Archive for March 2010
Push Email
March 23, 2010, 6:39 pmThere’s a lot of hype at the moment about push email technology. New cell phone handsets are beginning to support the technology and it seems to be getting its head into other areas of the market too. This could be the next big thing in the telecommunications industry and the speculation is heating up about who are going to be the major players involved.
Right now there are at least five major operators in this market and surely this will be reduced in the near future. Most experts say that there are simply too many of them fighting over the same space.
Right now both Visto and Seven have been keen to show their commitment to this technology. These are following the lead set by Canadian firm RIM (Research In Motion) who brought the technology into the spotlight with their Blackberry device. While so far they have been concentrating on supplying hardware, they have stated that they will be moving into the supply of software instead in the near future.
The wave of consolidations has already begun. British vendor Comtag was acquired by Smartner who in turn was acquired by Seven; moving in parallel with this, Visto acquired Psion Software. It looks like the heat is turning up in the race to capture this market. Both Visto and Seven show no sign of flagging as they continue to increase the number of operators they can lay claim to, as well as increasing the number of handsets and other supported devices they are marketing. Seven has also added a useful security feature which allows you to send a special message to your device which will delete all the messages it currently has stored. This could be lifesaving if you left your handset in a public place.
Good Technology was somewhat shielded in its area by supporting Palm and Windows devices but now there is the new Windows Mobile based Treos to contend with.
So what is Microsoft’s reaction to all of this? Well, they appear to be gearing up to enter the market. In his blog, Microsoft senior technology specialist, Harold Wong has reported that the company is getting ready to release its ‘Community Technology Preview’ build of Exchange Server 2003, Service pack 2. And this is not the only step the giant is taking. In June 2005, Intellisync announced a new service that would allow subscribers to receive push email on Windows Mobile, Palm OS and Symbian devices.
While, of the current estimated 4 million push email subscribers, most seem to be using RIM Blackberry devices, this assault will be difficult to bare much longer.
On the technical side, there are two basic technologies that can provide push email solutions:
* one technology is true push;
* the other has a push effect using synchronization.
While the users will not notice a significant difference when they log in to check their mail, the costs vary to a considerable extent with true push technologies offering a far cheaper monthly cost to the user. While Intellisync is currently using a SyncML or synchronization technology to serve its customers, RIM and Microsoft are using their own proprietary systems. The system that has found favour both with Vodafone, the world’s largest network operator, and Rogers, the first operator to deploy Blackberry devices is the solution that Visto opted for also. This is best described as a Proprietary + RTP/RTSP system and Visto calls it ConstantSync. It effectively relies on a real time streaming protocol to deliver email over mobile networks.
Whatever the technicalities behind the networks, there is a lot to play for in this emerging market and we’ll have to wait and see whose technology and handheld devices carry the most favour with customers. All have relative advantages and disadvantages both in terms of technology and market strategy and it all really is still to play for.
Linda Fowels shows you which email software to use for a successful email marketing campaign at www.emailmarketingsoftware.org – an email marketing software guide with tips on increasing your email list, building your newsletter and tracking your campaigns.
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(posted in the Internet Information category)
Microsoft Word Is Great But I Wish I Could…
March 23, 2010, 6:49 amMicrosoft Word is all singing, all dancing. Truly a great product which has made the lives of professional writers and students vastly more productive.
Most of us however are not professional writers. We only use Word to type an occasional missive or and article now and then. We don’t need or use 90% of the bells and whistles. Unfortunately, some of these built in bells and whistles are designed to impose themselves and often like to blow loudly in our ears whether we asked for it or not.
Research shows there are three common pet hate ‘features’ that most average users would rather turn off if only they knew how. This is a cheat sheet for such users.
A. How do I stop Word from helping me type?
Word checks spelling and grammar as you type. When these features are on, spelling and grammar that Word does not recognize are underlined sternly with wavy red and green lines.
To turn off Word’s various automatic checking features:
1. From the Tools menu, pick ‘AutoCorrect’ (or AutoCorrect Options). Then click on the ‘AutoCorrect’ tab.
2. Uncheck the boxes for the AutoCorrect items that you want to disable.
3. Do the same on the ‘AutoFormat As You Type’ tab.
4. On the ‘AutoText’ tab, uncheck the ‘Show AutoComplete tip’ box.
5. From the Tools menu, pick ‘Options’ then click on the tabs and uncheck any boxes for features that you want to disable.
B. How do I tell the Office Assistant to go take a walk?
1. Click on the Office Assistant, then click on ‘Options’.
2. Uncheck the ‘Use Office Assistant’ box.
You can also customize the behavior of the Office Assistant by checking or clearing the checkboxes on the ‘Options’ tab.
If you later decide that you rather miss the lovable Assistant, you can easily bring him back by choosing ‘Show the Office Assistant’ from the Help menu.
C. How do I turn off the automatic URLs?
Word likes to convert all URLs and email addresses in your document into active hyperlinks. If you’d rather not, then here’s how to turn off that feature:
1. From the Tools menu, Choose ‘AutoCorrect’ (or AutoCorrect Options)
2. Click on ‘AutoFormat As You Type’ tab.
3. Under ‘Replace As You Type’, uncheck the ‘Internet and network paths with hyperlink’ box.
Note that this setting only applies to what you subsequently type. If you forgot to turn off AutoCorrect before you started and you end up with a document full of hyperlinks that you don’t want, you can disable them, either one at a time, or all at once. To turn a link off, right-click on the link, select ‘Hyperlink’ from the pop-up menu, and then select ‘Remove Hyperlink’. To remove all links from the document, choose Select All from the Edit menu or press [Ctrl]+[A], and then press [Ctrl]+[6] to remove all hyperlinks.
Most Word features can be turned off or on from the ‘Tools’ menu. From this menu, the ‘Options’ command brings up a screen with several tabs where you can make all sorts of changes to Word’s behavior. The ‘Customize’ command lets you to change Word’s menus and toolbars.
The ‘View’ menu also has some great options for changing the look of the Word screen.
Peter Kitson manages the Business-Software-Books.us project at: www.business-software-books.us
A collection of business software books and tutorials available for free download.
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(posted in the Great Software Tips category)
A Vital Guide To Selecting The Most Suitable GPS Systems
March 22, 2010, 7:03 pmA GPS system can be indispensable when on the road. Whether you are going on a very long drive or just travelling to work, a first-class Sat Nav is well worth the money spent. Before you buy a TomTom or other navigation system, take your time to consider how you will predominantly use it. If you only intend on requiring it for summer expeditions, you will purchase a totally different unit than you would if you intend to use your item day after day. Find a diverse selection of technology products such as; sat navs, tvs and acer laptops from leading brands online.
If you are intending to be using your navigation unit mostly for family expeditions where it is likely for you to have another person to help you navigate, then you possibly do not want a system that comes built with voice activation. Your co-driver will simply be able to press switches & type in orders while you focus on driving carefully. Though, if you aim to use your GPS system for individual company trips, consider getting a Sat Nav that comes with speech activation. That way, you can drive through inner-city & continue to keep both hands on the steering wheel whilst entering or changing your proposed target. The majority of manufactures of GPS navigation systems, like for instance Navman, have units to purchase both with & without voice commands.
Getting the best satellite navigation unit, can make a very long journey in your car tremendously more pleasant for you as well as your other occupants. As opposed to a general voice giving you commands, various systems come installed with funny or celebrity voices which you can elect on. If your family requires a stop at some point in your trip, a GPS system can help you find a good place to grab a snack to eat and go to the toilet. When you are ready to return to the trip, your unit will work out your route & get you back on your way without any issues. No more staring at road maps & atlases every time you stop for a break.
For the every day driver, a good satellite navigation unit can unquestionably save you precious time in the morning. Several of the more sophisticated products deliver real-time traffic broadcasts. If traffic is stuck due to a smash or road works, your navigation device will propose another route. These traffic updates can save you time in traffic jams, therefore getting you to your office on schedule.
Regardless of how you intend to use your Sat Nav system, there is a model on the market that will suit your requirements perfectly. It is imperative to make sure that you examine all your choices before you make your final choice. Your satellite navigation system will be there no matter where the journey takes you.
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(posted in the Web Of Hardware category)
An Essential Guide To Obtaining The Best Mattresses
March 12, 2010, 8:14 amGetting your hands on a mattress isn’t something you normally do very often, as a properly made one ought to endure for numerous years. Before heading on to your laptop or a mattress outlet, consider some tips so that you obtain the correct investment for your requirements. Find a diverse collection of home and garden products including; mattresses, duvets and grill pans from leading brands online.
Innerspring mattresses are exceptionally popular. With a number of mattresses the quality is due to the quantity of coils while many other mattresses need less metal coils with a rather wire gauge. The specific amount or thickness of the metal coils shouldn’t make a difference in the buying process but the whole comfort of the item should be a priority.
Pillowtop mattresses are built to deliver a softer, plush bed. The pillowtop portion is merely a number of layers of cotton with either wool or foam added to the top of the mattress. Never feel that you have to obtain a pillowtop mattress to get a better sleep especially if the expenditure is drastically higher than an innerspring. The same effect can quite easily be done at home by having additional foam mats on the top of your mattress.
The actual thickness of the mattress does not promise you will get a comfy mattress. Several companies build thicker mattresses to create a more prominent display piece. Remember that the thicker the mattress, then the heavier it will end up being. Will it fit through doorways Will the headboard still be visible as soon as the mattress is layered on top of the boxspring? Boxsprings are an additional cost when you are shopping for a bed. Boxsprings aren’t necessary for a comfortable slumber. Instead, the item could easily be avoided by placing the mattress on top of a platform. Several Europeans do this and do not use a boxspring altogether.
Many consumers purchase a solid bed if they suffer from problems with their back. This has been medically proven inaccurate. Instead problems with the back originates from the structure of the body, position and usually how the person is built. Do not feel obliged to obtain a bed that promises back pain relief.
Solid foam mattresses have in recent years become exceptionally popular however the high costs scares off a vast number of shoppers. The foam mattresses form into the profile of the body and can replicate weightlessness for a somewhat more comfy nights sleep. However, there must be a protective sheet bought as well to lie over the mattress in addition to a base to place the mattress on top of.
One critical decision that must be contemplated is if you require to get a guarantee. Normally, guarantees are to be had for ten to 15 years and give protection against stains, damage and deficiencies. Seeing that these problems mainly come about somewhere within the first 30 days after purchase, think about signing up for the thirty to 60 day return or refund.
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(posted in the Miscellany category)
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