http://justmelpublishing.com/ Articles at Just MEL Publishing Article Directory en-us http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/the-interesting-story-behind-two-popular-social-networking-sites.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/the-interesting-story-behind-two-popular-social-networking-sites.html Thu, 06 May 2010 14:22:11 -0500
Since Facebook could not buy Twitter, they did the next best thing: they started a Twitter-style update system. Facebook subsequently became much more popular and gained new users.

Twitter and Facebook do still get along. There may come a time in the future when Facebook will purchase Twitter, especially if Twitter does not become profitable.

Getting users isn't the problem. Twitter has millions of users. The problem is that Twitter does not monetize its popularity effectively. Twitter is not in the black; they are not profitable. If this does not change they may be compelled to sell out of desperation.

On the other hand, Facebook is making strong profits. It uses targeted advertising to generate revenue. The site may have enough money to make a very attractive offer to Twitter in the future.

The current Twitter craze is inexplicable. How many people live lives that are sufficiently interesting to warrant regular updates on their activities and whereabouts? For most of us, this information would make for very boring reading.

Telling everyone about the boring little events of your day like what you had for lunch and what you are getting at the grocery is not interesting. Many people complain about bores who fill up their Twitter feed or their Facebook News Feed with boring and useless information.

Eventually, the craze will fade. Twitter should take a solid payday when it comes, rather than waiting for a larger future offer that may never happen.

Eventually, the interest in the minutiae of other peoples' lives will fade. For now, though, Facebook and Twitter have the opportunity to make money and should do so. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/small-business-it-network-setting-it-up.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/small-business-it-network-setting-it-up.html Tue, 04 May 2010 17:02:54 -0500
Your IT network for your small business, whether it is wired or wireless, can give you an edge over your performance. The running expenses of a small business should be minimized as much as possible. This is because a small business is not supported or funded by huge resources. Building an IT network for your small business will enhance your business in a wonderful way.

In your office, you need to decide whether you want a wired or wireless IT network. If you want a wired IT network, you will need to get the network cabling done and you will need to buy a switch or switches for connecting the network. Depending on how large or small your office is you may require just one or two switches. What the switch does is that it distributes the network traffic. There are ports on the switch. Let's assume you get a ten port switch. One port will be used by your internet modem. Therefore nine computers in the office will be connected in the office. If you get two ten port switches, one will connect to the internet modem. You can connect eight computers and one port will be used to connect the second switch. On the second switch you can connect nine computers. So in total you will be able to have a network of seventeen computers. In case you get a twenty port switch you will be able to connect nineteen computers on the network.

The choice of number of switches really depends on the layout of your office. If all the employees are sharing one hall, then you could use one switch. If they are on different floors, then you could get a switch for each floor. So the floor layout of your office will determine your cables and switch requirement.

Small businesses can be started from home or by renting out a small office. It was a bit tricky in the past to set up an IT network of your business. One needed to hire the services of professional IT specialists in order to connect computers, printers, fax machines and internet connectivity in a network.

Everything is changed now, and anyone with a basic knowledge of IT can set up an IT network himself. The user friendly software and hardware developed by the computer industry giants have made things very easy. Microsoft leads the game in this regard as well. Windows XP networking is very helpful in setting up your own small business IT network.

The networking wizard assists you in building the network step by step. Once the network is built successfully, you can check whether it is functioning properly or not. The next and the crucial step in the set up are to secure your network against viruses, worms and deceptive software that can access you from the internet. Windows service pack 2 is equipped with the antivirus software, but it is always useful to protect your computer and your network with strong and updated versions of antivirus and malware protection tools.

Therefore, networking can help manage all the schedules of small business operations. This has due affiliation with communication and data transfer. Small business IT networks helps protect the data from being hacked and is quite secure. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/home-based-business-survival-secret-%232-know-your-business.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/home-based-business-survival-secret-%232-know-your-business.html Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:58:59 -0500
Understand the Product

The majority of modern home-based businesses relate to sales or marketing of some kind. Whether it is a multilevel marketing opportunity or another type of network marketing situation, these home-based businesses rely on buying into a system and then turning that system around to others. Each opportunity will be somewhat different, with its own perks and nuances. Before deciding to join up with any such home-based opportunity, it is essential to understand what product is being offered. This may seem obvious, but since so many of these opportunities involve virtual products, entrepreneurs must put extra effort into completely comprehending what their business entails.

Self-Empowerment

People who earn money from home have to be prepared to motivate and educate themselves. This is why understanding the product is so critical to a successful home-based business. First of all, it is important to know that the opportunity is actually legitimate. Unfortunately, along with the numerous quality home-based business opportunities, there are also a smattering of scams. In order to avoid these scams, some research is in order. Reading up on the company's policies and checking out testimonials regarding the company from third party reviewers should dispel any concerns regarding legitimacy.

In addition to making sure the home-based business is a viable option, the better one understands how the business model works, the better prepared one can be to meet the challenges. It is important to know how much work is required, the hours most people put into it, and what kind of profit can be realistically expected. In this way, understanding the product being offered and the system by which it is offered is an important step of self-empowerment while pursuing a home-based business.

Reaching Clients

Understanding the product is also critical to being an effective salesperson. After all, it is difficult to sell a product that one does not totally understand and believe in. The better grasp one has on the product, the easier it is to effectively set up a marketing program. This allows individuals to focus on the best characteristics and know how to appeal efficiently to prospective buyers. Additionally, a high level understanding is important during follow up conversations with clients. While many people can make an effective opening pitch, the real sales work comes through ongoing discussions with clients. Sellers must know their product inside and out in order to answer all questions that clients may have. Strong, consistent responses to questions can be an essential difference between making a sale and losing a customer.

Growing Success

Thoroughly understanding the process and product of a home-based business will take some time and effort. However, the investment will reap real dividends for serious entrepreneurs. The more one knows, the more one can sell, and in this way, anyone can take a home-based business opportunity and grow it into a successful and satisfying business venture. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-speakers.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-speakers.html Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:47:23 -0500
Wireless speakers generally fall into two categories. Infrared like a television remote control, beams a signal to the speakers, which requires a direct line of site, and remember if any objects in the way it can prevent the wireless speakers from receiving the signal and creates an obstruction on your hearing process. Radio frequency is waves to transmit the signal. And while the signal can pass through objects, some static can interfere with the sound just like when listening to the radio or when using a cordless telephone.

Don't forget to consider the range, especially for use outdoors. Many living rooms aren't bigger than your requirement i.e. twenty or thirty feet, but to reach 100 feet away is a definite challenge. So for that purpose many speakers can be purchased from the market in order to fulfill the ranges. Remember not to believe the manufacturers assurance. One most important factor to be remembered i.e. your house width vis-a-vis the speaker you are using, building materials, other electronic devices cluttering the radio band, and even geographic location.

Last but not the least the weather proofing also can cause a muffled sound, though in the backyard, acoustics and audiophile quality sound are generally not the main concern anyway, of these can significantly reduce the range of wireless speakers. Wireless speakers are getting better every day as technology advances and they become more and more popular with consumers.

Speakers provides detailed information on Speakers, Car Speakers, Wireless Speakers, Home Theater Speakers and more. Speakers is affiliated with TV Remote Controls. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/prepaid-wireless-is-it-right-for-you.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/prepaid-wireless-is-it-right-for-you.html Sun, 18 Apr 2010 06:59:51 -0500
The first question you'll need to ask yourself is how often you'll use your wireless phone?

Since the biggest benefit of a prepaid wireless phone is there is no monthly contract, you'll pay a little more for the prepaid minutes you purchase. But if you plan on using your phone strictly on an as-needed basis for emergencies, etc., a prepaid wireless program could be just what you're looking for.

The biggest mistake most people make when choosing to go prepaid is not reading the "fine print" of the providers' terms and conditions.

In most cases, the prepaid minutes you purchase will expire after a certain period of time, usually two or three months down the road. What this means is, if you buy 300 minutes today and fail to purchase more minutes anytime during the next few months, the unused portion of those 300 minutes will be unuseable!

This is sort of a convenient way to force you to keep on purchasing minutes even if you don't actually need them.

Another thing to watch out for is a daily minimum. Many providers will charge you $1.00 for each day you use your wireless phone. So if you get a prepaid wireless phone with the intention of making one two-minute call every day of the month, in addition to using 60 minutes of airtime, some providers will also charge you an additional $30 for the month, since you used the phone all 30 days.

Not a very good deal.

Out of all the prepaid wireless deals out there, TracFone seems to have the most competitive prices and terms of service. Although TracFone minutes expire after three months unless you purchase additional minutes (just like all the other companies), they also have a one-year activation service which is perfect for people just needing a wireless phone for emergency purposes. The deal changes from month to month, but usually provides for one year of activation, without requiring you to purchase additional minutes for a whole year. Thus, your monthly cost should average about $8.00 and you'll have a wireless phone with a few hundred minutes that will be good for the whole year.

The choices seem endless, but it pays to educate yourself about prepaid wireless phone plans. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-networking-laptop-labs-for-schools.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-networking-laptop-labs-for-schools.html Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:41:16 -0500
Student laptops need to have the following qualities: They need to be "Light", a really light laptop is less than four pounds. A heavy laptop is over 8LBS. The problem is that a really light laptop costs over $2,000 and schools can't afford that, so a laptop in the range of six pounds is good.

CD-ROM's for school laptop labs are optional if not totally unnecessary. I say this because they are usually the first thing to break. Second your computer techs will install all necessary software via ghosting or over the network. Third not having CD-RW's or DVD-ROMs remove the temptation of using the laptops for non-educational use.

Next the laptops need at least 512 mb of ram (Memory), most educational software is very graphic intensive and need a lot of memory. Anything less that 512mb of memory will cause the laptop to freeze off and on causing frustration for the students and teacher.

Hard drives only need to 30gigs. Installed software for a school laptop should max out at about 4 gigs. Students will not be downloading music or movies so a larger hard drive is not needed.

Next the actual profile of the laptop needs to be thin. Children have smaller hands and the thicker the laptop the more awkward it is for them to type.

Fourth the laptops need to have a integrated wireless 802.11g adapter. The Adapter must be integrated into the laptop. If you decide to use a PCMICA wireless adapter they will get bumped and bruised and broken with in the first month of use.

The laptops need to have a Pentium M processor or Centrino CPU. This extends the life of the battery to 3.5 hours verse 2 hours with out the Centrino technology. The usual rule with batteries is that you can expect to replace them every year. The replacement period for the laptop batteries can be extended by not letting the batteries completely drain. The monitor for the laptop should be 14" or 15". Anything smaller will be too small for the children to read, and anything larger will be too big and bulky.

Next, the laptops need to have Ethernet network adapters in case they need to plug directly into the network. Finally windows XP professional must be installed for the operating system.

A mobile cart to house the laptops is often the most over looked item for your mobile labs. Your cart will need a power strip to charge the laptops. Your cart will need some sort of lock to prevent theft. It also needs to be easily moved from class to class. If the cart is too large and bulky teachers will hesitate to use it. Next, your cart must be user friendly so students can take out the laptops and place them back in easily. I have seen schools make there own laptop carts and you can purchase them from various vendors. Just remember if the cart isn't easy to use then your laptops won't be safe, teachers won't use them and they will get stolen or broken.

Finally, before you decide on a line of laptops check websites such as cnet.com and amazon.com and read the reviews. Also call your local districts and find out what sort of technology they are using for there mobile labs. A good rule in buying technology is you don't want to be someone else's test case. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/different-pointers-to-show-you-how-to-choose-the-best-managed-service-provider-software.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/different-pointers-to-show-you-how-to-choose-the-best-managed-service-provider-software.html Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:07:23 -0500
It is also important for companies to understand how to choose the best Managed Service Provider software because only such software can help with effective management of online websites. In addition, the software needs to be able to handle security issues and do things such as back up information and even do some much needed storage of data. Managed Service Provider software is also able to take care of important issues in the most reliable manner possible.

Managed Service Provider or MSP software is able to provide many different types of solutions for managed information technologies. Before actually picking this kind of software it is important to look at the kinds of solutions being offered by the software. The software to be useful should provide management of web server solutions and in addition it should be able to manage IT service and improve data storage and ensure maximum information technology security.

With the help of MSP software it is easier for companies to control customer servers as well as desktops and in addition the software can also take care of networks, and much more.

The right kind of MSP software is one that is easily set up and which does not require having to do any staff training or adding hardware before the software will run properly.

It is also possible to learn whether particular managed service provider software is right for your company by identifying the extent to which the software helps in securing the company's IT aspects. Information technology security is a crucial area and it must be protected to the maximum. Breaches in security, whether serious or not can have unpleasant consequences which must be prevented at all costs. The right software should ensure that the IT scenario for the company is foolproof.

Besides handling things such as IT security and web servers, the managed service provider software should also be one that is sourced from a local vendor. Doing so helps ensure that should it become necessary to get onsite help, then dealing with local suppliers will prove to be more affordable than if the vendor is located somewhere far off.

Using MSP software can help in solving about eighty percent of all normal computer problems and it also ensures having round the clock monitoring support as well as troubleshooting support. Identification of potential problems is better done through MSP software which can also prevent the problems from occurring by use of real time remote monitoring. The right software helps in cutting costs, building revenues and delivering better services.

The bottom line is that as long as you are sure about how to choose the best Managed Service Provider software and you opt for a solution that is affordable you will find it easy to use the software to take care of complexities of today's business environment. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/home-based-business-survival-secret-%231.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/home-based-business-survival-secret-%231.html Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:38:42 -0500
If you are completely dedicated to the task of separating your workspace from the rest of your home, then you do not have to clean it at the same time if you do not want to. You should still make sure it does get properly cleaned frequently. It might be a good idea to add this to your 'to do' list or your scheduler to emphasize the importance of keeping your new work environment clean. Almost all businesses of any size have some sort of chart detailing whose job it is to clean which part of the office on which days, and your home office should not be any exception to this rule.

Any place that people live, germs breed. That is an indisputable fact, and if you live and work in the same place, you have more exposure to germs. Ask yourself if the cost of some extra cleaning products, especially anti-bacterial wipes and soap, are worth a significant decrease in the chance of becoming ill. Chances are that this is a fairly simple answer; yes. Buying cleaning products is not a panacea in an of itself, you have to use them regularly and properly to product your interest in staying productive and healthy.

Personal hygiene is a major part of the equation too. If you used to wake up, iron your clothes while you watch the morning news, go for a jog, take a shower, shave, put on deodorant, get dressed and head out the door, then the only part of this routine that should change is the very last part. Just because you are not leaving the door does not mean you should not be taking care of yourself in the same way that is gotten you to where you are today.

Just because you may not be face to face with peers, customers, or suppliers does not mean you should neglect your appearance. You might think that cutting corners and saving a few dollars on deodorant or aftershave is a good idea, but these are small prices to pay to be in peak shape. Clean without, clean within should be your motto, and it will help keep you razor sharp. The downside to not being clean in terms of hygiene vary from case to case, but it is never beneficial beyond saving a few dollars in the very short run. You risk distancing yourself from any person or group(s) that have routine contact with you, but most of all you risk losing that professional aura that can be extremely difficult to recapture.

Let us not forget that working from home is, well, working from home. As much as one tries to separate the two, they still manage to come into contact from time to time. If your neighbor's son accidentally threw his football into your backyard the parent(s) are likely to come over to ask permission to visit. You certainly do not want to answer the door to your house with an untidy work area, dressed in your pajamas, and smelling like you might be allergic to soap. Instead take the time to ensure that your work at home cleanliness is more work-like than a never-ending lazy weekend experience. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-network-installation-in-larger-up-scale-homes.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-network-installation-in-larger-up-scale-homes.html Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:52:13 -0500
Standards Tutorial: 802.11b is old don't use it. 802.11g runs at a reported 54mbps but actual throughput is 22 mbps, it has greater range than 802.11a. 802.11a is mostly used in areas where there are many wireless access points already such as business offices. Also 802.11a network can have more co-located wireless access points because 802.11a has 8 non-overlapping channels while 802.11g has only 3. 802.11n is only a draft version at this point so do not purchase draft n products. I do recommend purchasing 802.11g wireless access point with MIMO (Multi-in Multi out) technology. These access points are configured with two radios, which allow them to send and receive at the same time.

Phase one: Coverage Area - Defining coverage area for the home is very important because defining areas to blanket can effect the customers cost. We have many customers that do a lot of work in detached garages and basements but many people use wireless in only one room. So the rule of thumb is the more areas the need wireless coverage the higher the price for the customer.

Phase two: Site Survey - Perform a site survey to find out what other wireless networks are in the area. This is very important because in might impact whether you install a 802.11g wireless network or a 802.11a wireless network. If we perform a site survey and find many 802.11g wireless networks on varies channels it might be better to install a 802.11a wireless network which runs on a different frequency. Knowing what channels other networks are running on is very important because each one of your wireless access points will need to run on a different channel. 802.11g standards have only three non-overlapping channels, which are 1,6 and 11 while 802.11a has eight non-overlapping channels. The rule of thumb to follow is that 802.11g is subject to more interference but has greater range than 802.11a.

Phase threee: Distibution system - Now you need to decide how you're going to distribute your wireless network throughout the home. A wireless access point acts a wireless wire so you will still find a method to get a network connection to that wireless access point. You have three options: running network cables throughout the house (The worst option), setting up power line Ethernet, or setting wireless repeaters or bridges. Running network cables is your last option because it requires drilling and time, which equals more cost. Power line Ethernet is great because it turns your power outlets into network cables. All you have two do is plug in one power line adapter by your internet connected wireless router and then plug in adapters throughout the house where you need wireless access points plugged in. Then your final option is to set up wireless repeaters to which will extend your original signal through out your house.

Phase four: Access point Placement - Your first access points should be in the most central parts of the home with supplemental wireless access points placed in hard to reach areas. Keep the wireless access points away from large metal objects and if the wireless access point can't be placed in a central location use directional antennas to point the wireless signal internally instead of outside.

Phase five: Wireless access point Configuration - Your site survey will have revealed that 99% of the population purchases a wireless access point from best buy plugs it in and leaves all the defaults. So that means that their SSID is linksys and the wireless router / access point are on channel 6. Our larger home wireless network will need two to three wireless access points so we will configure our first two wireless access points on channels 1 and 11. If a third one is needed then you can use channel 6; just make sure user connections aren't dropped after the wireless clients are configured. Next you will want to name your wireless network (SSID). Choose a obscure name like house, a color or some thing that can't link the network with the family. The reason for that many people have their SSID as there last name and the there network key the same or a pet or child's name. The more hacker knows about the family the easier it will be to hack the network

Phase 6: Security - You will want to use AES encryption with WPA2 handling for the majority of wireless networks. If your clients are going to be gaming over the wireless network you could consider using WEP 128 because on older wireless access points AES encryption is processor intensive. The myth is that wireless encryption can be hacked in five minutes which is true if you have enough network packets to crack. The whole process is collecting the packets then cracking those packets, the collection of those packets could take weeks if not months. Then after the packets are collected the encryption has to be cracked. ]]> http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-usb-vs.-bluetooth-battle-royale.html http://justmelpublishing.com/computers/networks/wireless-usb-vs.-bluetooth-battle-royale.html Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:28:42 -0500
Bluetooth came onto the wireless scene in May of 1999. Initially developed by Ericsson, it was quickly adopted by such companies as Microsoft, Apple, Motorola, and Toshiba. It has since become a major standard for wireless device connectivity. Using wide-band, low-power radio waves to transmit data over short distances, Bluetooth has been used for wireless keyboards, mice, and other peripherals, cellular phones, PDAs, MP3 players, and some digital cameras. Concerning Bluetooth's popularity with cell phone manufacturers in particular, one of the benefits of Bluetooth is that it has a very low power consumption rate, especially when it comes to audio transmission. This has made Bluetooth the technology of choice for cell phone manufacturers looking to pair wireless headsets to their phones.

Despite widespread adoption by many manufacturers, Bluetooth has been plagued by some nagging problems. A major complaint has been the lack of interoperability between different manufacturers' Bluetooth devices. For example, using a Motorola Bluetooth headset has difficulty being connected with an LG cell phone. Security has been another major issue with Bluetooth-enabled devices. There have been documented instances of device "hijackings" where a third party has taken control of the device through the Bluetooth link. Issues with eavesdropping, data theft, and Bluetooth-spread viruses for PDAs, cellphones, and computers have also been reported. These problems are being dealt with as new revisions of Bluetooth are released.

The creation of the Wireless USB Promoters Group was announced in February of 2004 at the Intel Developer Forum. This group, composed of such companies as Intel, Microsoft, NEC, HP and Samsung, is tasked with creating a wireless standard based on the exceptionally popular USB standard with the same type of interoperability and simplicity of use. Should the forum succeed in their goal, Wireless USB could easily become the wireless de facto standard for UWB (ultra wideband) connectivity. The completion of the standard was announced in May of 2005 and the first Wireless USB products are slated to begin appearing in early 2006, with a strong ramp in 2007.

There is no doubt that the Wireless USB Promoters Group has examined Bluetooth and done its best to address the issues that have been problematic, such as interoperability and security. While there have been delays due to testing and certification, Wireless USB looks to be superior in both security and ease of connectivity. Where Bluetooth had compatibility issues between different developers' products, Wireless USB's adherence to the previous USB standards should serve to prevent similar problems. As far as security is concerned, Bluetooth depends on a four-digit pin number to ensure that the correct device is being connected to, while Wireless USB is looking at using a USB cable to make the initial connection, after which point the device can be used wirelessly.

If Wireless USB can deliver everything it promises, especially with the popularity of the other USB standards that it is based on and connected with, it will easily become the primary connectivity standard in the PC, consumer electronic, and mobile communication industries. Bluetooth users should not give up hope, however. Freescale Semiconducter, a UWB developer, has been able to use Bluetooth stacks to interpret UWB signals, demonstrating that a merging of the two technologies is possible. Until the Wireless USB standard officially releases and products appear on shelves, all we can do is speculate, but for all intents and purposes, Wireless USB appears to be the next major step in the evolution of connectivity technology, and it may alter the way we use technology forever. ]]>