A jump drive - also known as a USB drive, flash drive, keychain drive, or disk-on-key - is a plug-and-play portable storage device that uses flash memory and is lightweight enough to attach to a key chain. A jump drive, which looks very much like an ordinary highlighter marker pen, can be used in place of a floppy disk, Zip drive disk, or CD.

When the user plugs the device into their USB port, the computer’s operating system recognizes the device as a removable drive and assigns it a drive letter. Unlike most removable drives, a jump drive does not require rebooting after it’s attached, does not require batteries or an external power supply, and is not platform dependent.

Several jump drive manufacturers offer additional features such as password protection, and downloadable drivers that allow the keychain drive to be compatible with older systems that do not have USB ports. Jump drives are available in capacities ranging from 8 MB to 2 gigabytes, depending on manufacturer, in a corresponding range of prices.

With a jump drive, data can be retained for long periods when the jump drive is removed from the computer, or when the computer is powered-down with the drive left in. This makes the jump drive convenient for transferring data between a desktop computer and a notebook computer or for short-term backup of small to moderate quantities of data.

You might be able to get the jump drive to work if you have the correct drivers for whatever version of Windows you are running on the old PC. Many flash drives, however, are not designed to work with Windows 95 or earlier. Some will not even work with the original Windows 98. If that is the case, life gets more difficult. USB support is very limited in many of these older PC’s, so the obvious solution of using some USB device such as a flash drive, external hard drive, CD-R, or some other device may not work.

If that is the case, you need to do something like install a network card into the old PC so you can network it with the new one. Another option is to take out the hard drive from the old computer, put it in a USB enclosure. You can then plug it into the new PC and use it as an external drive.

You may be able to connect the old drive directly into the new PC, but most new ones use the new Serial ATA attachment rather than the old IDE attachment. If that is the case, you would still need to buy an adapter to make it work. Another option is to buy a USB floppy disk drive for your new PC.

You can not “edit” data on any CD. You can burn a CD and then you and re-write over that data and burn it again. You can not Edit or add to information on a CD. I would suggest a USB Jump (Flash)Drive easily purchased for maybe $30 to $40 US dollars and hold up to one or two GB’s of information. A floppy disk only holds 1.44 kb (1.5mg) not even 1 high density photo. A flash drive is plugged into your USB port and you can work off of it the same way you do your hard drive.

Get too one for your backup that is put in a fireproof box in a different location than your computer and backup to it once a week or so. Look for a USB 2.0 Flash Drive. Portable reusable, storage device. Easily transfer data music and images, from PC to PC.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.BuyRAM.info/ , a computer memory Super Store. BuyRAM.info carries an excellent selection of computer memory, notebook memory, and digital camera memory for every type of computer, notebook, and digital camera on the market. Click Here to Search for System Memory by selecting the make and model of your system.

Regarding newer motherboards: most newer GeForce series boards are faster, the 6800GS and 6800GT are faster, but hard to find, the 7600GT is comparable in performance to the 6800GT so therefore likely faster. The GeForce 7800 and 7900 series will be much faster, and the 8800 series will be downright absurdly fast. Obviously something is wrong so if you want to turn your on board graphics card back on just go and look on your motherboard for a watch battery the size of a quarter. Remove it. Then look for a jumper (three wires sticking up from the motherboard by the battery or just two).

If there are 2 and they have no plastic jumper on them then short them out with the computer off and then remove the short and replace the battery and turn it on. If there are three wires move the jumper from the position it is in to the other position and then back after removing the battery. Replace the battery and turn the machine back on. If neither of these work remove the battery for about a week and see if it works.

I think that’s the problem right there “I have installed the latest drivers” see most people doing windows updates or mainly driver updates have been noticing that they have more problems. Just right click on my computer and click properties. Hardware, device manager, then roll back the video card driver. That’s it. If this does not work then maybe your direct X needs updated or you just recently put something new on your machine. If not then maybe your computer is just overheating.

I have three identical computers and they have all been set up the same. One of them has this enormity. I have asked several people about it. They told me to upgrade My Direct X or uninstall it and reinstall it. The only problem is that I can’t find an uninstall program for it. Don’t install direct X 10 it’s a Beta Version. Let me assume you are using an LCD monitor. If this is true your images will never be crisp. If you want to improve the frame rate just go out and get a new CRT monitor. It will support better frame rates or screen refresh rates measured in hertz. 60 Hz is default. 100 are pretty good.

Don’t use a plasma screen monitor unless you are looking for maximum picture quality and a maximum waste of money. Plasma screens literally burn out very fast. I would not worry about going into the bios to tell it to check for a VGA graphics card first. The thing is if you have to change it back you can always just reset the bios using the battery jumper. All you do is take out the battery. And use your motherboard manual (assuming you have it) or download a new one and print it to jump your motherboard and reset the bios.

I’m guessing the problem lies in the codec or the player itself, try updating both. I’d suggest updating video drivers, motherboard drivers, etc If it’s streaming content it’s most likely waiting on the content server, if it’s from a DVD or VCD, I’d suggest ensuring the drive is in functioning condition, and set to the highest possible Ultra-ATA mode.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.BuyRAM.info/ , a computer memory Super Store. BuyRAM.info carries an excellent selection of computer memory, notebook memory, and digital camera memory for every type of computer, notebook, and digital camera on the market. Click Here to Search for System Memory by selecting the make and model of your system.

The MMC and Secure digital cards are not the same but are interchangeable. The difference has to do with copy protections of the disk volume on the SD card. This extra feature makes the SD attractive for people who use them in MP3 players. No other cards are interchangeable. The Canon Power shot A510 you described comes with only 16MB, so it would be best to invest in more memory capacity. What I would recommend is getting one memory card that you will be able to use, even as your need for the amount of pictures you want to take changes.

For this use I would recommend the SanDisk 1 GB Secure Digital Memory Card. Usually running around $90 this card will allow you transfer large files, take hundreds of photos, handle large movie files, and take pictures on the highest resolution setting. If you are looking for something with less storage space, but with an equally reduced cost. I would recommend the Kingston 512 MB SD Memory Card running from around $44. This card holds a significantly less amount of pictures, but still performs well.

Actually the Kodak cards are probably made by SanDisk anyway as Kodak manufacturers very little these days and subs most everything out. I use both Compact Flash and Secure Disc memory cards and I’d be hard pressed to see any difference between the quality of the files stored on different types of cards or brands. And I have never heard of a problem of loss of quality because of a memory card.

What I have experienced is the corruption of the files on a memory card. I have several digital cameras of different brands and one day loaded a CF card from one camera into another. I am not sure but I think that the second camera tried to overwrite the first’s directory and caused the loss of some information and a few files to be corrupted. I would suggest that you get yourself a program like RescuPro. It is a program that both finds and recovers lost and corrupted files and it wipes and deletes images files from a memory card.

Besides the price and fancy name, the difference between each generation of SanDisk cards is speed. A lot of people aren’t aware of this, but the speed at which you can take pictures and speed of transferring them to you your computer really depends on the type of memory card you have. Overall, SanDisk has a great reputation for making fast cards. The Sony A-100 has a burst rate of three frames per second, which is similar to my camera.

With a slower card you only may be able to write five or six frames before the card has to stop the camera. If you’re into sports I suggest the III or IV, especially since you have 10.2 megapixels which will eat up write time.

Another thing is the speed you can transfer your pictures to your computer. The best setup is a card reader and a 2.0 USB port. It also makes a huge difference what type of card your pictures are stored on. If you’re transferring 200 10.2MP RAW images the difference between the original and IV can be minutes. The type of card is really important. Personally, since you’ll be saving large files like 10.2MP, I’d go for the III or IV, but it is completely up to you.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.BuyRAM.info/ , a computer memory Super Store. BuyRAM.info carries an excellent selection of computer memory, notebook memory, and digital camera memory for every type of computer, notebook, and digital camera on the market. Click Here to Search for System Memory by selecting the make and model of your system.

A multi-tasker needs all the RAM his PC will handle. I just increased mine to 2GB and I can tell a big difference. On the other hand, 512MB is a pretty healthy amount of real memory for a notebook - especially if you are using a PIV processor. If you have a Celeron, however, it needs a lot of help. I have resorted to the reformat, reinstall process a few times - but it was always with Celerons and the computers were slow from the second you turned them on.

I would first try dumping all of your background programs. You can do that by running `msconfig’, choosing `selective startup’, going to the startup tab, and unchecking everything but your antivirus program. Another software maintenance issue (besides defrag) is keeping all of your junk files cleaned out (recycle bin, temp files, temp internet files, cache, history, etc.). I like a little program called `Window Washer’ but there are several on the market, another problem you may be having is heat. If the underside of your notebook is not well ventilated it could be running hot - and that will really slow it down.

Multi-tasking is a memory thirsty pastime. Your CPU can clearly cope. Adding 256MB of RAM would make a difference; 512MB would have a much bigger impact though. Don’t reformat mate, you’ll be gutted afterwards, as you can never get things quite the same again. First, I’ll list below, a way you may be able to greatly improve things by simply tweaking windows a bit.

You may or may not be familiar with Virtual Memory. (If you are, prepare to suck eggs, sorry) It’s an area of Hard Drive specifically allocated by Windows to act as an overflow for when your system runs low on Physical RAM. So if your system has 512MB and your Multi-tasking requires 1024MB, Windows will use 512MB of Virtual RAM to make up the extra.

When you defragment your Hard Drive, the Virtual Memory is shown as Data that cannot be moved (Green). The Problem with Windows is that it manages your Virtual Memory Dynamically. Setting a minimum and a maximum value that, changes as and when required. This tends to slow things down as the Virtual Memory allocation becomes fragmented on your Hard Drive. In turn this delays your Processor as it retrieves Data from all over the place instead of simply off your Memory module(s).

The best way to overcome this is to monitor Task Manager while you are multi-Tasking. And while the PC is at rest. You need to note the “Page File” usage (This is another name for Virtual Memory). See how high it goes when you’re hammering it, and how low it goes when it’s resting. Deduct max from min and add around 10%. This is the figure you’ll need later. Your aim is to end up with a Page File in one place with no fragments. All you’re doing is optimizing your system.

Start by, Defragging your Hard Drive. Now left click Start,right click My Computer,left click Properties. You should now have the System Properties Window open. Click the Advanced tab,Performance Settings,Advanced. In The Virtual Memory area, click Change. Select Custom Size and insert your calculated figure (Max-Min) +10%.

You need to insert the same figure for both Max and Min. This will fix the memory size and stop windows from expanding and shrinking it dynamically. You’ll probably be required to restart before the changes will take effect. Once restarted, you can go to Defragmenter and analyze the Drive to ensure you have just one Fragment of Page File. This information can be viewed in the report generated by Defragmenter. If you find the Page File is fragmented, try defragging it again to try and clear a contiguous area big enough for it.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.BuyRAM.info/ , a computer memory Super Store. BuyRAM.info carries an excellent selection of computer memory, notebook memory, and digital camera memory for every type of computer, notebook, and digital camera on the market. Click Here to Search for System Memory by selecting the make and model of your system.

Any business owner or manager knows how important printers are to success. When the printers are down productivity suffers, and even the most robust business can grind to a halt. While many large companies can afford to hire professionals to troubleshoot and maintain the printers in the office, many smaller business owners find themselves wearing the hat of the printer repairman. Knowing how to diagnose and solve common printer problems can save those business owners lots of time and money, while at the same time keeping the business productive and profitable.

While there are many different kinds of printers, made by a host of printer manufacturers and wearing a number of name and model badges, most printer problems break down into a short list of categories. Understanding what these breakdowns mean, and learning to diagnose the parts most likely to cause those problems, is a big part of successful printer troubleshooting.

Problem 1 Paper Jams
Paper jams are perhaps the most common of all printer complaints, and they can also be one of the most difficult to diagnose. When a printer begins suffering from persistent paper jams, one of the most important steps is to look for a trouble code on the printer. If such a code is present, refer to the manual that shipped with the printer, or the manufacturers website, for information on how to clear the jam and prevent it from recurring.

Paper jams in laser printers are often the result of worn out rollers in the paper trays, so it is important to check those rollers when those jams occur on a regular basis. Most modern printers make it fairly easy for users to change the rollers, and it is a good idea for printer owners to keep a number of extra rollers on hand. When changing worn rollers, be sure to refer to the printers user manual, or instructions on the manufacturers website.

Problem 2 Ink Rubbing Off
Sometimes printer users will discover to their dismay that the ink rubs off the page easily, and this problem can easily result in a stack of unusable paper and hours of wasted time. When the ink rubs off the pages easily the most likely culprit is a defective or worn out fuser. Again, most modern laser printers make it fairly easy for printer owners to swap out a fuser cartridge, but it is still important to carefully follow the directions that came with the replacement cartridge. As with rollers, keeping an extra fuser cartridge on hand for each printer model can save a great deal of time and hassle.

Problem 3 Ink Spots and Inferior Printouts
Spots or other imperfections on the printouts can also be the result of a worn out fuser cartridge, so it is important to check the fuser when this problem occurs. If changing the fuser does not solve the problem it may be that the printer simply needs a good cleaning. Ink from the toner cartridge can often leak into the interior of the printer, causing spotting on the pages. Cleaning the printer with a specially designed cleaning cloth can often put the problem to rest.

If the problem continues it may be time to change the toner cartridge. As toner cartridges age they can begin to leak and cause other problems. If spotting is seen on the pages it is important to look carefully underneath the toner cartridge for loose ink and to remove any ink that is found. If ink is continually found inside the printer the toner cartridge is probably leaking and should be replaced at once.

Problem 4 Light Printouts
This is perhaps the easiest to solve of all printer problems, and one of the most common. If the printouts begin to appear light, the most likely cause is a worn out toner cartridge and replacing the toner cartridge should resolve the issue. If the toners seem to wear out too quickly, it may be a good idea to look into changing brands or suppliers. Each toner cartridge should come with an estimated life, and it is important to monitor actual usage to ensure quality service when buying printer consumables.

This article was written by an inkjet printer specialist. Who inkjet supplies from http://www.easyinkz.co.uk who are great resellers of quality discounted Printer cartridges

In a recent report issued by CompTIA, the Computer Technology Industry Association, 50% of small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) had very little trust in the security offered by VoIP vendors, or for that matter, voice over IP security in general.

It is true, having your voice and data running on the same infrastructure leaves your telecommunications particularly vulnerable to all the security threats inherent in an IP network. Viruses, Trojan Horses, and worms can all wreak havoc on a network, and having your voice network go down for even the shortest time is intolerable for most business.

That said, security has come a long way, and most attacks can be stopped at the gateway by a good network administrator. While attacks on VoIP networks in particular are by no means widespread, the possibilities are there, if not imminent, and pose a very real threat to the very time sensitive requirements of voice over IP.

The following is a compilation of just some of the security threats facing a voice over IP network, as well as some security measures that could be taken to prevent such attacks.

SPIT: The new Spam for VoIP

Most anybody that receives email is familiar with the term Spam. Who among us has not received dozens of unsolicited emails, clogging up our mailboxes and causing us to waste our valuable time? Laws have been made to reduce the clutter in our mailboxes, and major offenders have been fined heavily and in some cases put in jail.

Spam is basically the broadcasting of advertisements, announcements, or other unwanted messages, over a network or networks, ending up in the mail boxes of anyone that has an email address on that network. At worst, spam is frustrating for the recipient, and can also cause network problems utilizing a good majority of bandwidth that is meant for other things. As email applications are connectionless and not sensitive to time delay, eventually the recipient will receive their emails intact, albeit a few minutes later than it would normally take.

Spam over Internet telephony, otherwise known as SPIT, can have far greater consequences than email spam. Spitters that target VoIP gateways can use up the available bandwidth, severely disrupting Quality of Service and causing a major degradation in voice quality.

The open nature of VoIP phone calls makes it easy for spitters to broadcast audio commercials just as email advertisements are broadcast. On closed networks like Vonage or Skype, or even your companies LAN, it is a little more difficult as the spitter would have to hack into the network in order to implement the broadcast. It can, however, be done.

The ability to broadcast audio messages over a VoIP network is not, in itself, necessarily a bad thing. Companies should be able to get out important messages quickly, and on a broader scope, emergency services could easily communicate mandatory evacuations, or warn of impending disasters in the event of catastrophe.

While Spit is certainly a technical possibility, to date, we have not seen a lot of it. In 2004, the peer to peer VoIP network Skype got hacked into, and users were inundated with unsolicited audio messages. Shortly thereafter, Skype had found and closed the loophole in the network. One other legal recourse is to get on the national Do Not Call list, to prevent solicitors from bombarding your voice mail box

Eavesdropping

Probably one of the scariest vulnerabilities of VoIP is the ability of an outsider to eavesdrop on a private conversation. This concept is nothing new to IP data networks, and generally requires a packet analyzer to intercept IP packets, and in the case of VoIP, saving the data as an audio file. Hackers then have the ability to learn user ids and passwords, or worse, to gain knowledge of confidential business information.

While it is true that eavesdropping occurs on traditional telephone lines as well as cellular networks, for someone to tap into your home phone line pretty much requires a physical presence outside your house. In the case of an IP network, a hacker requires only a laptop, some readily available software, and the knowledge of how to hack into your network.

Security analysts have long used encryption techniques to protect the confidentiality of data traveling through an IP network, and the same concept holds true for voice packets. The challenge with voice is to encrypt strongly and quickly, to protect confidentiality and as not to slow down the packet flow.

Nevertheless, if someone really wants to listen in on your calls, no type of telecommunication is 100% secure.

Phishing the Waters of Voice over IP

Another variation of an email attack, Phishing is designed to trick a user into revealing sensitive data such as user names, passwords, bank accounts, credit cards, and even social security numbers. In the case of VoIP, the attack could come as a voice mail message urging you to call a designated number and provide your user information. Even if the call is automated, touch tones can be easily deciphered. Depending on what information they get, hackers can use it to access bank accounts, or to steal identities.

While you can program a PBX to restrict call backs to known phishers, as more users become familiar with the pitfalls of the Internet, it becomes common knowledge to never give out sensitive information to automated media, be it via data or voice.

SIP Registration Hijacking

The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is becoming widely accepted as the method for setting up VoIP phone calls. The process involves a Registrar (in some cases the company PBX itself), which maintains a database of all users subscribed to the network, and basically maps their telephone number to an IP address.

Registration hijacking occurs when the packet header of either party is intercepted by a hacker, who substitutes his IP address for that of the legitimate one. Attacks can take the form of fraudulent toll free calls, denial of service attacks that can render the users device useless, or a simple diversion of communication.

Spoofing

Another hack that is well known in data networks is spoofing Also known as a man in the middle attack, spoofing requires hacking into a network and intercepting packets being sent between two parties. Once the IP address or phone number of the trusted host is discovered, hackers can use this attack to misdirect communications, modify data, or in the case of Caller ID Spoofing, transfer cash from a stolen credit card number.

SIP registration hijacking is a form of spoofing. Both of these spoofs, as well as other hacks such as eavesdropping, can be prevented by employing encryption techniques at the call set up phase. Today, the up and coming mechanism to achieve this is to send SIP messages over an encrypted Transport Layer Security channel. Putting these two protocols together forms the acronym SIPS.

There is no doubt that IP networks can be, and are, hacked into. Since a converged network consists of data and voice, VoIP is as vulnerable as any application to these disruptions, but with a downtime tolerance of no more than 5 minutes a year, such interruptions are considered intolerable for voice applications.

As of today, most of these security threats are not wide spread, and are presented here as a what could happen in the future scenario. Industry experts agree that as voice over Internet telephony becomes more wide spread, malicious hacking attempts are bound to follow.

These and other security threats can be prevented by a vigilant network staff, using all the known security precautions typical of an IP network. No VoIP solution is secure out of the box, and must be locked down by using common sense approaches, including but not limited to changing default passwords, closing down unused ports and services, utilizing firewalls and VPNs for network communications, and diligent intrusion detection.

Author Michael Talbert is a certified systems engineer and web designer with over 7 years experience in the industry. For more information on VoIP Telecommunications, visit the website VoIP-Facts.net, or the VoIP Facts Blog for up to date industry news and commentary.

The convergence of data and voice networks in the business environment takes on a new twist with the emergence of wireless networking. The freedom of mobility offered to users in a wireless LAN has proven to provide a noticeable boost in productivity, efficiency, and. employee morale. No longer is the work force tied to their desk when on the job. Workers can access company files and receive important communications from anywhere on the company campus that’s in range of a wireless access point.

With voice communications thrown into the mix, mobile users can stay in touch while roaming the property inside or out, and even on the road. The acceptance of the fixed to mobile convergence concept by the telecommunications industry only promises to fuel the fire for the adoption of VoIP over WiFi.

The Challenges of Implementing VoIP over WiFi Networks

As with any emerging technology, there are challenges to overcome. The development of the converged network, i.e. data and voice on the same IP based LAN, while yet to be an established norm, is proving to be beneficial for businesses from both a cost and productivity perspective. Adding the prospect of VoIP over a wireless network brings up a whole new set of issues.

VoIP is a time sensitive technology. Calls must be set up and authenticated, and voice packets must arrive at their destination without interruption and on time. This requires a near continuous network stream, uninterrupted by less sensitive data transmissions. The implementation of quality of service (QoS) techniques on wired LANs assure that these voice packets receive priority, and call quality issues such as latency, jitter, and packet loss have been sufficiently addressed.

Enter the standards based wireless network, a technology in an earlier stage of development, and more challenges occur. While today’s wired network provides plenty of bandwidth for both voice and data to coexist, WLANs provide less bandwidth, and quality of service issues must be revisited. Security measures such as authentication and encryption must be implemented and can add to the problem by increasing the size of the voice packet. Additionally, users on the move will traverse wireless access points where handoffs must be quick and smooth.

The IEEE 802 standards governing wireless technology are evolving rapidly and promise to deal with a broad spectrum of WiFi issues. Increasing the bandwidth available, prioritizing voice packets for QoS, authentication and encryption protocols for security, and enhanced roaming techniques are all being addressed.

Also in development is the wireless technology commonly known as WiMax, providing for the implementation of high bandwidth wireless communications covering distances of up to 30 miles. The evolution of WiMax could prove of great consequence to developing countries, as well as metropolitan LANs.

Security in a VoIP/WiFi Network

Companies wishing to implement wVoIP must take security issues into consideration from the start. As in any IP network, the dangers of hackers, denial of service, highjacking and spam, all lurk in the shadows.

Because a wireless network uses radio frequencies as its transmission media, the security normally provided by a firewall in a wired network is not sufficient, simply because of the physics. Whereas to break into a wired LAN requires hackers to either physically be inside the network or to hack in through the Internet, in a WLAN they can grab network transmissions from the air while parked across the street. The security issues that network managers must consider in a VoWLAN are the privacy of conversations, and the protection of the network infrastructure.

For WiFi networks, security has had a shaky start with the implementation of WEP as its security mechanism. WEP provides for authentication and encryption between the user and the access point, and was found to be easily hacked. The 802.11i standard, adopted as WPA2 (Wireless Protected Access), provides for more robust security by requiring two way authentication between the user and the network, and uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) as its encryption engine.

As network managers plan the rollout of a wireless VoIP network, the greatest security threat they face is improper implementation. Building security into the design of the initial deployment can, and should, affect the network topology, as well as material costs. Failure to do so could lead to further expenses in loss of services and network redesigns in the event of compromise.

WiFi, VoIP, and the Cellular Networks

Manufacturers of cellular devices are incorporating WiFi radios into their handsets at an ever increasing rate. New versions of mobile operating systems are coming out complete with a built in VoIP stack, inviting carriers and manufacturers to add VoIP functionality to their devices. Dual and quad band cell phones can choose between the strongest network available, cellular or WiFi, and place a call accordingly.

As cell phones become more like mobile offices, the benefits of a mobile work force become apparent. In the case of the road warrior, the ability to communicate via email, text messaging, video or voice, allows them to stay on the road longer without losing touch. In the age of instant information, mobile office applications allow files to be downloaded, edited, and uploaded, increasing the productivity of the traveler to the point where just about anything that can be done in the office can be done on the road.

A cell phone that can switch between cellular and WiFi networks can significantly reduce telecommunications costs at the corporate office. With WiFi hotspots popping up at hotels, cafes, and corporate LANs across the globe, mobile workers can stay in touch with office and family both on and off the job. With the addition of a VoIP service provider, cheaper VoIP calls can be made from any WiFi network at the push of a button.

Imagine, if you will, a future where one phone, with one phone number, can seamlessly traverse cellular networks, WiFi networks, cable and PSTN landlines. Where roaming and switching between disparate networks occur without interruption or loss of call quality. Fixed to Mobile Convergence is the buzzword of the decade, and the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture is the mechanism that promises to get us there.

The goal of IMS is to provide all the services and applications that the Internet provides, both current, and as of yet unimagined. IP based services such as VoIP, Push to talk cellular (POC), videoconferencing, text messaging, community services, presence information and file sharing, are just some of the possibilities. Designed to work with any fixed, mobile or wireless packet switched network, backwards compatibility for the legacy circuit switched phone system is provided through the use of gateways.

Although still in its infancy, IMS is already being implemented by AT&T as the platform in its newly acquired Cingular cellular network. Interest in investing in a new infrastructure by mobile and fixed operators has been up and down, as they weigh the costs and benefits of the new technology.

As the technology of VoIP over WiFi networks continues to develop, businesses of all sizes can reap the benefits of increased mobility, productivity, and significant cost savings. Standards committees are constantly working on ways to increase security and quality of service, and as fixed mobile convergence gains acceptance in the telecommunications industry, more choices in the services offered and the IP applications available to businesses are sure to follow. What will also be interesting to watch, is how these very bandwidth intensive applications will be priced by the carrier networks, and how it will affect the neutrality of the Internet.

Michael Talbert is a certified systems engineer and web designerwith over 7 years experience in the industry. For more information on Voice over IP Telephony, visit the website VoIP-Facts.net, or the VoIP Blog for up to date industry news and commentary.

I had the luck to be caught up in the early days of the PC industry. Knowing nothing about computers, I stumbled into a fledging software company and soon found myself climbing what passed for a corporate ladder.

Those were heady times, as the power of computing moved from huge machines kept behind locked doors to small boxes sitting on the desks of ordinary people.

The growth rate of our young company was insane. As events piled on top of one another, time became our most precious resource. We didn’t have to go looking for the future; it slammed into us.

The nonstop action was intoxicating — even addictive. I loved it.

I became accustomed to going from peak to peak, crisis to crisis. In fact, I lost any ability to live my life, or serve my company, on any other basis.

Workaholic? Maybe. But more likely, I was just another conscientious soul caught up in the press (and glory) of too much to do with too little time to do it. I thought spending 80+ hours a week putting out fires was both cool and productive.

I knew there were things I wasn’t getting to, that there were things that as an organization we weren’t getting to, and that some of those things were important. But even if I’d been able to slow my brain down long enough to articulate my concern, I’m not sure anyone would have been much interested in listening.

In the mid-80s, the culture of this young company was far from the norm. And the world back then made allowances for the flaky behavior of a high-tech startup and its eager (and sometimes questionably qualified) employees.

But even in the go-go 80s, neglecting the important but not urgent could have an impact.

Here’s an example.

A company preparing for its IPO needed to summarize all its material agreements. This organization’s business model was contract-intensive: its agreements were its lifeblood.

The company had been focusing on building the all-important top line, which required first obtaining the contracts. And they did a good job.

But once an agreement was in place, it fell into limbo.

Identifying the contracts, let alone locating executed copies of the final versions, was a challenge. There was no central repository, not even a record of who had what.

Dealing with the agreements, once found, was time-consuming. There was no summary of their terms and conditions, effective dates, renewal and expiration dates, or other key information.

In the company’s defense, there were no contract management systems of the kind that are now readily available. If these folks had been able to purchase and implement contract management software, they might have gotten on track with relative ease.

As it was, their contract management was a mess. A mess that called into question both the organization’s capacity to take full advantage of the deals it had negotiated and its ability to live up to its contractual commitments. And this mess, among other factors, significantly delayed the company’s IPO.

Today, the kind of overload that seemed both exciting and novel twenty years ago has become part of the daily grind. I fear that pushing important but not urgent matters into the indefinite someday is the norm. And like the young company’s poor management of its contracts these issues have a nasty habit of demanding attention in the most unpleasant (and expensive) way at the worst time.

There is no panacea for this problem. With fewer coworkers to share the burden and the evaporation of administrative staff at all but the highest levels, most of us have all we can do to catch our breath. At the same time, the world is no longer amused by companies that behave like easily distracted children. We’re all expected to be grown-ups, and one thing that grown-ups do is look to the future.

So we need to do something about it.

GETTING OUT OF THE CRISIS TRAP

I’d like to suggest a kind of corporate New Year’s resolution, timed to coincide with a new calendar year, fiscal year — even quarter. This would be a simple statement of the organization’s determination to identify and do something about the meaningful issues that are being overlooked in the rush of each day’s events.

This resolution is only the first step of course. Keeping it will require creating a process.

The steps might go something like this:

1. Identify the matters that don’t rise to the level that commands the attention of the strategic planners but that pose meaningful potential risks and/or opportunities. (Like the company that was forced to postpone its IPO, you may well find that better management of your contracts is one of these issues.)

2. Once you have this list, surface it within your organization.

3. Assign the items on the list to leaders with the maturity to applaud the concept and understand the implications.

4. Have each create a project plan that is a blueprint for implementation, not lip service to be stuck in a drawer.

5. Follow-up to be sure each project stays on track.

6. Invite people to add to the list of important but not urgent issues on an ongoing basis.

7. Report successes and reward foresight.

What if you’re not in a position to drive this broad level of change? This approach can work on a departmental level. Just be sure that support for what you’re doing extends well up in the organization. You might even position the effort as a pilot project and sell higher levels of management on your results.

And those results should generate applause. Dealing with important matters before they become urgent saves time, money, and stress. Successfully creating a process to accomplish this will pay dividends not just the first year but for years to come.

Judy Tucker works with emerging companies in planning, project management, and communications and helps them get the most out of contract management systems. Find out more about how contract management software can save time and money at www.contractassistant.com 877-509-7500.

When it comes to entering the graphic design world, creating interesting pieces for a job or sharing artwork with family and friends, there are plenty of cool Photoshop tips and tricks to consider. Whether you are just experimenting with the tools or already know how to layout a magazine spread, there will always be a new shortcut or trick to make life much easier. Below, you will find a few tips to add to your repertoire or share with others:

Easy Photoshop Tips and Tricks

Have you ever wanted to easily create the image of Earth and dread using the circle tool? There is an easy way to design the world in six steps, which should take less than a minute to complete. First, you should select File/New from the menu bar and create a file size that measures about 200 pixels by 200 pixels. The RGB mode should be selected for this trick. Next, choose a light blue shade for the foreground color and a darker blue for the background color.

Under the Filters tab, select Render, and then choose Clouds. The scene that will greet you should look a lot like the sky. It is the clouds filter that utilizes the foreground and background colors needed to construct this image in your file. If you desire a different look, you can press Ctrl + F on Windows or Command + F for a Mac to reapply the filter. Each time this key combination is pressed, you will receive a somewhat different outcome.

Now, return to the Filter menu and select Render, and then choose Lighting Effects. Once you enter the Light Effects menu, you are able to alter the shape of the ellipse to a circle that becomes centered on your file. Changing the Narrow setting to 39 next follows choosing the Default Spotlight setting.

Sometimes a Photoshop project calls for texture. There are thousands of backgrounds to create that range from a grainy composition to a multi-faceted mess (depending on the look you are going for). To create a paper texture in Photoshop, you should start a new file that measures 60 x 60 pixels. The color should be in RGB. Next, select the following commands in this same order: Filter, Noise, Add Noise. Once completed, choose Gaussian, which is set to 80%.

The next step to create a paper texture is to select Filter, then Stylize, followed by Emboss. The angle should be set to -50, the Height to 2 pixels, and the Amount to 70%. The background will now resemble a gray embossed selection. To change the color, choose Image, then Adjust, followed by Hue-Saturation-Brightness. Once you select the Colorize checkbox, you should set the Hue to a different setting. To gain your personal preference, you can adjust the contrast.

To create the appearance that objects are glowing without using any filters, choose an object to work with that will be duplicated as a layer. First, select the color you’d like your glow to be. After choosing the lower duplicate, click on Edit from the menu, then Stroke. When the Stroke Options appear, the pixel width should be set between 1 and 16. It is important to remember that the larger number you choose, the thicker the glow will appear.

Before exiting, you should glance under Location to make sure that the Outside option is selected. The next step involves applying a Gaussian Blur to the layer, which can be found under the Blur option in Filters. This will soften the glow applied to the layer. Some individuals even repeat the process to create a double glow, which is some cases, can really make an image stand out.

What Can You Do With Advanced Photoshop Tips and Tricks?

Advanced Photoshop users are often familiar with all tools and have mastered most of the fundamental tutorials, tips, and tricks, such as creating a cloudy background. Some people are unaware of all of the cool tricks that Photoshop has to offer, especially when you’ve upgraded your version to CS. The power to create some of the most impressive works of digital art are only a few clicks away once you get a hang of advanced Photoshop shortcuts and tricks.

Some Photoshop tricks on the advanced level can help a more tedious project seem easier. The more you learn the tips and tricks of the trade, the better your overall creations will turn out. To get an idea of some of the advanced tricks associated with Photoshop, a few examples are mentioned below:

Photoshop allows advanced users to create digital comic coloring that looks just like the human hand penned it. The tricks and tips associated with this sort of higher-level design deals with the manipulation of various brush sets to achieve the look you desire. Photoshop also lets users create photomontages that can transform an original photograph into something much different.

There are also tips and tricks that can take your most unfavorite picture and alter it in any way you wish. Let’s say you want to change a regular photograph into something dazzling. Advanced Photoshop tricks can beautify a face that displays a natural appearance. In regards to a photo, skin can be fixed, blemishes and wrinkles erased, teeth fixed and whitened, as well as changes made to the eyebrows, hair, and eyes.

When one is able to master advanced Photoshop techniques, the creative possibilities seem never-ending, including 3D glass balls, planet and star-studded skies, matte paintings, and airbrushed illustrations.

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We now come to the adult world that is facing VGS. Unlike the VGS world that is trying to take control of our kids’minds, the adult world of VGS has little to oppose it. VGS has its own heroes and creatures. They all will take total control of the adult user. No longer does the adult user have his mind free. He is totally enslaved by the scheming Captain Zappo, the muscular Lieutenant Spook, and the voluptuous LollyBird LollyPop.

Numerous forums are out there on the web that deal with VGS. Their members post articles describing how VGS has altered or destroyed their lives. Other articles staunchly defend VGS because as their writers put it, if it weren’t for video, they would have gotten into worse trouble.

There are many conflicting opinions from psychologists claiming there is a problem with people being addicted to video games. Although there has been some research on VGS, the issues are still unresolved. Unlike alcohol or drugs, there is no chemical dependency issue.

VGS is a self-created addiction. In that respect, it ranks with gambling, anorexia, and bulimia. If this holds true, then medical professionals and social workers can develop treatment plans that are not based on chemical dependency issues.

However, there are multitudes of video game players that describe themselves as being addicted. That is good enough for many psychologists. They point out that self-described video game addicts often end up having family conflict and romantic failures as a result of their involvement with VGS.

A psychologist might claim that the family conflict or romantic failures exacerbate the onset and spread of VGS. This depends on the individuals involved in specific cases. It is too early to establish which came first, the chicken or the egg. The purpose of this article is to establish what is the severity and extent of VGS and to make some preliminary recommendations how to fix the problem.

The consensus of opinions and observations contained in forum posts appear to be as follows:

Unless VGS players use drugs to stay awake and improve sharpness of the mind, there is no chemical addiction associated with involvement with VGS.

VGS players have collapsed their entire family structure. Employers that have detected use of the company computer system have put such employees on probation, and have ultimately fired these employees. The burden of maintaining the family income has fallen upon the other spouse.

VGS players will rarely admit they have a problem. In some cases, they will maintain that family or other issues have brought about the problem. This is nonsense and represents a weak attempt to hang the blame on an issue which he or she has brought on himself.

VGS players have formed social relationships with people they can neither see, feel, nor claim as a true friend. The best that is available is a secure web conference that may be a part of the game itself.

The game will not allow participants to fall back upon their own lives. There is always an electronic war going on somewhere on the planet. Missing a key battle might cost the participant key points.

Serious side effects have resulted from initial VGS involvements. For example, the VGS participant may be in one or more sexual relationships, even though the participant has never seen his sex partner. Moreover, the participant may have fallen in love with a robot that has taken the place of the participant’s spouse. This is a bizarre version of The Stepford Wives.

Divorce appears to be the only permanent remedy to effect a cure for VGS. However, this has left so many broken hearts and broken marriages in its wake that an entire army of social workers must be recruited to fix the damage. Only the attorneys win in situations such as this. They are the ultimate victor in VGS games. The Lord of the Mighty Sky Fleet, Admiral Blotz, has indeed done his work well.

Tough love appears to be the only solution how sanity can be restored out of this insane mess. Unlike pre-teen and teen involvement with VGS, the family structure either has collapsed or is on the verge of doing so. Here are several ideas how you might attack VGS. I must emphasize I am not a psychologist or social worker by profession. At best, I am a senior citizen that has not as yet lost his thought process.

Step One. Get Help !

Combating VGS is not a do it yourself project. You must seek out the services of a professional that is not emotionally involved. However, the person you find must have empathy and understanding about what is happening in your lives.

You should begin by seeking out the services of your priest, minister, or rabbi. At the very bottom of the VGS problem lies a loss of faith and belief that there is a living God in your lives, no matter what religious belief you occupy. If they cannot help you immediately, there may be others they can suggest. The most important issue behind Step One is for you not to give up after a single visit to your clergy person. He or she will put forth honest and sincere efforts in your behalf if he or she detects sincere efforts on your part to rid yourselves of the VGS nightmare.

Step Two: Do Not Lose Communication

VGS will succeed if one or both parties will break off the negotiations saying that he or she gives up. Remember that any contest will be lost if the team walks off the field while there is any chance of still winning the ball game.

Step Three: Pull The Plug And Take Back Control Of Your Electrical Connection

Unlike the previous two steps, this one means business. VGS can survive only if there is energy coming into your household to empower this VGS monster. Without energy, VGS will surely die. There are a number of options to follow here, some of which may not work to perfection at the time this article is being written.

Your first option is to find out if your browser on your computer systems in your household will support anti-child software. You must do some preliminary work here to understand how a browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape works in your system. Using Google or making a trip to your computer store will get you started. If this proves fruitless, seek out the services of a computer consultant.

Bear in mind that this will send out a clear and unmistakable signal that you mean business and are going to bring VGS to an end. You can expect serious resistance to your plan and could even encounter violent hostility. VGS does not give up easily.
There may be software out there that will disable your browser. This software may act to time out your browser after one hour’s operation, thereby cutting off VGS. If this sofware works as intended, your computer should be disabled from any further internet connection for the next 24 hours. If you know how to download and install such software, you’re in like Flynn.

In all likelihood, the VGS addict will soon learn ways how to defeat such blocking software to your browser. Video gamers do not give up easily, and for all we know, these are pathways other VGS victims may have already taken to take back control of their computers and their lives. You must prepare yourselves for many rough seas before you can reach your home port.

This next step will be the ultimate. You should contact your telephone service provider or internet service provider such as Verizon, ComCast, or AT&T. Ask that they terminate your high speed broadband system and go back to a duplex telephone connection. VGS is totally dependent on a high speed broadband internet connection. If VGS does not see this, it will slow down and eventually die. No matter how advanced your computer systems are, they all must have a high speed internet connection in order to play the game.

Understandably, if the land line connections are lost, cell phones can still survive to play the game. Here again, the monster needs to be fed. In this case, the feed is money. What you can do here is to block the money that is going to pay the cell phone bill. Companies such as Sprint, ComCast, or Verizon may work with you to remedy the problem. However, be aware that they are no friend. Ultimately, they will want their money. If you have not guaranteed their payment, they will target you for their collection procedures. I recommend you get a competent attorney before proceding with any money shut-off plans.

Step Four: The Final Solution

It is nice to think that the VGS addict will listen to your priest, minister, or rabbi. It may be like trying to put out a brush fire with a garden hose. Reasoning may be equally ineffective, particularly if the VGS addict is so far gone he cannot quit cold turkey.

Taking measures to disconnect your phone service might have the best shot for success. It will send up a signal that this VGS nonsense is going to come to an end. However, VGS addicts are extremely protective of their games. They will resort to any or all of these countermeasures if they fear they will be losing the game.

They might strike back physically. Call 911 if this happens. The police can handle the family beef. You can’t.

The VGS addict is skilled at handling internet disruptions. In particular, he can troubleshoot problems involving Windows or your browser. It will not take him very long to discover that Windows or the browser have been sabotaged Anti-virus software may have already corrected the problem. The game thus will go on.

Shutting down your high speed broadband phone service thus appears to be the ultimate signal that the games are going to go or else. VGS cannot operate over low bandwidth telephone lines. The message is clear. Either VGS goes or your spouse or significant other will go.

In conclusion, this article is not advice on getting a divorce. It only provides advice on getting rid of VGS, not on how to get rid of your spouse. VGS need not force you to leave your home, abandon your property, or lose custody of your children. My advice is to document everything. You must document the extent and severity of your particular VGS problem. Keep a detailed account of the VGS problem and its effect on your household.

Describe the measures you took to get rid of the problem, including the people you visited and the advice they gave you. Above all, detail the secondary symptoms of the problem, such as the set up of chat lines and the passing of pornography. Above all, remember the words of the late President Roosevelt: There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

Bob Carper is a veteran information systems consultant specializing in verbal and written communication. He is an ardent writer and belongs to various societies. You may contact him at bobcarper@myexcel.com or visit http://www.secure-webconference.citymax.com