When you buy a computer you’ll notice they all come pre-loaded with Microsoft Internet Explorer as the default browser. Everyone knows Bill Gates runs the Internet, right? Wrong! When it comes to browsers for surfing the Web, there are plenty of other choices… if you know where to look for them. So if you thought you were stuck using I.E., let’s have a look at some of your other options.

1) Safari: http://www.Apple.com/safari

Safari is the browser of choice for most Mac users. Faster than Internet Explorer (at least that’s the claim), it contains a built-in Google Search, tabbed interface to browse multiple sites at once, automatic form completion and more. Free to download.

2) Mozilla: http://www.Mozilla.org/products/mozilla1.x/

Also known as "Sea Monkey," Mozilla is open source soft- ware, so it’s free. Mozilla is for Windows,Linux or Mac users. Browse several sites at once with the tabbed interface, block pop up ads and it even includes IRS Chat and a built-in Email client with Spam filters.

3) Opera: http://www.Opera.com

For Windows, Linux and Mac users alike. There are two versions; one free (which is ad supported) or for 39.00, you can lose the ads. Opera is very fast with a built- in email client that includes anti-spam filters. It also contains the usual pop up blockers and a nice little zoom function.

4) OmniWeb: http://omnigroup.com/applications/omniweb

An award-winning Web browser strictly for Mac users. Cost is 29.95. Features include ad blocking, history searching, website change notifications, even speech recognition. This is one powerful piece of software.

5) Netscape Navigator: http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/default.jsp

Although Netscape doesn’t have the market share it enjoyed in the "old days", it’s still alive and well. Netscape 7.1 is based on Mozilla 1.4; both programs are almost identical. Free to download.

6) FireFox: http://www.texturizer.net/firebird

Firefox (aka Firebird) is actually a stripped down version of Mozilla and built for speed. It’s only a browser with no built-in email client, so if you need email you’ll want to download its companion, Thunderbird, at http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird

Those who love Mozilla will find many of the same features here. With Firefox you can block pop ups, customize the toolbars, even change its appearance with the use of themes. For Windows, Linux and Mac users. Free.

These are the heavyweight alternatives to MS Internet Explorer, but if you’re looking for something a bit different you’ll want to take a look at some of these browsers:

1) Avant Browser: http://www.AvantBrowser.com

A tabbed browser that’s really fast and allows you to view multiple websites in a split window interface. Free.

2) SlimBrowser: http://www.FlashPeak.com

A Windows-based browser with a price tag of zero. It’s easy to customize the look of this browser with the use of skins. Includes a spell checker,pop up killers, and a tool for filling in forms. Also includes a language tab for translating different languages.

3) MyIE2: http://www.MyIE2.com

Fashioned after Internet Explorer, this tabbed browser is served up at no charge, but they do ask for donations if you’re feeling especially charitable.

4) NetCaptor: http://www.NetCaptor.com

Built on top of I.E.’s interface (without the security flaws), it’s another tabbed browser for power users. Free version is called "Personal Edition," which contains sponsored ads or you can upgrade to "NetCaptor Pro" for only 29.95.

If you’re not happy with Internet Explorer, or maybe you’re just ready to try something new, download one of these browsers and take "her for a spin." Like a new Car you just meant to take for a "test drive," you may fall in love and decide to keep it permanently. Stranger things have happened!

Merle has been "working" the Net for over 8 years and has a Special Gift just for you. Download my FREE E-book "50 Easy Ways to Promote Your Website". Get your copy now at http://www.WebSiteTrafficPlan.com

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included.

This article is for advanced Microsoft CRM SDK C# developers. It describes the technique of direct SQL programming, when SDK doesn’t have the functionality to do the job.

Introduction. Looks like Microsoft CRM becomes more and more popular, partly because of Microsoft muscles behind it. Now it is targeted to the whole spectrum of horizontal and vertical market clientele. It is tightly integrated with other Microsoft Business Solutions products such as Microsoft Great Plains, Solomon, Navision (the last two in progress).

Here we describe the technique of creating closed activity-email using MS CRM SDK and direct SQL programming.

Imaging something like this. You need to handle incoming email before it is committed to MS Exchange database. You need to analyze if incoming email doesn’t have GUID in its Subject (GUID will allow MS CRM Exchange Connector to move email to Microsoft CRM and attach it to the Contact, Account or Lead) - then you still need to lookup MS CRM in case if one of the accounts, contacts or leads has email address that matches with sender email address - then you need to create closed activity-email in MS CRM, attached to the object and placed into general queue.

How to create MS Exchange handler is outside of the scope, please see this article:

http://www.albaspectrum.com/Customizations_Whitepapers/Dexterity_SQL_VBA_Crystal/ExchangeHandlerExample.htm

Now the code below is classical MS CRM SDK and it will create activity email:

public Guid CreateEmailActivity(Guid userId, int objectType, Guid objectId, string mailFrom, CRMUser crmUser, string subject, string body) {try {log.Debug("Prepare for Mail Activity Creating");// BizUser proxy objectMicrosoft.Crm.Platform.Proxy.BizUser bizUser = new Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Proxy.BizUser();ICredentials credentials = new NetworkCredential(sysUserId, sysPassword, sysDomain);bizUser.Url = crmDir + "BizUser.srf";bizUser.Credentials = credentials;Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Proxy.CUserAuth userAuth = bizUser.WhoAmI();// CRMEmail proxy objectMicrosoft.Crm.Platform.Proxy.CRMEmail email = new Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Proxy.CRMEmail();email.Credentials = credentials;email.Url = crmDir + "CRMEmail.srf";// Set up the XML string for the activitystring strActivityXml = "";strActivityXml += "";strActivityXml += "") + "]]>";strActivityXml += "";strActivityXml += userId.ToString("B") + "";strActivityXml += "";// Set up the XML string for the activity partiesstring strPartiesXml = "";strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += "" + crmUser.GetEmailAddress() + "";strPartiesXml += "" + Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ObjectType.otSystemUser.ToString() + "";strPartiesXml += ""+ crmUser.GetId().ToString("B") + "";strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ACTIVITY_PARTY_TYPE.ACTIVITY_PARTY_TO_RECIPIENT.ToString();strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += "" + mailFrom + "";if (objectType == Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ObjectType.otAccount) {strPartiesXml += "" + Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ObjectType.otAccount.ToString() + "";}else if (objectType == Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ObjectType.otContact) {strPartiesXml += "" + Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ObjectType.otContact.ToString() + "";}else if (objectType == Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ObjectType.otLead) {strPartiesXml += "" + Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ObjectType.otLead.ToString() + "";}strPartiesXml += ""+ objectId.ToString("B") + "";strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ACTIVITY_PARTY_TYPE.ACTIVITY_PARTY_SENDER.ToString();strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += "";strPartiesXml += "";log.Debug(strPartiesXml);// Create the e-mail objectGuid emailId = new Guid(email.Create(userAuth, strActivityXml, strPartiesXml));return emailId;}catch (System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException e) {log.Debug("ErrorMessage: " + e.Message + " " + e.Detail.OuterXml + " Source: " + e.Source);}catch (Exception e) {log.Debug(e.Message + " " + e.StackTrace);}return new Guid();}Our credits to Anna Osborn (so obviously small pocket aquarium goes to her – smile!), she let us know how to close MS CRM Activity://creates the activitystrActivityId = oActivity.Create(userAuth, strXml, activityPartyXml);//closes it as long as the relevant fields are complete oActivity.Close(userAuth, strActivityId, -1);But in any case whatever you find below could help you to do whatever CRM SDK can’t.Now I would like to share the trick with you - there is no method to make this activity closed in MS CRM SDK 1.2 (if somebody knows the one - I owe you small pocket aquarium - smile!). Obviously Microsoft doesn't support if you do direct SQL programming bypassing SDK. However I would say this is not direct objects creation - this is rather flags correction. So here is what we have - this procedure will do the job and make activity closed:public void UpdateActivityCodes(Guid emailId) {try {OleDbCommand command = conn.CreateCommand();command.CommandText = "UPDATE ActivityBase SET DirectionCode = (?), StateCode = (?), PriorityCode = (?) WHERE ActivityId = (?)";command.Prepare();command.Parameters.Add(new OleDbParameter("DirectionCode", Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.EVENT_DIRECTION.ED_INCOMING));command.Parameters.Add(new OleDbParameter("StateCode", Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.ACTIVITY_STATE.ACTS_CLOSED));command.Parameters.Add(new OleDbParameter("PriorityCode", Microsoft.Crm.Platform.Types.PRIORITY_CODE.PC_MEDIUM));command.Parameters.Add(new OleDbParameter("ActivityId", emailId));log.Debug("Prepare to update activity code " + emailId.ToString("B") + " in ActivityBase");command.ExecuteNonQuery();}catch(Exception e) {log.Debug(e.Message + " " + e.StackTrace);}}

Happy customizing! if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Great Plains customization company, based in Chicago, Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, New York, Georgia, Florida, Canada, UK, Australia and having locations in multiple states and internationally , he is Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer; akarasev@albaspectrum.com

In working with providing computer programs that leverage the use of natural language as a means for program command control, one of the first responses some people have is, “You mean I have to type?” The aversion to typing out thoughts to accomplish tasks seems unreasonably daunting for some at first, but when the advantages of using simple concepts are made clear, the method presents many strengths not available in other forms of control.

Using natural language is first and foremost the simplest form of communication used by people to communicate with each other. We do it every day in composing emails, letters, memos, and notes to one another. Unlike the methods we most prevalently use to interact with software programs, using natural thought processes allows us to eliminate much of the symbolic recognition, translation, searching, memorization, and implementation steps needed to convert the human thought processes into mechanical functions. Here is a simple example to illustrate the point. Using current computing methods, suppose you have it in mind to write a letter. The thought impulse to create a letter is simple enough, so now you need to figure out how to get that done. Here are the steps:

1. You decide you want to write a letter.
2. You need to remember what the name of the program is on your computer that you use for writing letters.
3. In the easiest invocation, you search your computer desktop visually to locate the icon symbol that is associated with the software you use to write a letter.
4. When you locate the correct symbol, you double click on the icon to start the word processor program.
5. If you are using a template for your letter, you search for the proper template and click on the document you want to use as the starting point for your composition.
6. With the template now visible, you can begin typing the information you want.

Most people feel these six easy steps are efficient enough to be comfortable with using the computer. However, if you use natural language control concepts to perform the same function, it is possible to accomplish the same task by creating a simple command like “letter” or any variation on this concept command you wish. Once this natural control word is established, typing the word “letter” performs the first five steps in the above process automatically, leaving you with the remaining task of typing your desired text. Simply by thinking, “I want to write a letter,” then typing the word “letter” into an interface, the machine performs all the search, recognition, translation, and implementation steps that would otherwise be left up to you. When this convenience is magnified to work with other things you use your computer to perform, the result is significant improvement in efficiency and simplification of the interactive process.

Some software manufacturers have tried to provide the benefits of this type computer interaction using Voice Recognition (VR) technology. Unfortunately, the limitations associated with implementing, incrementing, and manipulating voice commands have proven to be widely unpopular for the most part. Using VR technology, the computer has problems recognizing user voice commands if the person has a cold or does not speak clearly. This results in the need to repeat some commands multiple times to get the desired results, or recalibrating the software. There are also extra vocal control actions needed when moving through text that make the system more difficult to use. A third difficulty with VR technology is the amount of storage space needed to maintain the vocabulary and information database that makes it work.

I have found that using a simple text entry system for natural language control is the best option presently available. To supplement the text entry function, I have also used an augmentation that allows me to point and click on my desired operation as an additional option for invoking the more sensible commands I create for myself. The degree of organization and more efficient operations achieved by using natural language commands have been measurably more productive than traditional means of computer interaction.

Director of Software Concepts BHO Technologists - LittleTek Center. Please provide a rating for the article to help us determine future content choices.

This is intermediate level SQL scripting article for DB Administrator, Programmer, IT Specialist

Our and Microsoft Business Solutions goal here is to educate database administrator, programmer, software developer to enable them support Microsoft Great Plains for their companies. In our opinion self support is the goal of Microsoft to facilitate implementation of its products: Great Plains, Navision, Solomon, Microsoft CRM. You can do it for your company, appealing to Microsoft Business Solutions Techknowledge database. This will allow you to avoid expensive consultant visits onsite. You only need the help from professional when you plan on complex customization, interface or integration, then you can appeal to somebody who specializes in these tasks and can do inexpensive nation-wide remote support for you.

Let’s look at interest calculation techniques.

Imagine that you are financing institution and have multiple customers in two companies, where you need to predict interest. The following procedure will do the job:

CREATE PROCEDURE AST_Interest_Calculation@Company1 varchar(10), --Great Plains SQL database ID@Company2 varchar(10),@Accountfrom varchar(60),@Accountto varchar(60),@Datefrom datetime,@Dateto datetime--,asdeclare @char39 char --for single quote markdeclare @SDatefrom as varchar(50)declare @SDateto as varchar(50)select @SDatefrom = cast(@Datefrom as varchar(50))select @SDateto = cast(@Dateto as varchar(50))select @char39=char(39)if not exists (select * from dbo.sysobjects where id = object_id(N'[dbo].[AST_INTEREST_TABLE]') and OBJECTPROPERTY(id, N'IsUserTable') = 1)CREATE TABLE [dbo].[AST_INTEREST_TABLE] ([YEAR] [int] NULL ,[MONTH] [int] NULL ,[COMPANYID] [varchar] (4) COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS NOT NULL ,[ACTNUMST] [char] (129) COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS NOT NULL ,[BEGINDATE] [varchar] (19) COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS NOT NULL ,[ENDDATE] [varchar] (19) COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS NOT NULL ,[YEARDEGBALANCE] [numeric](19, 5) NULL ,[BEGBALANCE] [numeric](38, 5) NULL ,[ENDBALANCE] [numeric](38, 5) NULL ,[INTERESTONBALANCE] [numeric](38, 6) NULL ,[INTERESONTRANSACTIONS] [numeric](38,   NULL ,[INTEREST] [numeric](38, 6) NULL ) ON [PRIMARY]exec("delete AST_INTEREST_TABLE where [YEAR] = year("+ @char39 + @Datefrom + @char39 +") and [MONTH]=month("+ @char39 + @Datefrom + @char39 +")insert into AST_INTEREST_TABLEselectyear(X.BEGINDATE) as [YEAR],month(X.BEGINDATE) as [MONTH],X.COMPANYID,X.ACTNUMST,X.BEGINDATE as BEGINDATE,X.ENDDATE as ENDDATE,X.YEARBEGBALANCE as YEARDEGBALANCE,X.YEARBEGBALANCE+X.BEGBALANCE as BEGBALANCE,X.YEARBEGBALANCE+X.ENDBALANCE as ENDBALANCE,X.INTERESTONBALANCE as INTERESTONBALANCE,X.INTERESTONTRANSACTIONS as INTERESONTRANSACTIONS,X.INTERESTONBALANCE+X.INTERESTONTRANSACTIONS as INTEREST--into AST_INTEREST_TABLEfrom(select"+ @char39+ @Company1 + @char39+" as COMPANYID,a.ACTNUMST,"+ @char39 + @Datefrom + @char39 +" as BEGINDATE,"+ @char39 + @Dateto + @char39 +" as ENDDATE,case whenb.PERDBLNC is null then 0else b.PERDBLNCend as YEARBEGBALANCE,sum(casewhen (c.DEBITAMT-c.CRDTAMNT is not null and c.TRXDATE ="+ @char39 + @SDatefrom + @char39 +" and c.TRXDATE =year("+ @char39 + @Datefrom + @char39 +")wherea.ACTNUMST>="+@char39+@Accountfrom+@char39 +"and a.ACTNUMST="+ @char39 + @SDatefrom + @char39 +" and c.TRXDATE =year("+ @char39 + @Datefrom + @char39 +")wherea.ACTNUMST>="+@char39+@Accountfrom+@char39 +"and a.ACTNUMSTgroup bya.ACTNUMST,case whenb.PERDBLNC is null then 0else b.PERDBLNCend,d.USERDEF1) X")

Happy querying and customizing! if you want us to help you - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Great Plains customization company, based in Chicago, Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, New York, Georgia, Florida, Canada, UK, Australia and having locations in multiple states and internationally , he is Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer; akarasev@albaspectrum.com

Introduction

In nursing particularly, absolute competence is a must as patients’ welfare is directly connected to any action or decision that you take. Give the wrong dosage or medication and a patient can be killed. Naturally, this can have devastating consequences so it is absolutely crucial that you take all the precautions in keeping up to date and maintaining your skills.

Dosage calculations are no exception and the reported cases of medication errors on an annual basis is very high. Despite this, many nurses absolutely fear performing calculations of any sort! Why is this? Most likely because the calculations involve a knowledge of maths and maths can be a daunting task - especially if it has been a long time since you studied at school or university.

The reality of the situation however, is not as bleak as it often appears to nurses. To perform dosage calculations you really only need a very basic level of math skills. Basic means a level that really does not exceed primary school: fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios.

But how do you learn and maintain your skills in maths? Well there really are 3 ways:
1> Through a textbook
2> Using Software
3> Hiring a private tutor (which generally requires a lot of money)

1. Textbooks

Learning math from a textbook can be unsettling - often because it brings back memories of a screaming teacher throwing algebra problems in front of you while you anxiously try and avoid looking directly at them just in case they ask you to go to the front of the class and solve the problem in front of all your class mates!

Textbooks can also be notoriously dry and have their own limitations in terms of interactivity and efficiency of learning. They rarely account for people who don’t like (or can’t) read very well and have a limited range of questions.

2. Software

Software has a number of advantages - the main one being the fact that it offers an extremely interactive way to develop your skills without having to open a book. Questions are in the thousands, difficulty levels are included to cater for all skill levels and you receive instant feedback to your answers (without having to look at the back of a textbook for the answer). Further most features are only a simple click away. Repetitive practice suddenly isn’t such a dry chore but more of a personal challenge to beat your best score!

Most Software packages even cater for the computer phobic as they use large buttons and a simple “click on where you want to go system”. Before you know it your math and computer skills will be improving!

In a world in which computer are becoming general household items computer based education is slowly replacing textbook based methods for its many advantages.

3. Private Tutor

Probably best for the wealthy but you will still be referred to a textbook or computer program to develop your skills!

Sue Peters develops Nursing Dosage and Drug Calculations Software.

The Windows Indexing Service provides you with the ability to perform advanced searches on directories located on your computer and on shared directories on the network. The Indexing Service was introduced with IIS (Internet Information Services) and is now installed with Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

The Indexing Service is not started by default on a Windows 2000 professional computer. If you want the Indexing service to start automatically, select "Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administrative Tools" and open the "Computer Management" application. In the left pane of the "Computer Management" window, select "Services", then in the right pane, right-click on "Indexing Service". The "Indexing Services Properties" dialog box will appear.

In the "Indexing Services Properties" dialog box, on the "General" tab select "Automatic" from the "Startup type:" drop-down list. Under "Service stautus:" click on the "Start" button. A flurry of hard disk activity may begin as the Indexing Service builds or updates the index. The Indexing service creates an index (also called a catalog) organized in a way that makes it quick and easy to search. The Indexing Service also records the documents properties, for example its date of creation and last modified date.

The Search application can be accessed by right-clicking on any folder and selecting "Search…" in the popup menu. You can search for file names or you can search for text within files using keywords, or phases. Queries can use wildcards (?, *) and boolean operators (AND OR and NOT). When a user searches an NTFS volume, the Indexing service will return in the results only the files the user has permission to see.

The documents created by most applications contain formatting and control information, for example a webpage contains html tags, a Word document contains rtf tags. The Indexing Service uses filters to extract the content from the formatting and control information. Documents with extensions for which filters are not installed will not be indexed by default. If you want to index everything, open the "Computer Management" application as described above, and select "Services …", then right-click on "Indexing Service" and select "Properties" in the popup menu. In the "Indexing Services Properties" dialog box which appears, on the "Generation" tab, check the checkbox next to "Index Files With Unknown Extensions".

The Indexing service is designed to run continuously and requires no maintenance. After it is setup, it will automatically update the index. When a file changes, the OS sends a change notification to the Indexing Service, causing it to update the index. Folders on remote computers are scanned periodically.

The Windows Indexing Service uses a fair amount of disk space (approximately 30% the amount of the original files). If the shared directories on the network are large, it can consume a considerable portion of the computer’s memory and processor cycles. There are several options for configuring the Indexing Service to improve performance.

To configure the Indexing Service select "Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administrative Tools" and open the "Computer Management" application. In the left pane of the "Computer Management" window, click the plus sign next to "Services and Applications", then right-click on the "Indexing Service" icon. In the popup menu, select "All Tasks | Tune Performance". The "Indexing Service Usage" dialog box will appear.

The "Indexing Service Usage" dialog box provides three radio button options that let Windows set the Indexing Service Performance for you; "Used often", "Used occasionally", and "Never Used". If you want to provide your own custom setting, set the "Customize" radio button and click on the "Customize…" button. The "Desired Performance" dialog box will appear.

The "Desired Performance" dialog box contains two slider controls. The "Indexing" slider control sets how quickly the catalog will be updated. Adjust it to the left to reduce the amount of system resources used to update the catalog. The "Querying" slider control sets how quickly search results will be returned. Adjusting it to the left will reduce the amount of system resources used, but search results will take longer to return.

You can also control the Indexing Service by configuring the specific folders to be indexed. When you click on the "Indexing Service" icon in the "Computer Management" window, the right pane should list a catalog named "System". When you double-click on a catalog, you will find three folders, "Directories", "Properties", and "Query The Catalog".

Note: If Internet Information Server (IIS) is installed on your computer, you should also see a catalog named "Web". The Web catalog scans the C:Inetpub directory.

To add a folder to be indexed, right-click on the "Directories" folder and select "New | Directory" in the popup menu. In the "Add Directory" dialog box that appears, enter the path of the new directory. To remove a folder, left-click on the "Directories" folder to display the list of directories in the right pane. Then left-click on a directory and select "Delete" in the popup menu.

Copyright(C) Bucaro TecHelp.

Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.

About The Author

Stephen Bucaro

To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com. To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp.

Specialists in the IT sphere as well as other people are always potential clients of any software manufacturer. Engineers, accountants, architects, designers, programmers, people who start home-business and other specialists in any sphere today use a computer. But the hardware is not enough in order to work on a PC or Mac. People need software but only a minority can afford buying full versions together with necessary plugins and add-ons. Great if you work in a corporation on in a firm where “everything [software tools] is already installed“. But where is an exit from the situation when you have to buy, say, Windows XP or Mac OS, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and other? Away with questions – let’s look through possible variants of solving this issue:

1) Buy any software you need directly from a manufacturer;
2) use trial versions of a brand-name company software limited in functionality;
3) try to find a similar software tool at a less famous manufacturer;
4) download pirated software from “underground” hacker-sites (illegal);
5) download cheap oem software from manufacturers’ affiliates or third-party suppliers.

The first option requires a “fat purse” of a client. Ideally in order to operate a PC or Mac, to make presentations, write and send letters, watch films, burn data CD’s, listen to music and so on you need to spend thousands of dollars even if you limit yourself in your desires as well as the functions of your computer. A license even for your operating system costs more than 500$. Are you able to afford this? Yes? Then go on and enjoy fully functional brand-name software, receive free periodical updates, get a discount for a later version and receive technical and software support.

Trial versions of software from the great manufacturers like Adobe, Microsoft, Corel and other are available for download free of charge. Though you get a limited functionality and a trial period of working (from 15 till 60 days from the 1st launch), you may then decide whether you really need these programs or not. Trial software is demo programs – no great difference.
The third option is also a possible variant if you say “No” to the first two. Some software tools have open sources and any firm can make their own “brand” and money by a transformation of it. Such software is cheaper than from “the giants” of software development. But the functions are few and the new versions of software come out very rare.

It’s not a secret to anyone anymore that in the Internet you can find everything… This applies even to high cost brand software - you can get it for free! together with viruses, trojans and other harmful programs. Moreover, this is illegal and be ready then to dreadful consequences.

Consider one more option – OEM software. First of all, what is “oem software”? OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer . In general it is 100% fully functional software. But it lacks manuals, promo-discs and bulk-boxes. Consider if you really need them. It may lack live support as well as registration from a manufacturer because the license for this software has “already expired of wasn’t intended for second-hand buyers”. So, you may conclude that firms that sell oem software get it from other sources, not directly from a manufacturer. But where does it come from? Well, for instance, oem software comes from auctions, from special resellers of older versions of software, from other users who do not need this software anymore. That is why it is so cheap. Sometimes the price for oem software is no more than 5-10% of a nominal manufacturer’s price. And at the same time you may be sure that it is really LEGAL though you can’t register it anymore and receive updates, but for such a low sum – it is really marvelous.

Many people sometimes do not believe in legal oem software and they have grounds for it: some web-sites that are selling software products name them oem but in reality they are selling pirated non-working software or trial versions that you may get for free. Beware of such firms!

Mike Zhmudikov is a copywriter of Software Sales Ltd. - the leading oem software store that sells downloadable oem software at the lowest price worldwide.
http://www.ankhsoft.com

Microsoft Great Plains is now standard mid-market ERP application, serving the whole spectrum of businesses. In the case of mid-size business we usually see strong IT team with SQL querying skills plus accounting department is already trained to use Great Plains and needs minimal help in figuring out on how to use new Great Plains version and features. In this situation company may leverage it’s work force strength and minimize ERP application support cost. This is the goal of Microsoft Business Solutions and the philosophy of future computer systems. In this situation - in our opinion - there is no need to have expensive local support when consultants are coming to you on regular basis and spend at least four hours onsite, charging somewhat close to $200 per hour.

Also, please take into consideration the fact that consulting companies have to train new hires to do the job, and formal training should be supplemented with serving to real customer. Below we give you your options to support Great Plains with minimized support cost.

Minimizing upgrade/migration cost. It is not a secret that Microsoft Business Solutions VAR has to maintain it’s cash flow. It is often conflicts with your interests. Have Great Plains partner to trigger you Microsoft promotions on Migrations/Upgrade/Placing you back to enhancement program. Do not succumb to reseller attempt to sell you migration with list price.

Local Partner - is it the best and cost effective way? First, place yourself into local partner shoes. When he is fighting to win your business - he is competing against other local vars - they are using traditional sales&marketing techniques: trade shows, expensive permanent sales people to do cold calls and then presentations onsite. This will drive following hourly consulting rates to the sky. Nationwide small partner usually does its marketing over the internet and this is only few percent of the revenue. Another thing to consider - nationwide partner doesn’t have to come to you and have onsite meeting - it is all done over the phone.

Do you have complex customization? If you do - you need to know that local partners are making substantial revenue on customization upgrade. At the same time they do not specialize in customizations - they have to deal with broad range of issues with their clients. I would guess - you would rather appeal to specialist who is dealing with customizations on the daily basis. The same comment is relevant for upgrade and migration.

Do I need consultant? It is probably good idea to have consultant to do the upgrade. We strongly recommend you to use consultant in the following cases

Good luck in self-support 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

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies – USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, based in Chicago, California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Canada, UK, Australia and having locations in multiple states and internationally (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; akarasev@albaspectrum.com

Imagine opening your appointment calendar software and asking the question, “When did I create my expense report this month?” and then being able to go to your appointment calendar and find the date on the appointment calendar in the monthly view. Hold it! The reason you can find the report on the appointment calendar is not for the reason you might be thinking.

The date the report file was created is not on the calendar because you manually typed it in, no, it is on the calendar because you created the report and attached it to the calendar on that date. Not only is it attached to that date but you can also open it from that date with a simple menu selection!

In following paragraphs, you will learn the details of how this feature works.

First, you click on an appointment calendar date text box. Second, you select from a menu the option: “add an attachment” and then the appointment calendar software opens a dialog box that allows you to browse to the directory when your template file is located and then select it.

The template file is nothing more that an empty or near empty file that you will start with to do your task. In our example the template will be for an expense report.

The appointment calendar software will then make a copy of the template as a “working copy” for you. You can then create your report and save it when you are done. When you need to save it outside of the appointment calendar software management system just open the expense report and perform a “Save As” action.

Once you have created an expense report template, you can use it over and over on other days just by selecting “open template” from the menu.

As you can see, an appointment calendar software program can be more than a passive application if designed with interactivity beyond its traditional borders. You also see that a boost in productivity can be obtained just by giving documents that were traditional organized by directory a new organization which is based on the calendar date it was created. Furthermore, you have a graphically appealing, user friendly interface by which to access your documents which enriches your work experience so that you can get things done quicker and easier.

Olan Butler is the Chief Architect of BHO Technologists, a computer productivity software and service provider http://www.bhotechnologists.com with headquarters in Kansas City. His works also include the Appointment Calendar Software Store and the Kansas City Computer Repair Site.

Security flaws have long plagued Internet Explorer (IE), the market-dominating web browser from Microsoft. IE won the early browser wars, not only because it was free and bundled with Windows, but because it had some features and capabilities that its only real competitor, Netscape, didn’t have. But the behind-the-scenes programming that makes those features possible is the very coding that also leaves wide gaps in IE’s defenses against viruses and malicious scripting. Among several browser alternatives for Windows users, the Opera browser stands out in functionality and integration, and is gaining a wider following as a safer surfing alternative to Internet Explorer.

To be sure, there are other browsers such as the one from Mozilla and their newest release, Firefox. There are several flavors of IE "overlays", which use the core IE programming for web page display, and thus aren’t any safer than the original IE. (You should of course always use anti-virus software to protect your PC, regardless of browser. Many viruses arrive as email attachments, and opening those on a Windows-based PC will cause problems). Among non-IE browsers, it seems to be down to a two-horse race between Mozilla and Opera.

Opera, from Oslo, Norway, based Opera Software ASA, provides many popular features. An integrated email client, contact book, bookmarks with searchable notes, tabbed multiple windows, a built-in password manager, a pop-up blocker, multiple language support, saved sessions, privacy controls, built-in chat, and the ability to read RSS feeds from within Opera mail make the Opera browser a very powerful and worthwhile IE replacement candidate.

Unless you have special need for IE, such as a browser toolbar or web interaction software that you use, there is really no reason not to give Opera a try if you’re worried about safe surfing. While Opera does have a paid version, you can also download a sponsored version (with ads unobtrusively placed in the browser control area), which is free.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.sitetube.com. Visit his website for the latest on planning, building, promoting and maintaining websites.