Dec
31
IT Training Providers - What Should I Look For?
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If you’re searching for IT training providers, it follows that you’re about to make a choice on who will train you. So let’s make a few assumptions about where you’re at right now and let’s look at the options available:
* Your new training is to get a job.
* Your new skill set should enable you to do well, and should be as complete as possible to avoid gaps in your understanding.
* You appreciate that the qualifications you get must be able to get you short-listed for interview.
* Ideally you would like a provider who can offer you the right advice, quality training, decent support, and whose charges are reasonable.
So where should you start? Assuming you’re looking to maximise your employability factor, it’s probably best to ignore Universities for this market sector. This may be questionable news for you to hear, but let me explain. Degrees tend to be too academic and not specific enough for today’s IT jobs. You can prove this statement yourself, just look at any of the Jobsites and you’ll see that the majority of employers are looking for commercial qualifications.
So how do I get commercial qualifications? There are two ways historically:
One way is Boot Camps. These are mind bogglingly intensive 10 to 14 week training sessions that are purely designed to pass qualifications. If you’re sharp, good at learning and prepared to commit every waking hour to study, they will get you through, but the failure rate is high.
Be aware that employers have a tendency to see candidates with qualifications gained in this way to be less capable. Historically students from boot camps rarely have a good enough understanding of their skill to handle some of the day to day challenges thrown up in the working environment.
so these days you’ll find a fair number of your classmates are experienced IT professionals who are upgrading their skills. They know the subject well, which will put you at a disadvantage in the classroom.
Your other option has typically been the Distance Learning College, using study books and reference manuals and occasional trips to a classroom. It is possible to be successful on these courses, but you’ll need steely drive and commitment. It’s a fact most of these colleges couldn’t make a profit if large numbers of their students didn’t drop out on the way, so just imagine how good their support will be.
How Do I Choose The Right IT Training Provider?
Make sure you see their training materials, and decide for yourself whether you can learn from them. If you’re given some excuse why you can’t be shown them, think if it’s wise to train with them?
At the times you plan to study you’ll need access to tutors, not a message system for a call back later in office hours, so please find out exactly how their support works and make sure it will suit the way you plan to work.
Watch out for companies who like money up-front for your exams. Why do you think that is? Because you won’t get it back if you don’t take them all!
If this insight into IT training is leaving you feeling a little flat, we now have a refreshing alternative. Cutting-edge interactive learning has come of age, and can deliver state-of-the-art training to more than match the traditional colleges. There are now companies that have paired this with genuine 27/7 support, and created the ultimate IT training package.
Dec
31
An Overview of Adobe Photoshop CS4
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It appears that Adobe products are getting better and better. CS3 brought us new features such as non-destructive smart filters, quick selection, 3D compositing, enhanced RAW image processing and HDR support.
Adobe’s newest software creation, Creative Suite 4, was designed to meet special challenges such as effective collaborations between designers and developers, embracing new media, reinventing publishing and embracing the explosion of connected media. Chad Seigel, Group Manager for Creative Suite has said, “Adobe is trying to break barriers and integrate all products.”
Improvements to Photoshop CS4 include an enhanced user interface with the entire application enclosed in the frame, meaning that dual monitor users can have more than one application running. The workspace switcher is for swapping between applications such as Camera RAW 5 and Bridge.
Welcome improvements appear in the form of the zoom ratio which is less likely to show jagged or pixelated lines and also boasts a flicker free zoom. Rotating the canvas can also now be done without jagged lines and the brush size can be previewed on the document. This means that when the tool is placed over the image it can be moved in size and allows you to see it before you use it.
Another tool that has been improved is the Dodge/Burn tool, now when you’re adjusting the shadows, midtones or highlights the tool won’t impose on the other two. When adjusting the saturation on the sponge tool it won’t move out of acceptable gamma.
Adjustment now has its own dedicated window that includes all the tools found in the area such as levels, curves, brightness/contrast and exposure. Another change is the preview window which is now in the tab instead of a new window that overlaps the image. Because of this change your picture can be viewed in its entirety and as an added bonus tools such as curves can be adjusted directly on the image for localized amendments.
The icons are also simplified for well-organized use; now you can see what you want to do much faster than before.
The mask panel allows you to choose an area which can be manipulated and even inverted which is good for selective color images.
The mask panel can allow you to select an area which can be manipulated and even inverted which is good for selective colour images.
A feature I really like is content aware cropping. The feature works by first masking the areas you wish to retain in the picture. The image can then be resized and the parts that are protected won’t be cropped into. The program will start to remove areas in between which is an amazing feature to see and use.
An improved blend layer mode has been added and is great for procedures such as focus stacking. The program automatically adjusts the exposure and color so there’s no need to mess about first.
Please note that the images must be loaded in as layers and highlighted. Once you have done that click on Edit>Auto blend layers and the images will be composited together. Also note that you must be patient as the process can take some time.
This process can also be helpful if you want to create HDR images if you prefer the ones without the ethereal effect that most systems produce.
Photoshop Product Manager, Bryan Hughes, is quite adamant that this isn’t a HDR tool as it doesn’t give a full high dynamic range in all areas so the familiar ethereal look of a HDR image is absent. He added that if need be it could be described as a clipped version of HDR.
Photoshop CS4 Extended also features 3D support. Two dimensional images can be changed to 3D by giving them x, y and z co-ordinates and these images can also be wrapped around imported 3D images. Photoshop CS4 also works in conjunction with Google 3D warehouse where thousands of 3D images are available to import. Merging a 2D image onto a 3D image is very easy with the only command being the Merge button. The 2D layer will then acquire all the 3D attributes such as decay detail, colour and reflections. The 3D image can be manipulated as well and you can also enjoy features such as creating cut-outs, adding detail or changing colours to the interior of the cut-out.
As an added bonus, a feature has been added for help with people who are colour blind. Colours in Photoshop CS4 can be adjusted for true colour blindness.
One feature missing in CS4 is the quick tools from the image window bar. When you’ve opened an image, right clicking on the header bar has brought up five options of duplicate, image size, canvas size, file info for metadata and page set up. I often used these, especially file info, and to find it’s not there has added time to my workflow.
Regardless, at the press release for Photoshop CS4 I was incredibly excited when I saw the new features. The latest features such as the auto blend and content aware cropping feature are astounding. I also enjoy using the localized adjustments on Lightroom 2 so it’ll be really beneficial on Photoshop CS4.
Check out the upgrades box and see if you’ll use all those extra features. Add to that the efficient zooming and 89 percent less drag on the mouse making it move across the screen faster.
Bear in mind that the list is for the Extended version which supports the 3D applications. If you don’t need those then don’t bother with Extended but as far as I’m concerned this new version is the best one yet.
Dec
31
All About Getting the Best Used Laptop Value
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If you have an old, unwanted, or obsolete laptop, you undoubtedly are trying to figure out a way to get rid of it. Why not go to a company that will purchase your used computer for a good value?
First, you should find a company that has been around for a while. Ideally, the staff will be experts in their field of laptop repair and refurbishment-you want to make sure that you are dealing with professionals.
Secondly, customer service is key. You will want to find a company that understands the importance of implementing a process that’s easy, quick, and hassle-free.
Many online services have easy and quick ways to give their customers quotes on their laptops. Most companies require that you fill out a simple form. Then, you’ll receive a cash offer.
If you decide that the offer is worthy, you’ll most likely have to fill out a simple contact information form, and you will be mailed a box that includes a pre-paid return label as well as instructions.
The shipping should be free of charge to you-if you have to pay for shipping, go with a different company! Most companies send out instructions explaining how to pack your computer safely, and then you are required to drop the box off at your closest FedEx pickup location. Lastly, you’ll be sent a check!
Does the company you’re considering purchase large amounts of used laptops? What if your computer isn’t even working? Make sure to go with the company that offers these kinds of flexible options.
You’ll most likely want to go with a used laptop purchasing company that accepts a large number of laptops styles and models. More convenient services will list the types and models of computers that they accept on their website so that you can easily see if your old machine will be accepted or not.
Some companies give their customers the opportunity to send in an inquiry if they are in possession of a used laptop that is not listed on the site. If you need to do this, simply make sure that you give as much detailed information about your used laptop as possible.
Stop letting your unwanted, obsolete or old laptops fill up the space under your bed and in your closet. Instead, get cash for your old computers through a high quality online service! Pick a company that gives great customer service and gives you a quick and hassle-free way to sell your old laptop for its best value.
Dec
30
HTC Smartphone vs iPhone
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Keeping up with all of your important tasks can often be a difficult chore.
The PalmOs and the Blackberry are perhaps two of the most commonly used Smartphones in the business, but thanks to some prodding by Apple’s iPhone, the other companies are jumping in to produce a pocket PC Smartphone. They want to keep their customers and be able to offer them the latest technology in competition with the Blackberry and the iPhone. Do you still have questions about whether a Smartphone is right for your personal and business needs?
So why use a Smartphone or a palm pocket pc? Well for starters, they are incredibly versatile.
What can you expect from a Smartphone? You can expect PC software such as Outlook, Word and even Excel as applications. This means that you can open and edit documents while on the go. That is a huge plus factor over earlier models of phones and PDAs. Most new Smartphones, like the iPhone, have added music players, text messaging, cameras and even voice recorders, as a way to entice new customers into making the jump from Apple to other manufacturers, such as Nokia and Motorola.
If you find yourself in the market for a pocket PC Smartphone, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with the iPhone; however, keep in mind the other major players in the industry. You may not pay as much as you would for the iPhone, but you still get the same capabilities. The iPhone still has a hefty price tag of $399 and new Smartphones and pocket PCs can be purchased for less with a new contract from a cellular provider.
Most phones prior to 2008 were running on Windows Mobile 5, but with the debut of Windows Mobile 6, more applications have opened up for use and there is more processor speed behind these small cell phones. The iPAQ Pocket PC is a prime example of faster running speed, but lacks the communication power of the iPhone. The iPhone has definitely set the standard for cell phones!
You do not have the time and patience to lug around a laptop to keep track of your important appointments, not to mention it can be difficult to find the space you need to set it up. You need something that can keep track of your appointments, let you work on important documents and be able to send emails, all the while allowing you to make and receive calls. What you need is a pocket PC Smartphone.
Dec
30
Are Registry and Hard Drive Cleaners Really a Rip Off?
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I read an article on a website recently which stated registry cleaners were of no use and people shouldn’t waste their time or money on them. This author said he could not change his mind about this without seeing some convincing data.
In this article, I would like to make it clear registry cleaners are an important tool that should be used periodically as a regular part of computer upkeep. I will also make the case corruption in the registry will greatly diminish a computer’s speed and overall performance.
This article doesn’t contain any stat sheets or lab reports of any kind. Being a computer technician, I am concerned with the well-being of computers and it is from this point of view I will make my case.
Actual Field Experience
The reason I know cleaning the registry is a needed process for keeping a computer running at full speed and error free is because I’ve seen what a corrupt registry will do to a computer and I’ve used commercial registry cleaners to overcome this corruption many times. I have tons of thank you letters from satisfied customers whose computers were resurrected by registry cleaners.
There is absolutely no doubt about it! Making sure your computer’s registry is free of corruption is a necessary part of its general maintenance, and unless you’re a certified Microsoft technician, only a registry cleaner is able to handle that function. Maybe a few years ago a computer operator could get away without scanning and repairing a registry, but not today.
Windows 95 and 98 were not as abjectly effected by corruption as the operating systems we now use are. XP and Vista’s huge file systems can be profoundly disturbed by registry corruption however, and in some cases it can even stop these operating systems cold. I know, I’ve seen it happen with my own eyes!
No Hypotheses, But a Way of Life
As a certified computer technician, many customers have brought me their computers because they had slowed to the point they could not be used. After checking them for viruses and spyware and finding nothing of significance, the next step was to do a registry scan and usually by doing so, I’d find 100’s of incidents of corruption. So at that point, I would go ahead and let the program clean the registry. This always seems to get the computer back to normal performance and sometimes even beyond.
Why there are those who have a vendetta against registry cleaners, I simply don’t know. These people must have not ever used one. At least, not the ones I would use.
Finally, registry scans are free. So, if you find you don’t have registry corruption, you don’t have to deal with a registry cleaner. However, if you do have registry corruption and you have a computer that is not functioning well. This corruption is probably the problem! At this point you really need to get that registry cleaned. I don’t care what anybody else says!
Dec
30
Do you need Online Backups or Backup Software?
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Have you ever been hit with a virus? Ever had someone steal your computer? What about a natural disaster? What if you lost everything on your computer?
With the progressing era of digital technology, people save everything on their computers! MP3, pictures, papers, documents. Things they want to “SAVE.”
Over the course of the next 365 days, 43% of computer users will be extremely frustrated! That’s the statistic for lost data. That’s just in one year!
So, you think you’re safe with just using the standard USB drive? Nope. They burn just as easily in a fire, can still have a virus spread, and they are stolen more than computers are!
There is an answer! Online Backups. The only way to make sure your data is secure.
Online Backups are automatic! Normally takes just a couple of minutes to install. Set the time you want the backup to run. That’s it! You can now relax!
Literally, for pennies a day, you can KNOW you will never lose your data.
Memories, music, and documents all could be lost at any moment. Know today, you are protected!