|
|
|
News
|
|
Written by Rick Russell
|
|
|
|
Well, a lot has certainly changed locally here at the site and in my life. I am now going to be a father and the wife wants to move closer to family. So we are packing up the house, animals and computers and heading north back up to Chico, CA. I already have a job with a friend doing computer work, and we already found a house!  While back up north I am going to work on some cert's; or learn how to program for Joomla, and the wife is going to be going back to school. I'm going to hopefully have more time to work and learn Joomla which is what I want, but we'll see! Nor-Cal also offers up other options that I will be talking about later, this involves a side project that I'll be introducing in the coming months.
Technorati Tags: news, updates
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Written by Rick Russell
|
|
|
At a Wyoming Catholic College, you won't be able to message your friends or txt them in between classes, instead you'll have to rely on old fashioned technology. Here, students pass information along in a way that most of us have forgotten about, our voice. 
In a world where technology rules almost every aspect of our generation, how can one prefer to be in an environment lacking these current tools. No cell phones, along with limited internet and tv access provide for a "better mind, body and spirit learning experience." says Judy Anne at the end of her first yr as a freshmen. Why would people choose a path with more traditional methods? For a more foundational education thats based on based on traditional logic, along with the 3 arts of rhetoric, grammar, philosophy, theology, great books on plato and aristotle.
What do you profit from the experience? Perhaps from the smaller campus, it helps keep a closer community with personal interaction and resposibilities. Let me know in the comments how you would attend a college of this nature.
|
|
|
|
News
|
|
Written by By Edwin Garcia, Mercury News Sacramento Bureau
|
|
|
SACRAMENTO - Declaring that California state government is moving "full steam ahead" in improving its technology infrastructure, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday called for the creation of a task force to help agencies and departments employ the use of geographic information systems to improve public safety. 
The GIS technology - "kind of like Google Earth, but better," Schwarzenegger told a large tech conference - will allow firefighters to view clearer, aerial images of firestorms, among other uses. California Chief Information Officer Teri Takai will oversee the effort."Geographic information systems are extremely important in that they provide a statewide look at the physicals, if you will, in the state," Takai said in an interview after the announcement. The digital mapping technology, she said, can help produce a single database created by cities, counties and the state to aid in emergency planning.
GIS technology also can map state parks and the locations of high-speed Internet capability, and even match foster homes with foster families, she added. Takai, who became the state's first Cabinet-level chief information officer in January, is charged with overseeing the government's technology infrastructure policy. Schwarzenegger acknowledged that the infrastructure, built decades ago with little coordination across departments and agencies, was "embarrassing" and "back in the Stone Age." Schwarzenegger's speechto hundreds of public- and private-sector technology workers at the GTC West California Conference on California's Future, held at the Sacramento Convention Center, also touted the recent strides in making government friendlier to state residents.
Fire victims, he said, can log onto state Web pages to locate resources to rebuild their lives, and some agencies allow users to apply for services and request appointments online. "So as you can see, there are a lot of new and exciting changes that are taking place, and that are happening, that are transforming our future, all made possible by technology," Schwarzenegger said. "That's why I am a big, big believer in technology, technology, technology - that's where the action is."
Contact Edwin Garcia at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (916) 441-4651.
|
Spiceworks provides a free systems management, inventory, and helpdesk software application, Spiceworks IT Desktop, designed for network administrators working in small- to medium-sized businesses.
Spiceworks IT Desktop software installs on an IT manager's workstation and inventories systems, clients and other IP-based devices through agent-less discovery methods using open protocols such as Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and Secure Shell (SSH). Here are some features from the Spiceworks Page.
I implemented Spiceworks recently at a government organization with more than 90 Machines and Servers. The install was a breeze and after an hour it was setup and taking inventory. Twenty-Four hours later I had all the hardware, software, routers, switches, firewalls, clients, and servers inside the inventory section. There is so many great features I cannot explain it better than the Spiceworks team.
Inventory Everything on Your Network
Inventory all of your hardware and software and other assets you care about.
- Discover the Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs and servers, routers, printers and any other IP-based devices on your network.
- Gather all of their relevant technical data plus the software, patches and services on each machine.
- Add important data such as the number of licenses you have, the purchase price and physical location.
- Keep track of other assets such as mobile phones and even office furniture. All without agents.
- Store all inventory information locally and securely on your network - so there's no concern about sensitive data flying across the Internet.
Run an IT Helpdesk
If you've never used a help desk, Spiceworks will allow you to more easily manage your daily projects and user-requests - all from one interface. And if you already know how much easier a help desk can make your life, you'll be amazed how easy Spiceworks is to get up and running!
- Create a ticket in one click if you discover an asset that requires your attention while browsing your network in Spiceworks.
- Let your clients submit tickets with attachments to you via email or the Web and then allow them to view the status of those tickets online.
- Assign tickets across your IT team, attach them to hardware on your network, and manage your projects.
- Easily run reports on your tickets so you can see things like due dates and which assets (or even departments!) cause you the most issues.
Monitor Your Network for Trouble
Stay in-step with what's happening on your network using the Spiceworks IT Desktop.
-
 See Windows events that occur across your environment - so you can easily detect, diagnose and troubleshoot issues that disrupt your network.
- Automatically identify PCs and servers with low disk space, the presence of unwanted software on your network, the status of your anti-virus updates, printers with low toner and ink levels, and offline servers.
- Receive email alerts about potential issues.
- View all the monitors you care most about in one centralized spot.
Report on Your Network
Spiceworks IT Desktop gives you 20 ready-to-use reports you can use and share with people who need IT information at your company.
- With one-click, see software installed on your machines, disk usage across the network, trouble tickets you've created in the past month, and much more.
- Create the custom reports you need with a simple interface.
- Publish reports so others in your company can stay in the loop.
- Export any report to PDF and Excel.
- Exchange useful report templates with other Spiceworks users.
Troubleshoot Issues on Your Network
When problems arise, Spiceworks IT Desktop helps you to quickly identity the cause and resolve the problem.
- See what software is on a machine that is causing it to run slowly.
- Launch your remote control tool from within Spiceworks.
- Compare two machines to see what settings are different.
-
Ping machines to see if they are online.
-
See traceroutes to identify the flow of data.
- Identify when a server is running out of capacity.
Collaborate with IT Pros Like You
Spiceworks makes it easy for you collaborate with the more than 200,000 IT pros like you using Spiceworks.
-
See tech product ratings & recommendations from other IT pros in the Spiceworks community.
- Ask a question of or join a discussion with other Spiceworks users.
- Help author IT wiki articles - all with an IT audience that knows small and medium business IT.
- Get tips and support on getting the most out of Spiceworks.
- Read and submit the online IT news and info that is most useful for IT pros like you.
Get the Product You Want
Spiceworks makes you a virtual extension of our development team — allowing you to make the product what you want IT to be.
- Request and vote on new features.
- View other users' ratings of features.
- Submit feedback on existing features to help make them better.
- Preview upcoming releases.
If you have a chance to try Spiceworks at your organization, do it! You can go to the Spiceworks Website and download it for FREE!!
|
|
Thursday, 13 December 2007 15:00
|
I just stumbled on a new comment system, EasyComments 1.0! This comment system rocks! I read the summary on the Joomla Extensions page:
EasyComments just does what it's name promises: It let's you enter comments - it is overloaded like many other comment systems but as easy as possible and it just works! Take a look at the following features: - Easy-To-Understand - Spam-Protection (EasyCaptcha) - CSS-based layout - Continuous development - Valide XHTML & CSS Also try out the latest-post module for EasyComments!
After I read that I just had to try it! So I went over to http://www.easy-joomla.org/ and installed it. After installing I went in and imported my comments from AkoComment (luckily for me it was the only comment system supported so far). To say the least, I love it! Configuration was a breeze! I wanted to write an article to thank them on their good work!
Thanks Guys!
|
 Noneck got a normal job! I will continue to assist my current customers, however, I will be blogging less(as you can see). My posts will probably be once a week. I know my current posts have been very spuratic, annoying yes, oops! I got a job as an IT Consultant for a local company which tailors to the needs of many of the top notch businesses in the area. Many of the clients have Windows based networks, which is different than I'm used to, but what the hell, I need some stability and I love being back in the swing of things. This will probably help out my posts, partly due to my current lack of time to relax and read.
I will continue to post more about technology and some current events. In my new position I will see lots of little problems that all businesses come into contact with. I will be posting more tips as well for current applications that are used in most office environments.
Most clients that I began to get familiar with are using Window$ to control their networks, and mostly because most of the applications are Window$ based. To me most of the technology being used can be completely replaced with 1/4 of the hardware on a Linux OS. Maybe I'm used the robust capabilities of Open Source Software or I've been spoiled to death with good fortune, but cmon. Most of these businesses can completely cut costs, by means of operational procedures, time, and effort. In the coming weeks I hope to write some interesting things.
|
|
Sunday, 28 October 2007 02:56
|
The site is very easy to understand, though if you are new to Freelancing it can be confusing initially. I explain GetAFreelancer.com and how it can help self employed techies.
Buyers are in need a specific skill, for example; an Individual setting up a website may be in need of a Computer Programmer for specific coding to make his site behave a certain way, or, a Company may require an entire online directory presented in an excel spreadsheet.
The Buyer will post the PROJECT, a brief description of the work they need doing and the skills they expect the Freelancer to have.
Providers are the Freelancers, not only Individuals but Companies as well, all in search of a project.
Bidding For Work
The site works on a bidding system; The Buyer posts the project and the Providers then bid on how much they will charge to do the work. The Currency on this site is US dollars and the lowest amount in which you can bid for work is $30. If you were to bid $100 for a project, another Freelancer may offer to do the same work for $75, a third Freelancer may then bid to do the work for $30.
The lowest bidder doesn't necessarily win the project, when you bid you have the opportunity to tell the Buyer why you are the person who should be awarded the project. I have won projects in the past being the highest bidder. It depends what the buyer is looking for.
The Project
So you've been awarded a project, what now?
If you are a Freelancer then this is your livelihood and future work always depends on the standard of work, on how quickly you do the work and on the FEEDBACK you receive as a result of it. Always keep in close contact with your Buyer, they are after all paying your "wages".
Payment
Once you have completed your Project you will be wanting to be paid and there are a few payment methods available;
Paypal, Moneybookers and a new system whereby you can apply for a GAF debit card and have your payments credited to it. There is also the option to be paid directly by your buyer, therefore bypassing the site's payment processors.
Fees
Only the providers pay a fee, usually about 10% and debited from your onsite balance.
Feedback
At the end of the Project and once payment has been made, both parties have the opportunity to leave feedback for each other.
Conclusion
Getafreelancer is a genuine site that brings together Buyers and Providers. They do not require you do purchase anything to use the site, though you can upgrade to a gold member if you wish to do so. Upgrading will give you 150 bids each month, whereas a free member will have about 15 a month. That is really the only difference.
I would recommend this site to anybody searching for a work at home job, with 44 different categories of work available there really is something for everyone.
The only requirements being that you have a Computer and skills to offer a Buyer.
|
|
Wednesday, 03 October 2007 04:54
|
Darren Rowe at ProBlogger.com is giving away lot's of prizes this week and I'm trying to at least get something! This week they are giving away at least $54,000 worth of prizes and I'm doing what I can to get in on the action. Today and tomorrow they are giving away 2 new USB Monitors that I've been drooling over since they made news. Head over to ProBlogger.com with this link, to check out the newest prize giveaway.
These are killer monitors, the latest LG L206WU comes with a USB-B port that lets you to use it as a secondary display for multi-task workaholic. The other 2 USB-A ports onboard double as a hub or to if you prefer, daisy-chain up to 6 of these LG USB LCD units together, but don't expect to run Flight Sim 2008. The LG L206WU shares the same Displaylinks' USB GPU as the earlier announced Samsung 19" LCD. In that case, the monitor will support Aero 3D to leverage all the Vista's GUI potential.
The primary difference between the two is the provision of DVI-D & VGA on the LG. Physically, the LG sports a retractable stand that can adjust the height by about 14cm. You can also rotate it by 90 degrees to change the orientation of the screen from horizontal to vertical and vice versa. Last but not least the LG L206WU maxes out at 1680x1050 with an impressive response time at 2ms.
I hope I win one!
|
|
|
Tech
