A NAS device is similar to an external hard drive but with a few additional features. They attach to a small businesses network and can be accessed by all of the networked computers at the same time. This allows the businesses employees to back up and access their stored information simultaneously without having to attach an external drive to each of the computers.

Online Back up Service

This type of service provides access to remote data storage servers which can be accessed by a business over the Internet. Either through a browser interface, or more commonly through a program which automatically backs up any files that are added to a pre-specified list of folders. Data is updated either when a file changes, or on a daily basis according to a set schedule. Data can be accessed from any location and can be recovered using any device. Online data storage offers one of the most flexible solutions for backing up company data though it can be expensive.

In conclusion

Safely storing your data is critical for your small business. Without easy access to your company's data your business operations could potentially grind to a halt. No matter what your data storage needs, there is likely to be a data solution to match.

About Author:
By Nick Davison
Advanced Data Recovery are London's leading data recovery experts. For more information on corporate data security and RAID recovery, check out our blog.
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The Science Behind Scissor Lifts - How Scissor Lifts are Made

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Scissor lifts are mobile working platforms that rise. Their elevating mechanism consists of arms that are connected at the middle like scissors, hence the name. Scissor lifts are commonly used at warehouses and construction sites. They are also used in buildings where workers need a safe working platform to carry out maintenance and repairs at heights.

These robust and reliable machines make working at heights much more convenient and safer than using ladders or stepladders. Use of simple and straightforward technology and high grade materials make scissor lifts highly dependable, provided you are using the right weight and height specification for your job.

How Scissor Lifts are Made

The science behind scissor lifts might remind you of your elementary school, as you might have studied these principles in your 5th grade. Here, you can see them practically at work. Scissor lifts work on the principle of hydraulics.

The number of arms in a scissor lift varies depending upon the height of the lift. These are manufactured by cutting square steel pipes of appropriate thickness and length. A hole is cut out in the center of each length of pipe (each scissor-arm) for the central pivot to pass through.

When raising the lift, hydraulic fluid from a sump is pumped into the pressure hoses, which are screwed into a piston-cylinder mechanism. As the cylinder is filled with pressurized hydraulic fluid, the piston moves to raise the scissor arms. As the arms are hinged at their centers and connected to another pair of arms on top, and then another, the movement of the lower-most pair of scissor-arms translates into the movement of all the arms, raising the scissor lift. When lowering, the excess hydraulic pressure is bled out through a bleed hose leading back to the main sump.

The pivots or the joints bear maximum loads and face the stress from the rotation each time the lift is raised or lowered. Therefore, most of the engineering goes into the connections between the scissor arms. There's one connection in the middle, and two connections on the upper and lower end of each arm. Advanced welding techniques including robotic welding are deployed to manufacture the hinged joints at each end of the arms, while the connection at the center is reinforced by welding a small cylinder into the hole that was cut earlier through each arm's center.

Reinforced steel rods are inserted and secured into place using locking pins. When the scissor-arms are ready, primer and rust proof paint is applied to them. As the paint dries up, the other two parts of the scissor lift are getting ready. These are the top platform and the base assembly.

The base assembly contains a set of steerable front wheels. The front wheel assembly is connected to a second hydraulic cylinder, which just controls the left and right movement of the wheels. A hydraulic tray is also stacked into the base assembly on one side, and a battery pack is installed on the other side. Hoses connecting the hydraulic pump to the cylinders are screwed firmly in place.

The top platform is just a steel platform with safety railing. When the three components of the scissor lift are ready, it's time to join them to each other. The scissor-arms are attached to the base and the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the bottom pair of scissors. The steering cylinder is connected to the control panel on the top platform via an electrical interface. The batteries are connected to the hydraulic pump and the controls installed on the platform. Everything is tested and the safety decals are applied before the scissor lift is moved into the warehouse for sale.

Author: Dr Garry McClean is a staff writer at The Workplace Depot - a leading UK supplier of industrial and workplace products
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Top Five Weird Educational Inventions - Roamer Turtle | Infant Simulators

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Robot
Source: luisvilla, cc-by-3.0, Flickr
Do you remember Roamer Turtle? Sometimes the educational system comes up with something truly weird. All inventions are designed to improve our lives in some way. Whilst mobile phones and the internet have become indispensable, Roamer Turtle is something we probably could have managed without. Here are some of the strangest educational aids ever dreamed up.

Roamer Turtle

If, like me, you do remember Roamer Turtle your predominant recollection is probably, ‘what the heck is this all about’. Roamers were educational robots aimed at helping children to learn about directions. Basically you programmed them with precise instructions, and off they went. The original version is no longer produced, leaving it forever a mystery why this blob on wheels was called a ‘turtle’.

Infant Simulators

An infant simulator does exactly what it says on the tin. It simulates a real baby in the hope that it will annoy teenagers into avoiding pregnancy. Originally designed to be used as a sex education aid, the idea never really took off in mainstream schooling. This odd invention is now even more realistic, with an inbuilt computer assessing how well the ‘infant’ is cared for.

Bronkie The Bronchiasaurus

Bronkie was a bizarre gem designed to teach children about asthma. The game takes place in a prehistoric city where you play an asthmatic dinosaur called Bronkie. You have to find the clean air health machine by blowing away dust with your lungs, and hitting enemies with your dusters. Tragically the game is no longer available.

Geordie Racer

Based around the BBC educational TV series of the same name, this computer game was designed to supplement the shows and teach children about; well…that part is debatable. Looking at the game run-throughs on youtube, I would say, learning the points of a compass could be construed as being vaguely educational. But then there is the worrying anagrams level, which gets you to make words out of your pigeon character’s name. The game featured three pigeons, Star, Homer and Bonny- so you can imagine the fun you could have making words out of Bonny’s name.

In many classrooms in the late 80s to early 90s, the ginormous Acorn computer represented a ‘treat’ for pupils to play with only if they had finished all of their work. But as I remember rightly, those floppy disked games took forever to load, which meant usually most kids only had a short time to mess around on the anagrams round before it was back to their desks for some more worthwhile work. And a good thing it was too- Honestly, Bonny? What were the game developers thinking?

Teacher Robots

Some inventors are now going so far as to replace teachers with robots. In South Korea bizarre egg-shaped robots, with avatar faces have started teaching.  They are controlled by distant teachers, and are pre-programmed to play games with the children. Whilst research and studies looking into pupil engagementhave found that technology aids learning, robots controlling classrooms seems a step too far.

In the continual search for ways to make teaching more engaging, inventors have come up with some brilliantly weird inventions. But sadly many of these are now confined to history. Watch this space, because who knows what they will come up with next.

Louise Blake is a new mum who owns a Boxer puppy called Harley. She’s passionate about education and loves a good gadget too.
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The Main Benefits of Print Migration - What is Print Migration and More

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3D Printer, Source: Creative Tools, cc-by-3.0, Flickr
Office equipment is becoming more and more efficient every day. As time is an important factor, tools are being designed to solve everyday office problems that drain money and time from the company. Print migration is one of the newest office solutions that is taking hold. 

What is Print Migration?

Print migration means moving your office copy and printing tasks to a multifunctional device. In the past, offices had countless devices for printing, copying, scanning, and other functions. It drained a lot of time out of workers to use each of these devices separately. Besides, the costs of maintaining so many machines is expensive. A multifunctional device can copy, scan, print, fax, email, file share, and more from the convenience of a single machine. The multifunctional device can do all of these things in a much shorter time frame than the traditional machines can. 

What are the Values of Print Migration?

Cost is a major benefit of print migration. Normal printers can cost as much as 10 cents per page along with the cost of purchasing the machine, buying and replacing ink cartridges, and other expenses. The multifunctional device prints at a cost of about a cent per page. Offices save on the costs of buying multiple machines too. Plus, the costs of copying a page or faxing a page can also be factored into the savings when using a multifunctional device.

Efficiency is the second biggest benefit of print migration. With traditional printers, the printing can be slow, especially if colour pages are needed. Thus only a few employees can use each machine to prevent backups of orders. The multifunctional device is quick, so it can service many more employees. A traditional printer serves a ratio of about 3 people per printer, while a multifunctional device can serve 9 people. 

How Do I Employ Print Migration? 

The obvious first step to a print migration is choosing and purchasing multifunctional devices. There are a few sizes, from medium to large that can handle a varying workload and have a variety of features and functions. Once your office chooses their multifunctional devices, the next stage is to phase them into the office. It's best not to simply switch out old devices for the new. Some workers might become frustrated and less productive with the sudden shift. Instead, allow workers time to get used to the new printing machines, and make sure that they are well trained in how to use them.

In summary, print migration is becoming a welcome practice for many businesses. The cost and time savings, as well as the desire to push into the cutting edge, make print migration a no brainer for many offices. The keys to a successful print migration are informing and training employees on how to use multifunctional devices to meet their daily needs. And as the machines continue to evolve, they become even easier to use for employees. That's a lot of reasons to make the upgrade today.

John is always looking for ways to make the office run more efficiently and recommends using Concorde Print Migration Services to save time and money when it comes to printing. 
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Saturday, January 25, 2014

5 Marine Electronics Every Boat Should Have - Marine GPS and More!

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epsos, cc-by-3.0, flickr

Whether it’s a commercial fishing boat or a private leisure vessel; a boat these days requires a solid line-up of marine electronics to help it function properly and safely. Of course, a boat doesn’t have to contain all high-tech equipment, but having these essentials make for a more pleasurable boating trip each and every time.

Here are five crucial boat electronics every vessel needs in their helm and why they are a must-have piece:

1. VHF Radio                         

Perhaps one of the most important piece of electronic device a boat can contain; a VHF  Radio is often considered a staple at the bridge. This is worth the investment since it features a host of functions.

Used primarily to call for rescue or help, they can also be used in contacting various bridges, harbors or marinas. Most boats contain two kinds of VHF radio, one is fixed (the one usually found at the bridge) and the other is often handheld (usually placed in lifeboats; serving as an emergency alternative.)

2. Marine GPS (Global Positioning System)


These days, it is hard to find a boat without some form of GPS or Global Positioning System installed in it. One of the best investments any mariner can make, the GPS is considered a real necessity when going on sea travel. It is an affordable and easy system that allows users to find out where they are. Its main function is providing the proper longitude and latitude when necessary.

A GPS can be handheld, mountable/portable or purely fixed, depending on what the user prefers. Like a piece of anchor chain, it is unimaginable to have a boat without some form of GPS inside it.  Of course, it is still advisable to learn how to navigate using a compass as well as chart, just in case.

3. Sonar or Fishfinders          

A Fishfinder or a “sounder” is actually a form of sonar that allows vessels to find schools of fish under the ocean. It works by sending electrical impulses under water and transforming it into a sound wave. When this sound wave hits something along the way, it transmits the size, shape along with composition of the object. This is one powerful piece of marine electronics beneficial for both commercial fishing vessels as well as small boats.

4. Small Boat Autopilots


Highly functional for expert and novice boaters alike, small boat autopilots also serve as a necessary boat safety equipment. Essentially, it works by allowing users to program a course   and letting the computer drive the vessel until it reaches the destination. These are highly useful if the boater needs to go on longer trips since they can minimize the amount of pressure the helm or helmsman experiences during voyage.

5. Marine AIS (Automatic Identification System)

This is the most recent must-have in the world of marine electronics. The Marine AIS or Automatic Identification System is a dependable apparatus used by ships to identify nearby vessels or stations. Electronic data is exchanged between ships and AIS stations, allowing boats to receive positional data from each other. This helps avoid collisions between ships.

Serious boaters who want only the best will benefit from having these set of electronic equipment on their vessel. Most of these are affordable, not to mention helpful, so investing in any or all of them will make a boating experience more enjoyable and much safer.

About Author:
Marketing specialist Debra Wright enjoys learning new things both online and offline. Her love for discovery encompasses varied subjects from the mundane to the riveting, including topics like technology and gadgets. When she is not in front of her computer or behind the wheel for a road trip, she is busy with her oven trying to master her baking skills. Follow her on twitter @debrawrites...
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Friday, January 24, 2014

Choosing Between Radio and Infrared Remote Controls

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There is lots of choice to make when it comes to choosing remote controls for your big screen at home. One has the choice between the regular radio frequency remote controls and the Infrared remote controls. Mentioned below are some of the plus points of choosing a radio frequency controlled remote control.



Solid remote control is used for all most all things and they have been created to make life simpler for us only. So we have to choose nothing but the very best out of these. Read on to know the advantages of Radio frequency remote controls. The advantages mentioned below are capable to being hidden and so that there installation cost is low.

The radio frequency remotes have much better reach

When it comes to comparing remotes we can confidentially say that radio remotes have a much better reach as compared to the infrared remotes. The radio remote controls have stronger signals that are capable of travelling much further. It is said that they travel more than 3 times the distance as compared to the infrared remora/ let’s say that an infrared remote control has a range of 33 ft while the radio frequency remote control has an area of nearly 100 ft which is much better than the infrared remote control. So if you have a room that is large in size then these remotes are ideal for you as it saves you the effort to go to the receiver and changing the projectors screen from time to time.

Receivers of radio remote controls can be hidden as well

What happens with infrared remote controls is that they need a clear passage for their transmission. Which means that nothing can come in their way they need a free line and if there is something that is blocking there way then they will not receive the signals? While on the other hand it is not the case with radio frequency remote controls they can work their way through walls and stone as well. Which means that you can even place your receiver up on the ceiling and not have to worry about the transmission this is what makes these remotes ideal even to place behind the projectors as well. This is a huge bonus as most of us do not want these receivers to be visible since they are not very visually appealing to the eyes so it is best that they are placed where they cannot be seen and thanks to the amazing technology of radio remotes it can be done pretty easily.

These remotes lower you cost as well

One of the perks of using radio frequency remote controls is that they require very less of wire to connect it to the screen and the receiver. Thus it makes the prices for installation very low. And since signals for these remotes can travel quite a distance they can be placed almost anywhere in the house. You can place the receiver at the shortest distance between the screens and leave the rest to technology. Choose the solid remote control that will make life simpler for you.

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