Have you decided to purchase a database solution for your business but do not know the types that are available? This piece will help you in understanding different database solutions and the benefits of using them.

Desktop Databases: As the name suggests, these are oriented towards single-user applications and reside on standard personal computers. These products are inexpensive and are of great value for non-interactive web applications. "PrimaSoft Organizer Deluxe" is one such package.

• Most desktop database solutions are available for around US$ 100. However, even PCs usually come loaded with Microsoft Access, an easy to use database management tool.
• These database products are user-friendly. You need not be an expert in structured query languages (SQL) to use these systems. They also offer an easy-to-navigate graphical user interface.
• Web solutions are also offered by these databases, but remember that they provide limited functionality and enable you to publish data on the web in a static or dynamic fashion.

Server Databases: If you are planning to set up a website of your own, then your database management needs will be very high. This is where server database solutions come in handy. These allow multiple users to access the data. Naturally, the higher sophistication comes at a price.

The other benefits of using a server-based system are as follows:

• Flexibility: The server based databases handle any data management problem very easily. They are preferred by many developers because of their friendly Application Programmer Interfaces (APIs).
• High speed: These are very powerful performers. Users can work with any reasonable hardware platform, efficiently. These databases can also manage multiple high-speed processors, clustered servers, high bandwidth connectivity and fault tolerant storage technology.
• Good capacity: Server databases have the ability to handle a rapidly increasing amount of data and can support multiple users.

Now that you know the types and benefits of different database solutions, keep in mind the following before investing in one for your company.

• The available hardware and the capacity to buy what is needed.
• The frequency of data modification.
• The capabilities of personnel in charge of providing support for the database and its maintenance.
• Accessibility of data over the internet.
• Number of end users of the database and their tasking needs.

These tips and resources such as "Proceedings 1984 VLDB Conference, Volume 1: 10th International Conference on Very Large Databases" will help you in choosing an appropriate database solution for your business. Since the choices abound, conduct a scrupulous assessment prior to making a decision.

Processor and ram

For the majority of PC users, the most important computer components to consider are the Processor and the RAM. The processor is the brain of a computer. It controls and manages all the activities of a computer. The processor is a busy component and it needs a "work area" to do it's job. The processor uses RAM (random access memory) as a rapid temporary storage area in which to store its work. To cut a long story short, you can upgrade your processor and / or RAM to significantly increase the speed of a PC.

Operating system

There are several operating systems available for people to use. MSDOS, Linux, Mac, BeOS are a few to mention but for most, Microsoft Windows is the most common. Although we still encounter some older Windows machines (95, 98 etc) the majority of users are using Windows XP. So whether you are considering upgrading to XP or indeed upgrading from XP to the new Vista operating system you must first consider the computer's specifications. Make sure that your machine has the hardware to run the new software. From experience we find that realistically a machine must have 2.5 times the stated minimum requirements in order to smoothly run a Windows operating system. For the moment we advise to stick with Windows XP until the teething problems with Vista are resolved.

Input and output devices

An input device is any device that sends information to a machine (Scanner, light pen, keyboard etc) On the other hand, an output device is any device that sends information from a machine to the outside world (Speakers, monitor, printer etc) Adding peripherals such as printers, scanners, iPods, cameras etc, to a computer is very common these days. If a device is plug and play then loading the device is as simple as just connecting it. However if the device is non-plug and play then you will have to load a specific device driver to enable the computer to run that device. Device drivers can usually be found on an CD that came with the device. However check the manufacturers website for the most up to date version. Please be aware that there are many devices still not compatible with Vista.

Windows updates

Ok, so you have a computer with good hardware that easily runs your operating system, What's next? Like any operating system, Windows is not perfect. Over time, security holes are found in the operating system. These security holes are used by worms, viruses and hackers to compromise your system. In an effort to patch these security holes, Microsoft releases updates. It is vital that computers are kept up to date with the most recent update releases. The first time you update your computer it may take a long time, especially if you have to download service packs. However this time is well spent and it is possible to set your computer to automatically retrieve and install updates when they are released. Updates are only available once you have verified that your copy of Windows is licensed.

Office applications

If you buy a Microsoft computer without Microsoft Office, it will most likely come with Microsoft Works loaded. This will allow you to create letters and spreadsheets. However it does not have a lot of the features that come with Microsoft Office. The most common used applications in Microsoft Office are Word (Word Processor), Excel (Spreadsheets), Access (Database), PowerPoint (Presentation) and Outlook (Email Client). The most common version of Office at the moment is 2003 however the 2007 is becoming more popular. An issues exists where Office 2007 saves its documents as a .docx file. This is not compatible with Office 2003. A converter is available for download on the Microsoft Website. Also, check out Open Office. It is a free alternative to Microsoft Office.

Firewalls

A firewall is either a hardware or software device that protects a computer from outside menaces. Any machine connected directly to the internet must have a firewall. There are reports of computers being attacked only seconds after disabling a firewall. With XP service pack 2 there is a built in firewall. However this will only protect you from external traffic entering your PC. What about internal software sending your sensitive data to outside sources without you knowing? You can install third party firewalls which monitor incoming and outgoing traffic to ensure that only permitted data is sent. Enabling firewalls can sometimes cause issues with some services such as remote connections or file and printer sharing etc so make sure you know what you are doing.

Antivirus software

It is common knowledge that all computers should have an Antivirus application installed. When choosing antivirus software consider the following. An antivirus program should have real time protection, automatically update, run frequent scans and not take up too much of your computers resources. Antivirus programs such as McAfee and Norton are notorious for being resource hogs. These may seriously slow down your machine. A computer should only ever have one antivirus program installed.

Antimalware software

Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. Software is considered malware based on the intent of the creator. It includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, and other malicious and unwanted software Common tell-tale signs of malware are: Your homepage has changed, frequent unwanted pop-ups, slow internet connection, slow PC and Internet Explorer crashing. Most users are protected against viruses but are not protected against the full range of malware. Unfortunately there are numerous antimalware programs available for download that are in fact malware themselves. It is advisable to have several antimalware programs installed on your PC. Unfortunately it is next to impossible to keep malware out of your PC so it is important to be vigilant and clean out the unwanted software on a regular occasion. We also advise that you make the switch to the Mozilla Firefox web browser.

Installed programs

Legitimate installed programs can also cause problems for your computer. Viewing your notification area or more importantly task manager it may become evident that you have programs running in the background of the computer that are not needed. Some programs automatically begin when you start your computer so that when you call on them, they will load quickly. However, why should these programs run silently in the background and soak up RAM resources. It is possible to configure the Microsoft Configuration Utility to prevent these applications from automatically running on start up.

Hard disk maintenance

Over time your computer produces many temporary files. These files are the result of such things as Internet use, program installations and Windows updates. These unwanted temporary files can take up a large amount of space on your hard drive. It is a good idea to regularly clear out these temporary files. Over time the operating system places files on different locations on the hard drive as files are created, deleted, modified and saved. While running processes, the computer saves files at random locations on the hard disk. The scattered nature of these files means that you must wait while the computer finds the files. This has an overall slowing effect on the PC. It is important to regularly defragment your drive using a built in or third party defragmenter. This places all the files in a side by side fashion (contiguous files) so that retrieving the files takes less time, It is also important to run chkdsk / scandisk to ensure the disk file system is ok.

It is no secret that healthy workers make a happy and productive workforce. Forget the hazards of hostile work conditions in places such as furnaces or chemical laboratories; even the innocuous office of today poses its own threat. Computers have, no doubt, made our lives easier, but regular usage is strongly associated with certain unpleasant consequences. Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a term used to describe the ill effects that arise out of excessive or improper computer usage. As a responsible employer, it is your obligation to ensure that your staff suffers from it as little as possible.

Computer Vision Syndrome impacts people in different ways by creating visual, ocular or physical discomfort or a combination of these. The effects of Computer Vision Syndrome can be minimized by taking certain measures, some of which involve a modification of people's work habits, whereas others relate to changes in the physical layout of the workplace. Let's start with the latter.

It's in the air. Lots of CVS victims complain of itchy and dry eyes. Adjusting the humidity levels in the office and directing air flows in a way that neither hot nor cold air blows right onto people's faces, can bring some relief.

See things in the right light. Who hasn't experienced the discomfort of tired and blurry eyes at the end of a long workday? Improper lighting and too many reflections off different surfaces combine to create eye strain. Throw in a computer screen, and wham! you're already feeling the mother of all headaches coming on. Make sure that your office lighting is designed right - that means using less bright or indirect sources, reducing glare by ensuring windows are covered or even employing colors that are less reflective. Interestingly, you can use an illuminated keyboard which helps reduce eyestrain during night time computer usage.

Take a screen test. Computer monitors are a great source of unnecessary reflections - you want to look at your files, not the window grille, for heaven's sake! Have all screens fitted with an anti glare cover, and encourage the use of attachable document holders. If you want a more sophisticated solution, check out a range of products from imate especially designed to counter CVS. And let users know that a high brightness setting and display of more than 6 colors at a go is not going to help their case. Of course, none of this is any good if the monitors aren't kept clean and dust free. A gentle rap on the knuckles should sort out offenders nice and proper!

Learn the body language. The workstation must be designed to suit the human body, and not the other way round. The biggest pain in the neck in the office is no longer an inquisitive colleague; it's the not-so-friendly desktop computer! Computer screens must be placed approximately 4 to 8 inches below eye level, so that the top line of text is 15 degrees below the line of vision. Chairs must be ergonomically designed, and adjustable according to individual body contours. Make sure there is adequate space to stretch one's legs and the table is large enough to accommodate wrists and elbows....

Besides all this, you can remind your office workers to modify their habits to minimize the strain resulting from Computer Vision Syndrome. Place notices urging people to drink plenty of water, do gentle exercises, take regular breaks and blink!

Slow XP computer is really irritating. Since the computer is your dependable buddy during your office or schoolwork, you cannot afford to have a malfunctioning PC. They make your life a lot more convenient since with just a touch of a button, you can easily finish your tasks in no time at all. But when these computers start to malfunction, your whole world will turn upside down. A damaged or slow XP computer can bring great hassles to your normal life. To address these problems, there are several things you need to follow in order to resolve your slow XP computer.

One of the root causes of a slow XP computer is the registry. You need to rectify this trouble by cleaning your computer with a registry cleaner. This can be virtually found in the market so you won't have a difficult time in finding this cleaner. Once this task is completed, you can expect your computer's speed to function like new. If cleaning the registry does not work out for your computer, then you need to monitor your computer and find any viruses. In most cases, these viruses impede your computer's performance. For this, you need to scan your computer if it is infected with virus. It is also advisable if you run twice or more to make sure that no virus escapes your computer's system.

Also, if your computer is already old, then it is time to check its memory. There are cases when the older computers are no longer compatible with the software developed today. For this, you need to reboot your computer and start searching for filed with an ending ".tmp" files. If you locate files like this, you need to immediately delete them. However, you don't need to delete the entire folder instead delete only the temporary files inside the folder.

To solve your slow XP computer, you can also use the disk defragmenter which comes with your Windows XP package. Using this would require you long hours but if you want this to finish easily, you need to prevent using other programs or applications at a time. Before using the defragmenter, you first need to run the disk cleanup tool. But if all these still do not resolve your slow XP computer, then you need to go back to the first step: get a good registry cleaner. This cleaner is particularly responsible for eliminating all the old programs installed in your computer to get rid of the unused computer space and loads.

However, most computer owners are a little hesitant on using the registry cleaners. But the registry cleaner, when properly used will completely make your Windows XP performing well. Registry cleaners are actually inexpensive plus you can also avail of the other tools included in the registry cleaner. A top quality cleaner is equipped with all the necessary tools that are needed in solving your slow XP computer. You can also get the system optimizer, hive compactor, and a lot more that would enhance your computer's speed.

Kris Mainieri is an accomplished Computer Tech focusing on innovative and unique ways to help people take their computing performance to a whole new level free.

To most of us, the mouse and the keyboard are integral to the overall operation of a computer system. In fact, as I sit here typing this entry, I couldn't think of another way of doing it that would seem natural. However, with new technologies hitting the market every single day and with computer manufacturers the world over becoming enamoured with those technologies, we could very well be heading into an era where the mouse and keyboard become irrelevant to our everyday use of a computer.

Case in point of this phenomenon is the Microsoft Surface computer. As the name might imply, rather than being something that sits on a desk and is in multiple parts for you to put together and use, the Microsoft Surface computer is rather just a surface. You put it on your desk and you use it much in the same way that you would use a surface table. You can draw on it with pens, manipulate it with your fingers or simply have multiple people interact with it directly through the use of their digits in order to make the same things happen that you can do today with the computer you currently have.

Of course, this is all made possible through the Multitouch technology that allows a level of direct interaction with a particular piece of technology that has not been experienced before and very likely is just the starting point to more and more interaction that will put things like separate computer towers, keyboards, mice and speakers in museums as relics of an older time not too far in the future!

Multitouch as an overall technology has really taken the world by storm, although that really has a lot more to do with Apple than it does with Microsoft. When people consider the Apple accomplishments in the field of Multitouch, the immediate conclusion that is reached has to do with the idea of Multitouch technology on the iPhone, one of the most successful computer hardware mobile products ever created.

windows 7 unofficial logoMultitouch has almost single-handedly allowed Apple back into the game and that is exactly why Microsoft has decided to get very serious with it, dedicating the biggest change introduced in Windows 7 as being one that has a lot to do with Multitouch technology.

Specifically, Microsoft is going to be introducing Multitouch functionality into the Windows 7 system, a sure sign that Microsoft has a number of things planned for Multitouch at some point in the near future. This is not surprising news in the least, but it is definitely news that goes a long way towards showing intent on the part of the highest echelon of power at Microsoft.

By incorporating Multitouch technology into their main flagship product, Microsoft has stated a desire to move beyond specialty products like the Surface and towards mainstream products that everyone can afford to buy. One can expect these mainstream products to start including Multitouch functionality at some point in the near future, since the operating system that will be running on those products will most certainly be able to support it. Lets see how it goes.

Multitouch technology seems to be conquering the imagination of technology giants the world over, as more and more of them join the bandwagon to develop new interfaces every other day. A technology that has taken the world by storm since Apple first introduced it in their iPhones and iPods. Now, Multitouch Interface is all set to take over an era where mouse and keyboard pads will become outdated.

MultiTouch in iPhoneThe most intriguing part of Multitouch Interface is its ability to be largely versatile. MultiTouch technology, initiated with mere touch-screens widely used in money vending machine and airport kiosks. However, Apple made the first successful implementation in hi-tech applications such as in iPhones and iPods.

Even though Apple is not the inventor of the technology, however the popularity of Multitouch Interface has become synonymous to Apple. Apple by the way is cashing in on the concept of Multitouch, incorporating its own ideas and popularizing it. Not to forget, the same crucial role of Apple in popularizing the mouse and the graphical user interface (invented elsewhere) in the 1980s.

However, what is the craze for Multitouch Interface all about? Is it the excitement of interactivity on the screen; or the user's ability to get an illusion of symbolic control over the machine that is fascinates. The touch technology enables a user to use his or her fingers to maneuver virtual objects on a screen as if they were real, creating an illusion of reality.

Besides that, Multitouch Interface is far more sensitive than touch screens. In a Multitouch device, you are capable of differentiating between the press of a single finger and the press of multiple fingers. Moreover, it also enables you as a user to interpret the movements or gestures you make. This has been possible due to the technical settings of different actions in the Multitouch device, recollected depending on the number of fingers they detect, and based on the gesture a user performs.

Apple, which takes the credit of best-known interface on it iPhones and iPod Touch devices using the Multitouch Interface, allows applications where you can rotate, flip, move and drag pictures, play songs and list emails with mere movement of your fingertips. Overwhelmed with its initial success, Apple has now integrated Multitouch Interface in its new laptopMacBook Air, which offers its users a much bigger screen to experience Multitouch other than the small iPhone screens.

Lumin MultiTouch Not withstanding the competition, Lumin of Germany has introduced Lumin Multitouch, which offers a 42-inch display powered by a Mini Mac. This can work at a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 and allows you to make your interaction with the virtual world much more real and exciting.

Another major player in touchpad technology Synaptics, which is a leading supplier of touchpads for laptop manufacturers, has announced the incorporation of Multitouch Interface into its touchpads. The new Synaptics touchpads will have the pinching effect for shrinking and enlarging pictures and a feature called ChiralMotion. This feature creates rapid scrolling motion by the movement of two fingers in a circle anywhere on the touchpad.

While Synaptics has integrated another feature, called Momentum, which lets you imitate a trackball by flicking a single finger across the touchpad. Multitouch Interface here is adept enough to recognize the gesture, and can move an object on screen, like a virtual bowling ball in a game, with the illusion of inertia.

Joining the elite group also is Taiwan's cell phone manufacturing company HTC. It has announced creating a Touch Phone, which has integrated basic Multitouch Interface in itsMicrosoft's Windows Mobile operating system.

Some other fascinating features of Multitouch Interface are that you just need two fingers to rotate photos and move the images on the screen as you desire. In addition, you can 'zoom in' and 'zoom out' a photo out on a Web page just by pinching the image with two fingers. Moreover, you can rapidly make forward and backward movement through a sequence of Web pages or photograph just by placing three fingers on the touchpad and moving them quickly to one side.

Microsoft SurfaceHowever, the biggest innovation after all is Microsoft Surface, which has integrated Multitouch Interface in Surface technology. This surface application based on a table computer called the Surface, is set to change the way people do businesses in casinos, restaurants, hotels and retail stores.

From choosing the kind of food and drink from the virtual menu to getting every details of the wine you ordered, to booking tickets to the vineyards from where the wine originated; Microsoft Surface has it all. It uses Multitouch Interface finger gestures to move around digital objects such as photos, play games and browse through product options. Moreover, Microsoft's Surface lets users rearrange groups of digital photos. You can just drag them around on the tabletop as if they were actual paper prints.

Prior to launching MS Surface recently, it has integrated Multitouch Interface in its Tablet computers and Palm's Treo cell phones to name a few. This was applicable in touch screens that employ stylus or fingers to move cursors, select icons and other items, and even to write on the screen.

There have also been reports of Hewlett-Packard having developed a prototype of a similar Multitouch Interface based table computer for home use. It will not be very long when people can use this Multitouch technology to create a more vibrant impact in this world, which can make applications in our daily life simpler.

Even though the success of Multitouch Interface is still to be accounted, it is sure to replace the mouse and graphical interface technology, other than the interface of menus and folders.

As different companies are set off to prove their mettle in developing the most viable application with Multitouch Interface, it is encouraging to witness the constant evolution in technology. The use of Multitouch Interface in severaldigital devices such as wireless portable data gadgets (iPhones and iPods) laptop computers, advanced cell phones, and other types of computing products is definitely a positive trend.

When Microsoft initially came out with their Multitouch technology, there were a number of people that were extremely excited. While there is still some debate as to who exactly came up with Multitouch technology in the end, the enthusiasm for Multitouch products was felt for all of the companies that came out with them. This is why both the Apple iPhone and the Microsoft Surface were well received within the framework of the technology community.

However, as time has passed and Microsoft has gone on to develop their Surface family of products and propose newer and better hardware with each passing press conference, a number of Redmond strategists and other technology buffs have begun to comment on the fact that Microsoft might be shooting themselves in the foot in the future when all of the chips were on the table.

They cite as a reference for this the comparison between the iPhone and the Surface. In the case of the former, not only did Apple create a product for mass consumption, but at the same time they created a number of applications suited for that product that people could actually use far better with Multitouch than they could in any other way.

The Surface Computer on the other hand, is not a product that can be mass produced and mass purchased at the moment. The first incarnations of the Surface were tens of thousands of dollars and even many larger companies balked at using them in industries like hospitality where they would be very welcome indeed. Surface is still a problem in terms of price and unless Microsoft pulls off a miracle in the upcoming months, it is likely to remain that way for awhile.

And instead of developing applications that can use Surface's advanced hardware in the way that Apple did for the iPhone, Microsoft has instead continued to allow their hardware development to leave their software development in the dust, creating excellent pieces of technology that are extremely under-utilized in terms of what they can do because of a lack of software. Surface, for example, uses the same Windows Vista operating system that conventional PCs use. This makes many Surface products little more than normal PC monitors with touch-screen capabilities; novelty items that do not really bring anything that big to the table.

These are concerns that Microsoft will very likely have to address if they want Multitouch to work for them and for their customers and seeing how they address these concerns in the upcoming weeks, months and even years will be interesting to watch.