Obviously the biggest changes come from Microsoft’s new browser, Internet Explorer 7. IE7 has a new interface which is a big improvement compared to their previous browsers. Next to this new interface, security has improved a lot and new features such as tabbed browsing, embedded search and RSS feeds are being introduced.

Although this may look like a big list of improvements, it really isn’t that astonishing. The new features take a large part of the resources cake. And, maybe the most important reason: Opera and Firefox are already using these features for a long time.

Firefox has recently released version 1.5. Although we really were satisfied with Firefox in all previous versions, this new version really is a disaster in our opinion. We have seen a lot of crashes and also loading times have increased quite a bit.

While firefox released a slower new version, Opera has done the opposite. Opera 9 is currently available as a public preview version and has impressed us the most from all new browsers. Not only is opera 9 by far the fastest browser available, it also brings new features such as tab previews and widgets.

With the interest of Google in both opera and firefox the new browser war could become a very interesting one …

Tim De Grave - SodeX bvba
http://www.freedownloads.be

All new versions of these browsers can be downloaded on http://www.freedownloads.be

Comparison of browser speed: http://www.howtocreate.co.uk/browserSpeed.html

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains has several options to enable web ordering. Traditionally Great Plains Dynamics/eEnterprise had eOrder – this is ASP pages based ordering application, enabling you to place or retrieve your Sales Order Processing (SOP) Sales Orders over the web. There were several drawbacks however with eOrder. You should be the customer in Great Plains company database to be able placing the orders. Also if you were planning to customize eOrder – you could only do cosmetic style changes only – if you wanted to alter scripts on the ASP pages – then you would have very serious eOrder upgrade issues. Upgrade simply wipes out your custom scripts and you had to reapply your customization to new version enriched ASP pages. Instead of following the way to move eOrder to ASPX or .Net platform – MBS introduced eConnect, enabling web designer to “connect” eCommerce site to Great Plains backend. This is very elegant module and solution, however we are hearing a lot of complaints from developers on eConnect restrictions.

• SOP Invoice posting. It is not enabled in eConnect. However you should probably first understand the architecture of Microsoft Great Plains. Order takers supposed to enter Sales Order and submit it (place in the batch and save) to the manager for approval (taking off transfer/print/post holds). eConnect enables you to create or update Great Plains objects, but it doesn’t allow you to process them (post) – this would open a gap in the security/approval cycle.

• Order Transfer. Again – this is similar problem to the invoice posting. Both Order and Invoice could be subject to holds and approvals. eCommerce logic might need partial or full order transfer to invoice or even backorder, based on the item availability status. Why would you then need to purchase eConnect? Maybe just go ahead and program the connection in SQL stored procedures? The answer is – eConnect allows you to allocate items in Great Plains Inventory Control module. It would take you a lot of time (if you are new to Great Plains tables structure and never coded in Great Plains Dexterity). Plus eConnect allows you to create and update customer record in Great Plains – this is however relatively simple to imitate in the stored procedure.

Then what is the solution?

• Do not allow order transfer and posting through eCommerce. This is probably the best advise we could give you – just create orders, or invoices, leave them to the Great Plains user to approve and post. However in some cases it is absolutely critical and required

• Look for Invoice posting stored proc on the market. You are not the first and not the last one to face this dilemma – somebody already has it implemented (SOP10200, SOP10100, SOP30200, SOP30300 tables)

• Microsoft Small Business Financials or former Microsoft Small Business Manager. In your case – you need the whole set of stored procedures to enable eCommerce

Great Plains version: more likely you are using eConnect for Great Plains Standard or Great Plains Professional 7.5, 8.0 and in the future 8.5 or 9.0

Good luck in e-Commerce developing and if you have issues or concerns – we are here to help! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, serving clients in Chicago, California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia, Arizona, Minnesota, UK, Australia and having locations in multiple states and internationally ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ), he is CMA, Great Plains Certified Master, Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer. You can contact Andrew: andrewk@albaspectrum.com

Over the years, it becomes quite a tedious job to rummage as well as sort through your files. This has led to an increasing demand for document management software. It is now a whole lot easier to organize your paper documents from paper format into digital archives.

1. Itaz doQuments

Itaz doQuments document management software is a document management application that can help you create a more centralized, searchable database for all your electronic documents. Saved scanned documents must be in PDF, TIFF or PEG file formats so that the document management software can process them. For easy reference, you can put additional indexing information to your electronic documents so that you will use these information to quickly find as well as group your documents based on whichever criteria that you can come up with.

The document management software is available in three editions: from the Standard edition to the Professional edition to the Enterprise edition. You can choose from these three editions the type of doQuments document management software that can cater to your needs and lifestyle. Each edition of this document management software is specially designed for:

- Individuals
- Small businesses
- Large organizations

Starting from this document management software’s Standard Edition, this edition of the doQuments document management software application is especially designed for the home as well as for the use of small offices. It is the easiest one to use out of the three and provides an effective solution in the managing not only of paper but as well as electronic documents.

One of its key features is its ability to provide the multi-user environment - users from multiple computers can have access to the doQuments document management software simultaneously. As for being economical, this document management software is fairly easy to upgrade once you start thinking of getting the doQuments’ Professional or Enterprise document management software editions.

2. Advanced Features

Paramaterized search results ensures you can easily locate the documents that you need in just one mouse click. Documents is ideal for companies with large intranet or internet sites as it is possible to integrate them easily.

For more great document management software related articles and resources check out http://www.documentmanagement.infotechhq.com

Did you ever give a thought to the number of things you can do with Windows XP? Take your own time and think… I hope you remember few basic and easy things if you are not new to Windows family. Check it out the following paragraph.

Welcome To Windows XP!

Here you have, once again a new operating system of the Microsoft Windows family. But as usual every new version of software is updated with some specific new features that helps the user in dealing with day to day PC usage.

Lets find out what is Windows XP? Windows XP is an Operating System that you run on a computer.

May be you can have this question. Well! What is Operating System?

Good question! Operating System is an interface software between Man (User) and Machine (Computer ). It is very simple. You might already be familiar with it.

You might ask yourself "What is this software ?" Well! I was expecting this question. Software is nothing but set of instructions or code, which is provided by programmers to computers. So that computer will work according to this code or instructions. Bottom line is computer is nothing but a machine which works on instructions of human beings.

What makes computer different from the other machines or devices? Very fine! Oh! Never ending questions. "Intelligence!!!" That’s right computer contains electronically design artificial intelligence in it. That works like brain, with pre instructed material for particular job.

Back to XP! Here I present you with a list of things you can do in XP. It is a huge list, but what I mention here are some basic things which you can do on your stand-alone (Single Home) computer or Personal Computer (PC).

My main intention is to provide knowledge to the beginners and some experts who are usually busy with other activities that they don’t have time to do trial and error. Believe me I am also one of you guys, but it is my habit to write what ever trial and error I make on any software.

You might be…

Starting and Shuttingdown Windows XP

* Start Windows XP
* Shutdown Windows XP
* Restart Windows XP

Logging in and logging off users

* User Log Off
* User Log On
* Switch User

Managing Files and Folders

* Create files
* Create folders
* Organizing files in a folder
* Copying files in another folder
* Moving files from one folder to another
* Deleting files from a folder
* Deleting folder itself
* Recovering deleted files
* Renaming files and folders
* Searching or finding files and folders

Entertainment Accessories

* Drawing images
* Watching movies
* Listening music
* Playing computer based games

Internet Configuration

* Configuring your internet account
* Proxy settings for Internet Explorer
* Surfing on internet
* Checking and Sending Emails

Managing disks

* Formatting hard disk
* Making partitions
* Deframenting the hard Disk
* Scan Disk
* Formatting floppy disk

Playing with Control Panel Options

* Desk Top settings
* Adjusting date and time
* Adding fonts
* Adjusting keyboard and mouse settings
* Managing Power options
* Changing language
* Finding out System configuration
* Managing User Accounts
* Scheduling different tasks
* Installing other software applications like MS Office, Oracle etc.
* Installation of new drivers for your hardware peripherals.
* Configuring printer

I hope you like this article. I am trying my best to provide you the simplest information. Please feel free to comment. Your suggestions and comments are appreciated and helps me to improve the quality of the information.

Author is the owner of Computer Learning Center website. Where people learn basic and advance computers. Also they learn about how to make money by using their home based computers.

From the Desk of
Mohammed Amerullah Qureshi

amer@7jj7.com

http://www.7jj7.com/learn

Installing an application is an easy task for most users. But what about uninstalling? Do you know how to completely remove an application from your system? Did you know that most applications leave permanent files or registry entries on your system? In order to keep your system clean, you need to properly install and uninstall applications. Correctly uninstalling an application can ensure that it will not cause you any problems in the future. The right way to uninstall software is definitely not the delete key. And it’s not always the familiar Add/Remove Programs dialog. In many cases, you need to follow a series of steps in order to completely remove a program from your system.

Many applications tend to leave permanent files laying around on your hard disk. Your system does not need these files and so, apart from wasting space, sometimes they may adversely affect the performance of your system (e.g. an older version of a library may cause compatibility issues with newer applications). On the other hand, there are also programs that leave useless registry entries on your Windows registry that can cause similar problems. Using the following Windows tools, however, will certainly help you in keeping your system cleaner and in better shape!

Add/Remove Programs: This is the familiar application you can find on your Control Panel. It is (obviously) the most important tool that you use to remove an application. It is primarily intended for applications that don’t offer an Uninstall program on their own as we’ll see below. Most of the times however, it can be safely used to uninstall these applications as well, since their own uninstall program will be started by the Add/Remove Programs dialog. It can be found at Start - Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs

Uninstall Software: Many software applications offer their own uninstall program. It can usually be found inside the application folder on the start menu, just go to Start - Program X - Uninstall. Just because they exist, these uninstall programs doesn’t mean the rid you of all the old and unnecessary files the application might leave behind or any of the registry entries.

Disk Cleanup: Although you will probably not see amazing gains in terms of speed and storage space, Disk Cleanup can help rid your PC of all kinds of useless files, temporary files or shortcuts. It can be found at Start - Programs - Accessories - Systems Tools - Disk Clean Up.

Program Files: It is often the case that removed applications don’t delete the folders where their executable or other files used to live. Bear in mind, that this is not the only place an application may have "forgotten" some of it’s files. If it was, things would be so much easier, but unfortunately many applications tend to place files inside the windows/system or other system directories and just leave them there. Still, it’s a good idea to delete the empty folders you may find in the Program Files directory, which can be found at Start - My Computer - C: - Program Files.

Registry Editor: You can use your registry editor to search for entries created by an application you have decided to uninstall. Applications also hold uninstall information in the registry, so you should start searching and deleting registry entries only AFTER you have actually uninstalled the application. The registry editor does not exist anywhere in the start menu. You have to run it yourself. Just go to Start - Run and enter "regedit.exe" in the option box.

Alternatively, you can also use a registry cleaner, which is a software program specifically designed for cleaning up your registry.

No need to clean up your PC manually. Check out the Best Registry Cleaners out there!

When you double-click a layer in the Layer Palette, you will access the Layer Style dialogue box. Here, you can set many eye-catching layer styles such as Bevel & Emboss, Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, etc.

The lesser known secret of the Layer Style dialogue is that when you move it out of the way so that you can view your canvas, you can actually control the position of your current layer style with your mouse by dragging it!

The above technique works for these layer styles:

Drop Shadow

Let us start by applying Drop Shadow to a layer. After you have checked the Drop Shadow checkbox, drag your Layer Style dialogue out of the way to view your object on the canvas. Now, just position your mouse anywhere outside of the dialogue box and drag!

Notice that as you drag, the drop shadow will follow the mouse as if it were a layer underneath your object! The values for angle and distance will adjust automatically. This holds true for Inner Shadow too!

Satin

For the Satin layer style, this technique will control the Distance and Angle values of your satin effect. The closer you drag your mouse towards the centre of your object, the greater the Distance value. The Angle value is adjusted according to your mouse position at the perimeter of your object.

Gradient Overlay

For the Gradient Overlay layer style, this controls the "centre of the gradient". Just drag the gradient to set the position of the gradient overlay.

Pattern Overlay

For the Pattern Overlay layer style, this technique sets the offset of the pattern.

For Unsupported Layer Styles…

For layer styles that are not supported by this technique, dragging your mouse out of the dialogue box will pan the layer to adjust the view of the canvas. You can also Zoom In/Zoom Out while in the Layer Style dialogue; just press the CTRL + PLUS SIGN or CTRL + MINUS SIGN combinations to zoom in/zoom out.

Please visit my website, http://www.ps-indepth.com to take a look at my other Photoshop tutorials that discuss essential techniques to help you produce realistic digital art!

Perhaps you have heard about the next new version of Microsoft Windows, called Vista? The Vista operating system has many promises to one great, stable and dynamic operating system. Not only will this operating system have the .Net framework built into the core of the operating system it will also feature some other key communications, user interface and security breakthroughs.

For instance Vista will utilize the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) which will greatly increase the aesthetic value of each application. Perhaps you may be familiar with a website developed with Flash animation software. Now picture the same type of functionality and aesthetics however instead of being restricted to a website format having the freedom to develop the interface so it is a true Windows application. Further, this WPF will allow for much easier and faster deployments of these applications through the use of "one click deployment" technology. If you are familiar with the updater application block and the BITS service then you are already familiar with innovation. However, instead of being some cumbersome application block you will be able to easily deploy these applications with just a few clicks from your development environment.

Secondly the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) will provide a secure and reliable messaging platform which will allow for a new era in the creativity of application developers. This WCF will bring in a new time when true service oriented applications will become commonplace. This will make it much easier to connect businesses to each other and their customers.

The in built security mechanisms will make for a much more secure platform as well. Since this operating system is built around the .Net framework Code Access Security will be much easier to enforce and maintain. Code access security is when the author of the program can specify exactly what the program is allowed to do based upon the role of the user who is accessing the software. This will allow for a much finer grained security mechanism which will make software much more trustworthy by the end user.

Another feature of Vista is called SuperFetch. SuperFetch seems to be a caching mechanism for frequently used files so that the end user experiences fast response times and is not hindered by the background tasks that the operating system is performing. This will greatly speed up and perhaps cause less system crashes thereby making the OS much more stable.

One other great feature of Vista is its use of the sidebar and gadgets. Gadgets are small programs that either you or someone else has created that performs some frequently used task such as viewing the latest weather or traffic information from your desktop. Now this might seem to be a small feature but I am sure the general public will eat this feature up and it is one place where some new innovative software inventions might take place. It might even make managing your life that much easier.

Perhaps the best feature of Vista is its new ability to easily search through and organize your files for later retrieval. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to search my own hard drive for a file that I knew I created but could not remember where I stored it.

Let’s face it Windows XP and Windows 2000 are by now old fashioned. The public needs a new operating system simply because the other’s are beginning to show their age. It is time for an upgrade.

Richard Callaby is a Independent Computer Consultant, Writer, Author, Speaker and Instructor. More articles from this author can be reached at his blog at http://blog.richard-callaby.net

Using professional icons in your application or website can bring a modern and aesthetically pleasing appearance to your product or service. This will not only help you to attract potential customers but also give you that "edge" you need to stand out from your competitors. In an internet age, it’s important that your interface looks professional or your potential buyer might move on without really giving your product a chance to prove itself.

Besides a professional appearance, relevant XP style icons can greatly increase the usability of any software application or website. Icons are just one of the many communication tools you have to guide a user. With good free icons few and far between, professional icon collections are a cost effective investment and can be purchased for just around $100.00.

For an example check out http://www.VirtualLNK.com/icons.asp

Here are some of the groups that would benefit from using professional XP style icons:

Software Developers

Like I said before, your user interface is your user’s "first impression". Your program must look professional if it’s going to sell, making the quality of your interface one of your most powerful and important marketing tools. A program with a bad interface will appear of poor quality no matter how good the functionality is.

Relevant images simplify the user experience and create a sense of comfort for the user by providing them with images that they are already familiar with or can easily identify. Making your program easy to understand and pleasing to the eye can increase sales as well as improve your return customer base.

Making use of free or badly designed icons can lead to numerous headaches along with possible licensing issues when icon designers have found their "not so free" icons are being posted on free sites. With professional icons being so affordable, it’s best to leave icon design up to the professionals.

Web Designers

With so many internet based businesses, your website can make or break the success of your company. Web designers are faced with the challenge of building a website that is both highly useable and visually appealing. With the right icon collection, it’s easy to find common themes that will be readily identifiable by website users. Icons can ease the task of creating navigation and toolbar buttons, and most of all give a unique "personality" to your site.

XP style icons are highly stimulating with their beautiful gradients and 3D appearance. A nicer website means more return visitors and more sales. Professional icons can help your website stand out from the thousands of others selling similar products and services.

Marketing and Documentation Professionals

Marketing and Documentation Professionals can make use of XP style icons in their company brochures, documentation, multimedia presentations, and other marketing materials. Icons can easily spruce up boring text and turn a once simple piece into a colorful and professional looking document. Having unique, professional looking documentation can give you a competitive edge in the eyes of a potential customer.

Finding Quality Icons

So why not look for free icons? Well, if you are one of the many people who have spent countless hours searching all over the internet for good icons, you might already be familiar with a few of these reasons:

They don’t show up well or sometimes not at all.

They are targeted for different operating systems (Mac, BeOS, Beta XP, etc.).

They don’t match in style, color, and are generally inconsistent.

They don’t look professional.

It’s hard to find useful icons that match common functions found in most programs.

Sites often contain viruses and require active-x controls to be installed.

Making professional icons requires expensive tools and true artistic talent, so finding quality ones is not easy; that’s why VirtualLNK has made the process of finding the collections you need as painless as possible.

.NET Developer and avid writer from Orlando, Florida

If you are looking for kids game software then educational value, lasting appeal and value for money are probably high on your list of prerequisites. Before you buy be sure to think of what your kids will like too. High on their agenda will be great graphics, friendly characters and loads of fun ofcourse!

Kids game software is especially designed to making learning fun. With skills like reading, encouraging a relaxed and enjoyable environment from the start, will keep your kids reading for many years to come. Having quality games that they can practice at home and come back to again and again will support their early efforts in preparation for school.

Software for preschool kids largely features popular characters from film and TV that young children can easily relate to. Titles vary in terms of educational value so it is worth checking out some software reviews to check that the content delivers up to your expectations. The best quality software titles will rank highly with both kids and parents, making them winners for all.

Games are divided into three main categories-
-Reading and Phonics
-Problem Solving
-Imagination and Creativity

Exposing your children to a variety of programs and kids software will allow them to grow in confidence and develop their learning skills while also enjoying the fun of playing on the computer. Encouraging them to be curious, ask questions and attempt to solve problems will help to equip them right through their school years.

The place to go for all your games needs for 0-8 year olds is Kids Fun and Games. Educational baby and toddler games, party games, crafts, indoor and outdoor games, festivals and a new buyers guide for child toys and equipment.

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is very popular ERP/MRP applications in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, South Africa, Latin America. Considering high number of new Microsoft Great Plains partners and the desire to subcontract occasional customization, integration and reporting projects, we would like to advise you on Microsoft Great Plains subcontracting guidelines, based on our experience in dealing with Great Plains VARs Candidates for subcontracting:

• Great Plains Dexterity customizations – Dexterity was and still is the IDE and programming language of Great Plains, especially workstation thick interface. However since Microsoft bought Great Plains Software and formed Microsoft Great Plains Business Solutions, later renamed into Microsoft Business Solutions – Dexterity became the candidate to be replaced by C# or VB.Net. The plans are the plans, but the realities of Microsoft Great Plains customization signals that Dexterity will stay another 5-7 years as IDE. However I agree with the strategy that if you are new GP reseller you don’t want to hire Dexterity programmer

• SQL Integration. We see more and more requests for Great Plains integrations with web eCommerce applications, industry specific databases: Freight Forwarding, Distribution, Logistics, Beverages, Jewelry, Furniture, Consignment. Healthcare, etc. The dilemma for the programmer is – should I know all the details of Great Plains table structure model and document workflow – or probably purchase the set of SQL stored procs to help me.

• Integration Manager with VBA/Continuum. These are traditional custom pieces. Integration Manager doesn’t allow you to switch companies during the integration, and so have the work done over night without operator’s involvement

• eConnect – this relatively new SDK from MBS, created primarily for eCommerce developer, has certain restrictions, especially with transferring Sales Order to Invoices and transactions posting. These are the restrictions of Great Plains architecture and to resolve the issue you need set of custom stored procedures

VAR should have some GP customization experience/skills:

• Great Plains Security model. Great Plains allows you to grant access to so-called alternate and modified alternate Microsoft Great Plains forms and reports – this is where you enable our customization to take over standard logic. Please, invest reasonable resources into GP basics, before you get in touch with nation-wide subcontractor

• Central REPORTS.DIC – this is critical to serve mid-size and large clients. Usually you create your custom Sales Order Processing (SOP) invoice form from one of the GP workstations and then place your reports on the server. If you use IT subcontractors – these folks should be trained on installing new Great Plains workstations (or you should insist on working via terminal server/Citrix)

• Remote Support. The best scenario is VPN with remote desktop access (Windows XP Pro or Windows 2000 Pro). VPN will allow SQL Enterprise manager connect over the secured VPN connection. Less desired scenario would be Websession or PCAnywhere.

Good luck with implementation, customization and integration and if you have issues or concerns – we are here to help! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 866-528-0577 or 630-961-5918! help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew is Great Plains specialist in Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) – Microsoft Great Plains, Navision, Microsoft CRM Partner, serving clients in California, Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, Florida, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Russia