Every weekday, our guide to the Web takes care of business, tackling tech topics that really matter to everybody. From topic definitions to topical rants, Dan Gray\’s pieces inform as much as they entertain.
ERP — now there’s a software acronym you don’t hear every day. Exactly what is ERP software, you ask? ERP stands for “Enterprise Resource Planning.” ERP software is a system that allows medium-to-large businesses automate their distribution, financial, human resources, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and project management functions. Whew, that’s a lot!
With a focus on accounting, […]
Help desk professionals are on the front lines. They need adequate backing from management in order to properly support their organizations. And that’s where help desk software fits in … the proper implementation of the right software can make a tough job a whole lot easier. The best help desk software allows support personnel […]
Auto insurance is one of those can’t live with it, can’t live without it slices of life. In most places you can’t own a car without insuring it. And if you can’t drive (in many of those same places), you can’t make a living. But while we’re all pretty much stuck with auto insurance, you […]
Drowning in debt? Home equity loans are one of the most popular ways to clean up personal debt while lowering monthly payments. When you take out a home equity loan, you borrow against the equity in your house. The loan is secured by a mortgage lien. There are two primary advantages of home equity loans: […]
Got an iPod and a BMW? Not me. But if I did, I’d be keen on the recent announcement from BMW and Apple about a nifty new iPod adapter that allows BMW drivers to “iPod Your BMW.”
“Introducing the first seamless integration of iPod and automobile,” the advertisement beckons. The idea behind it is pretty cool: […]
I took the Voice Over IP (VOIP) plunge … and the good news is it’s cool and refreshing. Cool because it works, and works pretty well. Refreshing because it’s blissfully cheap, at least for now. After much deliberation I decided on AT&T’s Call Vantage VOIP service, early last month. Their introductory half price offer proved […]
As the name implies, predictive dialers use advanced programming to predict the outcome of a call. According to legend, a predictive dialer can turn a less then optimal list into a productive session by maximizing the time that telemarketers spend with potential customers. If you have something to sell over the telephone and you have […]
Want to make your digital images really pop in print? It’s time to get back to the Photoshop training basics! In the first two installments of our series on getting the most from your digital images in Photoshop, we focused on some basic scanning advice and provide a bit of background on highlights, shadows, and […]
I think I’ve finally solved the spyware infestation on my PC, at least for now. While sometimes feel like I’ve beaten the topic of spyware to death in the last month and a half or so, this nasty stuff has beaten the living daylights out of me. I have lost untold hours, no … make […]
With a hard drive stuffed with images, I’ve begun to investigate digital photo printing options. My old HP color printer just isn’t up to the task (it’s not up to much, actually … it’s offline more than it’s online). While I hope to get a suitable desktop digital photo printer one day, it doesn’t […]
Instant Messaging has taken over our house. Okay, so maybe not the house … but at least one of the computers. My twelve-year-old daughter, like so many kids, has become addicted to AOL Instant Messenger. The problem is, we’re a bit short on Internet-connected computers at the moment. So the kid’s instant messaging addiction […]
The ergonomic seating situation in my home office needs to be rethought. Things have gotten a good bit busier here and I can’t get along with just my trusty old Aeron chair anymore. The only other chair in the room isn’t exactly a sterling example of ergonomic seating–far from it. A dilapidated ladderback rescued from […]
With today’s crop of recruiting software, the memories of filling out those tedious job applications by hand are but a thing of the past. Once a job prospect fills out an application online, the recruiting software kicks into high gear. The best recruiting software allows for pre-qualification based on job-specific questions. With the right software, […]
Just now, a student loan consolidation pop-up appeared on my computer. I happen to think that student loan consolidation is an important subject. But I’m just not sure why this appeared in front of my face at this very moment. I’ve been fastidious about running my new favorite programs to avoid seeing things like this. […]
Plasma screen televisions are the coolest. They might not run the coolest, but man, Plasmas sure look the coolest. I’ve wanted a plasma screen television since the very first time I saw one. I’m not positive what it was that first attracted me, but I’d reckon that it was the flatness of it all. I’ve […]
Want to cut your electric bill? Check into compact fluorescent bulbs! They can save a dramatic amount of energy in the long run. After procrastinating for years, I’ve bitten the bullet and installed compact fluorescent bulbs in almost every light fixture here at ranchero indebto. And I’m reaping the benefits in more ways than one. […]
My personal spam filtering efforts have jumped up a notch since the first time I wrote about the topic of spam filtering, back in April. The latest change came about just this week, when my trusty (yet spam filter free) version of Eudora croaked. I’m not exactly sure what stuck the fork in my copy […]
Need to get some business cards printed? When you mix the magic of the Internet with you favorite Windows desktop publishing and design applications you have a world of possibilities at your fingertips! In the old days, business card printing was primarily the realm of graphic designers, local print shops, and specialty printers. (And the […]
Father’s Day is just around the corner and you’re probably still looking for the perfect gift. There isn’t much time left to shop, but I have a handful of hairy hints that just might do the trick. Geek Daddies are notorious for not spending enough time tending to personal grooming. Father’s Day presents a special […]
In my opinion, animation training should be taught to middle school english and art students. This might seem like a bold (or crazy) statement to some, but to me, it just makes good sense. Animation is a common language–we’ve all grown up on a cartoon diet! But take a look at the computer labs in […]