Developers' Icon Toolkit

ust imagine how dull computers would be if all software developers and game creators used an identical or standard icon. Fortunately, this is not the case as many of us strive for originality and creativity. But how many users have a standard background image on their Windows desktop? Desktops are clearly far more interesting with personalized desktop and file icons. And navigation is also easier, as it can be very frustrating to find a favorite game shortcut on a desktop filled with hundreds of identical icons!

Software and game developers have always used icon creation software to inject creativity and originality into PC use. And it is for this purpose that Aha-Soft has created an icon toolkit that gives both home PC users and developers the power to create, modify and convert icons.

The Aha-Soft Icon Toolkit consists of two separate software packages - 'Any-to-Icon' and 'ArtIcons'.

The Any-to-Icon software package includes an icon format conversion program, allowing users to convert more than a dozen image formats (BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PCX, PSD, TGA, TIFF, WMF, WBMP, XPM, XBM and CUR) to Windows icon formats (ICO). Icon libraries can also be handled by Any-to-Icon, together with extraction of icons from ICL, EXE, DLL, SCR, IL, NIL and other libraries. Any-to-Icon has a wizard interface (as well as a command line interface) making it possible to convert multiple files in an instant.

Any-to-Icon offers a number of important functions to the home PC user. Firstly, there is icon creation: the home user can instantly convert favorite photos or images into 32-bit true color icons (Windows Vista style). It is also possible to extract icons from favorite games and use them on a desktop. Any-to-Icon even converts screenshots via the clipboard, automatically resizing and enhancing them.

In addition to assisting the home user, Any-to-Icon is an even more valuable tool for the developer. Powerful enough to handle multiple file conversion, there is no need to manually convert all software icon libraries for Windows Vista. Any-to-Icon does the job for you - simply select all software icon libraries, process them through Aha-Soft's Any-to-Icon (selecting the sizes and color depths), and the process is complete! This can result in three simple sets of icons for Windows XP users, Windows Vista users and DOS users.

And this is not all the super software can do! The custom size output setting in Any-to-Icons can be used to create icons for presentations (size 64x64 and over) and much more.

The ArtIcons software package is truly a monster utility indeed! Users can create new and original icons from scratch, using professional image editing tools, shapes and effects. Users can also convert, edit, extract and manage icons and even entire icon libraries. ArtIcons can also import Apple icons and save them to Adobe's PSD, GIF, and many other image and icon formats. ArtIcons is available in two different versions: ArtIcons Standard and ArtIcons Pro, which is supplied with an integrated icon library manager.

Using ArtIcons, software and game developers will never need to worry about how and where to get a new set of original and cool icons for their 'freshly-baked' slick software. ArtIcons allows home PC users to modify their existing icons easily and professionally, amazing friends with an awesome looking 'My Computer' icon with the user's smiling face inside the screen! The possibilities with ArtIcons are endless!

Both software packages from Aha-Soft have a clear, easy to understand and user-friendly interface in multiple languages (including French, German, Hungarian, Brazilian-Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Italian, Japanese and dozens more). ArtIcons and Any-to-Icon both come with clear help files and other documentation. Both packages were developed to be powerful and resourceful for professional users (ie art designers, software programmers, web developers), while remaining easy-to-use for amateurs and normal PC users.

ArtIcons and Any-to-Icon are available instantly using a credit card over the phone, by mail, e-mail or using a secure order form on the developer's website. The packages are compact enough to be downloaded instantly using a broadband internet connection, or in just a few minutes over a 56kbit/sec modem. The option of having a CD-ROM sent out to any country in the world is also available. Aha-Soft also has special discount schemes for bulk volume purchases, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Aha-Soft provides demo downloads for both Any-to-Icon and ArtIcons, with a fully functional 30-day trial period for the latter, and some function limitations for Any-to-Icon.

The world of icon creation and modification has never been so easy with Aha-Soft's Icon Toolkit: ArtIcons and Any-to-Icon. Be original and creative, save time and money - try ArtIcons and Any-to-Icon today!

For more information please visit the web pages of Aha-Soft's ArtIcons and Any-to-Icon.

Protect Your Computer With Zone Labs

Location Laboratories is the most respected name in Online protection software, and with good reason. The Location Laboratories items are effective at keeping computer techniques protected from malware, online online criminals and other Online bad guys without clogging up your system.

They're also easy to set up and configure to meet your needs. Location Labs' items offer a range of services depending on what you need and want from an Online protection application.

ZoneAlarm, the most primary firewall application program offered by Location Laboratories, can be downloaded for free and used for individual, non-business use.

ZoneAlarm Pc virus adds the Location Laboratories triple-defense firewall application, malware protection, e-mail protection and protection for your wifi network.

Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware offers the same features as the malware application except with anti-spyware protection instead of malware.

The added power of ZoneAlarm Pro contains Location Labs' identification fraud and comfort protection programs, e-mail protection and anti-spyware.

The all-in-one solution from Location Laboratories is ZoneAlarm Online Security Suite, such as the primary and multiple protection firewalls, anti-spyware, malware, identification fraud and comfort protection, anti-phishing and trash blocker, e-mail protection, im protection, parent handles and protection for wifi PCs.

You can also buy the im protection and parent handles separately from Location Laboratories in the item or service IMsecure Pro.

These items from Location Laboratories can offer you comfort as they secure your pc from a variety of problems you don't want to have. Location Laboratories can secure you from online online criminals, trash, infections, identification fraud and more. Stop these menaces before they get to your pc and your information, with a little help from Location Labs

Zone Laboratories is the respected leader in Online protection and individual firewall application techniques. More than 30 million computer techniques worldwide are respected to Location Laboratories items. And it couldn't be easier to secure your pc from all of the various threats that are out there when one Location Laboratories products can do it all for you.

The Location Laboratories items are super easy to set up and use but still very powerful. They allow customers to secure themselves without a lot of effort or thought on their part. Location Laboratories also allows more knowledgeable users to fine-tune the settings on their items to provide them exactly what they need from the firewall application and Online protection package.

If you need technical help when working with any products from Location Laboratories, you can find assistance online, via e-mail and through the ZoneAlarm Support Center. Location Laboratories is there with you to help make your Online techniques work for you and secure your pc in the best way possible.

There's no better feeling than being able to get online and know that your pc is safe from infections, online online criminals and identification thieves. Location Laboratories can offer you that kind of protection.

Finding Photo Editing Software

If you take a lot of pictures, or are getting ready for an event where you'll want to have lots of quality photos to include in your family album (i.e. weddings, holiday get-togethers), you'll want to know more about photo editing software that is both affordable and easy to use. Here are some software programs for editing photographs and graphics that you may want to check out.

Virieu has a free photo editing program that is easy to use, and is compatible with most computers. With the program, you can add captions to your pictures, 'frame' your portraits digitally, and make your photos into backgrounds for your screen or to send out in your email by using the fade and shade features that come along with the program. The programs will also show you how to darken or lighten certain sections of the picture, so that you can remove certain items from your photograph. You can try the editing software out for free during a 21-day trail, and then the service is $29.00.
www.reallusion.com also has a wide variety of editing equipment to try that will make any picture you take look professional and impressive. You can take advantage of the muscle-based facial enhancement feature, so that you can 'fix' the faces of the people you take pictures of to create a more flattering photograph.

Other products from the company include the Effect 3D Studio, a graphics editing and design program that allows you to make animated graphics no matter what your skill level is. You can also purchase CrazyTalk, a program that allows you to create animated talking characters for PowerPoint and DVD presentations. Most computers are equipped to download the programs (a Windows 98 or higher is usually acceptable), and you can try the products out before you purchase any of the programs.

In order for you to download, edit, and save your photos on your computer, you'll need a digital camera to take your pictures with. Brands like Canon and Olympus have great digital cameras that are easy for you to use, and produce quality photos that you can save on your computer. You may also want to pick up a book or two with some more basic information on photo editing software, so that you'll know which programs are easiest to use and most affordable. You can also find new and used photo editing programs, such as Instant Photo Editor on sites like www.amazon.com, with complete CD-ROM instructions on how to make sure you edit great photos every time you use the program.

What are browser hijackers?

If you are one of the millions of people who have suffered a browser hijacking, you likely know it, and you clearly remember what you were doing when it happened. The best known form of browser hijacking is when a sudden flood of pop-ups, many of them obscene, explode over your screen and you are forced to use the CTRL-ATL-DEL sequence to close your browser and regain control of your computer. Here is a quick guide you can use to identify the different kinds of browser hijackings and how you can rid yourself of them once and for all.

What is a browser hijack?

A browser hijack is exactly as it sounds: an attempt from a third party to take control of your web browser and use it for their own nefarious purposes. Some browser hijacks can be done to spread awareness of a particular website, but aren't actually dangerous. In some cases, though, they can be malicious, and they can steal information like passwords you have saved into your browser automatically. Perhaps the most common type of browser hijack is done by a program that installs itself on your computer without you knowing. The program will add several favorites to your list without your knowledge, and it will change the start page of your browser and even some registry keys. When you attempt to reset your browser, you will be unable to do so.

With these types of hijacks, you are also falling victim to keyloggers that record passwords for sensitive sites like online banking and email. How can you tell if you have a browser hijacking program on your machine? Let's look.

What might you notice?

The most obvious sign of a browser hijack is that your start page has been changed and you can't change it back. You may notice a complete slowdown in the performance of your computer since many browser hijacks work as fully functional programs that run in the background of your computer from the time you turn it on to the time you turn it off. These programs are often resource hogs that cause everything else on your machine to run slower.

You may also notice that a whole new set of bookmarks have been added to your browser that you've never seen before. Some websites have been known to add one bookmark (usually one for that particular site), but if you see a whole new folder full of questionable bookmarks, you may have a browser hijacker installed on your machine.

How did it get there?

Just like most malware programs, browser hijackers find their ways onto your machine in a number of different ways. The most common way is via peer to peer software programs like BitTorrent and Kazaa. Often times, the person who you are getting a file from doesn't know that they are sending an infected file to you so your infection isn't intentional.




A second spot where many people receive browser hijacker programs from is bundled with freeware or shareware programs downloaded from sources that aren't trustworthy. That's why it is always a good idea to download your free software programs only from the manufacturers' site or from a site that promises that they are virus and spyware free.

Finally, some viruses come from websites that automatically install them on your computer. If you have been visiting some less than reputable websites, it is a good idea to avoid them at all costs in the future. These files simply install themselves without asking your permission or even notifying you that it is happening.

What should I do?

The first step you should take if you feel that you have a hijacker installed on your computer is head to the Microsoft Update site to ensure that you all the patches and updates you need. Microsoft does a great job of stopping many of these.

Once you've updated and restarted your computer, you need to install a reputable anti-spyware program on your computer to run in the background and monitor what bad programs you come into contact with. Two reputable programs are provided by Paretologic and PC Tools Software. Both not only remove browser hijackers they also provide the dynamic monitoring you need to protect you against future hijacks. You can download and install either of their programs in minutes. Run a full scan of your machine immediately. Once you've removed any initial problems, you should run a full scan of your machine at least once per week to ensure that you haven't come down with any browser hijackers or any other program that can affect your machine in a negative way.

Finally, make sure you keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs updated at all times. If you don't have them installed, you should purchase and install them right away. Even if you have the latest anti-virus program, you should still strongly consider an anti-spyware program since, even though there may be some overlap between them, they generally detect a different suite of programs.

Online Reservation Software - Up, Up & Away

Online Reservation Software can make the difference in travel agency growth or decline. Travel companies work on small margins and efficient online reservation software is the lifeblood of travel companies. While tourists have visions of up, up and away, travel agencies have their eyes on the bottom line and how online reservation software can increase profits.

Improved Productivity - Online Reservation Software
Improved productivity is the key benefit online reservation software offers travel agencies. The airlines, hotels and tour operators set prices and the agency commission is fixed. How can a travel agency earn more money? By streamlining the booking process to increase sales per agent per day with industry leading online reservation software

Enhanced Client Management - Online Reservation Software Online
Reservation software cuts operating costs by automating the travel booking process. A key feature of online reservation software is the creation of a unique passenger record that ties the passenger the travel agency. When an agent knows the client's travel history, preferences, spending habits and more, it's a powerful incentive for the client to book future travel with his or her agent.

Online Availability - Online Reservation Software
A sharp agent using online reservation software which offers online availability can close a client's travel bookings in minutes. Referrals are the life blood of the travel industry. Travel agents using online reservation software offering immediate confirmation have become the standard by which all travel agents are judged. Combined with the growing travel destinations and packages, an agency's online reservation software provides agents every possible travel service that might interest the customer at a glance.

Back Office Issues - Online Reservation Software
Do you know anyone that enjoys paper work? The client, on the other hand, is keenly interested in a convenient record of travel outlays for tax purposes. An agency's online reservation software automates the tedious process of creating receipts, invoices, confirmations, vouchers and more. The same goes for tracking the many wholesalers, airlines, and tour operators a travel agency deals with each year.

Travel Agency Expansion - Online Reservation Software
While generating more revenue is the goal of expansion - online reservation software is the vehicle. Today, every travel agency owner asks "How can I survive today and grow in the future?" While the answer varies from agency to agency, those without fast, efficient and cost cutting online reservation software won't have to worry for long, they will be "Up, up and Away" and out of the travel business for good.

Free Iphone Downloads

If you own an Iphone, the chances are that your are going to be interested in getting some free downloads for it. The Iphone is already outstripping the early successes of the Ipod, and looks like it may go on to become one of the most successful electronic devices we have yet seen. This article will show you how to make the most of your Iphone.

Iphones are a tremendously versatile piece of kit. Not only is it a cellphone, but it will also allow you to listen to music, much like an Ipod would, and also watch movies and play games on the move-and if that wasn't enough, it can even access the internet. It really is quite an achievement. Like the Ipod before it, you are able to transfer all your existing CDs and DVDS to the Iphone, but perhaps the best part is that you can download media from the internet to use with your Iphone. If you know where to look these downloads can often be found at no cost at all!

Most people simply use the torrent sites or peer to peer sites as they are known, to obtain their free downloads. This seems like a great idea at first, and they have been very popular for a number of years now. Did you know that using sites like that is illegal though? It's recommended that you check the law in your area and your own rights before downloading anything at all.

If that wasn't enough to put you off for life, torrent sites can be very very dangerous for your computer. Many torrent sites are a popular place for hackers and identity thieves to hang out, so there's a good chance that your next download will contain a lot more than you bargain for. It's not unheard of for hackers to use torrent sites to enable them to get innocent web users to download their viruses and trojans etc. Scary stuff.

Thankfully, as technology progresses, there is now a wonderful alternative to the peer to peer and torrent sites. The way these new sites work is by asking you to pay a one off fee, and then allowing you access to their huge database. The downloads are usually unlimited, so once you are a member, you will be downloading there for the rest of your life. As well as that, you usually find that the servers etc are very fast, and these sites can offer tremendous value for money. Sites like these are definitely the way to go if you are looking for free Iphone downloads.

Downloading free stuff for your Iphone can be tricky, and can land you in jail or kill your computer if you aren't careful-hopefully this article will help you find out what way to go.

What are browser hijackers?

If you are one of the millions of people who have suffered a browser hijacking, you likely know it, and you clearly remember what you were doing when it happened. The best known form of browser hijacking is when a sudden flood of pop-ups, many of them obscene, explode over your screen and you are forced to use the CTRL-ATL-DEL sequence to close your browser and regain control of your computer. Here is a quick guide you can use to identify the different kinds of browser hijackings and how you can rid yourself of them once and for all.

What is a browser hijack?

A browser hijack is exactly as it sounds: an attempt from a third party to take control of your web browser and use it for their own nefarious purposes. Some browser hijacks can be done to spread awareness of a particular website, but aren't actually dangerous. In some cases, though, they can be malicious, and they can steal information like passwords you have saved into your browser automatically. Perhaps the most common type of browser hijack is done by a program that installs itself on your computer without you knowing. The program will add several favorites to your list without your knowledge, and it will change the start page of your browser and even some registry keys. When you attempt to reset your browser, you will be unable to do so.

With these types of hijacks, you are also falling victim to keyloggers that record passwords for sensitive sites like online banking and email. How can you tell if you have a browser hijacking program on your machine? Let's look.

What might you notice?

The most obvious sign of a browser hijack is that your start page has been changed and you can't change it back. You may notice a complete slowdown in the performance of your computer since many browser hijacks work as fully functional programs that run in the background of your computer from the time you turn it on to the time you turn it off. These programs are often resource hogs that cause everything else on your machine to run slower.

You may also notice that a whole new set of bookmarks have been added to your browser that you've never seen before. Some websites have been known to add one bookmark (usually one for that particular site), but if you see a whole new folder full of questionable bookmarks, you may have a browser hijacker installed on your machine.

How did it get there?

Just like most malware programs, browser hijackers find their ways onto your machine in a number of different ways. The most common way is via peer to peer software programs like BitTorrent and Kazaa. Often times, the person who you are getting a file from doesn't know that they are sending an infected file to you so your infection isn't intentional.




A second spot where many people receive browser hijacker programs from is bundled with freeware or shareware programs downloaded from sources that aren't trustworthy. That's why it is always a good idea to download your free software programs only from the manufacturers' site or from a site that promises that they are virus and spyware free.

Finally, some viruses come from websites that automatically install them on your computer. If you have been visiting some less than reputable websites, it is a good idea to avoid them at all costs in the future. These files simply install themselves without asking your permission or even notifying you that it is happening.

What should I do?

The first step you should take if you feel that you have a hijacker installed on your computer is head to the Microsoft Update site to ensure that you all the patches and updates you need. Microsoft does a great job of stopping many of these.

Once you've updated and restarted your computer, you need to install a reputable anti-spyware program on your computer to run in the background and monitor what bad programs you come into contact with. Two reputable programs are provided by Paretologic and PC Tools Software. Both not only remove browser hijackers they also provide the dynamic monitoring you need to protect you against future hijacks. You can download and install either of their programs in minutes. Run a full scan of your machine immediately. Once you've removed any initial problems, you should run a full scan of your machine at least once per week to ensure that you haven't come down with any browser hijackers or any other program that can affect your machine in a negative way.

Finally, make sure you keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs updated at all times. If you don't have them installed, you should purchase and install them right away. Even if you have the latest anti-virus program, you should still strongly consider an anti-spyware program since, even though there may be some overlap between them, they generally detect a different suite of programs.

Protecting Yourself From Spyware

If you practice diligence and follow some basic rules then you will have a much better chance of preventing the ability of a malware application from infecting your computer. Most computer spyware today is installed without your knowledge when you visit a website or download an application that will place the application on your hard drive. So one way to prevent the installation by not visiting unscrupulous web sites when you surf the web.

There has been a strong increase in the number of computer malware / spyware out on the net the past few years. Many experts in the field expect the number of infections to only increase as time goes along. Spyware are actually programs that are installed on your computer but you usually do not know of the installation and many times you did not even approve the installation. These programs can cause all types of problems for your computing experience, which range from annoying popups to someone actually stealing your personal data and impersonating your identity. You may also experience a reduction in performance of your system, since many times these programs will consume a lot of computing power as the program performs its tasks. Even though the number of computer spyware infections are increasing exponentially does not mean all is lost and you should just throw your hands up and turn off your computer forever.


Since most spyware is installed because of security holes in your browser always ensure you have the latest version of updates for your Operating System and Browser. You can also switch your Web Browser to something like FireFox which is targeted less than the more popular Browsers.

Also ensure you have a spyware protection and remover application installed. This is one of the most important items you can do to protect yourself from these infections and help to minimize the chance that you will be come infected with these types of applications

Using the Getting Things Done methodology in the LeaderTask organizer

GTD is an action management strategy and also a system of methods and techniques the purpose of which is to help a modern person complete more and get tired less. The GTD abbreviation stands for Getting Things Done which is the name of a book by an American business trainer David Allen.

The main principles of GTD with examples of how it can be done in LeaderTask:

1) Organizing information. All incoming information must be stored in one place. This way it is easier to view it and find what you need. And all information should be divided into actions, i.e. what you should do (tasks in LeaderTask), and reference information (notes in LeaderTask).

2) Grouping tasks by context. It is better to perform tasks that have the same context (place, person, event, ...) together (several at a time) even if they belong to different projects.


Examples:

context Bank: it is better to do all tasks related to the bank at once instead of doing only part of them belonging to some project/task.

context John Smith: when you see this person, it is better to solve all problems related to him at once instead of one task or just ignore altogether.

The only question is how to remember what should be done at the right time in the right place? LeaderTask is specifically designed to give answers to these question with one click. Examples: when you go the bank, you print a todo list with tasks filtered by the following criteria: "Bank: all tasks". When you accidentally see John Smith in a bus, you look at the todo list and see all tasks realted to him (besides, tasks will most probably be from different projects).

In other words, grouping tasks by context = doing relevant things right here right now.

* context is more often called kairos in terms of time mamagement.

3) Criteria for selecting tasks to do

1. By context (what is to be done in this place? with this person? in case of this event?)
2. By time (what is to be done at this time? and do I have time to do it?)
3. By effort (do I have energy to complete this task?)
4. By priorities (what is the most important thing to do?)
All criteria except for # 3 (since the computer cannot decide how you feel) are present in LeaderTask:




Context and time are implemented in "Categories", "Contacts", "Time periods (dates)", "Projects";

Priorities are implemented as priorities and the user can define his own set of priorities and group tasks using this set.

4) Natural planning model.

The model of planning a project proposed by David Allen:

1. Defining the purpose ("why") and principles of work.
2. Envisioning the desired outcome
3. Brainstorming the way how to achieve this outcome
4. Organizing work
5. Identifying next actions
Projects are represented as a separate section in LeaderTask. Project properties include its goals, the responsible person, its time frame, the "project completed" mark. All actions (tasks) by the project are kept within its context, i.e. displayed when it is active.

5) Weekly review.


The number of tasks is constantly increasing, ideas, thoughts, solutions keep coming to us all the time. There are useful and not very useful ones among them. For you not to get lost in heaps of your own plans, David Allen recommends that you do a review at least once a week - "Weekly review". This review will help you get rid of irrelevant tasks, make your goals clearer, evaluate how close you are to your goals, etc.

The main priority in LeaderTask is making it comfortable to view tasks. It is achieved with the help of "Filters", i.e. predefined sets of criteria tasks will be filtered by.

Sample filters:

"My today tasks", "Bank tasks","IMPORTANT", "URGENT", "Monthly sales", "Project XYZ in September", "Delegated tasks", "Topics for meeting on project N", "Overdue tasks", "Yearly goals", "Calls", "Yearly goals review" ...

Thus, LeaderTask is very conveneint if you use David Allen's methodology - Getting Things Done!

Use LeaderTask - complete more, get tired less!!!

Download LeaderTask
http://www.leadertask.com/download/leader.exe

LeaderTask homepage
http://www.leadertask.com/

LeaderTask support forum
http://www.todoforum.com/

Spyware: It's Hidden Agenda

We have all heard about spyware. Spyware is regularly featured in various news media and is a topic of much discussion in computer circles. The reason for this is the constant bombardment of spyware related material, that infiltrates computer systems. Spyware has a hidden agenda.

The Internet is loaded with information on every conceivable subject. There are ebooks, software, photos, file sharing and a host of giveaways that are very enticing to computer users, especially those that have a hobby or special interest. The desire to take advantage of the vast internet resources and to download files or to share files, photos, software etc. is growing at a very fast pace. Advertisers and marketing specialists are aware of this trend and they focus their attention on providing online surfers with software, ebooks and other giveaways that cater to individual interests. These "Giveaways" are the "Passage way" used by promotional companies to get entry into the internet users computer.

Spyware "Piggybacks" on very innocent and legitimate looking file downloads. It can be likened to a passport that allows a person to enter a country, only in this case it is to enter an individuals computer, without the user fully understanding the implications of such file downloads. <




Spyware introduced into a computer system loves the environment. It has gained entrance into the system and feeds on the information the system contains. Its prying eyes feasts on the "Goings on" and learns all of the habits, interests, chats, discussions and shares this information with its buddies on the other side of the internet line. Who are its buddies? You guessed right, it is the promotional companies. This approach enables promotional companies to become fully aware of peoples interests, needs and desires. In turn, they will direct their wares to the individuals whose system was infiltrated by spyware.

People treasure privacy, be it at home or on the internet. It is easy to enjoy privacy at home, it is not as easy to enjoy computer privacy. A Loss of privacy on the internet can bring about numerous hardships, financial losses and of course can lead to identity theft.

People linked to the internet need to install spyware removal software. Spyware software will enable a scan, of all the files on ones computer and allow for the removal, of unwanted files, that pose a risk to privacy.
You can get a Free Spyware Scanner at http://www.DeleteSpyware.net

Better Software Foundations

I visited the ruins of a Roman settlement, the other day that was set in a lovely valley in the middle of an island.

The setting was idyllic, sheltered from the winds and not too far from the main market town, it seemed an ideal spot to farm and bring up a family.

Its history was thoughtfully provided on signs around the ruins of a substantial dwelling, which had been expanded in Roman times to include a hot and cold bathroom and mosaic floors. All of this was very attractive and a considerable investment for the landowner. But the settlement was abandoned, and it occurred to me that there had to be a good reason since it was clear that someone had put a lot of effort and finance into their dream.

I wondered if Vikings, who were known to be active in this area after the Romans left, had attacked it but there were no signs of charred brick work or the aftermath of battle.

Looking around another sign revealed the problem. There had been more than one attempt to settle the area, but the land formed a natural point of drainage for the hills around, and successive buildings had each eventually succumbed to subsidence.

I was left in no doubt that the buildings were of a good quality and that the builders were competent at construction, but clearly it had taken a few generations to work out that this was not a suitable site for construction. If we really wanted to settle this place now we would drive piles deep into the ground to overcome the subsidence.




The point that this drove into my mind was that of developing software. It is all too often the case that Software development organizations and their customers make the same mistakes over again. If the foundations are shaky then there is no point in building, but with a little forethought someone will could solve the problem and provide a safe way of delivering a good foundation.

The biggest mistake that organizations make is to rush to cut code before they understand the problem they are solving. That doesn't mean you have to be complacent and that sitting around in a few meetings will solve all your problems.

What should be done is: -

Ring fence what you know.
Ring fence what you don't know.
Make sure you are developing the right product.
Build the software that you know will not change.
Check that what you are building is what is wanted.

Often the customer just doesn't know exactly what they want, so you need to involve them in the development process. The earlier they get to know the product then the more likely they are to buy into the solution.
Having said all of that..

Code should be built where it enhances the understanding of the problem both to the customer and the developer.

What Is Spyware Software And What Does It Do?

If you own a computer and are connected to the internet then you will almost definitely have heard of spyware software and will also be at risk. The purpose of this article is to inform readers as to the risks of spyware software and explain exactly what spyware is and what it does.

Spyware as the name suggests is software that spy's on you and collects information on your internet usage. The computer user will be unaware that this is happening as spyware software applications are usually hidden components in both freeware and shareware programs that can be downloaded from the internet. Spyware is installed without your knowledge or consent and poses some very real threats.

Once spyware software has been installed onto your computer it will actively begin monitoring your activity on the internet and will transmit all the information it gathers onto its owner which is usually an advertiser of some sorts.

Spyware software is very dangerous and this illegal software can record your internet history, passwords, and keystrokes, and some spyware can also record other confidential and private information. The only proven and successful way to get rid of spyware is to install a spyware blocker or anti-spyware software. These are available in both free and paid software versions.

If you use the internet, for whatever use, you should also use a spyware blocker or spyware removal software. It is also essential that you run this spyware removal software daily to remove any threats to your personal information. Doing this will not only help to keep your internet usage and private information safe but it will also help to keep your computer running efficiently.

Spyware software is as mentioned very dangerous and allowing your personal information which can include passwords and bank details to get into the hands of the wrong people can prove detrimental. Act now and install anti-spyware software and keep your information safe.

How to find Adware removal that is really free and avoid the pitfalls

Really free adware removal programs can sometimes seem hard to find. You click on a link that promise really free adware removal programs, but end up on a site with programs that eventually turn out to have a lot of strings attached. You might only be able to try out the really free adware removal program for a very short time, such as a few days, before you must purchase an expensive version of the program. A few days is usually not enough to find if you are comfortable with you Adware removal program or not. Another disadvantage with this system is that when you purchase an expensive Adware removal program, you will most likely stick to that program even if the program becomes out-dated or a better program is offered on the market. In other cases, you can use the really free adware removal program for as long as you wish, but it turns out to be so basic that it offers very little protection from Adware. You are then encouraged to buy a better, but pricey, version of the program. Sometimes it is actually a really great free adware removal program that you are offered, but the updates cost quite a lot of money. Since all Adware removal programs need to be updated frequently to stay modern, this can turn out to be very costly in the end.

There are however examples of really free adware removal programs that are available for download online, but you might have to spend some time looking for them. Really free adware removal programs are seldom available off-line, since it would be too expensive to distribute them. Be vigilant when you choose a website from which to download a really free adware removal program, since there are a lot of dishonest sites offering fake adware removal programs. When more and more computer users began to protect their computers from adware with adware removal programs, the deceitful companies that gain from the Adware programs developed their own fake really free adware removal programs.




These fake programs are promoted vigorously on the Internet, and many computer users are lured into installing what they think is a protective. If you spend some time online, you will probably sooner or later stumble over a banner add that warns you about the dangers of Adware, or claim that your computer is already infested with Adware. You will be offered a great really free adware removal program, and if click on the banner your will be sent to a website. From this website you can download something that looks like a very good and really free adware removal program, but it is actually a fake. Your computer will not be protected from Adware when you use this fake adware removal program, and the fake adware removal program will probably also install Adware, Spyware and other types of Malware in your computer. You can minimize the risk of downloading a fake adware removal program by only downloading really free adware removal programs from trustworthy web pages with a good reputation.

Renew And Update Your Antivirus Software Today

PC users are facing new computer viruses every day. Computer viruses not only affect home PCs, they clog up internet traffic and disrupt the business of big corporations, causing billion dollars worth of damage each year. To protect your computer and stop the spread of these malicious programs on the internet, you should renew your antivirus software and update it regularly.

The number of computer viruses is increasing at a shocking rate. In 2003, 7 new viruses were unleashed each day. In 2004, more than 10,000 new viruses and their variants were identified. These new viruses include viruses, worms and Trojan horses and they attack the computer in many different ways. Some cause damage to the boot sector, hardware, software or data files. Some create security leaks in the system. Others may use the computer to spread spam e-mails.

Viruses, worms and Trojan horses also spread by different means. Viruses are usually transferred from one computer to another by sharing infected files or e-mail attachments. Worms replicate and spread by e-mail programs. Trojan horses are often downloaded and run by computer users who do not know the true nature of these programs.

The best antivirus software detect and remove viruses, worms and Trojan horses before they infect your system and use advanced script stopping technology. Although there are many new antivirus programs available these days, consumers should remain vigilant. Beware of all the free scans and free downloads from unknown software publishers. Some claim to be antivirus software but in fact, they add adware to your computer.

If you are looking for an antivirus software, you should only buy from reputable software publishers such as Symantec, McAfee, Trend Micro, etc. Remember to renew the license annually and enable the automatic update. This ensures that you are using the most updated detection database.

For more information about computer viruses and award-winning antivirus software, please visit the following site: http://software.4reviews.net/antivirus.htm