วันอาทิตย์ที่ 24 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2550

Windows Vista Themes

Windows Vista Themes
By: IC

The Windows Vista Themes allow people to be able to change the visual elements of the desktop area on their computer by selecting a theme that is stored on their computer. People can select which computer sounds they want on the computer desktop too, and some of the themes come with their own sound scheme.

The Microsoft Corporation website can provide directions that will help people apply a sound scheme on their computer desktop. To allow people ample opportunity to personalize their Vista experience, it is also possible to change any of the individual sounds on the computer so that every event has a unique sound attached to it. These sound changes will only apply to the personal settings of one user account on the computer.

All of the Windows Vista operating systems will includes two themes, and these themes can be changed out at any time. The two themes are the Windows Vista Themes and the Windows Classic Theme. The latter theme is very similar to the themes used in the earlier Windows operating systems.

Windows Vista users can download Windows Vista Themes from many software company websites. Some of these themes will be provided free of charge and many can must be purchased. Any Windows Vista Theme that is downloaded from an outside should be considered very carefully. A theme can be assigned to any person that has set up a user account on the Vista operating system.

It is possibly to change themes by opening the Theme Settings on the computer by using the Start Menu button. Vista users can click on the Control Panel, and select Appearance and Personalization button, and select Personalization to find the area marked Themes. The Windows Vista Theme can be selected and installed by selecting the Theme you want from the list in this section.

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10 Ways To Protect Your Laptop Against Theft & Loss

10 Ways To Protect Your Laptop Against Theft & Loss
By: Titus Hoskins

Laptop theft is rampant. You have a 1 in 10 chance your shiny new laptop will be stolen. And the real shocker: according to the FBI 97% are never recovered.

And they should know, the U.S. Department of Justice stated in a recent report that the FBI lost 160 laptops in a 44 month period ending in September of 2005. If FBI agents have trouble keeping track of their laptops, imagine what the ordinary person is facing.

The statistics are pretty grim. A laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. Ouch!
With stats like those you have to do everything in your power to avoid becoming a victim of laptop theft. If you keep valuable personal or business information on your laptop the consequences can be even more gruesome and devastating. For laptop hardware can be easily replaced, but your valuable information may be lost forever.

So here are...
10 Practical Ways to Protect Your Laptop Against Theft, Loss or Misplacement.

1. Keep Your Eyes On Your Laptop
Be aware of your laptop at all times especially when traveling. You wouldn't leave a Thousand Dollar Bill lying around unattended would you? So watch your laptop closely.

2. Don't Use An Obvious Laptop Bag
Carry your laptop in regular luggage that doesn't look like it has a laptop. Don't advertise your laptop to any would-be thieves.

3. Use Visual Locks And Restraints
Use visual locks and restraints to secure your laptop and to act as a deterrent. It won't fool hardened thieves but most will opt for a less secure laptop. For example, you can use a product like STOP, this system works by attaching a specially-made security plate to your laptop. This plate is barcoded and registered. It also carries a warning label letting would-be cyber thieves know that the ownership of your laptop is permanently monitored.

4. Use Passwords And Encryption
Use passwords and encryption to protect any sensitive information on your laptop. Again, unless you use very sophisticated encryption it won't fool the experienced hacker or hard-core digital thief but it will slow down and hinder the common criminal.
Set a BIOS Password for your laptop. You have to take advantage of any security option that's on your laptop's OS or operating system. For those using Mac OS X you can encrypt your entire hard drive and set-up a master password in order to view it.
Windows XP & Vista lets you encrypt files and folders. Just right click your data, select properties, open general tab and then advanced to check "Encrypt contents to secure data box".

5. Use Encryption Programs Like Steganos Safe 2007
You can also try something like Steganos Safe 2007. Vital files can be encrypted and it can even turn your USB thumb drive or iPod into a key for unlocking your hard drive.

6. Use Anti-Theft Software Like LoJack
Use anti-theft software that can track and locate your laptop or computer through the IP address once the stolen laptop is used to access the Internet. Use systems like "LoJack For Laptops". It costs Costs around 50 bucks a year but it may be worth that price for your peace of mind alone.

According to the info on their site they recover 3 out of 4 stolen laptops equipped with the LoJack system. It basically places hidden and silent software that reports back the IP address and location of the laptop once it is stolen and the thief connects to the Internet.

7. Use Invisible Ultraviolet Markings
Use invisible ultraviolet markings so that any recovered stolen laptops will be clearly marked as yours to the police. Keeping track of your laptop's serial number is also a good idea and have this number stored in a different place other than on your laptop.

8. Try Remote Data Deletion
If you place important information on your laptop have a remotely controlled self-destruct solution in place. Then your highly sensitive information can be deleted remotely after your laptop is stolen.

9. Be Prepared
Create company policies for management of your company's laptops. Have set procedures in place for tracking and reporting of any laptops stolen or misplaced. Be prepared for the inevitable.

10. Backup Backup Backup
Regularly backup any vital information you have on your laptop. Most information will be useless to potential thieves but may be extremely important to you personally or for the running of your business.

No matter if it is through theft or simple misplacement, losing a laptop is a painful experience, one you should avoid at all costs. However, if it does happen to you, be assured you can minimize the pain by having a complete backup of your laptop's contents. In most cases, this information will be much more valuable than the laptop itself.

For hardware can be easily replaced, your personal data and months/years of work may take forever to recover or redo. Sometimes it is lost forever, so BACKUP your information regularly. Keep your laptop and its contents safe and out of harm's way. Simply protect yourself and your laptop by using the tips you have just read.
Copyright (c) 2007 Titus Hoskins

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Software Testing Trade Offs

Software Testing Trade Offs
By: Groshan Fabiola

Running software testing projects is far more difficult than people outside of the software testing arena seem to realize. It is not uncommon for senior management, project management and development teams to adversely pressurize the test team to cut corners in order to meet delivery deadlines. Yes, everyone wants to release a quality product, on time and on budget. Believe it or not even the software testing team want to hit the delivery date, with a product that is on budget. Pushing the software testing team to cut corners is not the answer though.
It is easy to see that everyone involved with a development project wants to achieve the same goal and the same successful release, it is just that the test team are more cautious than most. And for good reason; Software testing is difficult! There is no set process that ensures a successful testing project and there are no software testing tools which guarantee a successful release. Yet despite these clearly obvious facts senior managers, project managers and development teams always seem to think it is the software test team that can perform some magical act to bring a project back on schedule when project deliver schedules start to slip. Well they can't!

At least they can't if they continue to act professionally, accurately and effectively. The test team are, without question, the last check point prior to a company potentially releasing a product that destroys the companies reputation. That is no small responsibility to take on.
So why is it that it always falls on the software test team to bring in the schedule when projects start slipping? We'll, that isn't a difficult one to answer although there are a couple of reasons, one of which might surprise you. Firstly as testing commonly falls at the end of the development cycle the software testing component is the only area left where it is even possible to make up time. Secondly, and possibly more interestingly, those who have little knowledge of complexities of software testing (for example project mangers) think that a little less testing will only have a little impact on the quality of the product. How wrong that assumption can be!Releases of products with serious defects usually happen because the software test team are forced to cut corners.

The imprecise nature of software testing, and the pressure to cut corners, means it is very difficult to confidently target the test areas such that you minimize the risk of releasing with serious defects left uncovered. The very fact that we leave some areas of our testing incomplete means we have no idea about what we are leaving uncovered. Software testing tools can help but as in many walks of life it all comes down to a trade offs between quality and time, but with software testing the consequences of getting the trades offs wrong can be disastrous.

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NTP Server Backup Timing References

NTP Server Backup Timing References
By: David Evans

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a standard Internet protocol for the transfer of time around a computer network. NTP was originally developed to synchronise time on Internet time clients. The protocol has a hierarchical structure, each level of the structure serves time to the level below. At the top of the hierarchy is a stratum-1 network time server that synchronises to an external time & frequency source, such as GPS.

NTP Servers utilise the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to provide an accurate timing reference to network time clients. Stratum 1 NTP servers synchronise to highly accurate external reference clocks such as GPS or Radio Time & Frequency transmissions.

Many NTP servers utilise a high precision backup frequency generator to maintain time in the event of signal loss. This article describes the various precision frequency generators used by NTP servers and the price-performance issues.

Oscillators have an inherent quality factor, or Q factor, that influences their stability. The Q factor of an oscillator is calculated by dividing its resonance frequency by its resonance width. The higher the Q factor the more stable the oscillator. Therefore, NTP servers are best served with backup oscillators with a high Q factor.

The quartz crystal is by far the most common form of oscillator. More than 2 billion quartz oscillators are manufactured annually. Quartz crystal oscillators are used in all manner of timing equipment from clocks and watches to computer systems. Quartz crystal oscillators have a quality factor in the range 10^4. Environmental factors, such as temperature, can affect the resonance of quartz crystal oscillators. However, a number of techniques have been developed to minimise external environmental effects on the crystal.

TCXO's, or Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillators, contain frequency compensation circuits that adjust for temperature variations. TCXO's provide an increase in the stability of the crystal by a factor of 2 or 3. Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillators (OCXO) utilise a technique designed to minimise temperature fluctuations that affect the resonance of a quartz crystal oscillator. The quartz crystal is encased in an insulated enclosure along with a small heating element and a temperature sensor. The heating element and temperature sensor maintain the crystals temperature at a constant level, well above the external temperature. Maintaining a constant temperature can increase the stability of the crystal by a factor of 10 or more. Typically, TCXO and OCXO devices have a quality factor (Q) in the range 10^6. Recent advances in TCXO manufacturing processes have dramatically improved size, performance and cost. TCXO's are now an attractive proposition for even cost-sensitive applications.
Rubidium oscillators operate at 6834 MHz, the resonance frequency of the Rubidium atom. Rubidium based oscillators are relatively expensive, but have a much higher stability than crystal oscillators. However, manufacturing and design advances mean Rubidium Oscillators are constantly becoming smaller and less expensive. Rubidium based NTP servers can provide a highly stable timing reference but are still relatively expensive. To summarise, NTP servers with oscillators that have a higher Q factor provide a more stable timing reference. However, stability often comes at a cost and a compromise between price and performance may need to be sought.

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วันเสาร์ที่ 23 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2550

Millions Can’t Be Wrong with Trend Micro Pc-cillin

Millions Can’t Be Wrong with Trend Micro Pc-cillin
By: Andy Rhodes

The world wide web has proven to be what it was hope for. The internet has been new market for business, a inexpensive communication tool, a vast resource of information, up to date developments of historic events and news.

Never has it been more reliable and convenient for people to pay their bills by using the internet. They don’t have to queue for long minutes to pay for light, gas and water bills. What they have is an online payment using their credit cards over the internet. Some people even go shopping for groceries and other stuff using the internet. Some even order pizzas, drinks and other menu from online food stores.

There is a downside to all this benefits of the internet. Hackers or thieves on the internet exist to take advantage of people’s property to make money and mischief. They have code that can break into an individual’s computer and take control of it. They will use the computer to attack other computers, hijack all pertinent information and use the credit cards of the person to buy stuff over the internet.

The hackers employ softwares that can take several forms. They can be file, audio, video and emails that carry viruses. Spywares, adwares, Trojans and worms are other forms too. All of these machinations are designed to steal data, control of your pc and damage your pc. Many people have been It is a fact that many people have been hit by these nasty programs . You may be getting a lot of free stuff from the internet. Be cautioned that you may be tricked into downloading files that might damage your computer or hijack your personal files.

To counteract all the dangerous softwares infecting your computer, you have to get a internet security software. An industry leader for being reliable and affordable is the Pc-cillin software of Trend Micro Enterprises. It has one of the largest sales of these softwares around the world.
It has consistently been in the forefront to develop countermeasures to the growing diversity and effectiveness of malicious softwares circulating on the web. Pc-cillin has a new software that has combined features from previous ones. It provides antivirus security. All files coming into your computer will be checked for viruses, worms and Trojans. Keyboard loggers, an example for spyware, will be scanned for by the new Pc-cillin software. TrendSecure or Transaction Guard will protect your online transactions. A new personal firewall to safeguard all incoming and outgoing traffic from internet so as to prevent hackers from gaining access and control to your computer.Last, but not the least is the added feature of Parental Controls that will prohibit children with lower user privileges from viewing adult content whether by nudity, violence or foul language. All these features are guaranteed to work. You can once again surf the internet without worrying about the potential dangers it has since you are protected by Pc-cillin.

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