TechSoft Solutions Interactive Network

How to export CSV in rails 3

2011-11-24T03:48:00.000-08:00

class BooksController < ApplicationController

# GET /books
# GET /books.xml
def index
step=2
@books = Book.paginate(:all, :page=>params[:page], :per_page=>2)
str = ""
datestamp = Date.today.strftime("%d%b%Y%H")
respond_to do |format|
format.html # index.html.erb
format.xml { render :xml => @books }
format.csv do

csv_data=FasterCSV.generate(str) do |csv|
csv << ["Serial", "Name","Author Name" ,"Description", "pages","isbn", "Created At", "Modified At"]

@books.each do |b|
csv << [b.id,b.name,b.author.name,b.description,b.pages,b.isbn,b.created_at,b.updated_at]

end
end
send_data csv_data,
:type => 'text/csv; charset=iso-8859-1; header=present',
:disposition => "attachment; filename=books"+datestamp+".csv"
flash[:notice] = "Export complete!"
end
end
end

# GET /books/1
# GET /books/1.xml
def show
@book = Book.find(params[:id])
respond_to do |format|
format.html # show.html.erb
format.xml { render :xml => @book }
end
end

# GET /books/new
# GET /books/new.xml
def new
@book = Book.new

respond_to do |format|
format.html # new.html.erb
format.xml { render :xml => @book }
end
end

# GET /books/1/edit
def edit
@book = Book.find(params[:id])
end

# POST /books
# POST /books.xml
def create
@book = Book.new(params[:book])

respond_to do |format|
if @book.save
flash[:notice] = 'Book was successfully created.'
format.html { redirect_to(@book) }
format.xml { render :xml => @book, :status => :created, :location => @book }
else
format.html { render :action => "new" }
format.xml { render :xml => @book.errors, :status => :unprocessable_entity }
end
end
end

# PUT /books/1
# PUT /books/1.xml
def update
@book = Book.find(params[:id])

respond_to do |format|
if @book.update_attributes(params[:book])
flash[:notice] = 'Book was successfully updated.'
format.html { redirect_to(@book) }
format.xml { head :ok }
else
format.html { render :action => "edit" }
format.xml { render :xml => @book.errors, :status => :unprocessable_entity }
end
end
end

# DELETE /books/1
# DELETE /books/1.xml
def destroy
@book = Book.find(params[:id])
@book.destroy

respond_to do |format|
format.html { redirect_to(books_url) }
format.xml { head :ok }
end
end
end

Preparing your applications for a Windows 7 migration

2011-05-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Desktop applications that worked flawlessly in Windows XP -- and even Windows Vista -- may not be so perfect in Windows 7. If you're planning a Windows 7 migration, there are several things you should do to minimize app-related problems.
Take a desktop application inventory
The first step is to take an inventory of your organization's applications. Depending on the size of your enterprise, you can either perform the inventory manually, or you can use an automated inventory collection program.
The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit is a good and free option if you're going the automated route. The tool is designed to take an inventory of desktop applications and provide information on each app's compatibility with Windows 7. In addition, the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can be a useful product in smaller organizations.

Benefits of having a wireless Network

2011-03-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Working wirelessly can offer you the following benefits.

Flexibility: The lack of cables that comes with wireless networking enables you to roam with your mobile PC. You can roam from your office to a nearby conference room for a meeting, or from the couch in the living room to a kitchen for a snack. For example, if you're working wirelessly in a meeting you can printout a report for a co-worker without having to leave the meeting.
Time-saving: If you're waiting for an important response you can use your mobile PC to monitor your email even when you're in meetings or at lunch. As soon as you get the data needed, you can promptly forward it to your customer rather than wondering whether the information has come in while you were away and having to run back to your office between meetings and other commitments.
Increased productivity: Working wirelessly enables you to turn down times between meetings or while in transit into productive time. For example, you may be attending a conference and just found out that one of the sessions you were planning on attending has been cancelled. Rather than waste the next hour, you can check email, start compiling your trip report, or order your son's birthday present.
Easier collaboration: Using wireless mobile PCs, you can easily share files and information with others. For example, you can collaborate on a presentation with colleagues during a flight delay in an airport lounge, or you can share the syllabus of a course while attendees so that they can take more digitally during the class.

How do you get started using wireless?

2011-02-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday i looked i was able to differentiate between between different terms of wireless computing. Now i would like to peep in the way you start to get wireless.

The only thing you really need to go wireless (in addition to a mobile PC) is a wireless PC Card. Depending on the age of your mobile PC, the card is either built-in or needs to be inserted in the PC Card slot and includes an antenna. In addition, you can also use wireless keyboards and mice, which can provide more freedom and flexibility when you're working in your office.

It's always good to research the available hot spots in the area you're planning on visiting (whether a neighborhood in your city you're not familiar with or a city on the other coast).

As you head out in this brave new world of wirelessly connectivity, you can connect to a wireless network (whether at home, at work, or on the go).

Lets go wireless reader.

What you need to know about wireless Networks

2011-02-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

Many companies are making the leap to wireless networks in the office for both financial savings in overall equipment and sheer convenience for their employees. They also often provide mobile PCs with wireless capabilities to their employees so that they can be productive anytime anywhere, hence enhancing the company's bottom-line.

In this article, I will explain what WiFi is and how it works. I will also discuss what you need to start working wirelessly as well as what you can expect to gain from doing so. Finally, I'll discuss the precautions you should take when working on the go.

What is WiFi? Learn the lingo

Wireless, or WiFi, technology is another way of connecting your computer to the network using radio frequency and no network cables.
Wireless works similarly to cordless phones; they transmit data from one point to another through radio signals. But wireless technology also requires that you be within the wireless network range area to be able to connect your computer. There are three different types of wireless networks:

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): WLAN are wireless networks that use radio waves. The backbone network usually uses cables, with one or more wireless access points connecting the wireless users to the wired network. The range of a WLAN can be anywhere from a single room to an entire campus.
Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN): WPANs are short-range networks that use Bluetooth technology. They are commonly used to interconnect compatible devices near a central location, such as a desk. A WPAN has a typical range of about 30 feet.
Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN): WWANs are created through the use of mobile phone signals typically provided and maintained by specific mobile phone (cellular) service providers. WWANs can provide a way to stay connected even when away from other forms of network access. Also, be aware that additional charges are often associated with the usage of WWANs in some locations.

Lazyscope makes your twitting easier and fun.

2011-01-25T10:27:00.000-08:00

This video shows how lazy twitters like me can read every bit of information on their tweets..Click here for more

TechSoft Solutions Interactive Network: Blows Rains a policeman on Nairobi Kenya, Thika hi...

2011-01-19T01:12:00.000-08:00

TechSoft Solutions Interactive Network: Blows Rains a policeman on Nairobi Kenya, Thika hi...: "A traffic police officer found himself on the receiving end in Nairobi, after a motorist he had flagged down for an alleged traffic offense ..."

TechSoft Solutions Interactive Network: TechSoft Solutions Laptop Comparison of Ultraporta...

2011-01-19T01:11:00.001-08:00

TechSoft Solutions Interactive Network: TechSoft Solutions Laptop Comparison of Ultraporta...: "Under 4 pounds What You'll Get: Portability: Not everyone wants to run through an airport looking like a pack mule. With an ultraportable ..."

TechSoft Solutions Interactive Network: MAKE YOUR MENUS LOAD FASTER

2011-01-19T01:11:00.000-08:00

TechSoft Solutions Interactive Network: MAKE YOUR MENUS LOAD FASTER: "This is one of my favorite tweaks as it makes a huge difference to how fast your machine will 'feel'. What this tweak does is remove the sl..."

MAKE YOUR MENUS LOAD FASTER

2011-01-19T00:20:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite tweaks as it makes a huge difference to how fast your machine will 'feel'. What this tweak does is remove the slight delay between clicking on a menu and XP displaying the menu.

Step:1 Go to Start then Run
Step 2: Type 'Regedit' then click 'Ok'
Step 3: Find "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\"
Step4: Select "MenuShowDelay"
Step 5:Right click and select "Modify'
Step 6:Reduce the number to around "100"
This is the delay time before a menu is opened. You can set it to "0" but it can make windows really hard to use as menus will open if you just look at them - well move your mouse over them anyway. I tend to go for anywhere between 50-150 depending on my mood. Log on to TechSoft Solutions for more computer fantastic tips.

TechSoft Solutions Laptop Comparison of Ultraportables

2011-01-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

Under 4 pounds

What You'll Get:

Portability:
Not everyone wants to run through an airport looking like a pack mule. With an ultraportable notebook you can skip to the departure gate.
Compact Size:
Pack your smallest bag because the ultraportable has few demands. The extra room you have in your luggage can accommodate a projector or printer.
Envious Looks:
A fringe benefit of the smallest notebooks is the big stares you'll get for having them.
If you want to make a good impression, you're better off with a small, futuristic looking notebook than with a dinosaur.

What You'll Miss:

Performance:
Ultraportables smaller mobile processors are designed for portability, not performance. Expect reluctant obedience in high-demand business applications and graphically intense games.
Battery Life:
Batteries are the heaviest notebook component, so the lightest of notebooks have understandably shorter battery lives. Though you may often purchase extended batteries, they will add considerably to your travel weight.
Screen Size:
Ultraportable notebook screens are typically 9 to 12 inches diagonally. Higher-resolution screens mimic a full-size notebook's but can be hard on the eyes.
Keyboard Space:
Like the screen, an ultraportable's keyboard is smaller, so it fails to accommodate those with larger fingers.
Optical Drive:
To save space and battery life, optical drives are often omitted from ultraportables. CD and DVD drives are often an external accessory, though they can be found on a select few of the heavier ultraportables.

Battpit™ New Replacement Laptop / Notebook AC Adapter / Power Supply / Charger for Averatec AV3150HW (19V 3.42A/4.74A 65W-90W Laptop Adapter (Fixed C-Tip))

Blows Rains a policeman on Nairobi Kenya, Thika highway

2011-01-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

A traffic police officer found himself on the receiving end in Nairobi, after a motorist he had flagged down for an alleged traffic offense rained blows on him. What a society? Check this entertaining episode.

What is svchost.exe And Why Is It Running?

2011-01-14T04:58:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered does your computer seem to be running so many processes with the name svchost.exe? The most bothering thing is that you cannot kill them. I will describe it to you why they are processes list in the task Manager

What Is It?
According to Microsoft: “svchost.exe is a generic host process name for services that run from dynamic-link libraries”. We can have that in english if Microsoft wish to give out its dictionary.
Some time ago, Microsoft started moving all of the functionality from internal Windows services into .dll files instead of .exe files. From a programming perspective this makes more sense for reusability… but the problem is that you can’t launch a .dll file directly from Windows; it has to be loaded up from a running executable (.exe). Thus the svchost.exe process was born.
Why Are There So Many svchost.exes Running?
If you’ve ever taken a look at the Services section in control panel you might notice that there are a Lot of services required by Windows. If every single service ran under a single svchost.exe instance, a failure in one might bring down all of Windows… so they are separated out.
Those services are organized into logical groups, and then a single svchost.exe instance is created for each group. For instance, one svchost.exe instance runs the 3 services related to the firewall. Another svchost.exe instance might run all the services related to the user interface, and so on.
What Can I Do About It?
You can trim down unneeded services by disabling or stopping the services that don’t absolutely need to be running. Additionally, if you are noticing very heavy CPU usage on a single svchost.exe instance you can restart the services running under that instance.
The biggest problem is identifying what services are being run on a particular svchost.exe instance… we’ll cover that below.

Convert Any File Online

2011-01-13T01:25:00.000-08:00

I know you may be stressed up by buying new softwares to convert different files all the time. I want to inform of this website which will convert all of your types of files in just four steps. Convert any file using the free online Zamzar service. This service allows your to convert any image, document, music, video, e-book, or compressed file format into another. Below are some different common examples of how this service could be used.

Convert a .jpg image into a .png, .gif, or .bmp, etc.
Convert a YouTube video into a .avi, .mov, .3gp, .flac, .m4a, .wmv, etc.
Convert a .docx to a .doc, .pdf, .html, etc.
Convert a .pdf into an e-book format your e-reader supports.
Convert a .rar into a .zip

Visit Zamzar.com

Murata Boy

2011-01-11T02:07:00.000-08:00

LAS VEGAS--From robo-dinosaurs to mecha-masseurs, robots at CES 2011 ran the gamut of wacky novelty products like the Sphero iPhone-controlled ball and the WheeMe back massage robot to practical but funked-out floor cleaners like dancing Mint sweepers.
There wasn't a whole lot that was new, but there were enough debuts and upgrades to keep it interesting.

Imagine Yourself Without Facebook from March 15 2011...This must be the Joke of the Year!

2011-01-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Shocking news came from Facebook. The biggest social network in the face of this earth will be preached immediately closed within two months by the owner, Mark Zuckerberg. As quoted from weeklyworldnews.com, Sunday (09/01/2011), history of Facebook, which has 500 million users worldwide will soon be over on March 15, 2011.

“Facebook is completely excessive, I must end all this madness. All the pressure is now managing this company has ruined my life,” Zuckerberg said in a statement as claimed weeklyworldnews.com.

Statement Zuckerberg allegedly reinforced by Avrat Humarthi, vice president for Technical Affairs up. “After 15 March, everything will be closed. If you want to look back at your photos, we recommend immediate download from the internet. You will never again take it up our cap,” he said.

Still according to claim that site, Zuckerberg assess its decision to close up very heavy. But he felt that the best way for everyone.

“Frankly, this is the best way. Without up, people will go out and create friendshipsthat’s true. It is always a good thing,” he said.

Until now, the only site weeklyworldnews.com who wrote stories is about going to the closing up. There is no official media reported, because the site is only weeklyworldnews.com. The content is far from the truth.

Convert or View Documents Online Easily with Zoho, No Account Required

2011-01-09T00:02:00.000-08:00

Have you ever received a file from someone only to find that it will not open with the software you currently have installed? It can be extremely frustrating to deal with and that is where Zoho’s new online conversion and viewer service comes to the rescue.

You can use Zoho’s online document converter to change a file’s format to one that is compatible with the software on your computer. Just browse to the document’s current location, upload it, choose the desired file format to convert it into, and then save back to your computer. Simple and smooth!

Photos by Zoho Viewer

Just need to view the contents of the document? You can do that too with the View Function. You can select a file from your computer or if you prefer you can choose to view the document by entering its’ URL.

Here is a listing of the file formats currently supported:

Microsoft Office – doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, & pps
OpenDocument – odt, ods, & odp
OpenOffice – sxw, sxc, & sxi
Other Formats – rtf, txt, html, csv, & tsv

Zoho’s online service can save you from the headache of installing additional software or having to request a new copy of the document in a compatible file format for your computer. Best of all, you can get on with your work without signing up for a new account!
Credit goes to Zoho

How To Disable Windows Balloon Tips

2011-01-08T05:16:00.000-08:00

Balloon tips are the little popups that come from your system tray area near the clock in your start menu. Sometimes these popups can be quite anoying as they can cover up something that you were looking at, and when you click on the x to close down the popup another 2 or 3 pop up in there place. Vista and XP users can turn these popups by editing the registry, click on start > run and type in regedit and hit enter. Not Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced now right click on select New > DWORD and call it EnableBaloonTips and give it a value of 0 and click ok.
Windows 7 users can go to start menu > Control panel > System and Security and select the option to review your computers status. Click change action center settings on the left and untick anything you dont want to be notified about

How many other YouTube Videos did you watch other than Safaricom ad. Watch This.

2011-01-07T04:16:00.000-08:00

You Tube is one of the biggest video sharing websites in the world and last year alone, there were more than 700 billion videos viewed on the video sharing website. This is a huge amount of videos to say that the website has only been around for only few years. There have been some extremely popular videos released on the website this year as well and some have even got millions of views.
A lot of the videos that are now released on YouTube are from large corporate companies who have chosen YouTube as a great outlet for them to release music videos as well as viral marketing. YouTube and other video sharing websites have become a great way to get things known around the world without any cost to companies at all. Of course, there were many other videos that were released by individuals around the world that got extremely popular.
YouTube also experienced a lot more views of their videos last year than previously because of the growth of social networking websites. More and more people are viewing videos and then tweeting them to friends or posting them on Facebook, thus giving more people the chance to view them. It is also thought that there was around 13 million hours of videos uploaded last year alone which gives a lot more content to the website.
As a blogger this a new way to climb the charts and way of reaching you market places all over the world with ease without costing you even a penny. It only requires a free registration.

Turning a computer on and off regularly is bad for it. Is this a myth?

2011-01-07T03:22:00.000-08:00

Another myth I heard when I canvassed my social networks was that a computer can be damaged over time by being regularly turned on and off.

In fact, said the TechSoft Geek Squad's Leumas it's specifically recommended that you do power your machine off on a daily basis, for example at the end of each work day.

According to Leumas, "Every computer needs its rest time," in part to be sure that if you're away from it and there are power fluctuations or surges, it isn't damaged by them.

As well, he said, it's recommended that if you're going to be away from your computer for small periods of time, you let it go to sleep while you're gone. But in any case, he said, a regular on/off pattern is definitely good for the computer, not bad.

Skype Worries

2011-01-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

With the increased focus on VoIP, it's important to keep an eye on what happened with Skype last week, how it's coping in the wake of a widespread outage, and how it is dealing with China's threat to ban Skype in that country. We'll have more coverage on this later this week on this review
It Skype still going to hold its planned $100 IPO this year as per predictions?..Thats a big question i am going to be answering in the next weeks Skype Worries.

Kenya Police website Hacked!

2011-01-04T05:34:00.000-08:00

As Kenyans we thought that the only target is Amazon. Paypal and the rest of the biggest E-commerce website that are the target of the DDOS. Today Kenya Police Website has been hacked and this is the message you can read as per now as i Quote "Got in and all i could think about was zuckerberg!!! This' for you Mark!" With a heading Qouted "I am CEO, BITCh". Click here to access it.

Girls don't Play Video games is a Myth!

2011-01-03T23:49:00.000-08:00

The stereotype of gamers is clearly a teenage boy sitting in front of his Xbox, pounding away at one Halo or Call of Duty game or another for hours and hours on end. And while the industry certainly brings in many, many, many millions of dollars because of that pimply-faced teen, he's by no means the only face of the gaming community.
Indeed, women and girls make up a very large bloc of gamers--they just are a little quieter about it.

"Girls and young women are a 'pot of gold' for the [video game] industry," George Van Horn, a senior analyst at market research firm IBIS World, told Reuters. "The gaming industry has market characteristics that many would die for."

Reuters reported that in an IBIS World study, "38 percent of World gamers are female, up from 33 percent in just five years. From January through August of 2008, females ages 18 to 45 made up 28 percent of the total industry revenue, ranking second to males ages 18 to 45, who made up 37 percent."

So while they may not be the largest group of gamers, it's clear that women and girls are spending their fair share of time playing.

Google Apps Challage Microsoft

2011-01-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

With a $20 billion business selling desktop versions of its Office software, Microsoft Corp has a “cash cow” revenue stream that has allowed it to foray into different markets to expand its base.

Now it finds that base threatened with Web-based versions of office productivity products, notably from Google and from smaller, entrepreneurial companies like Zoho.
For businesses considering a move to cloud-based office productivity software, the primary driver appears to be cost, since no one relishes retraining an entire workforce in document word processing, mail, spreadsheet creation, presentation design, or even elementary Web page generation.

Microsoft sells Office Professional to businesses for $350 to $500. An academic version of the product retails for about $100. Meanwhile, Google is rolling out Google Apps at $50/head for business users, with many more Google account holders using the office applications for free; and Zoho is largely distributing free, cloud-based office productivity software, with only a small percentage of its business users paying a fee.

Is the strategy working as a revenue cultivator? At the end of the first quarter 2010, Google announced that 25 million people had “switched to Google Apps,” a 67 percent growth in eight months. Google also acknowledged that paying business users of Google Apps are a small minority (in the “hundreds of thousands”). This means the balance of Google Apps users are individuals with Google accounts who signed up to try the office tools -- many of them casually signing up to “take a look” in the same way that they opted in for gmail.

Nevertheless, the arrival of Google Apps has been enough to prompt Microsoft to offer a free online set of Office Web Apps, which includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

So what does this do for corporate IT? Potentially, more competition will continue to drive down prices for office software, which, although not formally categorized by all companies as “mission-critical,” certainly is crucial in a de facto sense. Organizations without word processing, spreadsheets, and internal email exchanges don’t run well for long.

The rest of the value proposition of Web-based office software goes directly back to cloud computing -- and what enterprises like and dislike about it. When asked about the challenges in getting consumers to try cloud-based software, Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu answered:

The first and foremost is trust: Can I trust my documents with an online provider? Will they be safe? Will they be secure? What if the service goes down? These concerns are fairly typical of a market in its early stages, and it is our job as a cloud vendor to earn the trust of consumers through actual daily execution, not just talk.

In the IT worlds of mid- to large-sized enterprises, these concerns are multiplied exponentially, since security, data protection, disaster recovery and failover, vendor risk management, enterprise control, and sacrifices in software functionality are worries -- not to mention the

Kenyan Granny Busted. This is what we call “What you feel like”

2011-01-03T03:23:00.000-08:00

Very interesting series of Busted in Kenyan Radio Classic 105. Click here to listen to Kenya Classic 105 Radio