The Pros and Cons of Web Applications

There has been a long running debate about web applications replacing desktop software applications. While some functions are better suited to web applications. It is my belief that security concerns and legacy systems will prevent desktop software from becoming obsolete.

Some argue that the debate between web applications and desktop applications is pointless; as their is no clear answer. While still others argue that the issue at hand is as much a business and marketing issue, as it is a technological issue.

What Defines a Web Application Vs a Desktop Application?
A web application is an application delivered to users from a web server like the Internet. Some businesses run web applications on an intranet, as well. Web applications are becoming more popular due to the widespread use of the web browser as a client.

Some applications are better suited and more likely to become successful as web applications. Web applications designed specifically for search engine optimization, have become increasingly popular. It is easy to understand why web applications that relate to the Internet would prosper, while business applications may have less appeal in a web environment.

A desktop application is a self-contained program that performs a defined set of tasks under the user control. Desktop applications run from a local drive and do not require a network or connectivity to operate or function properly, though if attached to a network desktop applications might use the resources of the network.


Pros and Cons to Desktop and Web Applications:

Easily Accessible
Web applications can be easily accessed from any computer or location that has Internet access. Travelers especially benefit from the accessibility. This often means that if a traveler has access to a computer, phone or handheld with Internet connectivity they can utilize the web application.

Low Maintenance & Forced Upgrades
Desktop applications need to be individually installed on each computer, while web applications require a single installation.

Many web applications are hosted by a 3rd party and the maintenance fall under the applications hosts responsibility. The ability to update and maintain web applications without distributing and installing software on potentially thousands of client computers is a key reason for the popularity of web based applications. This can be a blessing and a curse as users of web applications on hosted systems are at the mercy of the host, if an upgrade does not go well, or the individual user doesn't want or need the new features the upgrade will still go forward.

Increased Security Risks
There are always risks involved when dealing with working online, regardless of how secure a host might say a web application is, that fact of the matter stands that the security risk of running an application of the Internet is more significant than when running an application on a standalone desktop computer. Some applications require more security than others, playing Sudoku on a web application would cause little concern, but dealing with sensitive corporate formulas or accounting details in a web environment might be determined risky.

Cost
Over the life of the software use, web applications are typically significantly more expensive over time. Desktop applications are purchased outright and rarely is their a recurring fee for the software use. Some desktop applications do have maintenance fees or fee based upgrades associated with them, but rarely is there a subscription fee associated with the software's ongoing use.

Many corporate web applications use a different model, users typically are charged monthly service fee to operate the software. Fees are considered "subscription fees". If you fail to renew your subscription you may be unable to access the data stored in the web application.

Connectivity
Web applications rely on persistent and unmanaged connectivity. If you do not have an Internet connection or if your host does not have Internet connectivity you cannot access the information. Critical applications or businesses that are time sensitive cannot risk denial of service attacks or power outages to interrupt their operations and access data that is sensitive.

Slower
Web applications that rely on the Internet to transfer data rather than a computer's local hard drive, may operate slower. The speed may also vary based on number of users accessing the application.

Backups & Ownership.
Regardless of the platform, companies need to be sure that their data is appropriately backed up. When using a web application that are hosted by a third party, companies should clearly determine who owns the data housed in the application, and be sure that privacy policies prevent that data from being used by the web host.

Ultimately the accessibility of web based applications make them very desirable. Web applications have some fundamental limitations in their functionality, and are better suited for specific tasks. Understanding the pro's and con's to each business model, will help users determine whether a desktop application or web application will better suit their needs.

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

Article Source: http://www.site-reference.com/articles/General/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Web-Applications.html

Read more »

Google and Sun - a Partnership to Kill Microsoft or a Deal with the Devil?

While the implications could be huge and far reaching, only Google knows for sure what it wants. We can speculate however and that’s what this article is all about. Is such a deal good for Sun (and Google) or is it a pact with the devil?

At first glance, such a deal doesn’t seem like much. After all java to most people is just a plug in for your Internet browser. What good would such a deal be to Google? Well lets take a look at what Java can do. The following is taken straight from Sun’s website:

The Java programming language is robust and versatile, enabling developers to:
Write software on one platform and run it on another.
Create programs to run within a web browser.
Develop server-side applications for online forums, stores, polls, processing HTML forms, and more.
Write applications for cell phones, two-way pagers, and other consumer devices.

Let me break this down for you – point by point:

Write software on one platform and run it on another

To me this says it all – platform independent applications. What is one thing Windows does well? The programs generally run only on Windows. Developers usually have to port applications to run on other operating systems like Mac or Linux. But an application built on Java can be run on any platform regardless of the architecture.

Create programs to run within a web browser

This is an area Google lacks in somewhat. Sure they own search and have some great web based applications such as Gmail, but there are so many potential other web based applications out there. From web based collaboration software to web based application suites (such as office applications). The possibilities are endless.

Develop Server Side Applications

Again, since Java is platform independent, different types of server applications can be built for websites regardless of their operating system. An E-commerce system could be developed which would easily plug into a website whether it was ASP or PHP based. This would be a huge competitive advantage for Google.

Write Applications For...Consumer Devices

Portable web is the future. There is no doubt about it. Rather than building mutiple platform dependent applications, one could again develop a java based platform independent application. Since it’s independent it can not only run on your desktop or within your web browser but also your cell phone, blackberry or PDA.

So, now that we know what Java can do, lets take a look at what Google can do with Java:

Compete on the Desktop

Virtually any application could be ported from it’s current Windows based version to a platform independent Java version. Even current Google applications like Picasa and Google Earth could now be available to non-Windows users.

Obviously, there is a potential to compete with current Microsoft products as well. The first that comes to mind is Microsoft Office. One would expect this to be one of the first areas Google moves into.

Imagine the potential though. I think of how good that would be just for me personally. My computer runs Fedora (a version of Redhat Linux) yet for other reasons (games) my son’s computer runs Windows XP.

When he needs help with homework it can be trying because he uses Microsoft software and I use open source. If we could collaborate on something which doesn’t care what OS it runs on, it would make our lives so much easier.

And that leads to my next point – collaboration.

Compete with Future Microsoft Products

One thing Microsoft has been getting better at, but is still lagging in, is online collaboration. Sure they have Exchange Server and Sharepoint, but those systems are somewhat cumbersome and don’t always play together nicely.

But imagine a system which is (again) platform independent and web based and allows collaboration among multiple users from different areas using a shared application base. The system could incorporate version control for shared documents, as well as calendaring, email and other communications.

This system could be hosted by Google (of course) but be open to who you want. In other words, you could openly collaborate with clients, or co workers regardless of what system you are using – you could connect and read email with your PDA, schedule appointments with your laptop and even have a Google Talk VOIP conversation with your cell phone. The possibilities are endless.

Take Over the Desktop

To go even a step further, what if Google built a small lightweight version of Linux that hosts links to web based versions of the Java applications. You could then have this light Google Linux stored on a USB device.

That way, no matter what computer you use, you could reboot it into the USB version of Google’s Desktop and have all your customizations and settings just like you would at home or the office.

You could borrow your neighbors laptop or even go to the local Internet cafe and reboot into “Glinux” to read email, respond to appointments and even have a virtual conference via Google IM.

Again, depending on how aggressive Google wants to be (and I bet you they are very aggressive) Google could become a viable alternative to Microsoft. And not just Microsoft applications but Microsoft as a whole.

Google could take over the desktop (or at least temporarily supplant it) as well as any MS based application.

This is the true power of the deal today. While it make take months or years to see the first “real” Google/Sun java application, I do expect to see them taking aim at Microsoft and what it has accomplished.

Because this is still all in line with Google’s mission of making the worlds information universally accessible.

All I can say is I hope Bill Gates has a big enough war chest because he’s going to need it.

Rob Sullivan - SEO Specialist and Internet Marketing Consultant. Any reproduction of this article needs to have an html link pointing to http://www.textlinkbrokers.com

Article Source: http://www.site-reference.com/articles/Search-Engines/Google-and-Sun-a-Partnership-to-Kill-Microsoft-or-a-Deal-with-the-Devil.html

Read more »

Key Comparisons of Linux vs. Windows Servers

For someone who is fairly new to web hosting, choosing the platform you are going to use for your server can be a difficult and even mind-boggling decision. Although there are several obscure choices still available, the most widely used Operating Systems (OSs) are the enterprise, or server, versions of Linux and Windows.

There seems to be a limitless source of information regarding hosting, but it seems that the waters have been muddied by many authors’ self-important personal opinions. This has resulted in some of the issues becoming rather unclear to intermediate users. Some technology bloggers have put quite a few hours, even years, into research on the subject, only to conclude that it really does not matter what server you decide to use. They claim that you should just make sure to choose a really good web host, instead of worrying about the type of server software they are running.

Are they right? Does it matter what kind of server hosts your site? Why? What is the difference between the two OSs, anyway?

Cost considerations

Microsoft manufactures and owns the rights to the entire Windows OS, from the recently retired XP to various flavors of Vista. Linux, on the other hand, is “open source” software and is usually free. What that means is that it can be more costly to install and run a Windows server, but this really would not affect you unless you are setting up the server personally – and if your eyes are glued to this article then it’s a safe assumption that you are not doing so.

What this article will do for you is give you the rundown on how to make the right decision about the web-hosting server you choose. The costs inherent in running a server do not always affect the price of the hosting package as you might suspect. The fact that a single Windows server would be more costly to set up and run doesn’t apply to a web-hosting firm that has installed several dozen or more. Getting the Window hosting package is usually a bit more expensive than the Linux hosting package, but not so much that you should disqualify it on price alone.

Make no assumptions

Individuals often assume that just because their PC operates on Windows, they should purchase a Windows hosting package. Not necessarily. Gaining access to your web account will usually be done through FTP or a control panel, and all servers support these methods. The most important difference in administrative site access is that some FTP commands are a bit different in Linux than in Windows and, of course, the FTP programs will usually be created for only one or the other.

Think about how you intend to put the server to use. Make your decision based on those facts. The web features that will run just fine on both platforms include PHP and the e-mail protocols, IMAP and POP. On the other hand, using ASP, Frontpage, the .Net environment, Access, Windows Streaming Media or other Microsoft technologies will likely require a Windows host. Linux offers only limited support, or none at all, when it comes to these technologies, meaning your “workaround cost” will be quite high and may lack the features you need.

Stability and growth

Different server platforms’ reliability and stability records have been raised in many discussions, some rather contentious. The focus of many anti-MS rants has been that Windows is not a secure environment and is only popular because it is the OS for the majority of home-based PCs. As the most commonly used system, Windows has flaws and people tend to spend a lot of time looking for them, as well as exploiting them for harm.

However, Linux may just be the most common server type out there and, surprisingly, the success rate for hackers has been higher than expected, although not as high as for Windows. After all is said and done, the platforms and their security boil down to systems administration and server company management. If security is the main focus for you, then be sure to take the time to investigate the company that is hosting your site. Make sure that they have a reputation that is corroborated by other companies, not just their own marketing materials. This way you will have fewer worries about the server you are using.

Too close to call?

When it comes to the performance of the two servers, there is not a huge difference. Linux has been known to perform faster than Windows on some “cookie cutter” hosts that install Windows in its default, “all in one” package. Linux distributors, using an open-source application with more flexibility, can implement “extensible” packages with greater customizability. In normal situations, the performance of the two is comparable, but if system functionality is most important to you, this may have an impact on your final decision. Which direction that will send you depends on what you wish to compare, as the OSs do have some different strengths and weaknesses.

It is arguably a better use of your time to look for a good host rather than a good server model or OS. Linux and Windows developers are always working on ways to improve both systems. At this point they seem to be roughly equivalent when it comes to the security, features and reliability expected by the average home and small business user. This is not likely to change for some time. You must base your decision on the factors most important to you and your business, and in this neck-and-neck horse race, a clear winner is impossible to call. Eventually you will just have to saddle up with one or the other, and hit the track.

Amy Armitage is the head of Business Development for Lunarpages. Lunarpages provides quality web hosting from their US-based hosting facility. They offer a wide-range of services from Linux Virtual Private Servers and managed solutions to shared and reseller hosting plans.

Article Source: http://www.site-reference.com/articles/General/Key-Comparisons-of-Linux-vs-Windows-Servers.html

Read more »

Different Types of Control Panel for Web Hosting

A company that provides web hosting services is called a web host, and their hosting plans provide data storage, connectivity, email, etc., everything needed to run a website. There are thousands of web hosting services, ranging from individuals to worldwide corporations, and many web hosts offer multiple web hosting plans to accommodate different size websites. Every Web host provides a Control panel that allows you to manage your hosting plan and website. A control panel is like the brain behind your Web site’s body. It gives you one place to look at to do everything you would ever need to do to your Web hosting account. You can create E-mail accounts, create FTP accounts, track statistical information and so much more.

Did you know that there are different types of control panels though? I do not think anybody can argue with the fact that the most used control panel software out there today is cPanel. There are other options out there, though. Some might be better, some might be worse depending on your needs. You cannot judge the quality of your Web host by the control panel alone, but it is an important piece to the web hosting Business.

Here are some of the most popular web hosting control panels

cPanel

The folks at the cPanel Web site say, "cPanel is designed for the end users of your system and allows them to control everything from adding / removing email accounts to administering MySQL databases." The fact of the matter is that they do that and so much more. Most often used on Linux based systems, cPanel provides support for over ten different flavors of Linux. There is no Windows or OSX versions yet. Their interface is clean, with more options and features than you could shake a stick at. It is easy to see why they are the number one control panel used today because of its many features and inexpensive price. It usually costs a hosting company $20/month per server. They do have several competitors chomping at the bit to take their space on the top of the mountain. cPanel used to have a demo control panel up for folks to test drive, however I could not find a trace of it on the cPanel Web site anymore.


Plesk

Plesk is available for both Linux and Windows Web hosting servers. This alone gives them a little advantage over cPanel. Their interface looks much like Windows XP. You have all the soft colors and big icons that you would ever need. I have to give them credit though, because it does look great. They have all the basic features that cPanel has as well. It is a more professional but also more expensive. Unlike cPanel, since it provides a Windows version, it is a nice option for hosts that offer both Windows and Linux hosting plans. Plesk also has other applications that integrate well into it like a website builder tool.

H-Sphere

Created by Positive Software, H-Sphere is yet another excellent control panel that you see web hosts use. It too provides support for Windows and Linux based machines. From complete automation to key functionalities, it has many features. Compared with Plesk and cPanel, though, it leaves you with wanting a little more. Perhaps in the next few versions it will be able to catch up. It is used fairly widely by Windows based hosts but is not as popular as Plesk.

Ensim

Ensim is yet another control panel that provides support for Windows and Linux alike. They say that it is for the management of any type of Web site. The interface is pretty enough, but it comes a little short compared with the options in some other clients.

DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin claims to be the control panel that is the easiest to use. They do have many features that the other control panels boast about. It appears though that they only support a few flavors of Linux and not Windows. The interface is very clean and organized, but lacks when it comes to some of the extra features that cPanel or Plesk could provide. It is a little less expensive then cPanel at usually $10/month.

Interworx

Interworx is another Linux only control panel. There is nothing wrong with this, because there are many more Linux based Web hosting servers out there today, Linux only control panels exclude all Windows hosting customers as potential customers. Just by looking through their Web master level features, I would say they deserve to be ranked at the top. One thing that I really like from them is their site usage snapshot. It gives you a chart to look at, right off the bat to see your upstreams and downstreams. The interface is clean, and everything is organized well.

Helm

Now we have seen a lot of different Linux only control panels, but what about a Windows only one? That is one thing that Helm provides to the end consumer. There are many customer features to go on and on about, but how does it feel once you get on the inside? It has the standard pretty interface, nothing new there. These control panels are built to be used over and over, so they have to be easy on the eyes. One thing that did get my attention is the ability to see your billing information inside the control panel. That is very nice indeed. Most control panels do not integrate in billing features. Hsphereis another one that does.

Hosting Accelerator

Hosting Accelerator is another Windows Web hosting server control panel. The end user features are very standard, and lacks of any shock and awe you might have seen with other clients out there. The interface on this control panel though is very busy. It looks as if they did not spend a lot of time laying out and organizing the functionality. Seeing how much stuff you can shove in front of may face is not a good way to make a first impression. For a geek, this might be nice. For somebody new to Web hosting though, this is a little overwhelming.

InsPanel

Yet another windows only web hosting server control panel. InsPanel hopes to offer a new look at the idea. There are many features to be listed, but none of them stick out. The control panel is well organized, with everything in it's place. An average product, but remember there is nothing wrong with that. It is not that widely used so finding expertise on itmight be hard.

CWIPanel

CWIPanel has a message on their front page saying that you can "unleash the power of your Windows server!" Now can you really? Let us have a look. The list of features look much like the other Windows only control panels. However they did not have a control panel demo for me to look at, so there really is not much else to be said. From what I've seen though they look to be about average as it goes for Windows server management. And like the last couple of products their market share is small.

The basic features and functions of a control panel that are standard are listed below. When evaluating any control panel this should be a set of features to examine.
* Mail Manager
* Parked Domains
* Addon Domains
* FTP Manager
* File Manager
* Disk Usage
* Backup
* Password Protect Directories
* Subdomain
* MySQL Database Manager
* PostgreSQL Database Manager
* MS SQL Manager(Windows only)
* Redirects
* Frontpage Extensions
* Web/FTP Stats
* Raw Access Logs
* Raw Log Manager
* Error Log
* Subdomain Stats
* CGI Center
* Cron Jobs
* Network Tools
* MIME Types
* Hot Link Protection
* Index Manager
* IP Deny manager
* SSL Manager
* Fantastico(Linux only. This is a set of free scripts or programs you can use to add common functionality to your website.)

In the end, I believe that cPanel is the best control panel out there today still. It is the most basic and user friendly control pane. For Windows hosting, I would pick Helm as my favorite.

Without control panels we would still be doing all these things with Linux commands and paper clips. As the operating system made life with a computer easier, the control panel makes life with a Web hosting account a more pleasant experience.

There are many factors that play into purchasing a Web hosting account, but Web hosting company is only as good as the control panel behind it. By looking at these above examples, you should be able to judge which ones might offer you the best results.

Rodney Ringler is President of Advantage1 Web Services, Inc., which owns a network of Web Hosting Informational Websites including HostChart.com, ResellerConnection.com, FoundHost.com,ResellerForums.com, and [url=http://www.hostingknowledge.net]HostingKnowledge.net[url]. Rodney has over 15 years industry experience from programming to internet marketing.

Article Source:http://www.site-reference.com/articles/General/Different-Types-of-Control-Panel-for-Web-Hosting.html

Read more »

Linux servers: Do you understand the difference?

First of all, some people are worried that they will not be able to use Linux hosting because they run Windows on their PCs. However, what operating system you run on your own PC is irrelevant to which web hosting environment you can use, because the latter is run remotely on a web server, where your website files will be uploaded.

Linux and Microsoft Windows are two different operating systems. Windows is a well-known household name and does not require much introduction. Linux is a new version of the Unix operating system. Both these operating systems make excellent environments for web hosting. However, there are some differences between them.

To help you decide whether Linux or Windows hosting is better for you, we look at the following elements:

Cost

Linux is known as an "open source" operating system. i.e. there is no licensing fees to pay. Therefore, compared to Windows, Linux is very cheap. Starting with Windows XP, Microsoft has begun enforcing software activation. This means that a single copy of Windows can only be installed on one computer. With Linux, once you own a copy, you are free to install it as many times as you wish on any number of computers.

Reliability

Linux is reputed to be very stable and reliable. This means that a Linux server is much less likely to crash than a Windows server. Subsequently, a Linux server will mean more 'up time' for your website.

Experience

Linux has many more years of experience than Windows in hosting.

Speed

There is no real difference in speed between Linux and Windows, but Linux is slightly faster in processing basic web pages.

Functionality

Windows support ASP (Active Server Pages), a Microsoft programming/scripting language, which allows you to build dynamically database-driven web pages by connecting to a Microsoft database such as SQL Server or Access. Linux does not support ASP nor Microsoft databases, but uses MySQL database instead.

If you use Microsoft Frontpage to create your website, it doesn't mean that you have to choose Windows hosting. All Linux accounts come free with Frontpage extensions, which allow you to upload your Frontpage website to your web space on a Linux server.

Scripts

There are many CGI programs available on the Internet. The majority of these are Perl scripts and have been developed on Linux / Unix web servers. So they tend to install more smoothly and operate more reliably on a Linux server. Moreover, many Perl scripts are downloadable from the Internet free of charge.

To summarise, most users find that Linux hosting is easier to use, more reliable, provides free, open source software and is much cheaper than Windows hosting. So unless you particularly need to use Windows specific features such as ASP and an Access database, it is probably a better choice to choose Linux over Windows. For more information on Linux hosting, visit .

Matt Bacak became "#1 Best Selling Author" in just a few short hours. Recent Entrepreneur Magazine’s e-Biz radio show host is turning Authors, Speakers, and Experts into Overnight Success Stories.

Article Source: http://www.site-reference.com/articles/General/Linux-servers-Do-you-understand-the-difference.html

Read more »

Choosing a Web Application Programming Language

Among computer programming languages, there is no single application that does all the different things, in all the different ways, that programmers need. Because of the great number and diversity of programming tasks, choosing a web application programming language has become a critically important step.
Fortunately, there is continuing development in the field, and today the number of capable applications is expanding. Database-driven websites can now be built with such varied scripting languages as PHP, ASP.NET, JSP, Perl and Cold Fusion, which fall into two main groups – proprietary and open-source. In the foregoing examples, all are open-source except the proprietary Cold Fusion and ASP.NET.

PHP pros and cons

As an open-source application, PHP was developed (and continues to be developed) by an active, engaged, international community of users. This is a great example of strength in numbers. Another strength of PHP, of course, is cost. It’s free.

Because it is free, open-source software, PHP can be compiled and “tweaked” for most any operating system. In fact, there are even pre-compiled versions available for the majority of operating systems, both commercial and freeware.

You can also relax a bit more with PHP, as you can count on its being updated and improved more often than other languages. In an open, collaborative and non-hierarchical environment, suggested improvements can be adopted quickly. Again, this is a strength that is derived from its open-source status.
PHP is a mature application, though younger than Perl, for instance. However, it does have a few weaknesses that may be minor annoyances to some, but deal-killers for other programmers. Its lack of event-based error handling means that your workflow may be interrupted by a sudden jump to a special error-handling section. Finally, its lack of case sensitivity for its function names will run afoul of many professionals’ long-established work habits.

ASP.NET = flexibility

ASP.NET is arguably the most flexible of the programming tools, and “plays nice” with both scripted languages (VBScript, Jscript, Perlscript, Python) and compiled ones (VB, C, Cobol, Smalltalk, Lisp). This flexibility is also apparent in the application’s compatibility with such development environments as WebMatrix, VisualStudio.NET and Borland’s Delphi and C++ Builder.

On the downside, ASP.NET is a memory hog and somewhat slower to execute than its competitors. For this kind of application, that can be a serious weakness – on the Internet, it may be called upon to scale to thousands of users per second. Its memory usage can easily become problematic on your server.

JSP (Java Server Pages)

JSP is an open-source scripting language supported by Oracle, so developers can use Oracle JDeveloper to create JSP pages. This can be accomplished without having to learn the Java language first, relieving you of the task of writing Java scriptlets. It is also extensible, allowing Java tag library developers to outfit it with simple tag handlers that use a new, simpler, cleaner tag extension Application Programming Interface (API).

JSP has integrated the JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library (JSTL) expression language, and it now supports functions. This greatly eases the creation and maintenance of JSP pages.

The most significant disadvantage of JSP is that there is no XML-compliant version of JSP comments, forcing developers to use client-side, HTML/XML-style comments (or embed Java comments). Depending, once again, on your particular needs, this may or may not be sufficient reason to eschew the use of JSP.

A shiny Perl

An open-source language that is both mature and powerful, Perl offers web developers about every tool they need to create dynamic web pages. Like other open-source languages, it benefits tremendously from ongoing development, and the support offered by its international community of users is second to none.

Perl is particularly good for creating single websites quickly, cleanly and elegantly. If it has a major identifiable weakness, it is that it may be unnecessarily complicated. If you are not comfortable switching gears among a variety of syntaxes, it may not be the best tool for you.

The real ColdFusion

Originally built by Allaire and then purchased by Macromedia, ColdFusion is now owned by Adobe. It is very easy to get started building websites with it, and you can deploy powerful web applications and services with less training – and in less time, using fewer lines of code – than with PHP and JSP.
ColdFusion is now at version 8, although many programmers are still using the various iterations of ColdFusion MX, variously known as ColdFusion MX 6, ColdFusion MX 6.1, ColdFusion MX 7, ColdFusion MX 7.0.1, ColdFusion MX 7.0.2, ColdFusion 7, ColdFusion 7.0.1 and ColdFusion 7.0.2. However, ColdFusion MX to ColdFusion 8 is a valid upgrade path. In fact, upgrading to ColdFusion 8 is supported for the two most recent previous major releases of the program.
ColdFusion supports most major databases, from Oracle and Sybase to Microsoft SQL Server and Access. With its own markup language (CFML) and tags to connect to the database, it is relatively easy to create forms and dynamic pages. It also has all the benefits of CGI for today’s broadbased developers. Its weaknesses are few, but expert users will caution that it is probably the most difficult to maintain.

Bottom line

Secure and scalable web applications are important to every business with an Internet presence (which is every business today, isn’t it?) and can directly affect productivity, sales, reputation and profits. If you want to develop a web application and do not have the expertise in-house, any number of reputable web development firms can help you determine the right tools for your task.

Whether your application development happens in-house or with outside assistance, it is important that management understands the basics. You don’t have to become a programmer, of course, but to make good business decisions you do need to know what these powerful tools are all about. As long as you learn enough to help make the appropriate decision, you can leave the actual coding and compiling to the experts.

Moonrise Productions is a custom web design company specializing in custom web development and design. Whether you're in San Francisco, New York or you need social network web design – we're here to help and we have the team to do it right.

Read more »

How Do I Set a Password For My Microsoft Office Documents?

Important or confidential documents need to be secured especially if it is in a computer in an office network where many people have physical access. Microsoft Office comes with a feature that allows for the optional setting of password to open and modify Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files. It is very easy to set the password for any of the three mentioned MS Office applications, all you need to do is to open the document you want to put a password on, then click "File" in the menu bar and then select "Save As" and then click on "Tools". Select "General Options" and then choose any of the two options presented--Password to Open, or "Password to Modify".

From the name of the two options probably you already have a clue as to how they will affect the document. Choose "Password to Open" if you want the document to ask for a password before it can be opened. If you choose "Password to Modify", the document will ask for a password before it saves any changes made in its content. You can also check the "Read-only recommended" option. And then, after choosing the kind of password security to be applied to your document, click on OK. You'll then be prompted to type the password you've created to confirm. After clicking "OK" again you'll be back to the "Save as" dialog box. Click on "Save". Click "Yes" if a dialog box pops up and asks if you want to overwrite the existing document.

Mr. Sanket is a Computer Support Specialist for more than 22 years. Has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering, MS Research work in Systems Engineering.

Get more free computer tips on his blog at

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pinky_Mcbanon

Read more »

A Few Tips to Help You Become a Successful SAP Developer

Who wouldn't like to become a successful SAP developer? It's a fantastic job to have that is not only intellectually rewarding but financially rewarding as well. However; bear in mind that you must have a certain level of intelligence and education before you even consider taking the necessary steps to becoming a SAP developer.

Know SAP Products

SAP employs a huge number of consultants that work in conjunction with SAP developers. This is because SAP is a consulting firm that in turn developers and sells the products that the consultants recommend. Of course this would also means that your knowledge of SAP products must be complete.

More Stuff to Know

Also, because SAP consultants serve a wide range of business genres, ranging from all areas of the chemical and petrochemical industries, as well as other industries including all types of manufacturing and wholesaling industries, it does help if you possess some level of expertise in some type of business or industry.

No Place for Wimps

However; you have to bear in mind that SAP developers and consultants work in world filled with ambitious type A personalities, so the stress level can be very high at times. What this means is that if you are not entirely up to the challenge then you may want to reconsider other career options.

Willing to Think Out of the Box

However; the pay and benefits for a good qualified SAP developer are among the best that you will find anywhere, so if you like good money then you will like being a SAP developer. So, if the bad economy has gotten you down, don't fret because there are still plenty of god job opportunities out there for people who are willing to think out of the box such as SAP developers do.

Written by Fernando Vargaz. Find the top information on sap developer as well as sap consultant

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fernando_Vargaz

Read more »

6 Easy Steps to Increase Vista Responsiveness in Just 5 Minutes Or Less

Step #1 - Use only anti-virus software that requires less system memory and processing power

Avira anti-virus free edition is such a tool that uses less system resources.

Step #2 - Disable Windows Error Reporting.

It will generate an error message when a program stops responding then it will send an error report to Microsoft in the hope that they will fixed the problem in future. Disable it will free up system's limited resources.

Step #3 - Disable Search Indexing

Windows Vista's Search Indexing is constantly checking the files on your system so that you can locate a file quickly. This is helpful, but it can slow down the system performance dramatically and user doesn't use search function frequently.

Step #4 - Disable All Graphics Effects

Vista provides "eyes catching" 3D aero glass and transparent effects. Those effects require large amount of graphics and arithmetic operations and it will severely slow down your system if you do not have a powerful graphics card and CPU.

Step #5 - Perform Disk Defragment Regularly

Disk fragmentation will slow down read and write access of a hard drive hence it reduces the responsiveness of a program and it will also Vista boot up time. Auslogics's Disk Defrag is a good tool that can defragment your hard disk quickly which is an ideal replacement of Vista default disk defragment.

Step #6 - System Registry Cleaning

The Windows registry is a directory which stores settings and options for Vista. Installing and un-installing programs and other daily activities actually create a lot of entries in the registry over time. After a while, Vista behave doesn't like when it was new, it stops unexpectedly, and its performances become sluggish. It is recommended that you use a free registry defragment tool to find out how many errors in you registry and get them fixed promptly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clement_Gee

Read more »

Time Tracking Software Or Time Sheet Tracking Software

Time tracking software is also called time sheet tracking software, time tracking business software, time and attendance tracking software and employee time tracking software. It is used for managing time sheets for individuals in a business or company, help with the payroll and for settling accounts.

With the help of an efficient time tracking software, a business can save thousands of dollars that arise through unnecessary expenses because of inaccurate time keeping. Though it is possible to use stand-alone the software to record timesheets and create reports, it can also be integrated in the accounting system, billing system, payroll system or project management system of the business.

This software basically works by monitoring and registering the exact time and date each employee checks in and out of the company. So whenever an employee logs into the computer on reaching the office, the event is registered through unique identity codes. It is also possible for the employee to stop and start the clock for each client they attend to.

With all this, the time tracking software logs the amount of time an employee spends at work, while speeding up billing and financing work. This is because the manual payroll work like overtime and hours worked are handled automatically by the software.

Tips to choose the right software

While choosing the right time tracking software for yourself, you will find that there are many options available on the internet today. You can choose the best software for yourself by considering the features of the software. Choose one that is priced based on per client computer and not per employee. This proves to be cheaper to you as can track an unlimited number of employees with the software.

Choose a software that also lets employees send messages to peers and supervisors, log their time of work and the tasks they complete and even put in applications for leave. In fact, there are also some software where employees can deduct lunch times from the hours they have worked, for better calculations while paying employees' salaries.

The software should offer a thorough pay report

The time tracking software should offer pay reports with everything the accounting department will require like social security numbers, gross and net wages and a breakdown of the hours worked. You are to decide on the frequency of these reports, which can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

Of course, choose the time tracking software that you find easy to use, and is user friendly where all functions are clearly marked. Once you find such a software, you may as well buy and use it for better and efficient functioning of your business.

For further information, please visit Time Tracking Software

Abdul Hayi Mansoor

SEO Specialist and Article Marketer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hayi_Mansoor

Read more »

Pick Registry Repair Software You Can Count On

Registry repair software is a necessity for computer users. The registry contains the library of files that the computer uses in order to be able to function. These are common files that are shared between programs in order to make programs smaller.

They are incorporated into the operating system and without them key features of the programs are unable to function. As a result, this area of the computer is constantly in use.

This means that the files that are in this section of the computer need to be constantly kept up to date and old files need to be removed on a regular basis.

The importance of these files however indicate the need for caution when it comes to removing files that may have a significant importance to programs in your computer.

In order to ensure that you pick out a registry repair software application that is going to remove the files safely that need to eliminate without creating an issue with the programs and with your computer system. There are a few things that you are going to want to look for in this type of software application.

The first thing that you are going to want to look for is that the program allows you to do one of two things or lets you do both. This is to either create a restore point in your system or to back up the registry file.

If it allows you to create a restore point this will be available to you should anything happen and a file is deleted that is necessary for the function of the computer. A good registry program however, is going to be able to tell the difference between a file that is shared by system necessary programs and one that can be deleted.

The next thing that you are going to look for is a program that is going to allow you to schedule and update the registry back up automatically. While many people may want to do this manually, it is often times easier to have these scans done on a routine basis.

You are going to want to look for a program that handles the following file types, class keys, invalid keys and DLL files. These are the three major files that are going to be found in the registry, minor files may include shortcut files and other settings files but the keys and DLL files are going to be the most important things to look for.

Picking out a good registry repair software application is not as difficult as it seems. All you need to look for is a program that is going to allow you to back up your files so that you can correct any errors that are made and allow you to clean your registry on a regular basis, this means that it needs to have a scheduler.

You may also want to pay attention to user reviews. These will let you know if a program is user friendly and is going to provide you with what you need from a user standpoint. It is also important to note that you should not have to spend a fortune on a software application that can provide you with all these things. There are many programs which are suitable and do not cost a fortune.

Riley Edwards is a technician for http://www.registry2aid.com and tests many registry programs and places his results on the website.

Please feel free to look at the registry repair programs that have been reviewed to see which of the top programs carry the restore points, auto backups, and ability to handle numerous registry problems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Riley_Edwards

Read more »

Keylogger Remover

Do you wish to download a key logger remover program from the web? There are many different key logger removal software available for download. In this article, I will be discussing 2 important things that these software should be able to do for you. I would recommend against downloading any key logger remover without these features.

Keylogger and spy ware cleaner software are very essential programs to install on every computer today due to the increasing threat of key loggers, spy ware and adware that spread rapidly across the internet.

What Should a Key logger Remover Be Able to Do for You?

1. Detect all Potential Harmful Programs and Be Capable of Deleting Them Fast

This is the main function that the software should be capable of doing, yet not all anti-keylogger and antispyware programs are good at it. Every keylogger remover software will have a database that contains all the malware definitions. The software will only be able to detect the malware and keyloggers that is found in its database and it is important that the cleaning software you use has a comprehensive database of all the latest malicous programs.

Just as importantly is the software's ability to get rid of these detected files quickly. Surprisingly, there are some removal programs that find malicious software but are unable to delete them.

2. Automatic Updating Feature

Another important feature is that the cleaning software should be regularly updated with the latest file definitions. This ensures that your computer is protected from the latest bugs and threats on the web. The program that I use has this automatic updating feature, and you can download a copy of it at the website link at the end of this article.

Are you looking to download Keylogger Remover? Don't do it yet, because the author has found many bad spyware and keylogger cleaning software on the web. Read the author's review of the Top 5 Spyware & Keylogger Removal Software on the market now at http://www.review-best.com/spyware-keylogger-removal-software.htm first!

Learn to completely get rid of all the spyware and keyloggers on your computer in less than 5 minutes with a FREE PC Scan!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Chambers

Read more »

Downloadable Virus Protection Software

Do you want to get downloadable virus protection software to remove any virus or other malware from your computer? In today's information age, it is becoming very easy for PCs to get infected by viruses. In fact, more than 95% of PCs that connect to the internet get infected at some point.

To make things even worse, viruses can be very easily programmed today that even 15 year olds have been to known to do it to infiltrate their school networks. It is one of the most dangerous forms of intruder attack, but luckily there are downloadable programs on the net that deal specifically with this problem.

1. What Can a Virus Program Do to Your PC?

It is all too easy for a virus program to infiltrate a PC system. One thing that you will want to avoid doing is visiting sites that are very likely to contain viruses, spyware and adware. Such websites include hacker, free download and pornographic sites. Once inside the system, a virus may seek to destroy all the files in the hard disk or lower the defensive capabilities of the computer to allow hackers to gain unauthorized access into the PC.

2. Are Online Downloadable Virus Protection Software Reliable?

I absolutely recommend using online download versions of antivirus and antispwyare programs as there are many advantages. One advantage is that they can be constantly updated with the latest versions and keep the PC protected against the latest viruses. Another advantage is that they can be downloaded instantly and conveniently.

3.What Can Downloadable Virus Protection Software Do For You?

This type of software can keep your PC running safely and free from viruses and malware. They provide a free scan for all users, generates a report of all the errors found and then cleans up all the parasites detected. You can find out more and download it at the website link below.

Are you looking for Downloadable Virus Protection Software? VIRUS Don't do it yet, because the author has found many bad spyware and virus cleaning software on the web. Read the author's review of the Top 5 Spyware & Virus Removal Software on the market now at http://www.review-best.com/spyware-virus-removal-software.htm first!

Learn to completely get rid of all the spyware and viruses on your computer in less than 5 minutes with a FREE PC Scan!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Chambers

Read more »

Learn How Web 3.0 Technologies Will Improve Interoperability Between Hardware and Software

With the roll out of Web 3.0, times are changing for software developers as well hardware vendors who are creating technologies that will improve, not only on search, but improve the lives of people who are using the Internet to find information that is relevant to their lives and lifestyles.

One thing to keep in mind as we move into 2009, even into 2010, is that some of the companies that are in the forefront of developing Web 3.0 technologies are actually in stealth mode.

We hear a lot about Web 3.0 but understanding the intricacies that are tied into the semantic search are kept under close guard - and for good reason. Word has it that there are going to be many new and exciting technologies linked in and tied to Web 3.0.

What's important to know is that Web 3.0 will still be built on content in all formats. And while there will be a lot of enhancements that are available with Web 3.0, it will to a certain extent, be an extension of Web 2.0.

The real big winners in the new Web 3.0 are going to be people who own original content. As the analytical tools that go into Web 3.0 look at and analyze data, they're going to extract robot-generated content. They're going to be able to dig deeper into people who are producing content, people who own their own products and services as well as content, and all formats will benefit greatly.

Isn't that the power of the Internet, of getting accurate, relevant information and doing search queries that pull up important content that makes sense for you and your family, and gives you an overall better learning experience on the Internet?

Michael G. Perry is the owner of Coprofit, a Las Vegas-based joint-venture company that helps small business owners and corporate clients improve their ROI when launching joint ventures.

Michael can be reached at sanket.jmdcomputer@gmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_G_Perry

Read more »

6 Types of Microsoft Classes That Build Proficiency By Christine OKelly Platinum Quality Author

Learning to use any software package can be difficult without having the right level of guidance. Most programs that are developed today include more value than people realize. Tapping into that value in a manner that improves efficiency and productivity is all but impossible without the direction provided by an instructor within a classroom setting.

A lot of business professionals choose to learn applications by reading books. Others search for tutorials online. While both routes can be helpful, becoming proficient with a given software package involves intense focus. For example, most people won't need to know everything about Excel, Word, or Exchange. Instead, they need a disciplined approach that focuses upon the most important elements, given their goals. Below, I'll provide an overview of 6 types of Microsoft classes that can help you build the proficiency your job requires.

#1 - Excel

Whether you're creating formulas for advanced financial analysis or you need a simple spreadsheet in order to organize data, Excel is the first choice among most business professionals. From basic to advanced training, customized Microsoft classes can help you develop any level of expertise that you need in Excel.

#2 - Word

The most popular word processing program in the world is Word. It can be used for letters and other documents, of course. But, experienced users can also build tables, create web pages, and design forms. A classroom setting is an ideal environment to improve your skills and expand your aptitude with the program.

#3 - Exchange

Microsoft classes that help clients build their proficiency with Exchange can unlock the application's hidden value. A basic course can focus upon installation and configuration. An intermediate course can instruct clients regarding how to build and deploy messaging systems. Advanced courses might concentrate on migration and security protocols.

#4 - Access

Access is a powerful database application that IT and business professionals can use to collect, sort, and manage volumes of data. While non-programmers can use it to build simple databases, experienced users can leverage the software to do much more. Microsoft training courses can teach database basics, SQL queries, and importing and exporting objects.

#5 - Outlook

Outlook is one of the most popular email clients used today. However, those who have never attended Microsoft classes might be surprised to learn that it can do much more than merely handle email-related chores. Outlook can help you manage the personal information you need at your fingertips throughout the day. For example, you can use it to schedule meetings, look at associates' calendars, and manage your "to do" lists. Advanced Microsoft classes can teach you how to integrate RSS feeds, work with templates, and share folders with your peers.

#6 - PowerPoint

PowerPoint is the premier application employed to create presentations. Most businesses use it. While the program is comparatively simple to learn, there is a significant amount of usability that is hidden under the surface. By enrolling in Microsoft classes that are solely devoted to PowerPoint, you'll learn how to create slide shows, use animations, and even integrate it with Word templates.

Enrolling In Certified Courses

It is possible to become adept at using most types of software without the advantage of classroom guidance. However, a classroom setting is often the most efficient way to learn. The curriculum can be customized to fit the focus of your company. Rather than wasting time learning information and tips that are practically useless for your needs, Microsoft training in Chicago or in any other city can be designed with your specific goals in mind. As software continues to be developed with greater levels of functionality, learning with the help of an instructor may be the best way to unlock its value.

Christine O'Kelly writes informative articles for Directions Training, a certified provider of Microsoft training in Chicago. They specialize in all types of Microsoft classes. Chicago is home to this innovative, results-oriented firm, but they maintain campuses in several major cities.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_OKelly

Read more »