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.
Enterprise instant messaging has killer app potential. Faster than a phone call, more personal than an email, business instant messaging can be hard to resist. But it hasn’t been a slam dunk (and it can’t leap a tall building in a single bound). Although IM spread like wildfire through the Internet, it took ages for […]
Need to quickly gather information from a bunch of people? Whether you want to query 10,000 customers or two dozen friends, nothing comes close to web survey software for rapid feedback, data storage, and most importantly, the speed at which you can make use of the information. If you need those answers quickly, there’s no […]
Do know, for sure, if your PC is adequately covered by insurance? Considering all of the hurricanes and other crazy stuff happening lately, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check into your computer insurance coverage today. If it turns out that your PC is not covered, you may be able to add […]
Satellite Internet service is wonderful for remote locations that are not served by any other broadband connections. In many ways, it’s very cool. You can achieve blistering downloads on large files over a satellite Internet connection. But there are significant caveats.
In the time that I had my satellite Internet connection I saw many downloads rocket […]
An acquaintance of mine happened to be looking for a conference call provider. I’m quite interested in the subject of conference calling as it relates to web conferencing, so when the topic came up in conversation, I tuned in immediately. I was amazed to learn about a company that provides free conference calls. You read […]
Want to make your fortune on the Internet? Setting up a web store takes a whole lot more than a $5 a month host can provide. If you’re looking to sell goods or services over the Internet, you’re a likely candidate for an ecommerce hosting package. When you sign up for an ecommerce hosting package, […]
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) isn’t just a nicety these days; it’s a necessity. Take a look at the power cables running behind your desk. Are they all plugged into a cheesy power strip that’s masquerading as a surge suppressor? Or do you have an honest-to-goodness uninterruptible power supply? If you’re lucky enough to have […]
When your boss comes to you, out of the blue, and says “hey, I need you to create a trade show exhibit,” (say for Gnomedex) where do you start? Knowing that the the wild world of trade shows is fraught with design details, tricky logistics, and potentially exorbitant expenses, it pays to tread carefully. Mess […]
I’ve had a hankering for a big screen in the living room for the longest time. A nice little LCD projector would be oh-so-sweet. With an LCD projector, I could fill the wall next to the tiki bar without sacrificing the floorspace of a tube-based big screen. But aside from the monetary considerations, I’m […]
Owning your own home is a cornerstone of the American dream. Unfortunately, first-time home buyers are often overwhelmed by both the process and the expense. Although buying that first home offers huge rewards, it’s likely to be the biggest financial commitment a young geek has ever encountered. If you’re still renting, you should consider buying […]
Data acquisition systems are used to automatically collect information. The term has a number of meanings. Within the IT world, data acquisition systems are often part of a data resource management effort. A data acquisition system can access different databases in order to move relevant data into a more specific database. The term is more […]
I’ve been thinking about attending a MCSE boot camp. While I’ll never have a fancy phd to hang after my name like my old man, I thought it might not hurt to pick up a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MSCE) designation. MCSE boot camps seem like the fastest way to make that happen. An exotic […]
Can someone explain Six Sigma in a couple of clear and concise sentences? With its Black Belts and other dramatic neo-martial arts flourishes, Six Sigma sure seems like a secret society. (Repeat that line three times, while doing a Sylvester imitation.) Sufferin’ succotash there’s no end to this Six Sigma thing! After seeing Six Sigma […]
Is your company overrun with faxes? A fax server could be the answer to your prayers. These handy devices allow you to quickly and painlessly send and receive a high volume of faxes. A quality fax server will make high-quality transmissions with just a mouse click, while incoming faxes are automatically routed to the proper […]
Given the recent series of storms, disaster recovery is on the minds of a lot of folks. And as Florida prepares for the possibility of a third battering, the topic of disaster recovery couldn’t be more timely. Backing up your data and using battery backup power are only a start. Adequate disaster preparation can go […]
Data Warehousing is a process in which different databases are combined within an organization. Data warehouses are implemented to provide business intelligence and support management decisions. The broad view afforded by data warehousing allows for a more complete picture of business conditions at any given instant. By using a specialized database to provide information from […]
When I asked for call center story submissions over the summer, I never imagined the wild tales of customer service woe. After reading these stories, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for customer service call center employees. This is great stuff! Our first story of call center magic is so fabulous that I’ve decided to […]
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 […]
Life insurance is one of those company perks that we tend to take for granted. Once it’s gone, you realize what you’re missing.
A while back, I wrote about letting my term life insurance lapse. I still feel bad about it, but then again, I’m still walking around, so I guess I’m ahead. For […]
Whether you’re selling your company’s services or shopping for a brand new ride, everyone loves a well-designed and nicely printed color brochure. And with the ubiquitous nature of the desktop computer, the ability to print color brochures has fallen into the hands of the masses.
Historically speaking, this hasn’t been the case for long …