Saturday, October 31, 2009
The History of PSP Advertising
The hugely popular Play Station Portable (PSP) handheld game console manufactured by Sony, which was launched in 2004, had sold more than 52 million pieces by the beginning of May 2009. The success of its marketing campaign can be judged by the fact that it had initially trailed Nintendo in the total quantities sold for the first 3 years after launch, but picked up after that and now leads in market share.What many people are unaware of is that there have been a number of controversies regarding Sony's promotional campaigns to increase market share of this, one of their most prestigious products and a big profit earner. Some of the issues related to the PSP advertising campaign are listed below:•A online guerrilla marketing campaign for the PSP console to try and go viral in December 2006 by the Zipatoni advertising firm of St. Louis in the US put Sony under a lot of scrutiny for unfair trade practices. The firm had got advertisers to pretend to be young bloggers desperate to get themselves a console by any means possible. The blogging and related sites were traced back to the advertising agency and then back to Sony.•Earlier the same year, Sony released an ad in the Netherlands showing a white woman supposedly intimidating a black woman, with the message that 'PlayStation White is coming'. Apparently Sony was trying to convey that the consoles were available in these 2 colours. This particular image was considered in bad taste because of its racial overtones and implied threat. While 2 other images with the same participants were also released, these were not so controversial as one showed the black woman dominating over the white woman and the second had the two women facing each other, seemingly about to start a fight. All these ads were removed after the controversy erupted in July 2006 in that country and they were never released elsewhere in the world.•A PSP poster campaign in the UK had one design with the slogan 'Take a running jump here', When these were put up in a Manchester Piccadilly tram station, the posters were asked to be removed as authorities considered that it might suggest suicide to those who were so inclined. This controversy happened in 2006.•Sony had hired graffiti artists to spray paint PSP advertisement on walls across San Francisco, New York City and Philadelphia towards the end of 2005. Philadelphia's mayor had filed a 'cease and desist' order against Sony and threatened further legal action, including a criminal case. Sony admitted the charges but said it was paying owners of the buildings as well as businesses for using their walls as advertisement space.Although the above examples may seem minor controversies, it reveals to what extent Sony felt pressure to ensure the full and unhindered success of the Play Station Portable. Having achieved that, the controversial campaigns also seem to have tapered off. In all likelihood it would have been the local branches / franchisees who would have implemented these campaigns.
How Using Web Templates!....
Creating websites was once a job best undertaken by professionals with years of experience and often a high fee. Fortunately, this is no longer the case as the internet is now filled with web templates to help the average user design a professional looking website - without the help of a paid designer. Web Templates Web templates are best compared to paint-by–number pictures so popular among the toddler set. They are simply pre-designed websites that make it simple to add relevant information, content, links, logos, and pictures. The HTML coding is already set up, and by cutting and pasting to add the items that make a site unique, a user can design an effective website in very little time, and for very little money.Using Web TemplatesIf a user has proficient knowledge of basic software programs, that individual should have no trouble creating a website using Web templates. Software such as Microsoft FrontPage, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop are well know and incredibly user-friendly. Often an individual simply downloads and saves a web template from the internet, or perhaps even uses a template that came with a software package. Once the web template is obtained, simply open the file in the design program of choice and begin.Processes such as cutting and pasting, word processing, and importing files are very similar, or even identical, to functions in programs such as Microsoft Word. If a user does not feel comfortable working in an HTML editing program such as FrontPage, he can also use the same internet source that provided the original web templates to customize it with the correct information. In some cases, however, this is not as economical as completing the customization on an individual basis. Distinguishing a Quality TemplateIt is important to find and use web templates which are of excellent quality. There are ways to distinguish a high quality web template. Examples include: • Ease of downloading the template• The template should be easy to edit• The template should be compatible with popular software• The template should upload easilyThe Financial BenefitsRetaining a professional designer to create a website can be expensive. A basic homepage can cost upwards of $600, and additional linked pages will be even more. An expertly designed website might also take weeks to complete. By using web templates, there is a small investment of time and energy on the user’s part, but the rewards are enormous. Not only does the web template save the individual tremendous amounts of time, but the biggest savings is where it truly counts - in the wallet.
How to Find the Right Web Host & Avoid Costly Mistakes!
One of the most important decisions you'll make as a Web site owner, Internet marketer or Webmaster is choosing a reliable Web hosting service. Sorting through a multitude of hosting companies and making sense of the various service plans offered, can certainly be intimidating.Knowing what to look for and the kinds of questions to ask will help you to make an informed decision that ultimately saves you money and grief. The aim is to find the provider that best serves your particular needs. And there lies the key -- your particular needs. You should have a clear vision of your Web site's purpose.- How is it going to be used?- What do you intend to accomplish with it?- Will you be selling products, or simply providing information?- Will there be interactive forms on your site for subscriptions, referrals, surveys and so on?These answers will be useful in helping you decide on the best hosting package for your type and size Web site. A smart way to begin your search is by soliciting feedback from friends and associates who already have a Web presence. Their responses will usually be candid and insightful, and you could then followup on your own.Another approach is to visit discussion boards and online forums like WebHostingTalk, where you'll find informative posts and discussions complimenting reputable providers and griping about unsavory ones. Host directories is another resource you could utilize. Simply typing "host directory" (with quotation marks) into your favorite search engine query box will return thousands of pages for you to investigate.The next step is to compare service plans, features and tools. Here are areas you need to look at closely:Technical Support: This ranks at the top of my list of priorities. You must have help when you need it. Support should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and should be accessible by telephone, email, online forum or even live chat. The size of the support staff and the number of customers they service are also good information to have.Customer Service: It should be prompt, professional, courteous and effective. The quality of this service will play a major role in developing (or destroying) a mutually beneficial business relationship. Test this yourself by calling or e-mailing the company and making note of how they handle your query.Storage Capacity: You will need to know how much hard drive space you get and how much it will cost if you need to increase it. The amount of space you need depends on the size and type of your site. Generally 25 to 35 MB is more than enough for a small site. If your site is an art gallery or music site, for example, with lots of image and mp3 files, this area will be particularly important to you.Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred per month. Pay attention to the limits allowed under the different plans. Recognize that as your site gets busier, your bandwith requirements will increase. Most hosts charge additional fees for usage that exceeds the normal allocations, so be sure to read the fine print.FTP and Telnet Access: File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used to transfer files to and from servers on the Internet and allows you to manage your web site. If your site permits visitors to download software, see whether you can set up an FTP site exclusively for downloads. If you have large files for download, find out if the FTP site permits the resumption of interrupted downloads. Most FTP programs can accomodate this today. The Telnet protocol is one with which many users are not at all familiar, but it is still used extensively. It's useful for troubleshooting CGI scripts and changing server configurations. Not all servers allow Telnet access.Platforms UNIX / NT: UNIX is the most popular platform in use today on web servers. It is reliable, easy to configure and flexible. Setting your own file permissions is a snap. It supports scripting languages like Perl and PHP. Most of the free scripts available for download are from the UNIX platform.Microsoft's NT is favored by the next largest number of hosting providers. Scripts that work on this platform are not as readily available as with UNIX, and NT users often require assistance from their Web Host Administrators to set file permissions. NT supports MS applications such as ASP, Access, Front Page and scripting languages such as Perl and Cold Fusion.E-Commerce: A robust Web hosting company should be facilitating your e-commerce needs with shopping cart software, merchant account setup support, secure real-time credit card processing and so on. They should have a library of scripts to accomodate forms, statistics and guestbooks on your site. Support for Real Audio, Real Video, VRML, Java, Shockwave, Cybercash, secure transactions and other utilities should also be available.Some Other Considerations.* E-Mail Boxes & POP Aliases: Are you permitted a limited or unlimited number of e-mail addresses?* Autoresponders: A powerful on-line marketing tool for putting your promotions, sales letters, brochures or catalogs on autoreply. How many are you permitted and are they sequential?* E-mail Forwarding: Self-explanatory and convenient.* Mailing Lists: You must have the ability to develop your own mailing lists. This feature is essential to successful Internet marketing.* Web Mail Access: Allows you to retrieve e-mail from any computer connected to the Internet.As you can see, several factors ought to be seriously considered when selecting a company to host your Web site. This is an important decision. Be diligent. Do your homework and be prepared to be flexible.Choose a host that has been in business at least a few years, and who offers features that can be upgraded as your Web site expands. Your company image hinges on the reliability and service of your web
History of computer
The first use of the word "computer" was recorded in 1613, referring to a person who carried out calculations, or computations, and the word continued to be used in that sense until the middle of the 20th century. From the end of the 19th century onwards though, the word began to take on its more familiar meaning, describing a machine that carries out computations.[3]
The history of the modern computer begins with two separate technologies—automated calculation and programmability—but no single device can be identified as the earliest computer, partly because of the inconsistent application of that term. Examples of early mechanical calculating devices include the abacus, the slide rule and arguably the astrolabe and the Antikythera mechanism (which dates from about 150–100 BC). Hero of Alexandria (c. 10–70 AD) built a mechanical theater which performed
a play lasting 10 minutes and was operated by a complex system of ropes and drums that might be considered to be a means of deciding which parts of the mechanism performed which actions and when.[4] This is the essence of programmability.
The "castle clock", an astronomical clock invented by Al-Jazari in 1206, is considered to be the earliest programmable analog computer.[5] It displayed the zodiac, the solar and lunar orbits, a crescent moon-shaped pointer travelling across a gateway causing automatic doors to open every hour,[6][7] and five robotic musicians who played music when struck by levers operated by a camshaft attached to a water wheel. The length of day and night could be re-programmed to compensate for the changing lengths of day and night throughout the year.[5]
The Renaissance saw a re-invigoration of European mathematics and engineering. Wilhelm Schickard's 1623 device was the first of a number of mechanical calculators constructed by European engineers, but none fit the modern definition of a computer, because they could not be programmed.
In 1801, Joseph Marie Jacquard made an improvement to the textile loom by introducing a series of punched paper cards as a template which allowed his loom to weave intricate patterns automatically. The resulting Jacquard loom was an important step in the development of computers because the use of punched cards to define woven patterns can be viewed as an early, albeit limited, form of programmability.
It was the fusion of automatic calculation with programmability that produced the first recognizable computers. In 1837, Charles Babbage was the first to conceptualize and design a fully programmable mechanical computer, his analytical engine.[8] Limited finances and Babbage's inability to resist tinkering with the design meant that the device was never completed.
In the late 1880s, Herman Hollerith invented the recording of data on a machine readable medium. Prior uses of machine readable media, above, had been for control, not data. "After some initial trials with paper tape, he settled on punched cards ..."[9] To process these punched cards he invented the tabulator, and the keypunch machines. These three inventions were the foundation of the modern information processing industry. Large-scale automated data processing of punched cards was performed for the 1890 United States Census by Hollerith's company, which later became the core of IBM. By the end of the 19th century a number of technologies that would later prove useful in the realization of practical computers had begun to appear: the punched card, Boolean algebra, the vacuum tube (thermionic valve) and the teleprinter.
During the first half of the 20th century, many scientific computing needs were met by increasingly sophisticated analog computers, which used a direct mechanical or electrical model of the problem as a basis for computation. However, these were not programmable and generally lacked the versatility and accuracy of modern digital computers.
Alan Turing is widely regarded to be the father of modern computer science. In 1936 Turing provided an influential formalisation of the concept of the algorithm and computation with the Turing machine. Of his role in the modern computer, Time Magazine in naming Turing one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, states: "The fact remains that everyone who taps at a keyboard, opening a spreadsheet or a word-processing program, is working on an incarnation of a Turing machine." [10]
The inventor of the program-controlled computer was Konrad Zuse, who built the first working computer in 1941 and later in 1955 the first computer based on magnetic storage.[11]
George Stibitz is internationally recognized as a father of the modern digital computer. While working at Bell Labs in November 1937, Stibitz invented and built a relay-based calculator he dubbed the "Model K" (for "kitchen table", on which he had assembled it), which was the first to use binary circuits to perform an arithmetic operation. Later models added greater sophistication including complex arithmetic and programmability
The history of the modern computer begins with two separate technologies—automated calculation and programmability—but no single device can be identified as the earliest computer, partly because of the inconsistent application of that term. Examples of early mechanical calculating devices include the abacus, the slide rule and arguably the astrolabe and the Antikythera mechanism (which dates from about 150–100 BC). Hero of Alexandria (c. 10–70 AD) built a mechanical theater which performed
a play lasting 10 minutes and was operated by a complex system of ropes and drums that might be considered to be a means of deciding which parts of the mechanism performed which actions and when.[4] This is the essence of programmability.The "castle clock", an astronomical clock invented by Al-Jazari in 1206, is considered to be the earliest programmable analog computer.[5] It displayed the zodiac, the solar and lunar orbits, a crescent moon-shaped pointer travelling across a gateway causing automatic doors to open every hour,[6][7] and five robotic musicians who played music when struck by levers operated by a camshaft attached to a water wheel. The length of day and night could be re-programmed to compensate for the changing lengths of day and night throughout the year.[5]
The Renaissance saw a re-invigoration of European mathematics and engineering. Wilhelm Schickard's 1623 device was the first of a number of mechanical calculators constructed by European engineers, but none fit the modern definition of a computer, because they could not be programmed.
In 1801, Joseph Marie Jacquard made an improvement to the textile loom by introducing a series of punched paper cards as a template which allowed his loom to weave intricate patterns automatically. The resulting Jacquard loom was an important step in the development of computers because the use of punched cards to define woven patterns can be viewed as an early, albeit limited, form of programmability.
It was the fusion of automatic calculation with programmability that produced the first recognizable computers. In 1837, Charles Babbage was the first to conceptualize and design a fully programmable mechanical computer, his analytical engine.[8] Limited finances and Babbage's inability to resist tinkering with the design meant that the device was never completed.
In the late 1880s, Herman Hollerith invented the recording of data on a machine readable medium. Prior uses of machine readable media, above, had been for control, not data. "After some initial trials with paper tape, he settled on punched cards ..."[9] To process these punched cards he invented the tabulator, and the keypunch machines. These three inventions were the foundation of the modern information processing industry. Large-scale automated data processing of punched cards was performed for the 1890 United States Census by Hollerith's company, which later became the core of IBM. By the end of the 19th century a number of technologies that would later prove useful in the realization of practical computers had begun to appear: the punched card, Boolean algebra, the vacuum tube (thermionic valve) and the teleprinter.
During the first half of the 20th century, many scientific computing needs were met by increasingly sophisticated analog computers, which used a direct mechanical or electrical model of the problem as a basis for computation. However, these were not programmable and generally lacked the versatility and accuracy of modern digital computers.
Alan Turing is widely regarded to be the father of modern computer science. In 1936 Turing provided an influential formalisation of the concept of the algorithm and computation with the Turing machine. Of his role in the modern computer, Time Magazine in naming Turing one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, states: "The fact remains that everyone who taps at a keyboard, opening a spreadsheet or a word-processing program, is working on an incarnation of a Turing machine." [10]
The inventor of the program-controlled computer was Konrad Zuse, who built the first working computer in 1941 and later in 1955 the first computer based on magnetic storage.[11]
George Stibitz is internationally recognized as a father of the modern digital computer. While working at Bell Labs in November 1937, Stibitz invented and built a relay-based calculator he dubbed the "Model K" (for "kitchen table", on which he had assembled it), which was the first to use binary circuits to perform an arithmetic operation. Later models added greater sophistication including complex arithmetic and programmability
A computer is a machine that manipulates
A computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a set of instructions.
Although mechanical examples of computers have existed through much of recorded human history, the first electronic computers were developed in the mid-20th century (1940–1945). These were the size of a large room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal computers (PCs).[1] Modern computers based on integrated circuits are millions to billions of times more capable than the early machines, and occupy a fraction of the space.[2] Simple
computers are small enough to fit into a wristwatch, and can be powered by a watch battery. Personal computers in their various forms are icons of the Information Age and are what most people think of as "computers". The embedded computers found in many devices from MP3 players to fighter aircraft and from toys to industrial robots are however the most numerous.
The ability to store and execute lists of instructions called programs makes computers extremely versatile, distinguishing them from calculators. The Church–Turing thesis is a mathematical statement of this versatility: any computer with a certain minimum capability is, in principle, capable of performing the same tasks that any other computer can perform. Therefore computers ranging from a mobile phone to a supercomputer are all able to perform the same computational tasks, given enough time and storage capacity.
Although mechanical examples of computers have existed through much of recorded human history, the first electronic computers were developed in the mid-20th century (1940–1945). These were the size of a large room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal computers (PCs).[1] Modern computers based on integrated circuits are millions to billions of times more capable than the early machines, and occupy a fraction of the space.[2] Simple
computers are small enough to fit into a wristwatch, and can be powered by a watch battery. Personal computers in their various forms are icons of the Information Age and are what most people think of as "computers". The embedded computers found in many devices from MP3 players to fighter aircraft and from toys to industrial robots are however the most numerous.The ability to store and execute lists of instructions called programs makes computers extremely versatile, distinguishing them from calculators. The Church–Turing thesis is a mathematical statement of this versatility: any computer with a certain minimum capability is, in principle, capable of performing the same tasks that any other computer can perform. Therefore computers ranging from a mobile phone to a supercomputer are all able to perform the same computational tasks, given enough time and storage capacity.
The Benefits of Buying a Printer Online
When you are buying a printer, you are making an investment. This is a device that you are going to be using for a very long time, which means that you want it to last for a very long time. Not only do you want it to be able to last, you want it to have all of the functions you need.
Some of those functions could include scanning, printing, faxing, color printing and a plethora of other interesting features. Which ones you need, depend on your needs. Are you running a business, printing pictures, or do you just need it for basic printing? These are all questions that you are going to need to ask yourself, and when you figure it out, you'll know precisely what type of printer to get yourself.
You could go to a store to get the ideal printer, but you need to ask yourself if the printer you need is actually going to be there. Right now the most popular printer out there is without a doubt the multifunction, simply because it has all the features that most people seem to want. But if you need something more basic, or if you want a specific feature, then you are going to need to start your search online.
One example of a printer you might not be able to find in stores are the mono versions that print only in black and white. These do not have any network features, either wireless or wired, and as such they're not very sought after in the professional industry. If you only have one computer and you just need to print out standard documents however, then one of these printers is going to suit you just fine.
Lower prices are another driving force behind purchasing a printer online. When you are buying in a store, you might find that all of the prices are a bit high, but that could be because there aren't any other stores within walking distance for them to compete with. If you search online however, it's a completely different story.
Website owners and online marketplaces have much more competition than the average real world retailers, simply because if a user does not like their prices, they can simply go on to the next seller who might have a lower price on their website.
There are constant price changes occurring in the online world, and you will be able to take advantage of these any time. Online stores never close, and you can have your item sent to you in a few days. If you really want a lower price, then you can try buying at online auction websites, though you do need to be careful when doing this. Make sure that you purchase from a reputable seller and that you see if there is any type of applicable warranty. If there is not, then you need to make sure that the printer is in good shape, that way there are no surprises later on! So as you can see, shopping online is a great idea for anyone that needs a new printer.
Some of those functions could include scanning, printing, faxing, color printing and a plethora of other interesting features. Which ones you need, depend on your needs. Are you running a business, printing pictures, or do you just need it for basic printing? These are all questions that you are going to need to ask yourself, and when you figure it out, you'll know precisely what type of printer to get yourself.
You could go to a store to get the ideal printer, but you need to ask yourself if the printer you need is actually going to be there. Right now the most popular printer out there is without a doubt the multifunction, simply because it has all the features that most people seem to want. But if you need something more basic, or if you want a specific feature, then you are going to need to start your search online.
One example of a printer you might not be able to find in stores are the mono versions that print only in black and white. These do not have any network features, either wireless or wired, and as such they're not very sought after in the professional industry. If you only have one computer and you just need to print out standard documents however, then one of these printers is going to suit you just fine.
Lower prices are another driving force behind purchasing a printer online. When you are buying in a store, you might find that all of the prices are a bit high, but that could be because there aren't any other stores within walking distance for them to compete with. If you search online however, it's a completely different story.
Website owners and online marketplaces have much more competition than the average real world retailers, simply because if a user does not like their prices, they can simply go on to the next seller who might have a lower price on their website.
There are constant price changes occurring in the online world, and you will be able to take advantage of these any time. Online stores never close, and you can have your item sent to you in a few days. If you really want a lower price, then you can try buying at online auction websites, though you do need to be careful when doing this. Make sure that you purchase from a reputable seller and that you see if there is any type of applicable warranty. If there is not, then you need to make sure that the printer is in good shape, that way there are no surprises later on! So as you can see, shopping online is a great idea for anyone that needs a new printer.
How to Find the Correct Inkjet Printer Cartridge
There are many that have fallen in love with the inkjet printer, and they have good reason to do so. First of all, the inkjet device is much quieter than the dot matrix printer. On top of that, you can place many sheets of standard paper in it. It might be ancient history right now, but many still remember the days of feeding printer paper that would normally end up jamming or tearing at some point during the day. Most people were more than happy to leave this technology behind in favor of the inkjet technology.
The only conceivable problem with using this type of technology is the fact that there are many different types of inkjet printers out there, and sometimes finding the right printer cartridge can be a hassle. If you buy the wrong one, then you will have wasted quite a bit of money and will have nothing to show for it. Cartridges are not cheap by any means!
First of all you need to determine what type of printer you have. Normally you will need to buy a cartridge that matches the type of printer. This information is usually written directly on your printer, so take a look at the top and see. You will also need to know the model number, and when you have this you will be able to go to your local computer store and ask a sales person for help. If you show them the brand and model number they will be able to help you.
Secondly, you need to assess your needs. What exactly are you doing with your printer, and why do you need the cartridge? If you are printing out documents, then you will just need a standard black and white cartridge, which is considerably cheaper.
If you are printing out anything that uses graphics or if you are printing out photos, then you are going to need color cartridges. One should be reminded that color cartridges are much more expensive! If you're wondering exactly how expensive they can be, let's just say that you're probably going to be leaving the store with a much lighter wallet unless you prepared for this moment for some time.
That being said, there are two ways that you can shop for your inkjet printer cartridges. First of all you can try shopping offline. This is a great way to do it, especially if you need to ask for help in selecting your printer cartridges. The only problem is that you could run into a rather limited selection when shopping offline.
When shopping on the internet you may discover that there are more cartridges to choose from, which is great. The only problem is that if you don't know quite what to get, you could end up ordering the wrong thing. However, most sites will now offer guides and even list the cartridges in terms of their associated printers, making it easier for you to locate yours. Also with more competition, you don't need to worry about getting ripped off. Just search around and try to find a reputable store that can do you a good deal.
In addition to these guidelines, make sure that you always buy from your printer manufacturer. You might find that there are cheap imitations out there, and while cheaper is better, problems could arise. Chances are your warranty does not cover damage to your printer if you use a third party product. That said, stay safe and use the right product!
The only conceivable problem with using this type of technology is the fact that there are many different types of inkjet printers out there, and sometimes finding the right printer cartridge can be a hassle. If you buy the wrong one, then you will have wasted quite a bit of money and will have nothing to show for it. Cartridges are not cheap by any means!
First of all you need to determine what type of printer you have. Normally you will need to buy a cartridge that matches the type of printer. This information is usually written directly on your printer, so take a look at the top and see. You will also need to know the model number, and when you have this you will be able to go to your local computer store and ask a sales person for help. If you show them the brand and model number they will be able to help you.
Secondly, you need to assess your needs. What exactly are you doing with your printer, and why do you need the cartridge? If you are printing out documents, then you will just need a standard black and white cartridge, which is considerably cheaper.
If you are printing out anything that uses graphics or if you are printing out photos, then you are going to need color cartridges. One should be reminded that color cartridges are much more expensive! If you're wondering exactly how expensive they can be, let's just say that you're probably going to be leaving the store with a much lighter wallet unless you prepared for this moment for some time.
That being said, there are two ways that you can shop for your inkjet printer cartridges. First of all you can try shopping offline. This is a great way to do it, especially if you need to ask for help in selecting your printer cartridges. The only problem is that you could run into a rather limited selection when shopping offline.
When shopping on the internet you may discover that there are more cartridges to choose from, which is great. The only problem is that if you don't know quite what to get, you could end up ordering the wrong thing. However, most sites will now offer guides and even list the cartridges in terms of their associated printers, making it easier for you to locate yours. Also with more competition, you don't need to worry about getting ripped off. Just search around and try to find a reputable store that can do you a good deal.
In addition to these guidelines, make sure that you always buy from your printer manufacturer. You might find that there are cheap imitations out there, and while cheaper is better, problems could arise. Chances are your warranty does not cover damage to your printer if you use a third party product. That said, stay safe and use the right product!
What is a Multi-Function Printer?
Does anyone remember the days when printers were simple? It was a pleasant time, with the possible exception being that printing a document involved sending a noise through the building that sounded much like a railroad train flying off its track. If you were a home user, then it was almost impossible to do this at night because it woke up the entire household. In a business it was possible, but it did a great job of disrupting the work environment. The good old days.
Then there were the days of the scanner. Many people believed that this was a great invention, in fact few would argue against that viewpoint. It allowed documents to be instantaneously scanned into a computer for later viewing and even editing. This digitisation also meant that a person would be able to send their documents over long distances without needing to mail them. For instance, if you had a form that needed to be filled out, then you could send it without needing to mail it or pay the extra money for a fax line.; convenient, straightforward and incredibly fast.
Fax machines are yet another device that used to stand alone, as they were also able to send documents over long distances. But they did have one drawback; they required a separate phone line. That meant if you wanted to send documents, you had to be prepared to fork out extra money, which is a complication that was averted with the birth of the scanner.
All three of these are great devices, and many offices find it essential to have all of them. The problem is that separately they can get very expensive, whilst their combined bulk would possibly require a good deal of space, something that is often at quite a premium for the modern business. Enter the multi-function printer.
These devices combine all of the more popular office functions such as printing, scanning, faxing, and even color printing. If you purchase a decent printer, then you might find that you can actually print photo quality portraits which are great for advertising campaigns. Most multi-function printers even have fax machines built into them for those that actually use them.
There are many things that multi-function printers have to offer these days, and they have tons of different accessories. There are even some that are able to print directly off of a digital camera, without ever needing to connect to a computer. Other accessories might include paper trays and USB cables for faster connections. It all depends on what you need and what you can afford.
There are many different multi-function printers out there, and there are many different features. Just remember one thing; when buying a multi-function printer try not to make price an object simply because you're going to be stuck with this device for a long time-make it a good one!
A multi-function printer is something of a hybrid. It has combined so many useful technologies and, thanks to the developments in product design and materials, they are able to perform each function as good as any standalone model. It can sit at the centre of your office and serve all of your businesses needs impeccably.
Then there were the days of the scanner. Many people believed that this was a great invention, in fact few would argue against that viewpoint. It allowed documents to be instantaneously scanned into a computer for later viewing and even editing. This digitisation also meant that a person would be able to send their documents over long distances without needing to mail them. For instance, if you had a form that needed to be filled out, then you could send it without needing to mail it or pay the extra money for a fax line.; convenient, straightforward and incredibly fast.
Fax machines are yet another device that used to stand alone, as they were also able to send documents over long distances. But they did have one drawback; they required a separate phone line. That meant if you wanted to send documents, you had to be prepared to fork out extra money, which is a complication that was averted with the birth of the scanner.
All three of these are great devices, and many offices find it essential to have all of them. The problem is that separately they can get very expensive, whilst their combined bulk would possibly require a good deal of space, something that is often at quite a premium for the modern business. Enter the multi-function printer.
These devices combine all of the more popular office functions such as printing, scanning, faxing, and even color printing. If you purchase a decent printer, then you might find that you can actually print photo quality portraits which are great for advertising campaigns. Most multi-function printers even have fax machines built into them for those that actually use them.
There are many things that multi-function printers have to offer these days, and they have tons of different accessories. There are even some that are able to print directly off of a digital camera, without ever needing to connect to a computer. Other accessories might include paper trays and USB cables for faster connections. It all depends on what you need and what you can afford.
There are many different multi-function printers out there, and there are many different features. Just remember one thing; when buying a multi-function printer try not to make price an object simply because you're going to be stuck with this device for a long time-make it a good one!
A multi-function printer is something of a hybrid. It has combined so many useful technologies and, thanks to the developments in product design and materials, they are able to perform each function as good as any standalone model. It can sit at the centre of your office and serve all of your businesses needs impeccably.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Enterprise-Level
Database Features. The SQL Server relational database engine supports the features required to support demanding data processing environments. The database engine protects data integrity while minimizing the overhead of managing thousands of users concurrently modifying the database. SQL Server distributed queries allow you to reference data from multiple sources as if it were a part of a SQL Server database, while at the same time, the distributed transaction support protects the integrity of any updates of the distributed data. Replication allows you to also maintain multiple copies of data, while ensuring that the separate copies remain synchronized. You can replicate a set of data to multiple, mobile, disconnected users, have them work autonomously, and then merge their modifications back to the publisher.
Scalability and Availability
Scalability and Availability
The same database engine can be used across platforms ranging from laptop computers running Microsoft Windows® 98 through large, multiprocessor servers running Microsoft Windows Data Center Edition. SQL Server Enterprise Edition supports features such as federated servers, indexed views, and large memory support that allow it to scale to the performance levels required by the largest Web sites.
Features of SQL Server
Internet Integration.
The SQL Server 2000 database engine includes integrated XML support. It also has the scalability, availability, and security features required to operate as the data storage component of the largest Web sites. The SQL Server programming model is integrated with the Windows DNA architecture for developing Web applications, and SQL Server supports features such as English Query and the Microsoft Search Service to incorporate user-friendly queries and powerful search capabilities in Web applications.
Fundamentals of SQL
Server ArchitectureMicrosoft SQL Server™ is a family of products that meet the data storage requirements of the largest data processing systems and commercial Web sites, yet at the same time can provide easy-to-use data storage services to an individual or small business.The data storage needs of a modern corporation or government organization are very complex. Some examples are:
Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) systems must be capable of handling thousands of orders placed at the same time.
Increasing numbers of corporations are implementing large Web sites as a mechanism for their customers to enter orders, contact the service department, get information about products, and for many other tasks that previously required contact with employees. These sites require data storage that is secure, yet tightly integrated with the Web.
Organizations are implementing off-the-shelf software packages for critical services such as human resources planning, manufacturing resources planning, and inventory control. These systems require databases capable of storing large amounts of data and supporting large numbers of users.
Organizations have many users who must continue working when they do not have access to the network. Examples are mobile disconnected users, such as traveling sales representatives or regional inspectors. These users must synchronize the data on a notebook or laptop with the current data in the corporate system, disconnect from the network, record the results of their work while in the field, and then finally reconnect with the corporate network and merge the results of their fieldwork into the corporate data store.
Managers and marketing personnel need increasingly sophisticated analysis of trends recorded in corporate data. They need robust Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) systems easily built from OLTP data and support sophisticated data analysis.
Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) must be able to distribute data storage capabilities with applications targeted at individuals or small workgroups. This means the data storage mechanism must be transparent to the users who purchase the application. This requires a data storage system that can be configured by the application, and then tune itself automatically so that the users do not need to dedicate database administrators to constantly monitor and tune the application.
Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) systems must be capable of handling thousands of orders placed at the same time.
Increasing numbers of corporations are implementing large Web sites as a mechanism for their customers to enter orders, contact the service department, get information about products, and for many other tasks that previously required contact with employees. These sites require data storage that is secure, yet tightly integrated with the Web.
Organizations are implementing off-the-shelf software packages for critical services such as human resources planning, manufacturing resources planning, and inventory control. These systems require databases capable of storing large amounts of data and supporting large numbers of users.
Organizations have many users who must continue working when they do not have access to the network. Examples are mobile disconnected users, such as traveling sales representatives or regional inspectors. These users must synchronize the data on a notebook or laptop with the current data in the corporate system, disconnect from the network, record the results of their work while in the field, and then finally reconnect with the corporate network and merge the results of their fieldwork into the corporate data store.
Managers and marketing personnel need increasingly sophisticated analysis of trends recorded in corporate data. They need robust Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) systems easily built from OLTP data and support sophisticated data analysis.
Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) must be able to distribute data storage capabilities with applications targeted at individuals or small workgroups. This means the data storage mechanism must be transparent to the users who purchase the application. This requires a data storage system that can be configured by the application, and then tune itself automatically so that the users do not need to dedicate database administrators to constantly monitor and tune the application.
Transaction log
These files hold the log information used to recover the database. There must be at least one transaction log file for each database, although there may be more than one. The minimum size for a log file is 512 kilobytes (KB).Important Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 data and transaction log files must not be placed on compressed file systems or a remote network drive, such as a shared network directory.When a database is created, all the files that comprise the database are filled with zeros to overwrite any existing data left on the disk by previously deleted files. Although this means that the files take longer to create, this action prevents the operating system from having to fill the files with zeros when data is written to the files for the first time during usual database operations. This improves the performance of day-to-day operations.It is recommended that you specify a maximum size to which the file is permitted to grow. This prevents the file from growing, as data is added, until disk space is exhausted. To specify a maximum size for the file, use the MAXSIZE parameter of the CREATE DATABASE statement or the Restrict filegrowth (MB) option when using the Properties dialog box in SQL Server Enterprise Manager to create the database.After you create a database, it is recommended that you create a backup of the master database.
Creating a Database
To create a database determine the name of the database, its owner (the user who creates the database), its size, and the files and filegroups used to store it.Before creating a database, consider that:
Permission to create a database defaults to members of the sysadmin and dbcreator fixed server roles, although permissions can be granted to other users.
The user who creates the database becomes the owner of the database.
A maximum of 32,767 databases can be created on a server.
The name of the database must follow the rules for identifiers. Three types of files are used to store a database:• Primary files These files contain the startup information for the database. The primary files are also used to store data. Every database has one primary file.• Secondary files These files hold all the data that does not fit in the primary data file. Databases do not need secondary data files if the primary file is large enough to hold all the data in the database. Some databases may be large enough to need multiple secondary data files, or they may use secondary files on separate disk drives to spread the data across multiple disks.
Permission to create a database defaults to members of the sysadmin and dbcreator fixed server roles, although permissions can be granted to other users.
The user who creates the database becomes the owner of the database.
A maximum of 32,767 databases can be created on a server.
The name of the database must follow the rules for identifiers. Three types of files are used to store a database:• Primary files These files contain the startup information for the database. The primary files are also used to store data. Every database has one primary file.• Secondary files These files hold all the data that does not fit in the primary data file. Databases do not need secondary data files if the primary file is large enough to hold all the data in the database. Some databases may be large enough to need multiple secondary data files, or they may use secondary files on separate disk drives to spread the data across multiple disks.
Parts of a Database
A database consists of a collection of tables that stores a specific set of structured data. A table contains a collection of rows (referred to as records or tuples) and columns (referred to as attributes). Each column in the table is designed to store a certain type of information (for example, dates, names, dollar amounts, or numbers). Tables have several types of controls (constraints, rules, triggers, defaults, and customized user data types) that ensure the validity of the data. Tables can have indexes similar to those in books that allow rows to be found quickly. Declarative referential integrity (DRI) constraints can be added to the tables to ensure that interrelated data in different tables remains consistent. A database can also store procedures that use Transact-SQL programming code to perform operations with the data in the database, such as storing views that provide customized access to table data.For example, you create a database named MyCoDB to manage the data in your company. In the MyCoDb database, you create a table named Employees to store information about each employee, and the table contains columns named EmpId, LastName, FirstName, Dept, and Title. To ensure that no two employees share the same EmpId and that the Dept column contains only valid numbers for the departments in your company, you must add constraints to the table. Because you want to be able to quickly find the data for an employee, based on the employee ID or last name, you define indexes. You will have to add a row of data to the Employees table for each employee, so you create a procedure named AddEmployee, which is customized to accept the data values for a new employee and performs the operation of adding the row to the Employees table. You may need a departmental summary of employees, in which case you define a view called DeptEmps that combines data from the Departments and Employees tables and produces the output. This illustration shows the parts of the MyCoDB that is created.
SQL SERVER
Databases
A database consists of a collection of tables that contain data and other objects, such as views, indexes, stored procedures, and triggers, defined to support activities performed with the data. The data stored in a database is usually related to a particular subject or process, such as inventory information for a manufacturing warehouse.
SQL Server can support many databases. Each database can store either interrelated orunrelated data from other databases. For example, a server can have one database that stores personnel data and another that stores product-related data. Alternatively, one database can store current customer order data, and another related database can store historical customer orders used for yearly reporting.
Before you create a database, it is important to understand the parts of a database and how to design these parts to ensure that the database performs well after it is implemented.
A database consists of a collection of tables that contain data and other objects, such as views, indexes, stored procedures, and triggers, defined to support activities performed with the data. The data stored in a database is usually related to a particular subject or process, such as inventory information for a manufacturing warehouse.
SQL Server can support many databases. Each database can store either interrelated orunrelated data from other databases. For example, a server can have one database that stores personnel data and another that stores product-related data. Alternatively, one database can store current customer order data, and another related database can store historical customer orders used for yearly reporting.
Before you create a database, it is important to understand the parts of a database and how to design these parts to ensure that the database performs well after it is implemented.
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