Electronics and Computer Review

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Tech support tells me to type ‘regedt32′ as opposed to ‘regedit’ to access the registry from the command line (Start > Run). I question the use of ‘regedt32,’ but he says to do it anyway. Whenever I use the registry editor, I recall this incident and never look up the tale of the two regs… until now.

Regedt32.exe is an alternative registry editor available with Windows NT/2000 with features of its own. Regedt32.exe does not support importing and exporting registration entries (.reg) files. Regedit has limitations of its own as quoted here:

“You cannot set the security for registry keys. You cannot view, edit, or search the value data types <>REG_EXPAND_SZ and <>REG_MULTI_SZ. If you try to view a <>REG_EXPAND_SZ value, Regedit.exe displays it as a binary data type. If you try to edit either of these data types, Regedit.exe saves it as <>REG_SZ, and the data type no longer performs its intended function. You cannot save or restore keys as hive files.”

Research indicates regedit has:

• a better search tool
• bookmarking of subkeys
• opens to last edited subtree, export and import capabilities
• all keys are visible from a window similar to Windows Explorer

Regedt32 (pre-WinXP) can:

• run in read-only mode
• allows you to edit values longer than 256 characters (who wants to do that???)
• displays subtrees in their own windows
• modify access permissions to subtrees, keys, and subkeys

In WinXP and Server 2003, the two have been replaced by a new version of regedit that has features from both. Try typing ‘regedit’ and ‘regedt32′ to see what happens. They’re the same. To prove it, while in ‘regedit,’ select ‘edit’ and you’ll see ‘permissions.’ This is a feature that was only available in the old ‘regedt32′ and not ‘regedit.’

Technically, regedt32 is a small program that runs regedit. So when typing ‘regedt32,’ it takes you to ‘regedit.’ The destination is the same either way. So type whichever is easier for you to remember. Regedit is easier for me – I had to play with the spelling of the other version until I got it right.

Now I remember that tech support was checking to see if the permissions were properly set and that was why we used ‘regedt32.’ However, someone forgot to update the script or tell him that it didn’t matter anymore when a user had WinXP. Tech support always asks what operating system at the beginning of the call, so he knew.

More registry editor resources: Microsoft has a knowledgebase article on the differences between the two. Windows IT Library has a feature comparison chart dated 2000, so it’s way old, but it will satisfy curiosity. Here’s a list of registry editor alternatives for those who wish to try something different. For tweaks, tricks, and hacks, check out WinGuides’ Registry Guide for Windows.

Information technology has transformed the way we live and the way we do business. ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, is one of most widely implemented business software systems in a wide variety of industries and organizations. In this short article, we’ll try to concisely explain the basic yet important concepts relevant to ERP.

What is ERP – ERP is the acronym of Enterprise Resource Planning. ERP definition refers to both ERP software and business strategies that implement ERP systems. ERP implementation utilizes various ERP software applications to improve the performance of organizations for 1) resource planning, 2) management control and 3) operational control. ERP software consists of multiple software modules that integrates activities across functional departments – from product planning, parts purchasing, inventory control, product distribution, to order tracking. Most ERP software systems include application modules to support common business activities – finance, accounting and human resources.

ERP Systems – ERP is much more than a piece of computer software. A ERP System includes ERP Software, Business Processes, Users and Hardware that run the ERP software. An ERP system is more than the sum of its parts or components. Those components interact together to achieve a common goal – streamline and improve organizations’ business processes.

History of ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the evolution of Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP) II in 1980s, while MRP is the evolution of Inventory Management & Control conceived in 1960s. ERP has expanded from coordination of manufacturing processes to the integration of enterprise-wide backend processes. In terms of technology, ERP has evolved from legacy implementation to more flexible tiered client-server architecture.

Benefits of ERP – ERP software attempts to integrate business processes across departments onto a single enterprise-wide information system. The major benefits of ERP are improved coordination across functional departments and increased efficiencies of doing business. The implementation of ERP systems help facilitate day-to-day management as well. ERP software systems is originally and ambitiously designed to support resource planning portion of strategic planning. In reality, resource planning has been the weakest link in ERP practice due to the complexity of strategic planning and lack of adequate integration of ERP with Decision Support Systems (DSS).

ERP Failures – We couldn’t conclude our brief guide to ERP without mentioning ERP failures. The failure of multi-million dollar ERP projects are reported once in a while even after 20 years of ERP implementation. We have identified the four components of an ERP System – 1) ERP software, 2) Business Processes that ERP software supports, 3) Users of ERP systems, and 4) Hardware and Operating Systems that run ERP applications. The failures in one or more of those four components could cause the failure of an ERP project.

Copryright @2006, 4th-Media Corporation

A new unique MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product reliably defends PC against computer malware and on-line threats at unsurpassed, highest security levels.

A MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product ( http://www.nuwavesoft.com ) effectively prevents, stops, and eliminates computer viruses and spyware. The revolutionary underlying software technology enables multiple antivirus and antispyware scan-engines running on the same PC. A MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product is truly unique, because it offers unprecedented security benefits of running multiple antivirus and spyware scan-engines simultaneously, in parallel, and without performance degradation! No other computer security product for PC in the world is capable of or offering that to date.

What multi-core antivirus and antispyware solution means? Comparatively speaking, you can imagine all the benefits of having computer processor with more than one CPU core. The modern multi-core computer processors allow smoother performance and much increased speed of computer applications, which translates into better overall experience delivered to the end-users.

Conceptually similar, a multi-core antivirus and antispyware solution runs multiple antivirus and spyware scan-engines simultaneously and in parallel. As result, it delivers exceptional performance while providing the strongest protection against malware and on-line threats. With total four anti-malware scan-engines employed, MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product continuously scans PC at the same speed as traditional single-core solutions from competitors, while delivering unprecedented four times the protection! Currently, MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product utilizes world’s leading two antivirus and two antispyware scan-engines: Frisk ( http://www.f-prot.com ), Norman ( http://www.norman.com ), Lavasoft (http://www.lavasoft.com ), and Sunbelt (http://www.sunbelt-software.com ).

Why end-users need a multi-core anti-malware solution? Are traditional single-core computer security products not enough? Well, the truth of the matter is that none of the traditional single-core computer security products can provide 100% protection alone. There are at least seven major computer security vendors in the world who claim that precisely their brand is the world’ leading solution. And yet multiple tests performed by credible and independent computer security certification institutions ( such as http://www.virusbtn.com , http://www.westcoastlabs.org , and so forth) do demonstrate year after year that even the very best individual single-core computer security product can only deal with approximately 98% of the existing computer viruses and spyware. Of course, there is no conscious end-user who wants to be unprotected and to face remaining 2% computer viruses and spyware and yet they all do, unfortunately. A MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product eliminates this problem! Each and every individual scan-engine differs from the other. And all scan-engines have their own specific pros and cons in certain areas, such as heuristics, scanning speed, dealing with unknown malware, and so forth. So, all end-users inherently tied up with those pros and cons of the underlying single-core scan-engines. A MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product eliminates this problem too! Also, concerned computer users sometimes install more than one computer security solution their PCs. Little do they know that the different security products do not live well with each other on one PC – they constantly conflicting and causing instabilities and a sizeable performance hits too. It is not uncommon for end-users to have PC crashes when the two or more antivirus or other security products start fighting for control over PC. By engineering the four security cores together, MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product eliminates these problems completely!

A MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product is uniquely powerful, because by running multiple antivirus and spyware scan-engines simultaneously and in parallel – it creates unsurpassed synergy of combined strengths provided by each individual scan-engine! The new integrated multi-core solution ensures smooth and problem-free operation of all four antivirus and antispyware scan-engines in real-time. There are no conflicts, no compatibility problems and no fighting for control over PC among the cores. The four engines are working in synergy continuously scanning and protecting your PC much better and even faster than many of the traditional anti-malware products with just one core! And unlike many traditional PC security products, MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware works transparently and is compatible with third-party antivirus, antispyware and firewall applications. And of course – all four security engines receive online updates in real-time, ensuring uninterrupted, the highest reliability, and up to dat e security measures.

A MultiCore AntiVirus & AntiSpyware product brings the PC security to a truly new height!

Like a brush is to a painter an essential skill in the field of graphic design is Photoshop. The software offers increased productivity as well as flexibility. The features include aspects like file browser, vanishing point tool, smart sharpen filter, noise reduction filter, smart objects, as well as camera workflow enhancements. Photoshop offers professional photo editing features, digital imaging, as well as non destructive editing.

There are so many hidden features and insights to software, that it is often impossible to know them all.

1. There is a hidden option using which you can simulate bold and italic formatting styles for fonts that do not have these options. Click the button on the type tool option to bring up the character palette. Then select text and click the arrow in the upper right hand corner of the palette menu where faux bold and italics are present. However you will not be able to warp type when formatting has been applied.

2. One can quickly flip through blend modes while trying out effects by using the keys “shift+ to change to next mode and shift- to go to the previous mode.” When a painting tool is active this shortcut will change the blend mode of the painting tool. However, if anything is highlighted then the shortcut will not work. You will have press esc and then use the shortcut keys again.

3. The photomerge feature can be used to seamlessly combine multiple images to create a panorama. This feature can be accessed from the Automate menu. You can even refine the composition using tools like rotate, zoom, pan, and set vanishing point.

4. When re-sampling images one can use either Bicubic Smoother or Bicubic Sharper. You can use Bicubic smoother for up sampling and Bicubic sharper for down sampling. You can actually specify which interpolation method is to be used by going to general preferences and setting a default.

5. There are two features for printing. You can use contact sheet II or picture package. Use contact sheet when you want all images in the same size and you want to print the name below the image. Use printer package when you want different image sizes on the same page, or multiple copies of the same image, or a text overlay.

6. If you want to remove a glare on the eyeglasses of an image you should use a part of the lens that does not have a glare and use it to layer the lens with a glare. Use tools like rotate and skew and soft-tip eraser to soften the edges. Ensure the glare does not show through from below. Or, do some careful work using the clone tool.

7. The online services enable you to connect to online photo printing and sharing sites.

8. The Web Photo gallery can generate hyperlink pages that can be uploaded to a server.

9. The Picture Package option will help you prepare photos in layout with multiple size prints on one page.

10. You will never forget how you achieved a certain result because the History Log will detail every step taken by you as well as time-tracking, and a legal record. There are three choices wherein, you can create a sessions only record where, it will record only when Photoshop is opened or closed; or a concise record which will record each action including the text that appears in the history palette; or the complete editing history including the text that appears in the actions palette.

Adobe Photoshop is a dream tool for every designer and one can over time master every subtlety of the tool and crop, rotate, resize, create shapes, add layers, change text, and play with colors. It is a hands on software where the more you use it the more you will learn.

If you have any personal information on your computer at all and access the Internet it is vitally important that you consider the benefits of a computer firewall. Many people lock their homes, lock their cars, keep a watchful eye on their children, and yet leave the bank accounts, personal information, and all kinds of other information vulnerable and exposed through their personal computers.

A virtual attack can be just as devastating financially and emotionally as someone breaking into your home. They are allowed access to secrets you may have shared in confidence with online friends or even offline friends that you correspond with online, they will have passwords for financial and banking accounts, they will know where you buy your coffee; they can learn where your children go to school. The information we have on our personal computers is staggering in terms of personal security nightmares and yet so many people take no steps to secure this information from prying eyes by investing in a simple computer firewall.

The amazing thing is that you can even find free computer firewalls available online if you know where to look. I highly recommend paying for a computer firewall though if you have little knowledge of the inner workings of your computer. If you’re going to secure your families secrets you may as well invest in a very good program with constant updates in order to do so.

A computer firewall isn’t just a nice thing to have on your computer; it is a vital line of defense for you and your family. Keep this in mind when choosing the best computer firewall for you. Remember you want to have a service that will provide updates and keep up with evolving technology that would harm your computer or steal your personal information.

Competitive and fast are two terms that are applicable to the world of computers. Constantly changing and evolving computer systems bring many advantages to the users and techies alike. The race for supremacy between the yet to be launched Vista (scheduled for 2006) and Mac OSX Tiger began in 2003 with Microsoft’s announcements of plans for an integrated desktop search functionality in Windows Vista.

While opinions vary and are really personal choices in many ways, the following sums up the functionalities between Vista and Tiger.

1. Vista has a completely redesigned look and feel; it is aesthetic, functional, and exciting according to industry sources. Mac Tiger on the other hand was always famous for its technology and aesthetics which are clean and clutter free. In fact, many of the visual effects that Vista has like translucent icons, high resolution, and animation effects have been integral to Tiger for more than four years.

2. Vista is yet to resolve problems caused by underlying windows, while Tiger has fine tuned the bleed caused by windows beneath the surface ones.

3. The 128 x 128 pixel icons of Tiger have better rendition and clearer resolution than the 32 x 32 or 64 x 64 pixel icons of Vista. However one will only know whether Vista will have resolution independent vector graphics once the final version comes to the market.

4. Both Vista and Tiger have closely similar desk top search functions. The only immediate difference is that in Tiger the filtering becomes operational only after creation of a Smart Folder or using the shortcut keys. The Virtual Folder of Vista is identical to the Smart Folder of Tiger.

5. Vista has next generation features, where the system has enough inbuilt intelligence that organizes data. This fine tunes any searches that need to be done. In comparison to this, the Tiger has an old fashioned system with no specials.

6. Vista supports meta data processing while with Tiger meta data can be created or edited only by using document processing applications.

7. Vista permits users to visually locate files while Tiger does not. Image previews in Tiger are turned off by default.

8. As far as security is concerned the Tiger is by far superior to Vista. Since the Tiger user base is small the number of hackers and attackers are fewer as compared to Windows.

9. User accounts and log ins are safer in the Tiger system and Microsoft plans to incorporate similar systems in Vista to strengthen security.

10. Vista has new systems similar to Tiger that will enable users to assert parental locks or blocks. Parental controls help limit computer usage by children protecting them from several dangers.

11. Security in Vista includes inbuilt protection against rogue attacks, malware, spyware, adware and so on. In the case of Tiger its security system has remained secure and unbreached. Whether Vista will earn the same distinction will be known only after it comes into use.

12. Both Vista and Tiger have great networking features making both immensely usable both at home and in businesses. The Tiger is simpler while Vista is a bit more complex to use.

13. The hibernation mode works instantly in Tiger and Vista is also trying to match its facilities.

While the above draws tentative comparisons between the two systems a true evaluation can only be made once Vista is released in its completed version and comes into use.

There are many things that cause a computer to be sluggish from software to hardware. It can be too small a hard drive or not enough RAM. It can be anything from BIOS and/or Operating System Settings to programs that are eating up your CPU and RAM (no matter how much you have). Or it can be your network.

Personally, I work my computer like a young mother with a house full of kids 12 to 18 hours a day.

That mother needs to unwind at the end of the day and so does my computer and probably yours too.

Here are 9 Tips in the order they should be completed that can help keep your computer happy and working without complaining:

1. This is so basic I shouldn’t need to say it, Keep Which Ever E-Mail Program You Use Cleaned Out. I have clients who are always complaining, but who refuse to dump years and years of accumulated e-mail.

2. Make sure you have a good anti virus program (Only one per computer please), have it up to date, and auto monitoring.

3. Make sure you have a good anti spy ware program (Only one per computer), have it up to date, and auto monitoring.

4. Run Disk Clean Up Daily (Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Clean Up – a box opens – make sure each box is checked, click ‘OK’ – a box pops up – Click Yes).

5. Delete Cookies and Cached Files Daily (Start, Control Panel -if you have not done it yet, click ‘Switch To Classic View’, Internet Options – a pop up box will appear – Delete Cookies, Click OK, Click Delete Files – check ‘Delete All Offline Content’ – Click OK, Now Set Your Clear History to no more than 7 Days – if you haven’t used it for a week you probably won’t miss it – Click OK)

6. A very important step almost everyone misses: Empty The Prefetch Folder (Start, My Computer, ‘C’ , Windows, Prefetch Folder, Edit, Select All, File, Delete – pop up box appears – Click Yes, Close Windows Window)

7. Empty Recycle Bin. For the sake of brevity, I am assuming everyone knows where it is and how to empty it.

8. Scan Hard Drive ‘C’ (Start, My Computer, Right Click ‘C’ – box opens – Click Properties at the bottom – another box opens – Click Tools, Click Check Now, Make sure both ‘Automatically fix file system errors’ and ‘Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors’ are checked, Click Start. Get a cup of java (oh, black, thank you) and Wait !

9. Defrag Computer (Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter – window opens – Select ‘C’ Drive, Click Defragment). Pop a top and Wait !

The last two steps (8 and 9) can take awhile if they have not been done recently. I complete this entire routine on my computer just before I stop work for the day everyday and the entire sequence takes no longer than 20 minutes and often much less.

You can find more help with free download links at http://www.remotehelpdesk1.com

tmm

There are millions of Screensavers available on the Internet. Almost all of these can be downloaded and installed easily. These are usually categorized according to themes. Nature lovers can choose picturesque locations. Fish lovers can choose from different kinds of aquariums with multi-colored fish that are swishing through colored water. Those who really like adventure sports or aircraft can choose from a wide array of moving images and clips of death-defying stunts. Screensavers can also be slide shows that have various pictures of movie celebrities, sportspersons and politicians.

However, some precautions need to be taken before downloading Screensavers. The most important one is that Screensavers must be downloaded from trusted sites. It’s also always a good idea to scan Screensavers for viruses and other potentially dangerous elements, such as spyware and adware. If an anti-virus is already installed on the system, a right click enables a menu which provides for a ‘scan with…’ option. This option can be selected and left-clicked to check the selected download before double-clicking it and installing it.

Sometimes Screensavers are extremely graphic-intensive. This means that they contain so many graphics that they are huge files. Huge files take a lot of space on the computer when they run, and make the computer work so much harder and so much faster than normal that the computer freezes. Then the computer needs to be restarted and all the unsaved information on the computer — such as open files that were being worked on before the Screensaver was activated – is lost.

Some Screensavers also make the hard drive of the computer crash, causing irretrievable data loss. Therefore, it is important for users to download Screensavers that are compatible with the configuration of their computers. This means that the speed of the processor in the computer, and the free space on it, should be sufficient for the Screensaver to be downloaded, installed and run.

Many users like to create their own Screensavers, often with the visuals and audio of their choice. Some software applications facilitate this. Out of these, some can be freely downloaded from the Internet. However, these should be downloaded only from trusted sites, and should be supported by the configuration of the user’s computer. Once downloaded, these should also be scanned for viruses and other common infections. When installed, these programs enable the user to combine images, video clips and audio clips to create a personalized Screensaver, sometimes even for circulation amongst friends and family.

Medical billing software reviews are one of the easiest ways to find out important facts regarding the function and use of certain types of medical billing software, as well as their limitations.

One software package that regularly garners superlative reviews is Lytec medical billing software. Computer experts and users alike agree that Lytec software has many positives, including a clear interface and a simple approach to the medical billing process. The Lytec software suite tracks claims management, patient billing, insurance, and scheduling in a single package. The result is a workspace with a seamless quality in which a group of diverse functions, from electronic medical records to healthcare forms, behave in an integrated and coherent way.

A busy medical practice of any size can be a volatile environment, and a system that breaks down under heavy use is a real liability in this business. Lytec medical software is secure, auditable and completely expandable to your specific needs. More importantly it’s simple enough to configure yourself.

NueMD is a medical practice management software created specifically for medical offices that also has received positive reviews. Comments have ranged from “NueMD is a functional and no-nonsense practice management solution transported over the Internet,” to ”NueMD allows online eligibility verification done by the client, claims submission, reporting, and analysis. This software is first-rate and is priced less than most systems of its kind.” Other reviews have indicated that the software is a success in small solo medical practices as well as large-scale operations, owing to its reasonable price and ease of use. The ease of use came up often, especially in terms of even a novice being able to pick it up quickly.

eClinicalWorks, another popular medical billing software provider, also earns a mention. It is considered one of the leading providers of integrated uninterrupted ambulatory EMR (Electronic Medical Records) and PM (Practice Management) systems for multiple-local medical practices that include diverse specialties. eClinicalWorks is an award-winning company focused on customer care and satisfaction. KLAS a research and consulting firm dedicated to improving the performance of healthcare information technology providers recognized eClinicalWorks, with its distinguished “Best in Klas Award” 2004. This accolade is considered one of the most important honors in the field.

Any of these three types of software are likely to provide the clarity, ease of use, and technological sophistication you require.

Control your computer securely and reliably from anywhere in the world no matter how many miles away you are going.

Many travelers set up their desktop computers to accept connections with Remote Desktop program built into latest versions of Windows only to find out in a hard way that they can’t control their PC from where they are. This is a very common problem because of the complexity of modern networks and the Internet itself. Just about anything can prevent you from controlling your desktop remotely: a firewall securing your network, an Internet provider blocking everything except Web pages and images, or any of the numerous reasons that exist in different segments of the Internet. These are all important and valid causes of connection problems, but the number one reason is much simpler and has nothing to do with the complexity of the Internet.

Depending on the ISP, your home PC can get a different IP address every once in a while. This type of addresses is referred as ‘dynamic’, and is a common practice among practically all ISPs, except if you pay extra for a ‘static’, thus permanent, IP address. But even if you secure a permanent Internet address for your computer, the firewalls will still stand in the way of establishing a successful connection between your PC and your location while on the go.

Anyplace Control by http://www.anyplace-control.com offers a revolutionary new approach to bypassing all the obstacles and remotely accessing your computer from anywhere in the world. Leave your heavy desktop PC at home while you are traveling! No need to carry even a notebook! Gain immediate control over your desktop and its files while on the go with Anyplace Control!

Accessing your computer remotely works in a few very simple steps and does not require complex setup or expert network configuration whatsoever. You simply create an account with Anyplace Control, and assign a name to your computer. When you need to access your PC from a remote location, you simply enter your computer name into the small and lightweight client application, and Anyplace Control manages the rest. No need to configure network settings on the remote PC, and no need to worry about the firewalls and other obstacles!

With Anyplace Control you can see your computer’s desktop and control your PC with mouse and keyboard as if you were there, or use Drag and Drop operation to transfer files between your computers. Anyplace Control uses state of the art encryption and latest security approaches to protect your home PC from remote attacks. Finally, Anyplace Control saves your bandwidth by consuming minimum traffic, allowing the fastest response times even on very slow connections.

While travelling, especially to developing countries, you may find that their PCs are not the same state-of-the-art PCs you are used to see at home. Internet cafes may have old, slow computers running operating systems as old as Windows 95. If you were using Windows Remote Desktop application to access your home PC, you’d be out of luck!

Anyplace Control does not use Windows Remote Desktop, and hence is compatible with all Windows systems, not just those supporting the Remote Desktop Technology. You can run Anyplace Control on Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, 2003 Server, and Vista.

Get ready for your next trip! Download your free evaluation version of Anyplace Control now from http://www.anyplace-control.com/, and control your computer remotely from anywhere in the world!