Traditional Wired Ethernet (Category 5)

Until very recently, Category 5 data cabling was the de facto standard for both enterprise and small business LANs. Today, you’ll find some enhancements available to Category 5 cabling, as well as booming interest in wireless Ethernet solutions.

If your computer consulting firm won’t be installing Category 5 network cabling for your small business clients’ networks, get an estimate from a local data cabling vendor that can install certified cabling runs to each office or desk.

Ensure the Network Cabling Job is Completed “To Spec”

Most reputable Category 5 cable installers will be able to provide you with hard copy reports of Category 5 certification tests, your assurance that the job was completed “to spec” — making for a much more reliable networking experience.

The Ethernet Hub and Network Card

To string together a traditional wired Ethernet network based on Category 5 network cabling, your clients will simply need to purchase a 10/100Mbps Ethernet hub or switch, and a 10/100Mbps network card for each PC.

These are very mature, inexpensive products and great for creating inexpensive, high performance small business networks.

Wireless Ethernet Based on 802.11b (11Mbps)

802.11b wireless is also a relatively mature standard that provides up to 11Mbps Ethernet service. Although wireless networking hardware is more expensive than comparable wired Ethernet equipment, your clients will save on the installation costs of Category 5 data network cabling.

It could very well be break-even cost-wise and there’s no need to drill holes in your clients’ office walls or in the baseboard.

Drawbacks to Wireless Ethernet

First, since the standards between different 802.11b-compatibile products are still relatively new, you can sometimes experience great difficulty in trying to connect 802.11b products from different vendors. If possible, stick with the same 802.11b hardware vendor across the board.

Second, security standards are still evolving. The wireless encryption protocol (WEP) that 802.11b products use is widely known to be “easily” hack-able. Just be sure that your clients are aware of the security limitations before they commit to wireless Ethernet.

The Bottom Line About Network Cabling

Even if your computer consulting firm doesn’t handle Category 5 and other kinds of network cabling work, you need to be involved in the design specifications and supervision of network cabling. For assistance working with data cabling companies, see Partnering with Other Computer Consultants and Subcontracting Success both available for immediate download.

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Network Cabling: Available Options is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

If you did, you would quickly realize what a difference computer keyboards can make to a typing experience. It took me a couple of years to realize that there were actuallly a lot of options when it comes to computer keyboards and that I didn’t have to be satisfied with a computer keyboard that didn’t fit my hands.

I have probably made my way through at least eight or nine computer keyboards in the past ten years. I have learned what suites my body and my needs better and that has often caused me to go on the hunt for a newer and better computer keyboard. I have learned that there are a huge variety ofAs computer keyboards and that if you search for them, they do not have to be too expensive or hard to find.

If you are about to purchase a computer for the first time, or if you are simply looking for a computer keyboard that fits your body and your needs better, then don’t rush into a purchase until you have done some research to learn about your options. A great place to begin the search for computer keyboards or any other part of computers is by visiting a computer store where the employees are knowledgable about all things computer. Stop into a local store or two and see what you can learn about choosing computer keyboards that are right for you.

Another great way to do research on computer keyboards is online. That is, if you can manage to use your current keyboard for a few hours to do the research! Look through many websites until you find the deals that are in your budget and that match your needs. Finding a computer keyboard can be a tedious process, or it can be easy if you look in the right places. The bottom line is that if you are going to be using your computer a lot, then it pays to have the best possible computer keyboard.

Be Picky About Computer Keyboards is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

Avoid Buying From Offline Retailers

One of the most worst things you can do as a consumer is to buy games, especially if they are not new, from a local retail outlet. Most of the games within these stores are overpriced even after you factor in the discount that you will get from the advertised sale price or the savings through the store’s discount card. If you have too, then its best to buy a game from the pre-owned section. Pre-owned games are generally in good condition and cost 20 % less then their counterparts, just remember to inspect the game box for any missing game manuals and the game disc for scratches.

Search For Online Deals

As a consumer your first choice should be eBay. Generally used games on eBay are much cheaper than the major retailer’s pre-owned selection and occasionally you do find good deals. Instead of bidding on a single title you should instead try to win a lot of 10 to 50 games. Keep the games that you need from the lot and auction off the rest. Lots are generally more cheaper, on a per game bases, and in my experience these sellers do not gouge buyers on shipping costs. Also when using eBay be sure to use Paypal as the payment option. Paypal issues, several times during the year, coupons which can be used when paying for eBay items, these coupons offer an additional saving of 5 – 10% and are usually found in eBay’s monthly newsletters. There are also online sites such as pricegrabber.com and dealrush.com that display weekly deals from all the major video game retailers. An advantage to using these sites is that they are updated daily meaning you can stop having to rely on the Sunday flyers to find deals. Apart from these sites you can also save money by purchasing used games from members on the various gaming forums (such as cheapassgamer.com) that you may participate in. Just be sure that the forum members that you trade with have a high iTrader rating.

Have Patience

Game prices fall dramatically within a span of four months. Therefore, you should consider waiting a couple of months before buying a new game. Apart from saving you money this approach also allows you to get a better idea of how good the game is and if its worth owning.

Rent If Broke

So why should you rent games? Because its cheap and it provides you the ability to test new games. Most of the latest games appear on the renting shelves within the first two weeks of the initial release date, and given that most major retailers charge only $4-$8 for a game rental, this is the perfect opportunity to test, review and hopefully finish the game. Renting works especially well if you just need to play the latest games without caring too much about owning a personal copy. Remember, you can always buy your favorite rented games later on in the year when they cost a fraction of the original price.

Sell Your Games After You Finish Them

As a broke gamer the worst thing you could is start a collection, especially with new releases. Most new games fall dramatically in price within the first few months, so its vital that you sell your new games as soon as possible. Remember, you can always rent games, either when company comes over or at times when you are bored. This method will not only provide you with additional revenue but will also insure that you are able to play the latest releases.

Advice On Buying Video Games is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

Of course it is ideal to back up data and avoid the complicated process that is data recovery altogether, but even when you take the necessary steps to prepare for hard drive damage, you might run into problems.

Here are some procedures to follow if you experience trouble.

If a program is not functioning well on your computer, turn the computer off! This may seem a simple task, but shutting down a computer at the moment you notice your hard drive to be working overtime – perhaps you hear unusual sounds (like “cleaning”) – can prevent damage to the disk and data loss. If you let a failed hard drive run, it will eventually self-destruct. Damage to your disk is inevitable in this scenario.

If this is the case, unless you know exactly what you’re doing, don’t fix your computer yourself. Professional expertise is not a luxury in this situation – it is a must. Data recovery is a difficult and sensitive process requiring special tools and a clean environment. Not only will it be tremendously challenging to repair a hard drive on your own, but you might actually make matters worse and ensure irreversible data loss.

There is “do-it-yourself” data recovery software, but be cautious of things like this. With most computer problems of this nature, at-home instructions can be more dangerous than useful. Even if a company boasts that its products and instructions will handle your vulnerable data properly, it is important to be a skeptical consumer.

A local service provider is the average solution. Repair can happen on your own premises and you can be assured that your computer is in good hands. However, there is always the possibility that your hard drive is beyond repair – even for expert technicians – so be prepared to buy a new hard drive altogether; data recovery may not be an option any more.

Data Recovery Procedures For Hard Drives is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

If you looking for a tablet that is very powerful while being affordable the Toshiba Thrive is what you need to be looking at. This family of tablets can be found with various specifications. You can choose between the models which are 10 or 7 inch in diameter, or between those having 16 or 32 GB of memory and then there are those with additional features like the 4G broadband. Based on these features the Thrive gives you a nice selection to choose from starting at a price as low as $349.00.

Some Features of the Toshiba Thrive

These Toshiba tablets offer users many great features. For instance, with this tablet you will enjoy a superb HD touch screen which also has a multi-touch LED backlit display. Depending on the model you choose, you may even be able to get a high-resolution screen which will make your videos, gaming and web browsing experience a lot more enjoyable.

Not to mention, there is also an adaptive display technology which allows the tablet to adjust its contrast based on your lighting to give you the best view possible anywhere and at anytime.

The Thrive also offers users a lot of comfort as its easy grip finish makes it easy to hold while on the move. The rubberized surface used is also slip resistant and can be had in six available vibrant colours. The tablet also gives you a front and back camera along with a built in microphone to let you enjoy the use of the webcam and take your pictures and videos in high definition to your suit your taste.

Connectivity will not be a problem when you are equipped with a mini USB, HDMI and USB 2.0 ports. In addition to this there is a SD card slot and built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi which gives you the ability to connect wirelessly.

Great And Attractive Features Of The Toshiba Thrive is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

For your Cisco home lab, one important cable is the DTE/DCE cable. These cables have two major uses in a home lab. To practice directly connecting Cisco routers via Serial interfaces (an important CCNA skill), you’ll need to connect them with a DTE/DCE cable. Second, if you plan on having a Cisco router act as a frame relay switch in your lab, you’ll need multiple DTE/DCE cables to do so. (Visit my website’s Home Lab Help section for a sample Frame Relay switch configuration.)

If you have multiple switches in your lab, that’s great, because you’ll be able to get a lot of spanning tree protocol (STP) work in as well as creating Etherchannels. To connect your switches, you’ll need crossover cables.

You’ll need some straight-through cables as well to connect your routers to the switches.

Finally, if you’re lucky enough to have an access server as part of your lab, you’ll need an octal cable to connect your AS to the other routers and switches in your lab. The octal cable has one large connector on one end and eight numbered RJ-45 connectors on the other end. The large connector should be attached to the async port on your AS, and the numbered RJ-45 connectors will be connected to the console ports on your other routers and switches.

Choosing and connecting the right cables for your Cisco CCNA / CCNP home lab is a great learning experience, and it’s also an important part of your Cisco education. After all, all great networks and home labs all begin at Layer One of the OSI model!

Cisco CCNA / CCNP Certification Exam: Cabling Your Home Lab is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

Not only are sure Apple stores annulled the warranty on hacked and not closed IPhones but Apple just freed a statement which says that the unlock process attached with a future IPhone update may ground your phone as a useless brick. Users from installing illegal unlocking program are strongly discouraged by Apple because the enduring incapability to use an IPhone due to fitting or installing unlocking software is not enclosed under the warranty of IPhone. Remember not to update your phone until you are not sure that is safe if you have already unlocked it. Bricking is somewhat done unintentionally, but bricking it entirely is something Apple should really work hard to avoid. They should try to avoid it even if it costs a revenue share from AT&T. The main concern about every user is for the safe advancement or development of Apples that so far have made the IPhone better. IPhone software license agreements are violated by users who make illegal alteration to the software on their IPhones. There is a superior side to all this offered, you can get Apple to make firmware that does not brick IPhones and most press releases also state the feature update through the firmware. This is previously how the Play Station Portable (PSP) firmware updates were made as must haves for owners. Unlocking the IPhone is not practically as appealing or attractive, if it means you don’t acquire the advantage of novel features. An excellent thing when you consider that the finest IPhone novelties in the previous few months are the third party hacks, but not the official Apple updates and the web apps.

It has been discovered by Apple that many of the illegal IPhone unlocking programs accessible on the net reason permanent damage to the software of IPhone. This will probably result in the customized IPhone becoming everlastingly terminal when a future IPhone software update Apple-supplied is installed. Apple tactics to let go the next IPhone software update which contains many new features counting the iTunes WiFi Music Store. Apple powerfully disheartens consumers from installing illegal unlocking programs on their IPhones. IPhone is one of the greatest gadgets today which are most popular among the youngsters and businessmen. IPhone have great features with unbelievable results.

Are Apple right to brick hacked iphones is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

1) Is domain registration included, or do I have to pay extra?

Most of the best web hosts today offer free domain names (the .com) when their clients sign up for a long-term package. Registering your domain with the company you host with reduces headaches and hassle that can result from trying to import your domain to your hosting company. However, understand that this feature is often only available when you pre-pay for one year or more.

2) How many websites can I host with this hosting package?

Many internet marketers have a large number of websites. These websites can be informational sites, or websites used to target very small niches. Whatever the reason, having the ability to host extra domain names at no extra charge can save you from purchasing a brand new hosting package for each domain you register.

3) What is the percentage of guaranteed uptime?

When a web host experiences downtime, your websites are inaccessible and your company could lose money. Leading hosts will guarantee the amount of uptime – which should exceed 99.8% for the best companies.

4) What level of service does the company provide?

From uploading files to configuring systems, hosting a website can be a tricky business. You need a company that provides world-class support when you need it. Before signing up for a hosting package, make sure the company you’re considering provides support through multiple methods: email, phone, helpdesk, knowledgebase, and a customer forum. The best companies will offer 24-hour phone support in case of emergencies. When hundreds of thousands of dollars are on the line, you want to have this level of service.

5) Does the company offer a money-back guarantee?

Occasionally people run into web hosting companies that provide poor service or slow web servers. In order to prevent yourself from being locked into a year-long contract with a company that does not provide the level of service you need, make sure the web host you’re considering offers a 30-day money back guarantee. This is standard in the hosting industry, and nearly every reputable host offers it.

5 Questions To Consider When Shopping For A Web Hosting Package is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

Regedt32.exe is an alternative registry editor available with Windows NT/2000 with features of its own. Regedt32.exe does not support importing and exporting registration entries (.reg) files. Regedit has limitations of its own as quoted here:

“You cannot set the security for registry keys. You cannot view, edit, or search the value data types <>REG_EXPAND_SZ and <>REG_MULTI_SZ. If you try to view a <>REG_EXPAND_SZ value, Regedit.exe displays it as a binary data type. If you try to edit either of these data types, Regedit.exe saves it as <>REG_SZ, and the data type no longer performs its intended function. You cannot save or restore keys as hive files.”

Research indicates regedit has:

• a better search tool
• bookmarking of subkeys
• opens to last edited subtree, export and import capabilities
• all keys are visible from a window similar to Windows Explorer

Regedt32 (pre-WinXP) can:

• run in read-only mode
• allows you to edit values longer than 256 characters (who wants to do that???)
• displays subtrees in their own windows
• modify access permissions to subtrees, keys, and subkeys

In WinXP and Server 2003, the two have been replaced by a new version of regedit that has features from both. Try typing ‘regedit’ and ‘regedt32′ to see what happens. They’re the same. To prove it, while in ‘regedit,’ select ‘edit’ and you’ll see ‘permissions.’ This is a feature that was only available in the old ‘regedt32′ and not ‘regedit.’

Technically, regedt32 is a small program that runs regedit. So when typing ‘regedt32,’ it takes you to ‘regedit.’ The destination is the same either way. So type whichever is easier for you to remember. Regedit is easier for me – I had to play with the spelling of the other version until I got it right.

Now I remember that tech support was checking to see if the permissions were properly set and that was why we used ‘regedt32.’ However, someone forgot to update the script or tell him that it didn’t matter anymore when a user had WinXP. Tech support always asks what operating system at the beginning of the call, so he knew.

More registry editor resources: Microsoft has a knowledgebase article on the differences between the two. Windows IT Library has a feature comparison chart dated 2000, so it’s way old, but it will satisfy curiosity. Here’s a list of registry editor alternatives for those who wish to try something different. For tweaks, tricks, and hacks, check out WinGuides’ Registry Guide for Windows.

A Tale of Two Regeds: Registry editors is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News

Another aspect to link load balancing concerns the communications channels themselves. In this case the “juggling act” is meant to better distribute processing and communications demands more equitably across the network so that no single a computer is overwhelmed by the demand.

Link Load Balancing – Key Features & Benefits
First and foremost is “availability” – 24/7 Application Availability for complete IP Application access. Local and Global Service providers rely on redundancy and link load balancing between servers, WSD units and distributed sites for complete server continuity across global networks

Network Bottlenecks – Link Load Balancing
Network managers are constantly seeking new solutions for eliminating bottlenecks and latencies for the fastest performance of all networked applications and web-enabled transactions. The idea link load balancing technology combines both unlimited application scalability with flexible traffic distribution management of data centers and server farms.

Network Security – Link Load Balancing
Link load balancing is a key element in the overall network Intrusion Prevention effort. Expert Link Load Balancing guards the network against internal and external attacks such as viruses, worms, Trojans, anti-scanning and protocol anomalies. Above all hovers the ultimate link load balancing challenge and network threat – DOS – Denial of Service.

Remember the song, “Take a load off Annie” Just listening to it makes you feel nice and relaxed… For maximum performance and 100 percent uptime, networks use link load balancing to even out resource use throughout the network.

Link Load Balancing – Take a Load Off Annie is a post from: Video Direct Corp Technology News