The role of registry cleaner in ensuring that your PC registry is functioning efficiently always, and hence promoting the smooth running of your tasks on your PC, cannot be overemphasized. Both savvy and newbie PC users now depend largely on this software program for the performance optimization and general maintenance of their personal computers. This is because they have proven the effectiveness of these PC registry repair tools over time.
What to Expect with Registry Cleaners
When you choose and download an effective software program like regcure onto your personal computer, the next thing to do is to run the program and commence the scanning and cleaning process; here's what to expect when you start using the program;
. Quick scanning and cleaning; the process of scanning your computer database for errors and other invalid entries is achieved in less than 10 minutes. In fact some programs will achieve the whole process in a shorter time. PC optimization in a short interval is one of the good attributes of the PC registry repair tools. This means that in ten minutes or less, you can optimize your PC for speed and performance and get back to your work.
. Large number of errors detection: with an effective software program, you can spot almost every error that is found on your computer database; not just spotting them, you will also clean them out instantaneously and restore your computer to its full functioning capacity. Depending on the nature of the corrupted file, you can be offered the option to either repair or remove the corrupted file or data.
. Customer Support: this applies especially to a newbie PC user. If you think you are not confident enough to use this program, you can opt for the one that offers customer support, so that you can receive assistance online when you are stuck while using the program. This will help you maximize the full benefits of the program.
Finally, you should expect a great improvement in speed and general performance of your computer machine after scanning and cleaning its database with a good registry cleaner. Learn more about PC tools and their usage here.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Learning Adobe Photoshop is Easy with Tutorials
So you want to learn Adobe Photoshop. Whether you need it for business, pleasure or to make your photography hobby more tolerable, you'll find a lot of uses for Adobe Photoshop. It is still the premier graphics editing software and has made its mark in print, TV, the internet and even in films. There are plenty of resources you can use: books, magazines, CDs and even online tutorials. It's up to you which one is the most convenient.
Using Adobe Photoshop tutorials
There are two ways you can use Adobe Photoshop tutorials: through step-by-step lessons or leap-frog, buffet style sessions. Which one you choose depends on your aptitude, patience and immediate needs. Say for example, you need to learn how to watermark within 24 hours, you cannot realistically go through the introduction and basics just so you could get to the appropriate lesson. There are Photoshop tutorials that can teach you exactly that, and only that.
However, if you have the time, choose the step-by-step process. It might take you some time to get to the more advanced part, but you'll thank yourself later for making the effort. If you're a little impatient and want to learn tricks right now, no one's stopping you. Here's how to get started:
Go to the main source.
Adobe.com has a page that's dedicated to Photoshop tutorials. There are thousands of tutorials to choose from and for a beginner, it can get a little overwhelming so best head for the 'Basics' first. The site lets you learn what Photoshop can do, walks you through the terms and the menus and then shows you which tools are used for what purpose.
Other sites
CBTcafe.com has a textual tutorial on Photoshop that makes understanding the tools and their functions a lot easier. Check out that tutorial and learn how tools work exactly.
Another site is EyesOnDesign.net. The homepage features a no-frills list of Photoshop tutorials with thumbnails of the results. Learn warping, color tricks, texture and background manipulation and a lot more. You'll love the fact that the site is arranged neatly and there are very few ads that clutter the corners. Makes it easier for you to concentrate on the tutorials and nowhere else.
SoftwareTrainingTutorials.com is a site you'd want to check out if you're looking for Adobe Photoshop lessons in DVDs and CDs. But there are plenty of free tutorials on this site, most of them on video. Get started with the free lessons on the basic functions and operation of Photoshop and advance on tools, selection, masks. Learn layers, vector tools and effects, all online. Tutorials are graduated and you'll learn in increments. If you absorb lessons fast, you should be able to use Adobe Photoshop with ease within one or two weeks' time.
Hidden features
With every Photoshop version released, expect to find more than what you get from the box. Software contains many tweaks and tricks that are usually not found in the most comprehensive instruction manuals. These hidden features can be subtle or plain obvious but you'll find them extremely helpful later when you're pressed for time or if there's a particular editing job that stumps you.
A site that lets you in on the little secrets is CreativeMac.com. The hidden features on this site are for Photoshop 7.0 users but there are lots of tips you can use for higher versions. You'll find the article a good reference later.
Using Adobe Photoshop tutorials
There are two ways you can use Adobe Photoshop tutorials: through step-by-step lessons or leap-frog, buffet style sessions. Which one you choose depends on your aptitude, patience and immediate needs. Say for example, you need to learn how to watermark within 24 hours, you cannot realistically go through the introduction and basics just so you could get to the appropriate lesson. There are Photoshop tutorials that can teach you exactly that, and only that.
However, if you have the time, choose the step-by-step process. It might take you some time to get to the more advanced part, but you'll thank yourself later for making the effort. If you're a little impatient and want to learn tricks right now, no one's stopping you. Here's how to get started:
Go to the main source.
Adobe.com has a page that's dedicated to Photoshop tutorials. There are thousands of tutorials to choose from and for a beginner, it can get a little overwhelming so best head for the 'Basics' first. The site lets you learn what Photoshop can do, walks you through the terms and the menus and then shows you which tools are used for what purpose.
Other sites
CBTcafe.com has a textual tutorial on Photoshop that makes understanding the tools and their functions a lot easier. Check out that tutorial and learn how tools work exactly.
Another site is EyesOnDesign.net. The homepage features a no-frills list of Photoshop tutorials with thumbnails of the results. Learn warping, color tricks, texture and background manipulation and a lot more. You'll love the fact that the site is arranged neatly and there are very few ads that clutter the corners. Makes it easier for you to concentrate on the tutorials and nowhere else.
SoftwareTrainingTutorials.com is a site you'd want to check out if you're looking for Adobe Photoshop lessons in DVDs and CDs. But there are plenty of free tutorials on this site, most of them on video. Get started with the free lessons on the basic functions and operation of Photoshop and advance on tools, selection, masks. Learn layers, vector tools and effects, all online. Tutorials are graduated and you'll learn in increments. If you absorb lessons fast, you should be able to use Adobe Photoshop with ease within one or two weeks' time.
Hidden features
With every Photoshop version released, expect to find more than what you get from the box. Software contains many tweaks and tricks that are usually not found in the most comprehensive instruction manuals. These hidden features can be subtle or plain obvious but you'll find them extremely helpful later when you're pressed for time or if there's a particular editing job that stumps you.
A site that lets you in on the little secrets is CreativeMac.com. The hidden features on this site are for Photoshop 7.0 users but there are lots of tips you can use for higher versions. You'll find the article a good reference later.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Dealing With Popups by Spyware
Are you looking for the easiest and most effective ways for dealing with popups caused by spyware? Popups are a very irritating problem that many computer users, including myself, have had to deal with at some point. These popups are usually caused by online marketing companies who force us to view their advertisements.
These popups are a result of adware and spyware infecting files that we have downloaded from the internet. Fortunately, there are software programs today that can handle this problem easily.
How Your Computer Got Infected with Spyware?
You may have already realized that your PC can get infected by adware and spyware even though you have your virus protection software activated and updated to the latest version. Spyware are specially developed to sneak past antivirus protection and firewalls, thus the typical antivirus program cannot prevent the intrusion of such malicious software.
On top of this detection problem, there are new and more powerful spyware circulating around the web every day. This is why it is necessary to download specialized software that can find and destroy spyware to handle this threat.
What are the Best Ways for Dealing with Popups?
Experienced users may be able to find these spyware programs in their system manually. However, this approach has many drawbacks. First of all, it is very dangerous and may result in the removal or alteration of important system files. Secondly, it is very time consuming and can take up to hours. All in all, this method is not worth the effort.
I would recommend you to download anti spyware / malware software to deal with this problem. This is the approach that I took, and it has worked well for me. The entire repair process took less than 30 minutes, and all the popups that were appearing on my desktop before are all gone now.
These popups are a result of adware and spyware infecting files that we have downloaded from the internet. Fortunately, there are software programs today that can handle this problem easily.
How Your Computer Got Infected with Spyware?
You may have already realized that your PC can get infected by adware and spyware even though you have your virus protection software activated and updated to the latest version. Spyware are specially developed to sneak past antivirus protection and firewalls, thus the typical antivirus program cannot prevent the intrusion of such malicious software.
On top of this detection problem, there are new and more powerful spyware circulating around the web every day. This is why it is necessary to download specialized software that can find and destroy spyware to handle this threat.
What are the Best Ways for Dealing with Popups?
Experienced users may be able to find these spyware programs in their system manually. However, this approach has many drawbacks. First of all, it is very dangerous and may result in the removal or alteration of important system files. Secondly, it is very time consuming and can take up to hours. All in all, this method is not worth the effort.
I would recommend you to download anti spyware / malware software to deal with this problem. This is the approach that I took, and it has worked well for me. The entire repair process took less than 30 minutes, and all the popups that were appearing on my desktop before are all gone now.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Windows Registry Repair Tools - 3 Top Secret Tips to Choose the Right One Revealed
In a vast majority of cases, if a computer has slowed down, then the reason could be attributed to obsolete and error-prone information accumulating in the registry of the PC. The windows registry system, during its every day functioning, saves thousands of files. With so much strain on it, there are times when it gets confused and could save some files wrong. This is what makes computers to run ever so slowly. How do you fix the problem then, could the next obvious question. The answer lies in using windows registry repair tools. These are basically utility software tools that help in cleaning up the registry. Here are some top tips that would help you choose the right repair program from among the various ones available nowadays.
1. The first thing that you need to take care of when choosing from among the different windows registry repair tools is to ensure that the one that you intend to download is actually compatible with your computer's operating system. You would certainly not want to waste time downloading a repair program that does not go hand in hand with your computer's operating system.
2. Whenever choosing from among the various windows registry repair tools make sure that you go in for the one which has a comprehensive scan. A good clean up software should be able to first of all identify and then clean all types of errors that may occur in the registry.
3. You need to do a bit of research whenever searching for windows registry repair tools. You can easily find out about some of them if you were to visit online reviews. You can also find valuable information, as well as get to interact with other users over online forums. You can also find many online vendors offering free scans. They are a good way to judge the ability of registry repair tools, before you opt for the full fledged version.
1. The first thing that you need to take care of when choosing from among the different windows registry repair tools is to ensure that the one that you intend to download is actually compatible with your computer's operating system. You would certainly not want to waste time downloading a repair program that does not go hand in hand with your computer's operating system.
2. Whenever choosing from among the various windows registry repair tools make sure that you go in for the one which has a comprehensive scan. A good clean up software should be able to first of all identify and then clean all types of errors that may occur in the registry.
3. You need to do a bit of research whenever searching for windows registry repair tools. You can easily find out about some of them if you were to visit online reviews. You can also find valuable information, as well as get to interact with other users over online forums. You can also find many online vendors offering free scans. They are a good way to judge the ability of registry repair tools, before you opt for the full fledged version.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Top Tips From a Web Design Company
There is no clear formula for a perfect website. Although Web design companies differ in their approach to design, they agree on key principles that make a successful website. When a company is looking to design their website, a question that often comes to mind is what are the main issues that should be considered? Of course there is no straightforward answer to this question. The needs of every business is different. Website design should reflect the unique needs. Nevertheless certain web design techniques can be applied generally across any website. Some of the key design tips are discussed below.
1: Modern, Professional design.
There are more than 40 million websites in the world and the number is rising. A professionally designed website is essential to present your brand over your competitors. There is nothing worse than an outdated website for your company which cam mis-represent your brand. A professional, clean-cut website is vital for customers to have confidence in a company.
2: Clean-cut design and simple site navigation
The current trend in website design is for a clutter free simple design with a clean cut layout. Sites which are cluttered tend to draw users away. It is important that it not only looks professional but that the information presented is easy to read and understand. Navigation and menu should be prominent and descriptive. A simple but clear menu is often more effective than complex navigation.
3: Consistency in design
Your website's design, layout and colour scheme should be consistent across the different pages. Whilst It is OK to have slight variation between various sections , the overall look and feel should be consistent.
4: Browser compatibility
All pages should appear consistent across different platforms and screen resolutions. Prior to launch your web design company should test the website thoroughly on all major browsers such as Internet explorer, Firefox and Opera. At the least.
5: Focus on website content
Content is the most important aspect of your website. A professional design is essential but it is the content which will ultimately generate enquiries and leads for your business. All content should be professionally written and proof-read. Additionally new relevant content should be added form time to time.
6: Effective use of 'Call to action'
Call to action statements on all your website can greatly improve your website's effectiveness and increase the chances of customer enquiries and leads. 'Call to action' can be anything that encourages action or participation from users e.g. Click here to Enquire or Register for our free newsletter. Many Marketing studies have found that call to action to greatly improve the chances for enquiries and leads.
7: Quick to load
No mater how small or large your company is, the site should be quick to load. Many users access internet via slower connections or on mobile devices where bandwidth and speed is limited. Studies show that a website that takes longer that a few seconds to load can drive customers away to competitors.
8: Get Ideas from competitors
Analyzing and learning from competitors is probably the best way to find how you can improve your website. It is easy to search for competitors in your industry using search engines. Researching other businesses can offer inspiration as well as help identify areas for improvement.
For more information and full discussion on web design please visit web design company blog.
1: Modern, Professional design.
There are more than 40 million websites in the world and the number is rising. A professionally designed website is essential to present your brand over your competitors. There is nothing worse than an outdated website for your company which cam mis-represent your brand. A professional, clean-cut website is vital for customers to have confidence in a company.
2: Clean-cut design and simple site navigation
The current trend in website design is for a clutter free simple design with a clean cut layout. Sites which are cluttered tend to draw users away. It is important that it not only looks professional but that the information presented is easy to read and understand. Navigation and menu should be prominent and descriptive. A simple but clear menu is often more effective than complex navigation.
3: Consistency in design
Your website's design, layout and colour scheme should be consistent across the different pages. Whilst It is OK to have slight variation between various sections , the overall look and feel should be consistent.
4: Browser compatibility
All pages should appear consistent across different platforms and screen resolutions. Prior to launch your web design company should test the website thoroughly on all major browsers such as Internet explorer, Firefox and Opera. At the least.
5: Focus on website content
Content is the most important aspect of your website. A professional design is essential but it is the content which will ultimately generate enquiries and leads for your business. All content should be professionally written and proof-read. Additionally new relevant content should be added form time to time.
6: Effective use of 'Call to action'
Call to action statements on all your website can greatly improve your website's effectiveness and increase the chances of customer enquiries and leads. 'Call to action' can be anything that encourages action or participation from users e.g. Click here to Enquire or Register for our free newsletter. Many Marketing studies have found that call to action to greatly improve the chances for enquiries and leads.
7: Quick to load
No mater how small or large your company is, the site should be quick to load. Many users access internet via slower connections or on mobile devices where bandwidth and speed is limited. Studies show that a website that takes longer that a few seconds to load can drive customers away to competitors.
8: Get Ideas from competitors
Analyzing and learning from competitors is probably the best way to find how you can improve your website. It is easy to search for competitors in your industry using search engines. Researching other businesses can offer inspiration as well as help identify areas for improvement.
For more information and full discussion on web design please visit web design company blog.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Best Registry Cleaner For 2010
Unfortunately, many registry cleaners will be unable to work very well in 2010, making it essential that you get the best one for your PC. The problem is that since registry cleaners fix a delicate part of Windows, you really need to get the most out of it by using a good tool, and with all the new software coming out in 2010, you need a tool which can take care of business.
The problem many cleaners have is the way they work. You need to be sure that your registry tool is going to be able to fix the most issues on your PC, and unfortunately, many cleaners are unable to work very well with all the latest 2010 problems. Registry cleaners work by scanning and cleaning out a part of your system called the 'registry'. This is a big database which stores the information and settings for all the software on your PC. It's basically like a big memory for your system, allowing Windows to remember a lot of your personalized settings.
Unfortunately, the registry is prone to getting corrupt and damaged from overuse, making Windows slow down and have constant errors as it takes longer to process the settings it needs. Registry cleaners fix this issue by going through all the parts of the registry and removing any of the issues that are in there.... however, one of the big problems with 2010 is that since there are a lot of new software packages coming out, there's going to be a lot of new registry issues that are going to arise. This means that you need to use a registry cleaner which can work quickly and effectively to remove all the latest issues, leaving the healthy parts of the registry behind.
There are a handful of tools which work well like this, but having used a lot of cleaners in the past, we've found that only the ones which are constantly kept up to date, are the ones which can work well with all the latest problems. And having used a lot of these cleaners, we've found that there's one called "RegAce" which seems to be at the cutting-edge of development, as it performed the best on our test PC's.
The problem many cleaners have is the way they work. You need to be sure that your registry tool is going to be able to fix the most issues on your PC, and unfortunately, many cleaners are unable to work very well with all the latest 2010 problems. Registry cleaners work by scanning and cleaning out a part of your system called the 'registry'. This is a big database which stores the information and settings for all the software on your PC. It's basically like a big memory for your system, allowing Windows to remember a lot of your personalized settings.
Unfortunately, the registry is prone to getting corrupt and damaged from overuse, making Windows slow down and have constant errors as it takes longer to process the settings it needs. Registry cleaners fix this issue by going through all the parts of the registry and removing any of the issues that are in there.... however, one of the big problems with 2010 is that since there are a lot of new software packages coming out, there's going to be a lot of new registry issues that are going to arise. This means that you need to use a registry cleaner which can work quickly and effectively to remove all the latest issues, leaving the healthy parts of the registry behind.
There are a handful of tools which work well like this, but having used a lot of cleaners in the past, we've found that only the ones which are constantly kept up to date, are the ones which can work well with all the latest problems. And having used a lot of these cleaners, we've found that there's one called "RegAce" which seems to be at the cutting-edge of development, as it performed the best on our test PC's.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Linux Commands Training - Linux Classroom Training Tips - How to Avoid the Classroom Blues
Linux classroom training is an extremely expensive way of getting Linux commands training. And there are many different vendors that offer this training.
In some rare cases, there is some classroom training that is reasonably priced, but most of it is very expensive due to the overpriced "brand names" of some training vendors.
Linux Classroom Training Selection Tips - How NOT To Get Overcharged For Classroom Training
Here are some things to watch out for and be aware of - when selecting a Linux training vendor.
Prior to booking your classroom training, call several vendors and get this information:
he classroom trainer's "experience level" and "teaching level"
does your potential Instructor know how to teach Linux?
can he or she explain concepts so that you can easily understand them?
he length of the course: in number of days, hours per day, and all of the other classroom training costs, including training materials (Linux books, CDs, DVDs and so on)
he name of the training materials being used
are they using custom-created course materials or an off-the-shelf Linux book?
are they just using a textbook or are they using other training methods, such as Linux videos
he classroom "training time" schedule
how much of your classroom time is the Instructor lecturing on Linux concepts, and how much time on hands-on exercises, such as labs
how much time on "other" activities - such as video presentations?
he "level" of training being offered - be very careful here!
is this intro, intermediate, or advanced training?
is there a refund policy if the class doesn't run, or if you can't make it, or if it's so bad you can hardly stand it!
is there no-questions-asked moneyback guarantee?
and if so, is it a full credit, or just a credit towards the same (not very good) Linux classroom training again?
In some rare cases, there is some classroom training that is reasonably priced, but most of it is very expensive due to the overpriced "brand names" of some training vendors.
Linux Classroom Training Selection Tips - How NOT To Get Overcharged For Classroom Training
Here are some things to watch out for and be aware of - when selecting a Linux training vendor.
Prior to booking your classroom training, call several vendors and get this information:
he classroom trainer's "experience level" and "teaching level"
does your potential Instructor know how to teach Linux?
can he or she explain concepts so that you can easily understand them?
he length of the course: in number of days, hours per day, and all of the other classroom training costs, including training materials (Linux books, CDs, DVDs and so on)
he name of the training materials being used
are they using custom-created course materials or an off-the-shelf Linux book?
are they just using a textbook or are they using other training methods, such as Linux videos
he classroom "training time" schedule
how much of your classroom time is the Instructor lecturing on Linux concepts, and how much time on hands-on exercises, such as labs
how much time on "other" activities - such as video presentations?
he "level" of training being offered - be very careful here!
is this intro, intermediate, or advanced training?
is there a refund policy if the class doesn't run, or if you can't make it, or if it's so bad you can hardly stand it!
is there no-questions-asked moneyback guarantee?
and if so, is it a full credit, or just a credit towards the same (not very good) Linux classroom training again?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Choosing the Best Free Registry Cleaner For You
Computer on the fritz? It might be time for a good cleaning of your Windows registry! If your computer has been acting up lately and doing things such as giving you error messages, crashing or just plain running poorly then cleaning your Windows registry can be all it takes to solve your problem. In this article, you will learn how to chose the best free registry cleaner for you so that you can solve those problems quickly and easily.
What to look for in a registry cleaner depends on you and your situation. Most registry cleaners offer similar features. Some registry cleaners have extra settings and functions that can be helpful in doing an overall optimization to your PC. I particularly like how RegCure and a couple of others that provide a startup editor to control what launches automatically with Windows. That alone saves me time every reboot because it prevents Windows from opening up unnecessary programs that just eat system resources and memory.
If you are more technically savvy, you should look at things like the level of configuration. You will probably be less interested in a wizard style user interface yet more interested in how many settings are available. There are registry cleaners available that cater to your needs and offer the ability to preform and tweak many functions.
On the other hand, if you are less computer inclined you will be more interested in a registry cleaner which presents an easy wizard interface. These are by far the most common and popular type of registry cleaner and for good reason. A quality free registry scanner or cleaner will walk you through the process step by step and the results are great. These types are ideal for most users.
In the end the only way to know if a free registry cleaner is the best choice for you is to try it. I recommend that you download the free trial offered by most reputable software vendors and give your computer a scan. If you like the interface and all goes smoothly, you know you have found a winner. If it's not the right fit, you can simply uninstall and try another.
What to look for in a registry cleaner depends on you and your situation. Most registry cleaners offer similar features. Some registry cleaners have extra settings and functions that can be helpful in doing an overall optimization to your PC. I particularly like how RegCure and a couple of others that provide a startup editor to control what launches automatically with Windows. That alone saves me time every reboot because it prevents Windows from opening up unnecessary programs that just eat system resources and memory.
If you are more technically savvy, you should look at things like the level of configuration. You will probably be less interested in a wizard style user interface yet more interested in how many settings are available. There are registry cleaners available that cater to your needs and offer the ability to preform and tweak many functions.
On the other hand, if you are less computer inclined you will be more interested in a registry cleaner which presents an easy wizard interface. These are by far the most common and popular type of registry cleaner and for good reason. A quality free registry scanner or cleaner will walk you through the process step by step and the results are great. These types are ideal for most users.
In the end the only way to know if a free registry cleaner is the best choice for you is to try it. I recommend that you download the free trial offered by most reputable software vendors and give your computer a scan. If you like the interface and all goes smoothly, you know you have found a winner. If it's not the right fit, you can simply uninstall and try another.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Benefits of the Micro Niche Finder Tool
Introduction
Micro Niche Finder Tool is an effective way in which you can bring a huge amount of traffic to your site. In addition, it does not require greater skills to use this tool.
Micro Niche Finder Tool
Micro Niche Finder Tool has plenty of benefits if you are committed to generate huge income in online marketing. This simple research tool is easy to use and it has the potential to generate huge traffic to your website even if you are new to this field. The tool not only benefits you in the process of finding profitable niche market but also helps you to find untapped keywords that are essential in search engine optimization.
Most of the common people in online marketing commit the mistake of introducing the product that has less or no demand. The most demanding products or services will definitely sell a lot and generate huge profits. Hence, it is important to find profitable niche markets where you can easily sell your products. Do not worry since Micro Niche Finder Tool is there to assist you in finding the profitable markets.
Google is regarded as the most powerful search engine in recent days. The best thing about Micro Niche Finder Tool is that it works to great effect with Google search engine. There is a great demand for keyword tools to locate keyword phrases that are unexploited and can generate traffic with as little competition as possible. The process is time consuming and it is not possible to do it on your own. The tool enables you to type a keyword and in turn provide you with huge list of related matches. Finding the right keyword phrase means you are on the right path.
A well-defined marketing plan always plays a major role in online marketing. Many smart businesspersons that realize the importance of niche marketing have used Micro Niche Finder Tool to great effect. They have not only made their name in the online marketing world but have gained huge profits by using this powerful tool. Many small online businesses have failed to achieve success because they neglect the importance of finding profitable niche market. The correct marketing strategy is a skill and must be targeted towards specific audience with specific needs and interests.
Conclusion
Micro Niche Finder Tool is powerful software to make money on the internet by using the two-step process, i.e. Divert and Convert. Whether you are creating AdSense content page, which pays you ad revenue, or searching for niche market to sell your products and services, the tool can help you to make money online in the best possible way.
Micro Niche Finder Tool is an effective way in which you can bring a huge amount of traffic to your site. In addition, it does not require greater skills to use this tool.
Micro Niche Finder Tool
Micro Niche Finder Tool has plenty of benefits if you are committed to generate huge income in online marketing. This simple research tool is easy to use and it has the potential to generate huge traffic to your website even if you are new to this field. The tool not only benefits you in the process of finding profitable niche market but also helps you to find untapped keywords that are essential in search engine optimization.
Most of the common people in online marketing commit the mistake of introducing the product that has less or no demand. The most demanding products or services will definitely sell a lot and generate huge profits. Hence, it is important to find profitable niche markets where you can easily sell your products. Do not worry since Micro Niche Finder Tool is there to assist you in finding the profitable markets.
Google is regarded as the most powerful search engine in recent days. The best thing about Micro Niche Finder Tool is that it works to great effect with Google search engine. There is a great demand for keyword tools to locate keyword phrases that are unexploited and can generate traffic with as little competition as possible. The process is time consuming and it is not possible to do it on your own. The tool enables you to type a keyword and in turn provide you with huge list of related matches. Finding the right keyword phrase means you are on the right path.
A well-defined marketing plan always plays a major role in online marketing. Many smart businesspersons that realize the importance of niche marketing have used Micro Niche Finder Tool to great effect. They have not only made their name in the online marketing world but have gained huge profits by using this powerful tool. Many small online businesses have failed to achieve success because they neglect the importance of finding profitable niche market. The correct marketing strategy is a skill and must be targeted towards specific audience with specific needs and interests.
Conclusion
Micro Niche Finder Tool is powerful software to make money on the internet by using the two-step process, i.e. Divert and Convert. Whether you are creating AdSense content page, which pays you ad revenue, or searching for niche market to sell your products and services, the tool can help you to make money online in the best possible way.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The "What Is" and "How To" When You Compare PDF Files
Since the Portable Document File or PDF was created, it has been used by many for their convenience and for a more sophisticated appearance on their document presentations. May it be a school paper, dissertations, thesis, or term and research papers; they can now be modified and manipulated like a Word document. Now, to compare PDF, especially for several pages of files, a tool is really essential.
This PDF comparing tool is found very helpful and makes it possible for you to compare two electronic files via word by word, by keywords, by characters, or by other aspects. For bigger PDF documents, like in formal school papers, comparing two files without using a tool like this can really be a huge pain. You will most likely be spending your time reading the whole time and checking out both files manually. But if you have this tool, you can easily spot the changes made in the documents you are comparing.
What else can you find out when you are using this comparing tool? You can also tell the differences and similarities of documents with common ancestors or two versions, and also unrelated documents. Just think about this, if you are a university professor working on around twenty or thirty students' dissertations or theses, going over them for analysis and comparison just might blow you out of your mind. By just looking at both files side by side and browsing them would actually make you miss out on some details your normal seeing naked eye would ever see.
For some updated comparison tools with more features, they not only compare individual documents, but also folders and subfolders containing the same file name. Some tools scan folder contents and searches for similar filenames then compares them as well. By having this comparison tool, your job will be easier than ever because it does an accurate comparative analysis procedure needed, like searching for modifications, verifying correct changes, and knowing the document's highlights and focus.
How do you compare them? Well, it is really simple and the steps are easy to follow. Once you have downloaded or installed the tool onto your computer, simply run it and open the program. Then click the "New Comparison" button and select which type of comparison you would like - word by word, character by character, or by keywords. Then, open the specific file that you would like to compare on both sides of the blank space provided. When the files are opened, hit the "Compare" button and you will see highlighted parts for similarities according to your selected type of comparison. Sounds pretty easy, right?
The basic step in comparing is user-friendly and can be learned in less than five minutes. However, for more advanced features, like comparing folders with PDF and analyzing comparative reports, this may take you some time to get the hang of it. Everything is recorded and the tool will provide you a history in some changes you made in each file, as well as the comparisons you have made in case you need to check them for references.
Start saving your time from browsing endlessly on hundreds of pages as you compare PDF documents by looking for the tool that fits your needs. Indeed, the more time you save from work, the more time you can relax afterward.
This PDF comparing tool is found very helpful and makes it possible for you to compare two electronic files via word by word, by keywords, by characters, or by other aspects. For bigger PDF documents, like in formal school papers, comparing two files without using a tool like this can really be a huge pain. You will most likely be spending your time reading the whole time and checking out both files manually. But if you have this tool, you can easily spot the changes made in the documents you are comparing.
What else can you find out when you are using this comparing tool? You can also tell the differences and similarities of documents with common ancestors or two versions, and also unrelated documents. Just think about this, if you are a university professor working on around twenty or thirty students' dissertations or theses, going over them for analysis and comparison just might blow you out of your mind. By just looking at both files side by side and browsing them would actually make you miss out on some details your normal seeing naked eye would ever see.
For some updated comparison tools with more features, they not only compare individual documents, but also folders and subfolders containing the same file name. Some tools scan folder contents and searches for similar filenames then compares them as well. By having this comparison tool, your job will be easier than ever because it does an accurate comparative analysis procedure needed, like searching for modifications, verifying correct changes, and knowing the document's highlights and focus.
How do you compare them? Well, it is really simple and the steps are easy to follow. Once you have downloaded or installed the tool onto your computer, simply run it and open the program. Then click the "New Comparison" button and select which type of comparison you would like - word by word, character by character, or by keywords. Then, open the specific file that you would like to compare on both sides of the blank space provided. When the files are opened, hit the "Compare" button and you will see highlighted parts for similarities according to your selected type of comparison. Sounds pretty easy, right?
The basic step in comparing is user-friendly and can be learned in less than five minutes. However, for more advanced features, like comparing folders with PDF and analyzing comparative reports, this may take you some time to get the hang of it. Everything is recorded and the tool will provide you a history in some changes you made in each file, as well as the comparisons you have made in case you need to check them for references.
Start saving your time from browsing endlessly on hundreds of pages as you compare PDF documents by looking for the tool that fits your needs. Indeed, the more time you save from work, the more time you can relax afterward.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Why Your Windows XP is Giving You Problems, And the Secret to Fixing it Fast
Is your Windows XP giving you problems with its speed and performance? Unless you can pinpoint the cause as being viral, it might be something to do with your registry.
Every Windows Operating System has a registry, and when you start to experience slow downs, then it could be because of a registry that is full up or corrupted. If it is full, then it is only a matter of deleting files, right? Wrong! If you delete the wrong files, you could end up with a hard, cold, useless PC that needs reformatting.
If it is due to a corrupt registry, then all you need to do is reformat, right? Wrong, again! Why spend $100 on having your computer repaired when you can spend a one-time registry software fee of less than $30, and let the software fix your registry problems. Furthermore, you get to keep the registry repair software, and keep using it every so often so that you will never have to bog down due to a faulty registry.
Consider playing it smart this time. Be more in tune with the needs of your computer, know the software that is needed to maintain it in good working order, and be independent of computer shops and technicians that enjoy charging you an arm and a leg every couple of months. It's freedom from not knowing, but now that you do know - you're going to be in great shape, and less inclined to fork out money for expensive repairs.
Every Windows Operating System has a registry, and when you start to experience slow downs, then it could be because of a registry that is full up or corrupted. If it is full, then it is only a matter of deleting files, right? Wrong! If you delete the wrong files, you could end up with a hard, cold, useless PC that needs reformatting.
If it is due to a corrupt registry, then all you need to do is reformat, right? Wrong, again! Why spend $100 on having your computer repaired when you can spend a one-time registry software fee of less than $30, and let the software fix your registry problems. Furthermore, you get to keep the registry repair software, and keep using it every so often so that you will never have to bog down due to a faulty registry.
Consider playing it smart this time. Be more in tune with the needs of your computer, know the software that is needed to maintain it in good working order, and be independent of computer shops and technicians that enjoy charging you an arm and a leg every couple of months. It's freedom from not knowing, but now that you do know - you're going to be in great shape, and less inclined to fork out money for expensive repairs.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Data Integration Options For SaaS Vendors
As Software as a Service (SaaS) adoption has grown exponentially over the last few years, many customers using hosted applications have started asking the SaaS application vendors to provide data integration and connectivity capabilities. For various reasons, mainly driven by business needs, customers are looking to tightly integrate their data in the SaaS app with their on-premises back-end systems and databases.
In recent months companies have encountered an increasing demand from our customers for easy, fast and flexible SaaS integration solutions. Primarily these have centered around integration requirements from customers using Salesforce and NetSuite applications but now we see other SaaS apps as well as the whole market experiences growing adoption.
We have had numerous discussions with a number of SaaS vendors who are looking at how should they approach this whole issue of integration. It definitely seems to surprise the SaaS companies as they have mainly focused on creating the best, feature-rich application they could and have not given much thought to integrating the customer data with their internal systems.
Here are the key elements of advice we offer to these SaaS vendors:
? As with any other business issue, approach SaaS Integration as a STRATEGY and not a tactic.
? This means have an end goal in mind in terms of where you want to be with your integration capabilities and address the immediate customer need in a way (tactic) that puts you on path for that end goal.
? Address this need and grow your capabilities in an incremental but multi-phased approach.
? Bring in the experts since Integration is tough, difficult and complex.
In terms of options available to SaaS vendors are :
? Option A: SaaS vendor provides integration services
? Option B: SaaS vendor publishes XML/Web Services interface
? Option C: SaaS vendor refers customers to Certified Partners
In recent months companies have encountered an increasing demand from our customers for easy, fast and flexible SaaS integration solutions. Primarily these have centered around integration requirements from customers using Salesforce and NetSuite applications but now we see other SaaS apps as well as the whole market experiences growing adoption.
We have had numerous discussions with a number of SaaS vendors who are looking at how should they approach this whole issue of integration. It definitely seems to surprise the SaaS companies as they have mainly focused on creating the best, feature-rich application they could and have not given much thought to integrating the customer data with their internal systems.
Here are the key elements of advice we offer to these SaaS vendors:
? As with any other business issue, approach SaaS Integration as a STRATEGY and not a tactic.
? This means have an end goal in mind in terms of where you want to be with your integration capabilities and address the immediate customer need in a way (tactic) that puts you on path for that end goal.
? Address this need and grow your capabilities in an incremental but multi-phased approach.
? Bring in the experts since Integration is tough, difficult and complex.
In terms of options available to SaaS vendors are :
? Option A: SaaS vendor provides integration services
? Option B: SaaS vendor publishes XML/Web Services interface
? Option C: SaaS vendor refers customers to Certified Partners
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Best Registry Cleaner
With so many registry cleaner tools floating around, you'd be forgiven for being confused about which one is the best. All the stories of "registry nightmares" certainly don't help your decision, which means that it's important to be able to trust and rely on the best cleaner for the job...
The registry has long been nicknamed the "Achilles Heel of Windows" because of it's ability to cause a lot of computer problems on your system. In case you don't know - the registry is basically a big database which lies at the center of Windows, storing all the settings and options for your computer. It's best described as a software "memory", allowing Windows to remember everything from which desktop items you have to which programs should load at boot. After it's introduction in Windows '98, it was quickly discovered that the registry isn't the most reliable or effective way to store your computer settings (which were all previously stored in a series of INI files).
Basically, the big problem is that because the registry database is 1 central object, if it gets damaged in any way, it causes problems for your whole computer. Windows is constantly using 100's of registry files to tell it all sorts of things, and every day, a handful of those files are mistakenly saved in the wrong way, making them extremely hard for your computer to read. This makes your computer have to take longer to read the files it needs, slowing it down and causing errors. With 1000's of damaged registry files in your typical computer, it's actually one of the biggest reasons why computers slow down & get errors.
To fix this problem, registry cleaners have been invented to keep the registry database in tip-top condition. They work by scanning through every registry file and then fixing, deleting or replacing any files that are causing trouble. Good registry cleaners can work wonders for your computer, but bad cleaners can cause a lot of damage. Because the registry holds so many important files and information, you need to be extremely careful when fixing it, because if you delete the wrong file, your computer could end up ruined, leaving you with a $100's repair bill.
We always use the best registry cleaner, because we are sure that this cleaner is not going to do any more damage to our computer and will find the most problems... and in our eyes, that cleaner is one called RegAce. RegAce was only released earlier this year, but it's already become one of the most popular and well-known registry cleaners on the market. It's popularity exploded thanks to its unique features, such as an intelligent scanning engine (which finds and fixes more problems than any other cleaner) and a complete backup facility (which protects your computer from any accidental damage).
The registry has long been nicknamed the "Achilles Heel of Windows" because of it's ability to cause a lot of computer problems on your system. In case you don't know - the registry is basically a big database which lies at the center of Windows, storing all the settings and options for your computer. It's best described as a software "memory", allowing Windows to remember everything from which desktop items you have to which programs should load at boot. After it's introduction in Windows '98, it was quickly discovered that the registry isn't the most reliable or effective way to store your computer settings (which were all previously stored in a series of INI files).
Basically, the big problem is that because the registry database is 1 central object, if it gets damaged in any way, it causes problems for your whole computer. Windows is constantly using 100's of registry files to tell it all sorts of things, and every day, a handful of those files are mistakenly saved in the wrong way, making them extremely hard for your computer to read. This makes your computer have to take longer to read the files it needs, slowing it down and causing errors. With 1000's of damaged registry files in your typical computer, it's actually one of the biggest reasons why computers slow down & get errors.
To fix this problem, registry cleaners have been invented to keep the registry database in tip-top condition. They work by scanning through every registry file and then fixing, deleting or replacing any files that are causing trouble. Good registry cleaners can work wonders for your computer, but bad cleaners can cause a lot of damage. Because the registry holds so many important files and information, you need to be extremely careful when fixing it, because if you delete the wrong file, your computer could end up ruined, leaving you with a $100's repair bill.
We always use the best registry cleaner, because we are sure that this cleaner is not going to do any more damage to our computer and will find the most problems... and in our eyes, that cleaner is one called RegAce. RegAce was only released earlier this year, but it's already become one of the most popular and well-known registry cleaners on the market. It's popularity exploded thanks to its unique features, such as an intelligent scanning engine (which finds and fixes more problems than any other cleaner) and a complete backup facility (which protects your computer from any accidental damage).
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tips For Choosing Questions For Your Survey Software
Designing the questions is the most important part of any survey, whether it is a traditional survey or one that uses survey software. The following article is an attempt to provide you some tips on designing a successful questionnaire.
Consider the Goal of the Survey:
The most important thing is to be aware of the objective of the survey so that you can plan the questions accordingly.
Use Easy Language:
Your survey participants may come from various educational backgrounds, so it is better to use simple and easy to understand language for the survey questions.
Keep Open Ended Questions to a Minimum:
Although open-ended questions allow the survey participant to give a more detailed explanation for the answer without any constraints, it is preferable to keep such questions to a minimum. The reason is that open-ended questions are time consuming, and too many is not advisable for a survey form.
Avoid Biased Questions that Lead to the Answer:
The goal of your questions should be to get the actual view of the customer. You should not add biased questions that try to get an answer that you personally prefer getting from the survey participant.
Avoid merging two Questions into One:
Sometimes people use confusing double-barreled questions. For example: "How much are you willing to spend on a TV and a CD player?" This question is baffling because it expects one answer for two questions. Instead, two different questions can be asked for precise answers.
Keep your Questionnaire as Brief as Possible:
See that you include only questions that can extract useful information for improving your products and services. If you are using multiple choice questions, make sure that you use only a few choices to keep it simple.
Consider the Goal of the Survey:
The most important thing is to be aware of the objective of the survey so that you can plan the questions accordingly.
Use Easy Language:
Your survey participants may come from various educational backgrounds, so it is better to use simple and easy to understand language for the survey questions.
Keep Open Ended Questions to a Minimum:
Although open-ended questions allow the survey participant to give a more detailed explanation for the answer without any constraints, it is preferable to keep such questions to a minimum. The reason is that open-ended questions are time consuming, and too many is not advisable for a survey form.
Avoid Biased Questions that Lead to the Answer:
The goal of your questions should be to get the actual view of the customer. You should not add biased questions that try to get an answer that you personally prefer getting from the survey participant.
Avoid merging two Questions into One:
Sometimes people use confusing double-barreled questions. For example: "How much are you willing to spend on a TV and a CD player?" This question is baffling because it expects one answer for two questions. Instead, two different questions can be asked for precise answers.
Keep your Questionnaire as Brief as Possible:
See that you include only questions that can extract useful information for improving your products and services. If you are using multiple choice questions, make sure that you use only a few choices to keep it simple.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tips For Buying PC Tattletale Parental Control Software
When you are considering buying the greatest parental control tool you could possibly find on the Internet, PC Tattletale, you simply cannot miss out the tips written in this article. This article is meant to give you some tips so that you get the best value out of the purchase and make the best decision before you really invest, even though the price of the software is less than fifty dollars. At the end of this article, you will be able to adopt the traits of the wise decision maker.
The first tip is more like an advice and you are encouraged to buy PC Tattletale when you really need it. Although this piece of software is intended to protect your kids from the harmful activities over the Internet, it is not a must or necessary for parents to have one. If you know so well and are confident to know that your children are clean with what they are doing online, then this probably is not the software for you. However, if you are the kind of protective parent, which is not a bad thing, would like to monitor every move of your children's online activities, then this software is for you. Make sure you make wise decisions when deciding to buy because when it is not dealt properly, it would damage the relationship between you and your children. Some users of PC Tattletale talk to their children openly about their purpose in buying the software and they receive very positive and healthy responses.
The second tip will help you to get a 50% discount off if you qualify to be one. PC Tattletale has an offer that is called Competitive Upgrade where you can actually get an upgrade at 50% off when you have already purchased some other parental control softwares with registered version. Currently, you are automatically qualified for a 50% discount if you have bought Spector Soft, Eblaster, Guardian Monitor, IamBigBrother, SafeEyes, CyberPatrol, IProtectYou, SentryPC, NetNanny, AYE Software, Kidswatcher, SpyAgent, ContentProtect, CyberSitter, Snitch, Desktop Scout, Cyber Sentinel, KidControl and CSWeb. Unfortunately, if you have not bought any of those mentioned above or any of the parental control tool, then you will have to buy the software at the full price.
The third tip for buying PC Tattletale is this. If you are considering buying an Internet filtering program, you can just forget about it and invest the extra money in PC Tattletale. In case you do not know, filtering programs can only help you to block certain websites where some of the users of your computer will not be able to access to certain unintended sites. If you want to do more than just blocking a few websites for your children and do a thorough investigation on what they are doing online, even offline, then you might as well just invest in this piece of software. Internet filtering is only one of the many features that are provided by PC Tattletale and in addition, you can also track their email conversations, chatroom conversations, MySpace network of friends and software monitoring. With these features provided, you can be sure that you are able to track their every single move throughout the entire usage of the computer.
Now that you already have the tips for buying PC Tattletale and the next step is really left for you to explore more about it. These tips written are meant to help you to get the best value out of this software and only the best decision makers know how to utilise them.
The first tip is more like an advice and you are encouraged to buy PC Tattletale when you really need it. Although this piece of software is intended to protect your kids from the harmful activities over the Internet, it is not a must or necessary for parents to have one. If you know so well and are confident to know that your children are clean with what they are doing online, then this probably is not the software for you. However, if you are the kind of protective parent, which is not a bad thing, would like to monitor every move of your children's online activities, then this software is for you. Make sure you make wise decisions when deciding to buy because when it is not dealt properly, it would damage the relationship between you and your children. Some users of PC Tattletale talk to their children openly about their purpose in buying the software and they receive very positive and healthy responses.
The second tip will help you to get a 50% discount off if you qualify to be one. PC Tattletale has an offer that is called Competitive Upgrade where you can actually get an upgrade at 50% off when you have already purchased some other parental control softwares with registered version. Currently, you are automatically qualified for a 50% discount if you have bought Spector Soft, Eblaster, Guardian Monitor, IamBigBrother, SafeEyes, CyberPatrol, IProtectYou, SentryPC, NetNanny, AYE Software, Kidswatcher, SpyAgent, ContentProtect, CyberSitter, Snitch, Desktop Scout, Cyber Sentinel, KidControl and CSWeb. Unfortunately, if you have not bought any of those mentioned above or any of the parental control tool, then you will have to buy the software at the full price.
The third tip for buying PC Tattletale is this. If you are considering buying an Internet filtering program, you can just forget about it and invest the extra money in PC Tattletale. In case you do not know, filtering programs can only help you to block certain websites where some of the users of your computer will not be able to access to certain unintended sites. If you want to do more than just blocking a few websites for your children and do a thorough investigation on what they are doing online, even offline, then you might as well just invest in this piece of software. Internet filtering is only one of the many features that are provided by PC Tattletale and in addition, you can also track their email conversations, chatroom conversations, MySpace network of friends and software monitoring. With these features provided, you can be sure that you are able to track their every single move throughout the entire usage of the computer.
Now that you already have the tips for buying PC Tattletale and the next step is really left for you to explore more about it. These tips written are meant to help you to get the best value out of this software and only the best decision makers know how to utilise them.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Windows Registry Cleaner - A Useful Tool in Your Aresnal
When using personal computer or laptop containing a Microsoft Operating System, it important to know how to clean the registry.
The registry, a complex system database that contains everything from system information and setting to information on software that has been installed on that computer, can often become bogged down and full of unused information that will slow down the computer if not properly maintained.
Many times people running on slow computers will resort to defragging their harddrive and maybe uninstalling unused software or deleting unused data and files. While this is decent enough practice for the beginning user, the same should be done to the registry.
Everytime new software is installed, the registry maintains information regarding this software. When the software is uninstalled, most times the registry entries remain. Over time, the registry can become so full that it will take time for Windows to dig through all of the useless information within the registry just to find the actual information it needs. This is why it is important to know how to properly clean and maintain your registry.
Plenty of software programs are available that can scan your computer and your registry and make you aware of any registry entries that are no longer needed. They will then allow you to choose if you would like them to be removed. This is a great way to gain some much wanted speed in your computer by simply running the registry cleaner and removing old entries. Using the included Regedit, that comes with the Windows Operating system, is a little more difficult and should be left to professionals.
The registry, a complex system database that contains everything from system information and setting to information on software that has been installed on that computer, can often become bogged down and full of unused information that will slow down the computer if not properly maintained.
Many times people running on slow computers will resort to defragging their harddrive and maybe uninstalling unused software or deleting unused data and files. While this is decent enough practice for the beginning user, the same should be done to the registry.
Everytime new software is installed, the registry maintains information regarding this software. When the software is uninstalled, most times the registry entries remain. Over time, the registry can become so full that it will take time for Windows to dig through all of the useless information within the registry just to find the actual information it needs. This is why it is important to know how to properly clean and maintain your registry.
Plenty of software programs are available that can scan your computer and your registry and make you aware of any registry entries that are no longer needed. They will then allow you to choose if you would like them to be removed. This is a great way to gain some much wanted speed in your computer by simply running the registry cleaner and removing old entries. Using the included Regedit, that comes with the Windows Operating system, is a little more difficult and should be left to professionals.
Friday, September 10, 2010
How to Fix Windows Error Messages With the Help of Some Software
Windows is normally a very stable system, but from time to time, error messages do appear. You will probably have read about the Blue Screen Of Death - this is the screen that appears when your system suffers from a fatal error.Chances are, if you have used a PC running Windows XP or one of its predecessors, you will have experienced this problem.
It gets its name from the fact that you get a blue screen shown to you with lots of obscure error messages and symbols on it. This can be very difficult for even professional IT people to decipher what has gone wrong. Although its very frustrating, there is a good reason for these errors, and that is because the system simply cannot continue due to the damage and corruption it has encountered.
Its not just faulty hardware or badly written driver software that can cause such problems. In many instances they are the result of corruption to the registry or even damaged files.
Using registry cleaner software is one of the quickest and easiest ways to fix these problems.Of course, you could just reboot your pc and get rid of the problem, but this wont have cured it and its almost certain to happen again.
These kinds of problem need to be dealt with sooner rather than later, because if left alone they will get worse with time. The simplest way to fix the problems is definately to download a registry cleaner and set it to work. Even complete technical dods can use these pieces of software.Registry cleaner software is designed with the novice user in mind, so no matter what your level of technical competence, you can still get great results.All you have to do is download the registry cleaner, install it on your computer and then run a scan. The program will run just like your anti-virus software and perform a complete system scan.In just a few minutes your entire system will be thoroughly scanned and all the problems reported back to you.
Once you get the results, all you have to do is click your mouse to tell the software to fix the problems for you, and it will go out and fix all the errors completely on its own. Theres no need to spend money with a computer repair shop, using a registry cleaner is the cheapest, fastest and probably the safest way to get your system back up and running. If you use your PC a lot, like I do, then you simply must own a registry cleaner.
It gets its name from the fact that you get a blue screen shown to you with lots of obscure error messages and symbols on it. This can be very difficult for even professional IT people to decipher what has gone wrong. Although its very frustrating, there is a good reason for these errors, and that is because the system simply cannot continue due to the damage and corruption it has encountered.
Its not just faulty hardware or badly written driver software that can cause such problems. In many instances they are the result of corruption to the registry or even damaged files.
Using registry cleaner software is one of the quickest and easiest ways to fix these problems.Of course, you could just reboot your pc and get rid of the problem, but this wont have cured it and its almost certain to happen again.
These kinds of problem need to be dealt with sooner rather than later, because if left alone they will get worse with time. The simplest way to fix the problems is definately to download a registry cleaner and set it to work. Even complete technical dods can use these pieces of software.Registry cleaner software is designed with the novice user in mind, so no matter what your level of technical competence, you can still get great results.All you have to do is download the registry cleaner, install it on your computer and then run a scan. The program will run just like your anti-virus software and perform a complete system scan.In just a few minutes your entire system will be thoroughly scanned and all the problems reported back to you.
Once you get the results, all you have to do is click your mouse to tell the software to fix the problems for you, and it will go out and fix all the errors completely on its own. Theres no need to spend money with a computer repair shop, using a registry cleaner is the cheapest, fastest and probably the safest way to get your system back up and running. If you use your PC a lot, like I do, then you simply must own a registry cleaner.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Practical Tips to Find KPI Solutions in the Workplace
How to find KPI solutions is the first thing that any management team must consider before making plans to improve the performance of its departments and their respective members. Indeed, in an increasingly competitive market, there will always be a need to improve performance constantly. It is but logical for the company to start with figuring out how to determine which aspects of performance need to be improved in the first place.
So, how exactly does the company come up with the programs needed to improve performance?
Of course, the management can find what aspects of performance needs improvement by simply observing the respective performance levels of its departments. Every department has a bearing to the overall performance of the company. Checking out the same will give the management an idea on what aspects to focus on. Relying on the reports of the management counterparts of the company in its departments is also a good way to determine which aspects need improvement. Every report, if properly done, contains all the information the management needs in determining the status of each department. When properly studied and analyzed, remedies can be formulated to resolve any problem there may be.
Now that the company knows how to gather information about the performance of its respective departments, the management can come up with the proper actions to address any problem shown by key performance indicators. These indicators give valuable and in-depth information on the performances of each department. The management must take into consideration all the details, especially the most intimate and minute ones, to come up with the appropriate solutions. Taking everything as a whole is often not a good idea for the simple reason that there may be matters that would be overlooked and disregarded; when it finally turns out that these matters happen to be the most crucial ones that should have been considered.
Performance indicators always present data on the status of a department. It displays its strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities. It also shows the management the importance of the said department to the whole company. The management can now formulate its policies, rules, and regulations to target the aspects of the department that need improvement, or even to place other responsibilities on the same. By basing its plans and programs on the information given out by these indicators, there can be adjustment that is more comprehensive and appropriate solutions to a single problem can be determined as well. For example, if the lack of morale is a huge problem in a department, thus causing production and performance levels to drop, the management can come up with solutions, such as the giving of incentives and even personnel programs that are meant to boost their morale and give them something to look forward to.
The management has to take note that the department will not always be willing to undergo changes and adjustments. This is where cooperation and mutual support will be needed in both the management counterparts of both parties. In order to properly and effectively find KPI solutions to address certain problems and deficiencies, there must be constant communication and cooperation between the management and the departments.
So, how exactly does the company come up with the programs needed to improve performance?
Of course, the management can find what aspects of performance needs improvement by simply observing the respective performance levels of its departments. Every department has a bearing to the overall performance of the company. Checking out the same will give the management an idea on what aspects to focus on. Relying on the reports of the management counterparts of the company in its departments is also a good way to determine which aspects need improvement. Every report, if properly done, contains all the information the management needs in determining the status of each department. When properly studied and analyzed, remedies can be formulated to resolve any problem there may be.
Now that the company knows how to gather information about the performance of its respective departments, the management can come up with the proper actions to address any problem shown by key performance indicators. These indicators give valuable and in-depth information on the performances of each department. The management must take into consideration all the details, especially the most intimate and minute ones, to come up with the appropriate solutions. Taking everything as a whole is often not a good idea for the simple reason that there may be matters that would be overlooked and disregarded; when it finally turns out that these matters happen to be the most crucial ones that should have been considered.
Performance indicators always present data on the status of a department. It displays its strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities. It also shows the management the importance of the said department to the whole company. The management can now formulate its policies, rules, and regulations to target the aspects of the department that need improvement, or even to place other responsibilities on the same. By basing its plans and programs on the information given out by these indicators, there can be adjustment that is more comprehensive and appropriate solutions to a single problem can be determined as well. For example, if the lack of morale is a huge problem in a department, thus causing production and performance levels to drop, the management can come up with solutions, such as the giving of incentives and even personnel programs that are meant to boost their morale and give them something to look forward to.
The management has to take note that the department will not always be willing to undergo changes and adjustments. This is where cooperation and mutual support will be needed in both the management counterparts of both parties. In order to properly and effectively find KPI solutions to address certain problems and deficiencies, there must be constant communication and cooperation between the management and the departments.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Avoiding Death by PowerPoint
To avoid boring your audience to death take time when preparing your presentation and take into account the following:
Slide Master
Use it! You can use this option to create a consistent and clutter free look. Don't copy your logo onto every page. Put it on the slide master and then it will appear on every page, in exactly the same position and it will be the same size. This will help prevent the messiness that occurs when different fonts, colours and sizes appear on each page.
They don't want your life story
Don't write an essay on each slide. Keep it simple! Just write short phrases and only include essential information. Remember these are prompts for your talk. If it is all written then they don't need to listen to you.
White Space
Make use of white space. Avoid clutter. Use bold, italics and shadow to enhance points. Avoid using CAPITALS. Capitals do not make text easier to read.
Don't be too Fancy
The audience is there to hear your message not to see how brilliant at PowerPoint you are. Make a nice clutter free master that uses contrasting colours for text and background. Avoid patterned backgrounds at all costs. It is often though that dark text on a light background is best.
Don't Make it Too Busy
Yes I know. Animations, sound, transition - it's fun! Yes it is when you are learning but not when you are presenting. Keep those special effects to a minimum. Use them sparingly and to highlight particular slides rather than every one. Over use of animation and special affects can look unprofessional and reduce your credibility.
Use of Images
When using images whether they are clipart, graphics or photos ensure they are good quality and that you have not distorted them when resizing or cropping. It is best not to use an image at all than use a bad quality one.
What is Your Output?
Are you presenting this on a large screen? If so test it out! What looks good on your PC screen may look totally different on the big screen. That nice photo may look grainy on the big screen. Do not wait until the day to find out.
How many slides???
Gosh - do we really have to sit through 70 slides? Yawn!!!! Don't bore your audience. Keep the number of slides down and don't be constantly flipping to the next slide.
Navigation Tools
Learn how to use PowerPoint's navigation tools effectively. Sometimes one of your audience may ask to see the previous slide again. Make sure you know the best way to navigate back and forth without it looking messy.
Do Not Read Your Slides
Your slides are an aid memoire for your real content. The bullets are simply there as reminders for topics on which you will enlarge.
Face Your Audience!
Don't look at the screen when talking. Look at the audience.
Don't Rely on Removable Media
If your presentation is on a CD, USB or other form of removable media copy it onto the hard drive of the system you will be presenting for. This will cut down the margin of error.
Slide Master
Use it! You can use this option to create a consistent and clutter free look. Don't copy your logo onto every page. Put it on the slide master and then it will appear on every page, in exactly the same position and it will be the same size. This will help prevent the messiness that occurs when different fonts, colours and sizes appear on each page.
They don't want your life story
Don't write an essay on each slide. Keep it simple! Just write short phrases and only include essential information. Remember these are prompts for your talk. If it is all written then they don't need to listen to you.
White Space
Make use of white space. Avoid clutter. Use bold, italics and shadow to enhance points. Avoid using CAPITALS. Capitals do not make text easier to read.
Don't be too Fancy
The audience is there to hear your message not to see how brilliant at PowerPoint you are. Make a nice clutter free master that uses contrasting colours for text and background. Avoid patterned backgrounds at all costs. It is often though that dark text on a light background is best.
Don't Make it Too Busy
Yes I know. Animations, sound, transition - it's fun! Yes it is when you are learning but not when you are presenting. Keep those special effects to a minimum. Use them sparingly and to highlight particular slides rather than every one. Over use of animation and special affects can look unprofessional and reduce your credibility.
Use of Images
When using images whether they are clipart, graphics or photos ensure they are good quality and that you have not distorted them when resizing or cropping. It is best not to use an image at all than use a bad quality one.
What is Your Output?
Are you presenting this on a large screen? If so test it out! What looks good on your PC screen may look totally different on the big screen. That nice photo may look grainy on the big screen. Do not wait until the day to find out.
How many slides???
Gosh - do we really have to sit through 70 slides? Yawn!!!! Don't bore your audience. Keep the number of slides down and don't be constantly flipping to the next slide.
Navigation Tools
Learn how to use PowerPoint's navigation tools effectively. Sometimes one of your audience may ask to see the previous slide again. Make sure you know the best way to navigate back and forth without it looking messy.
Do Not Read Your Slides
Your slides are an aid memoire for your real content. The bullets are simply there as reminders for topics on which you will enlarge.
Face Your Audience!
Don't look at the screen when talking. Look at the audience.
Don't Rely on Removable Media
If your presentation is on a CD, USB or other form of removable media copy it onto the hard drive of the system you will be presenting for. This will cut down the margin of error.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Benefits of ZENworks Application Virtualization
Virtualization is one of the buzzwords in IT today. You have probably already worked with virtualizing servers and desktops; now your opportunities have expanded again with the potential of virtualizing applications. The question is, what are the benefits to virtualizing applications, and how does the process work?
We all know the issues around deploying applications to Windows desktops: overwriting common files and libraries, conflicts with differing versions of prerequisites like Java and .NET, and applications breaking after 'Patch Tuesday.' Application virtualization takes care of many of these issues by providing a "wrapper" around the application. The application is packaged with all necessary libraries and files so that it can be run on a workstation without actually being installed on the workstation.
How is this accomplished? ZAV provides three ways:
1. Templates for certified applications. Novell has an ever-growing list of applications that have been certified. This means that the application vendor will support the application being run in a virtualized environment. You can select this option to quickly build an app: you only need the software directories and license keys.
2. Snapshot. If you have been working with ZENworks for a long time, you are probably familiar with snapshots. First, ZAV takes a snapshot of your test workstation environment prior to the application installation. Next, you install and configure the application on your test machine. Finally, you prompt the wizard and it will take the after-snapshot and set up the virtualized app that you can then deploy to your production workstations.
3. Custom build. This is the most advanced option available, and is generally used for home-grown applications. Here, you will need to manually add the necessary files and registry settings to the virtual environment.
So how can you use this tool? Here are just a few ways:
1. Use ZAV to quickly build applications to be deployed to desktops via ZENworks. Actual installation on the desktop is not necessary, but shortcuts to each program can be created. With ZAV, it is no longer necessary to extensively test applications installed on desktops for compatibility issues!
2. Run programs that use differing versions of .NET or JAVA without conflict.
3. Provide end-users with USB keys loaded with any application they need, such as a VPN client. By supplying the necessary applications on USB keys, users don't have to install the applications on their home PCs ... and you don't need to provide the support that all too often goes along with these PC installations!
We all know the issues around deploying applications to Windows desktops: overwriting common files and libraries, conflicts with differing versions of prerequisites like Java and .NET, and applications breaking after 'Patch Tuesday.' Application virtualization takes care of many of these issues by providing a "wrapper" around the application. The application is packaged with all necessary libraries and files so that it can be run on a workstation without actually being installed on the workstation.
How is this accomplished? ZAV provides three ways:
1. Templates for certified applications. Novell has an ever-growing list of applications that have been certified. This means that the application vendor will support the application being run in a virtualized environment. You can select this option to quickly build an app: you only need the software directories and license keys.
2. Snapshot. If you have been working with ZENworks for a long time, you are probably familiar with snapshots. First, ZAV takes a snapshot of your test workstation environment prior to the application installation. Next, you install and configure the application on your test machine. Finally, you prompt the wizard and it will take the after-snapshot and set up the virtualized app that you can then deploy to your production workstations.
3. Custom build. This is the most advanced option available, and is generally used for home-grown applications. Here, you will need to manually add the necessary files and registry settings to the virtual environment.
So how can you use this tool? Here are just a few ways:
1. Use ZAV to quickly build applications to be deployed to desktops via ZENworks. Actual installation on the desktop is not necessary, but shortcuts to each program can be created. With ZAV, it is no longer necessary to extensively test applications installed on desktops for compatibility issues!
2. Run programs that use differing versions of .NET or JAVA without conflict.
3. Provide end-users with USB keys loaded with any application they need, such as a VPN client. By supplying the necessary applications on USB keys, users don't have to install the applications on their home PCs ... and you don't need to provide the support that all too often goes along with these PC installations!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Shared Services for Code Enforcement
After initial attempts at targeting efficiency with consolidation, governments are exploring shared services, even as they weed through the promises of trends like SOA. To effect real impact on the timeline of state governments demands solutions that can be implemented quickly and provide immediate evidence of value, taking into consideration the various challenges of technology, budgeting, workflow, and politics. Using the example of code enforcement at the state level, we illustrate how leaders in the public sector can orchestrate meaningful innovation and productivity by leveraging a new breed of agile applications that are both effective and economically viable.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Governors, CIOs, and field staff alike share in the escalating need to continually improve public sector efficiency. Policy experts suggest that, at least in North America, change, innovation, and leadership is most likely to happen first at the state level; this is in spite of unfortunate historical procurement policies that produced unwieldy legacy systems, often disparate and ill-suited to the tasks of the day.
""In analyzing where shared services are now, our workshop came to several broad conclusions: Major opportunities for efficiency remain to be harvested ...practitioners and researchers are convinced that the benefits are real. If you haven't been investing in shared services, you should be."
Jerry Mechling, lecturer in public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Budgets are tight and low-hanging fruit have been picked, but looking to the private sector for ideas and innovation, leaders acknowledge that what they find is significantly harder to implement in government, where public opinion and politics carry as much or more weight than pragmatism or economics. There is an upside to this however - governmental innovations that achieve real improvements in quality or efficiency usually create more value than similar innovations in the private sector.
Consolidation, and more recently, shared services, were the first manifestations of this reform, and have been ranked in the top 10 priorities for State CIOs in both of the past 2 years. Furthermore, 72% of CIOs are implementing or are planning to implement shared services, aiming to improve quality, elevate operational efficiency, and lower operational costs. In 80% of cases, this is being driven by a senior administrator such as the Governor or the CIO directly. Having begun with relatively simple to conceptualize (if not implement) areas such as data centers, call centers, and back office functions, leaders continue to search for areas where improvements can be made. As did their peers in the private sector, agencies at the leading edge of this movement quickly found out the price of an overly rational approach that promises too much - ignoring the human side of the equation, both at the staff and constituent level, quality suffers and much resistance is met as departments fight to retain control of their world.
Ideally, a shared services approach allows agencies to replace or connect systems across organizational silos, enabling the delivery of services in the most productive and efficient way. Wherever you will find references to shared services today, you will also find its IT buzzword companion, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Touted as an approach to bridging shared services, SOA is an IT architectural approach which "modularizes" individual enterprise application functions into standardized, reusable, and customizable services which aim to eliminate redundancies across the organization.
SOA has its merits as an approach to shared services - by any name, it is becoming clear that governments need applications that are cost effective, quick to implement, and which provide a framework for evolution as the nature of the organization changes. To overcome internal resistance, new technology must be better than what was previously in place, and must be customizable at the ground level to accommodate the essential components of each department's individual workflow, rather than assuming everyone will change how they work to fit the design of the application. It must be flexible enough to fit within the overall IT architecture, so that supporting it does not become onerous.
Technology has evolved to a point where modular approaches are now a viable enabler of shared services. Approached with care and armed with the right tools, the timing is right for governments to strike the fine balance between business process alignment and IT modernization, all without breaking the bank or taking years to implement. Code enforcement, having both similar processes across departments and very specific individual domain application requirements, is a prime candidate for this type of transformation.
""Although consolidation and shared services provide great opportunity, they also present great challenges for state CIOs in that fundamental change in the way IT is governed, managed and operated within a state will certainly be confronted by resistance in a variety of forms."
NASCIO Issue Brief, March 2006
You can address this challenge with a suite of tightly integrated application modules that combine common workflow elements within and across departments. Interfacing seamlessly with existing IT investments, these solutions are cost-effective to maintain and easily customized to accommodate new tasks or changes over time. Implement an agile framework that allows you to deliver portable, useable front end modules and a rock-solid core of shared code enforcement tools.
PUBLIC SECTOR CHALLENGES
With the intent to implement any type of systemic change, be that in workflow or technology, it is imperative that leaders understand and address specific problems inherent to their organization, anticipating problems that will arise and being well-prepared to deal with them in an effective manner. The challenges associated with implementing eGovernment systems have been well documented, and there is consensus that the "best" or most cost-effective system is not always the one selected.
As Darrell M. West concludes in his book Digital Government, changes in the public sector have historically leaned toward the small and gradual, and there are a number of reasons for this. Budget scarcity, group conflict, and behavioral patterns are all cited as barriers to transformation. Government structure, with its competing jurisdictions, hinders cooperation, and thus innovation as well. Competition for resources is the nature of politics, and with tight budgets and fragmented, decentralized decision making, it is no wonder that large-scale change is rendered unlikely.
On the positive side, these barriers to large scale change in the public sector are predictable, and thus can be planned for and taken into consideration in system design. Agencies and departments are unique to some extent, but they all share common functions and tasks that can be modularized under the right circumstances. Additionally, it is not always large scale change that brings about the greatest efficiency - sometimes we have to choose to effect the changes we know can be implemented, and ensure that these are done in such a way as to maximize their impact today, while leaving room for further evolution as time goes on.
Lessons learned
Only fix what is broken: Many aspects of workflow within an agency might make sense for reasons that aren't readily apparent, so be cautious when evaluating what to automate and how to implement new processes and technology.
People in the field know their business: Listen to the people who do the work, and get them on board as partners in designing the solution. You won't find anyone who knows boiler inspections like the field inspector, the strengths and shortcomings of the invoicing process like the office staff, or managing the team like the chief inspector.
Design for the user: Applications need to be designed for people who use them. If not designed to be usable, people will revert to old ways, and efficiency will be minimized.
Patronage kills progress (and budgets): Vendor selection based on relationships or other motivations often results in overpriced systems that don't get the job done. To deliver systems that endure requires real attention to details and requirements.
Show the ROI: Features are nice, but applications also need to be cost effective to implement, manage, and customize over time in order to show real economic value. The result needs to be useable now, with real ROI today, and viable for growth over the medium and long term.
Standardize flexibly: Give people control where they need it - and "pick your battles". This is not a one-size-fits-all world anymore, and you need to allow agencies to do their job without forcing them into a system that doesn't fit their workflow.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Code enforcement is an area of government that lends itself particularly well to the concept of shared services. Agencies tend to be grouped within one or two departments, often with common leadership, limiting the amount of political wrangling required to implement a multi-agency solution. Culturally, the workforce is relatively consistent, as are the tools and practices required to deliver services. While each department has very specific individual needs (for example, the data collected by the boiler inspector would be very different from that of the elevator inspector), they also have a great deal of overlap in functions and requirements, such as invoicing, permitting, and examining and licensing of individuals. In many cases, departments share the same clients, and can gain some efficiency through consolidated billing and tracking of receivables. Depending on regulations within the state, enforcement officers or inspectors may be able to operate in more than one capacity as well.
By working with inspectors and government leaders alike for many years, some solutions have been able to develop a consistent approach and a comprehensive toolset designed specifically for shared code enforcement across domains. Different jurisdictions need to combine tasks in various ways, so these systems have been designed to maximize both efficiency and flexibility.
Instead of trying to enforce one universal system that is all things to all people, we need to bring change where it is needed, gaining acceptance and efficiency task by task, while maintaining a singular vision of overall change at the management level. This requires a solution that allows for highly customized individual applications at the agency and domain level, tightly integrated to a robust, scalable core system which enables the consolidation of common workflow elements within and across departments - and this solution must also be able to interface easily with existing functional systems, and provide a framework that is cost-effective to maintain and modify to accommodate future needs. That is the best approach to Shared Code Enforcement.
IDEAL SOLUTION OVERVIEW
A unique approach to the problem of shared services for code enforcement allows all levels of government to participate in framework that offers significant efficiency gains, reduces operational costs, and makes everyday tasks associated with reporting and compliance easier to accomplish.
You may do this by deploying a robust core system that encompasses the common scope of business processes among departments and agencies, surrounded by a suite of tightly integrated, yet highly customizable modules that are designed specifically for the field and office staff working in code enforcement roles. Such applications are enabled for mobile use, empowering field staff with the complete feature set available to the office worker.
Working within this purpose-designed framework allows one to provide agile systems that do not require the clumsy "work-arounds" so prevalent in one-size-fits-all solutions. Customized functionality and routine modifications are simplified by a modular architecture, and management should be greatly simplified, so that dedicated administrators are not required to make basic changes to the system. You should be able to create and save your own ad-hoc reports on an as needed basis, eliminating costly dependence on internal IT departments for simple data retrieval and reporting needs. A custom management console can provide management with a real time view of the data they need to make decisions and monitor problems as they arise.
IT BENEFITS
Most jurisdictions have an IT Roadmap in place and a comprehensive set of standards that are adhered to in the implementation of new systems. In evaluating any new system it is important to consider the IT benefits in addition to the business benefits, as these can have a significant impact on useability, cost predictability, and various aspects of growth and change.
The ideal solution is built with IT managers in mind - it can accommodate most mainstream databases on the back end, meaning you won't have to hire in new skills to manage the system on your existing infrastructure. Since the experts maintain the application, minor adjustments, fixes, and upgrades should be included in the price so you are not constantly pushed for another purchase order to fix this problem or accommodate basic functional changes. This approach gives your IT department control of data management, while not imposing additional workload requirements to manage the application modules.
Since the best applications run on most flavors of Windows, it typically isn't necessary for jurisdictions to have to buy a lot of new hardware to use these systems. Field staff can choose to use their existing laptops, or in some cases may run the applications (and carry historical data) on a memory stick, securely performing tasks like printing licenses, permits, or invoices directly at the client's site.
BUSINESS BENEFITS
Every jurisdiction is different - each has a layer of commonality with its peers, but also has specific individual needs, work environments, IT considerations, and workflows. In most cases, looking across jurisdictions we can see consistent ROI estimates in the following areas:
* Reduced paperwork, errors, and data entry
* Increased efficiency of inspections - more inspections completed, inspectors don't need to use paper forms and after the fact data entry
* Better receivables management - invoices go out on time; receivables managed more efficiently and collected sooner
* Easier to create reports, thus saves time and provides better information for reporting, workflow management, and management decisions
* Reduced system downtime (since you don't need to be online to access the application or data)
* Other tangible benefits include the impact of centralized revenue management, reduced risk, reduced liability, better quality data, and more efficient management of plant and exam information.
Planning for the future:
Consider all aspects of future operations when making purchasing decisions. Although the initial focus on staff reduction and cost control is important, it pays in the long run to consider a more comprehensive view, anticipating where you will go next.
Listen to your staff and constituents - these are the people that have to live with the system and its effects, so think about their needs and how they will evolve over time.
Invest in current technology - look for systems that use current technologies and that are designed for growth and evolution.
Speak to other jurisdictions who use the system and understand potential shortcomings - such as how long it takes to get changes implemented, how common are "work-around" processes, and what issues users have with the application.
Look at revenue as well - reducing cost is an uphill battle over time, so solutions that help you to bill more efficiently and collect receivables on time will have better ROI.
Invest in innovation - any increased revenues or cost reductions should be applied to making your operation better - instead of looking to lay-off staff, aim to retrain them for other tasks, or focus them on your clients.
What to look for, and what to avoid:
Mobile promises - Many systems claim to have "mobile capabilities", but dig deeper. Can you use the application without a network connection? Can you carry historical inspection data with you? Is it fast and easy to synchronize data? If mobile systems aren't flexible and well designed, people won't use them, and your efficiency drops. Understand how it really works.
Beware of the web - Online systems that are web based don't work when you aren't connected to the internet or when the provider's website is down. Your data is stored outside your jurisdiction, so you can't control how it is managed. They tend to be slow and very often don't work well on mobile devices, so look for flexible solutions that have an online option for those who need it. Finally, make sure there is a useable management console and an ad-hoc reporting function, so you can access the data you need quickly.
Avoid hidden costs - Some systems are available for free, but fall short on functionality, requiring jurisdictions to hire extra data-entry staff to enter information from paper forms or to maintain current data with third parties like insurance companies. This can add substantial costs to your operating budget, so it is better to choose a system that streamlines the workflow, paying for itself - and then paying you back in cost savings.
Biggest is not better - Industrial sized applications often have many problems, including the need for many "work around" processes, data inconsistency, and inability to easily produce reports. These are typically difficult to use, require lots of training, and are not easy to customize. Some require you to have a dedicated administrator just to make basic changes and operate the system, and that is an unnecessary expense. Applications like these are expensive to implement, and cost even more to maintain and grow with you over time.
Adding bricks - Many applications have a few of the pieces you need, but lack the modular approach and in-house knowledge to quickly customize a module or three for a comprehensive solution. Building everything from the ground up will crush timelines and budgets alike.
In house sagas - Does your IT staff have the skills, knowledge, and resources? Will they be accountable to budgets and timelines? Are they responsive when you need changes? Look for something that is designed for what you do, and proven in the field by a group of your peers. A good vendor partner will give you this plus and more.
CONCLUSION
The challenges of managing change in the public sector are often greater than those in the business world, but they are well understood and predictable. Leaders who are looking to invest in real-world change that can be implemented quickly and soon demonstrate visible success can begin with the area of code enforcement - after proving the viability of the approach in this area, the concept can be applied in other departments. This hybrid approach of a simple foundation across domains with a suite of tightly integrated, customized, application modules has been proven to increase efficiency now, while providing a platform for growth and evolution in the future. Robust, scalable applications that bring together common workflow elements within and across departments - while interfacing seamlessly with existing IT investments, provides a framework that is cost-effective to maintain and modify to accommodate the often changing regulations and requirements that are the hallmark of the public sector.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Governors, CIOs, and field staff alike share in the escalating need to continually improve public sector efficiency. Policy experts suggest that, at least in North America, change, innovation, and leadership is most likely to happen first at the state level; this is in spite of unfortunate historical procurement policies that produced unwieldy legacy systems, often disparate and ill-suited to the tasks of the day.
""In analyzing where shared services are now, our workshop came to several broad conclusions: Major opportunities for efficiency remain to be harvested ...practitioners and researchers are convinced that the benefits are real. If you haven't been investing in shared services, you should be."
Jerry Mechling, lecturer in public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Budgets are tight and low-hanging fruit have been picked, but looking to the private sector for ideas and innovation, leaders acknowledge that what they find is significantly harder to implement in government, where public opinion and politics carry as much or more weight than pragmatism or economics. There is an upside to this however - governmental innovations that achieve real improvements in quality or efficiency usually create more value than similar innovations in the private sector.
Consolidation, and more recently, shared services, were the first manifestations of this reform, and have been ranked in the top 10 priorities for State CIOs in both of the past 2 years. Furthermore, 72% of CIOs are implementing or are planning to implement shared services, aiming to improve quality, elevate operational efficiency, and lower operational costs. In 80% of cases, this is being driven by a senior administrator such as the Governor or the CIO directly. Having begun with relatively simple to conceptualize (if not implement) areas such as data centers, call centers, and back office functions, leaders continue to search for areas where improvements can be made. As did their peers in the private sector, agencies at the leading edge of this movement quickly found out the price of an overly rational approach that promises too much - ignoring the human side of the equation, both at the staff and constituent level, quality suffers and much resistance is met as departments fight to retain control of their world.
Ideally, a shared services approach allows agencies to replace or connect systems across organizational silos, enabling the delivery of services in the most productive and efficient way. Wherever you will find references to shared services today, you will also find its IT buzzword companion, Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Touted as an approach to bridging shared services, SOA is an IT architectural approach which "modularizes" individual enterprise application functions into standardized, reusable, and customizable services which aim to eliminate redundancies across the organization.
SOA has its merits as an approach to shared services - by any name, it is becoming clear that governments need applications that are cost effective, quick to implement, and which provide a framework for evolution as the nature of the organization changes. To overcome internal resistance, new technology must be better than what was previously in place, and must be customizable at the ground level to accommodate the essential components of each department's individual workflow, rather than assuming everyone will change how they work to fit the design of the application. It must be flexible enough to fit within the overall IT architecture, so that supporting it does not become onerous.
Technology has evolved to a point where modular approaches are now a viable enabler of shared services. Approached with care and armed with the right tools, the timing is right for governments to strike the fine balance between business process alignment and IT modernization, all without breaking the bank or taking years to implement. Code enforcement, having both similar processes across departments and very specific individual domain application requirements, is a prime candidate for this type of transformation.
""Although consolidation and shared services provide great opportunity, they also present great challenges for state CIOs in that fundamental change in the way IT is governed, managed and operated within a state will certainly be confronted by resistance in a variety of forms."
NASCIO Issue Brief, March 2006
You can address this challenge with a suite of tightly integrated application modules that combine common workflow elements within and across departments. Interfacing seamlessly with existing IT investments, these solutions are cost-effective to maintain and easily customized to accommodate new tasks or changes over time. Implement an agile framework that allows you to deliver portable, useable front end modules and a rock-solid core of shared code enforcement tools.
PUBLIC SECTOR CHALLENGES
With the intent to implement any type of systemic change, be that in workflow or technology, it is imperative that leaders understand and address specific problems inherent to their organization, anticipating problems that will arise and being well-prepared to deal with them in an effective manner. The challenges associated with implementing eGovernment systems have been well documented, and there is consensus that the "best" or most cost-effective system is not always the one selected.
As Darrell M. West concludes in his book Digital Government, changes in the public sector have historically leaned toward the small and gradual, and there are a number of reasons for this. Budget scarcity, group conflict, and behavioral patterns are all cited as barriers to transformation. Government structure, with its competing jurisdictions, hinders cooperation, and thus innovation as well. Competition for resources is the nature of politics, and with tight budgets and fragmented, decentralized decision making, it is no wonder that large-scale change is rendered unlikely.
On the positive side, these barriers to large scale change in the public sector are predictable, and thus can be planned for and taken into consideration in system design. Agencies and departments are unique to some extent, but they all share common functions and tasks that can be modularized under the right circumstances. Additionally, it is not always large scale change that brings about the greatest efficiency - sometimes we have to choose to effect the changes we know can be implemented, and ensure that these are done in such a way as to maximize their impact today, while leaving room for further evolution as time goes on.
Lessons learned
Only fix what is broken: Many aspects of workflow within an agency might make sense for reasons that aren't readily apparent, so be cautious when evaluating what to automate and how to implement new processes and technology.
People in the field know their business: Listen to the people who do the work, and get them on board as partners in designing the solution. You won't find anyone who knows boiler inspections like the field inspector, the strengths and shortcomings of the invoicing process like the office staff, or managing the team like the chief inspector.
Design for the user: Applications need to be designed for people who use them. If not designed to be usable, people will revert to old ways, and efficiency will be minimized.
Patronage kills progress (and budgets): Vendor selection based on relationships or other motivations often results in overpriced systems that don't get the job done. To deliver systems that endure requires real attention to details and requirements.
Show the ROI: Features are nice, but applications also need to be cost effective to implement, manage, and customize over time in order to show real economic value. The result needs to be useable now, with real ROI today, and viable for growth over the medium and long term.
Standardize flexibly: Give people control where they need it - and "pick your battles". This is not a one-size-fits-all world anymore, and you need to allow agencies to do their job without forcing them into a system that doesn't fit their workflow.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Code enforcement is an area of government that lends itself particularly well to the concept of shared services. Agencies tend to be grouped within one or two departments, often with common leadership, limiting the amount of political wrangling required to implement a multi-agency solution. Culturally, the workforce is relatively consistent, as are the tools and practices required to deliver services. While each department has very specific individual needs (for example, the data collected by the boiler inspector would be very different from that of the elevator inspector), they also have a great deal of overlap in functions and requirements, such as invoicing, permitting, and examining and licensing of individuals. In many cases, departments share the same clients, and can gain some efficiency through consolidated billing and tracking of receivables. Depending on regulations within the state, enforcement officers or inspectors may be able to operate in more than one capacity as well.
By working with inspectors and government leaders alike for many years, some solutions have been able to develop a consistent approach and a comprehensive toolset designed specifically for shared code enforcement across domains. Different jurisdictions need to combine tasks in various ways, so these systems have been designed to maximize both efficiency and flexibility.
Instead of trying to enforce one universal system that is all things to all people, we need to bring change where it is needed, gaining acceptance and efficiency task by task, while maintaining a singular vision of overall change at the management level. This requires a solution that allows for highly customized individual applications at the agency and domain level, tightly integrated to a robust, scalable core system which enables the consolidation of common workflow elements within and across departments - and this solution must also be able to interface easily with existing functional systems, and provide a framework that is cost-effective to maintain and modify to accommodate future needs. That is the best approach to Shared Code Enforcement.
IDEAL SOLUTION OVERVIEW
A unique approach to the problem of shared services for code enforcement allows all levels of government to participate in framework that offers significant efficiency gains, reduces operational costs, and makes everyday tasks associated with reporting and compliance easier to accomplish.
You may do this by deploying a robust core system that encompasses the common scope of business processes among departments and agencies, surrounded by a suite of tightly integrated, yet highly customizable modules that are designed specifically for the field and office staff working in code enforcement roles. Such applications are enabled for mobile use, empowering field staff with the complete feature set available to the office worker.
Working within this purpose-designed framework allows one to provide agile systems that do not require the clumsy "work-arounds" so prevalent in one-size-fits-all solutions. Customized functionality and routine modifications are simplified by a modular architecture, and management should be greatly simplified, so that dedicated administrators are not required to make basic changes to the system. You should be able to create and save your own ad-hoc reports on an as needed basis, eliminating costly dependence on internal IT departments for simple data retrieval and reporting needs. A custom management console can provide management with a real time view of the data they need to make decisions and monitor problems as they arise.
IT BENEFITS
Most jurisdictions have an IT Roadmap in place and a comprehensive set of standards that are adhered to in the implementation of new systems. In evaluating any new system it is important to consider the IT benefits in addition to the business benefits, as these can have a significant impact on useability, cost predictability, and various aspects of growth and change.
The ideal solution is built with IT managers in mind - it can accommodate most mainstream databases on the back end, meaning you won't have to hire in new skills to manage the system on your existing infrastructure. Since the experts maintain the application, minor adjustments, fixes, and upgrades should be included in the price so you are not constantly pushed for another purchase order to fix this problem or accommodate basic functional changes. This approach gives your IT department control of data management, while not imposing additional workload requirements to manage the application modules.
Since the best applications run on most flavors of Windows, it typically isn't necessary for jurisdictions to have to buy a lot of new hardware to use these systems. Field staff can choose to use their existing laptops, or in some cases may run the applications (and carry historical data) on a memory stick, securely performing tasks like printing licenses, permits, or invoices directly at the client's site.
BUSINESS BENEFITS
Every jurisdiction is different - each has a layer of commonality with its peers, but also has specific individual needs, work environments, IT considerations, and workflows. In most cases, looking across jurisdictions we can see consistent ROI estimates in the following areas:
* Reduced paperwork, errors, and data entry
* Increased efficiency of inspections - more inspections completed, inspectors don't need to use paper forms and after the fact data entry
* Better receivables management - invoices go out on time; receivables managed more efficiently and collected sooner
* Easier to create reports, thus saves time and provides better information for reporting, workflow management, and management decisions
* Reduced system downtime (since you don't need to be online to access the application or data)
* Other tangible benefits include the impact of centralized revenue management, reduced risk, reduced liability, better quality data, and more efficient management of plant and exam information.
Planning for the future:
Consider all aspects of future operations when making purchasing decisions. Although the initial focus on staff reduction and cost control is important, it pays in the long run to consider a more comprehensive view, anticipating where you will go next.
Listen to your staff and constituents - these are the people that have to live with the system and its effects, so think about their needs and how they will evolve over time.
Invest in current technology - look for systems that use current technologies and that are designed for growth and evolution.
Speak to other jurisdictions who use the system and understand potential shortcomings - such as how long it takes to get changes implemented, how common are "work-around" processes, and what issues users have with the application.
Look at revenue as well - reducing cost is an uphill battle over time, so solutions that help you to bill more efficiently and collect receivables on time will have better ROI.
Invest in innovation - any increased revenues or cost reductions should be applied to making your operation better - instead of looking to lay-off staff, aim to retrain them for other tasks, or focus them on your clients.
What to look for, and what to avoid:
Mobile promises - Many systems claim to have "mobile capabilities", but dig deeper. Can you use the application without a network connection? Can you carry historical inspection data with you? Is it fast and easy to synchronize data? If mobile systems aren't flexible and well designed, people won't use them, and your efficiency drops. Understand how it really works.
Beware of the web - Online systems that are web based don't work when you aren't connected to the internet or when the provider's website is down. Your data is stored outside your jurisdiction, so you can't control how it is managed. They tend to be slow and very often don't work well on mobile devices, so look for flexible solutions that have an online option for those who need it. Finally, make sure there is a useable management console and an ad-hoc reporting function, so you can access the data you need quickly.
Avoid hidden costs - Some systems are available for free, but fall short on functionality, requiring jurisdictions to hire extra data-entry staff to enter information from paper forms or to maintain current data with third parties like insurance companies. This can add substantial costs to your operating budget, so it is better to choose a system that streamlines the workflow, paying for itself - and then paying you back in cost savings.
Biggest is not better - Industrial sized applications often have many problems, including the need for many "work around" processes, data inconsistency, and inability to easily produce reports. These are typically difficult to use, require lots of training, and are not easy to customize. Some require you to have a dedicated administrator just to make basic changes and operate the system, and that is an unnecessary expense. Applications like these are expensive to implement, and cost even more to maintain and grow with you over time.
Adding bricks - Many applications have a few of the pieces you need, but lack the modular approach and in-house knowledge to quickly customize a module or three for a comprehensive solution. Building everything from the ground up will crush timelines and budgets alike.
In house sagas - Does your IT staff have the skills, knowledge, and resources? Will they be accountable to budgets and timelines? Are they responsive when you need changes? Look for something that is designed for what you do, and proven in the field by a group of your peers. A good vendor partner will give you this plus and more.
CONCLUSION
The challenges of managing change in the public sector are often greater than those in the business world, but they are well understood and predictable. Leaders who are looking to invest in real-world change that can be implemented quickly and soon demonstrate visible success can begin with the area of code enforcement - after proving the viability of the approach in this area, the concept can be applied in other departments. This hybrid approach of a simple foundation across domains with a suite of tightly integrated, customized, application modules has been proven to increase efficiency now, while providing a platform for growth and evolution in the future. Robust, scalable applications that bring together common workflow elements within and across departments - while interfacing seamlessly with existing IT investments, provides a framework that is cost-effective to maintain and modify to accommodate the often changing regulations and requirements that are the hallmark of the public sector.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Registry Fix - Your Computer Registry and Its Maintenance
Your PC registry is a vital part of your computer system that keeps record of the vital information on activities that go on within your PC for future referencing. The information can get too large with the passage of time, translate to errors (as some of them become obsolete) and subsequently cause your computer machine to become slow and poor in its general performance. To this effect, a reliable and highly functional registry fix tool is needful for the proper maintenance of the database of your computer.
There is occurrence of errors when entries stored in the registry are left behind while the program itself has been removed from the system. Some uninstalled programs do not eliminate entries in the PC's database as the program is uninstalled; this leads to a big issue since the system will still read the entry and try to locate the program connected with it. This is the major reason that leads to the slowness of your PC with the passage of time. Your PC database has stored up a lot of unused entries and each of those entries would want to look for their respective lost associated program.
For this error to be corrected, those entries have to be searched out and removed. This is no easy task as there are innumerable entries in the PC's registry and a good number of them could be erroneous. The only workable means of spotting and removing the redundant entries is through the use of registry fix software. Some PC experts may try to achieve this feat manually, but this is highly risky as important operating files can be removed in the process; besides, it will take ages to accomplish such task.
From the foregoing, you can see that a registry fix program is an essential tool that the PC users should have at their disposal in order to carry out proper maintenance and protection of their computer system vital part (its registry). There are many of the repair software out there that it becomes confusing to know which one is ideal. Well, an ideal or best registry fix program is that which can correctly detect errors and fix them securely without escalating the already existing problem.
There is occurrence of errors when entries stored in the registry are left behind while the program itself has been removed from the system. Some uninstalled programs do not eliminate entries in the PC's database as the program is uninstalled; this leads to a big issue since the system will still read the entry and try to locate the program connected with it. This is the major reason that leads to the slowness of your PC with the passage of time. Your PC database has stored up a lot of unused entries and each of those entries would want to look for their respective lost associated program.
For this error to be corrected, those entries have to be searched out and removed. This is no easy task as there are innumerable entries in the PC's registry and a good number of them could be erroneous. The only workable means of spotting and removing the redundant entries is through the use of registry fix software. Some PC experts may try to achieve this feat manually, but this is highly risky as important operating files can be removed in the process; besides, it will take ages to accomplish such task.
From the foregoing, you can see that a registry fix program is an essential tool that the PC users should have at their disposal in order to carry out proper maintenance and protection of their computer system vital part (its registry). There are many of the repair software out there that it becomes confusing to know which one is ideal. Well, an ideal or best registry fix program is that which can correctly detect errors and fix them securely without escalating the already existing problem.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
5 Quick & Easy Excel Functions
Microsoft Excel is a very helpful tool when you need to analyze data. Using the preset excel functions can expedite this analyzing by introducing features designed to do most of the hard work for you.
There are some basic rules to follow when using formulas and functions:
1. They must begin with an equal sign. If you don't do this, the function won't work.
2. If you use parenthesis, you must close them.
SUM
Sum is also known as Autosum. Autosum adds up a range of values. The values can be in an contiguous range or random cells separated by commas. This is one of the easiest functions to use.
COUNT
Count lets you count the numerical values in a range of selected cells. Use this when you need to see how many values in a selected range are "numbers".
MIN
Minimum finds the smallest value in a selected list.
MAX
Maximum finds the largest value in a selected range.
AVERAGE
Average finds the average value from a selected list.
All of these functions are helpful because they can quickly summarize and calculate your data in a quick and concise manner. Once you get the hang of these simple functions, you can move on to more advanced functions and formulas to further crunch data in your spreadsheet.
These functions can be used in the same worksheet, workbook, or connected to different worksheets or workbooks. Your options are nearly limitless as long as you understand the basics! Remember to follow the rules and your excel function journey should be seamless!
There are some basic rules to follow when using formulas and functions:
1. They must begin with an equal sign. If you don't do this, the function won't work.
2. If you use parenthesis, you must close them.
SUM
Sum is also known as Autosum. Autosum adds up a range of values. The values can be in an contiguous range or random cells separated by commas. This is one of the easiest functions to use.
COUNT
Count lets you count the numerical values in a range of selected cells. Use this when you need to see how many values in a selected range are "numbers".
MIN
Minimum finds the smallest value in a selected list.
MAX
Maximum finds the largest value in a selected range.
AVERAGE
Average finds the average value from a selected list.
All of these functions are helpful because they can quickly summarize and calculate your data in a quick and concise manner. Once you get the hang of these simple functions, you can move on to more advanced functions and formulas to further crunch data in your spreadsheet.
These functions can be used in the same worksheet, workbook, or connected to different worksheets or workbooks. Your options are nearly limitless as long as you understand the basics! Remember to follow the rules and your excel function journey should be seamless!
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