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Windows Task Manager in English

You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what’s running on your PC, to close crashed programs and processes, and to check performance. You probably avoid a few processes whose names mean nothing to you, but they’re essential to Windows. svchost.exe sure likes to appear all the time and multiple times at that. What’s taskmgr.exe? Oh yeah, it’s the window you’re looking at right now. ctfmon? Is he related to Pokemon? navapsvc.exe? Navy? Napa Valley? Navel? NOTA (none of the above).

This is not a comprehensive list as that would take days. It has the standard processes as well as process names from popular applications. If you want to know about a process, the best place to go is ProcessLibrary.com. Just like adware and spyware, there are bad processes that come to life thanks to the bad guys like Trojans and viruses. The site has a list of the top five security threats, so watch out for those processes.

Also, beware the bad guys like to use legitimate names of processes. For example, rundll.exe is a system process that should not be terminated. However, recent reports have stated, “It can also be the LOXOSCAM virus depending on Operating System and file path; this is always a virus on Windows XP and 2000 operating systems however.”

You can download software that provide more information about the process. Task Manager, as you know, says nothing except the name of the process and how much CPU it’s using. One example is Process Explorer, a standalone application that also has the option of replacing the built in Task Manager for windows. It shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded.
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

acrotray.exe
Acrobat Assistant that is used when printing documents to a PDF. The process should not be removed while converting documents to PDF.

ADService.exe
Active Disk Service is a component of the Iomega zip drive.

AppServices.exe
Also for the Iomega zip drive.

ccEvtMrg.exe
Associated with Symantec’s Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.

ccSetMgr.exe
Also associated with Symantec’s Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.

csrss.exe
System process that is the main executable for the Microsoft Client / Server Runtim Server Subsystem. It should not be shut down.

ctfmon.exe
Non-essential system process. If you’re using only English as the language, then it is not needed. However, it’s recommended to leave it alone.

explorer.exe
This must always be running in the background. It’s a user interface process that runs the windows graphical shell for the desktop, task bar, and Start menu.

iexplore.exe
Internet Explorer browser. But why are you using it unless it’s for a site that doesn’t work in any other browser? Use Firefox instead.

lsass.exe
Local Security Authority Service is a Windows security-related system process for handling local security and login policies.

Navapsvc.exe, nvsrvc32.exe, and navapw32.exe
These are Symantec’s North AnvtiVirus processes. They or whatever virus program you use should run all the time.

realsched.exe
RealNetworks Scheduler is not an essential process. It checks for updates for RealNetworks products. It can be safely disabled.

rundll32.exe
A system process that executes DLLs and loads their libraries.

savscan.exe
Nortons AntiVirus process. Keep it.

services.exe
An essential process that manages the starting and stopping of services including the those in boot up and shut down. Do not terminate it.

smss.exe
Session Manager SubSystem is a system process that is a central part of the Windows operating system. If you try to kill it, it will be difficult hence, the importance of leaving it be.

spoolsv.exe
Microsoft printer spooler service handles local printer processes. It’s a system file.

svchost.exe x 6
You may have more than six appearances of this process or less. It’s there multiple times to handle processes executed from DLLs. Leave it there.

System
This is a file that stores information related to local hardware settings in the registry under ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE’. Kill it and kiss your PC’s stability bye bye.

System Idele Process
Calculates the amount of CPU currently in use by applications. This won’t go away no matter how hard you try. Don’t try it, OK?

taskmgr.exe
Appears when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.

wdfmgr.exe
Windows Driver Foundation Manager is part of Windows media player 10 and newer. Better not to stop the process.

winlogon.exe
Handles the login and logout processes. It’s essential.

winword.exe
The great Carnac says, “You’re running Microsoft Word.”

Don’t panic if you see something you have on the “bad guy” list. svchost.exe is important, but some are good guys and some are bad guys. Do your research before deleting anything. For instance, I have admin.exe, which has been reported as a bad guy. However, it is the admin process for one of my programs. When I closed the program, admin.exe also went away.

Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She’s a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.

[tags]windows, microsoft, os, operating system, task manager, processes[/tags]

VegaStream’s VoIP Regulation and Compliance

Such liberalisation comes the risk of these new entrants conducting less than ethical business practises that were impossible for a state controlled monopoly; and so with liberalisation comes a new wave of regulation.

A fact of the telecom’s industry is that all new entrants have had to resell all or part of the incumbent monopoly’s infrastructure. However, by using the Internet and the unbundled local broadband loop, VoIP is a technology that will allow a new breed of telecom operator that has no recall to the incumbent monopoly other than to interconnect with it to pass traffic between each other.

VoIP, therefore has attracted the attention of regulators, and from a European-wide perspective, the issue is that this attention varies from country to country. Each National Regulatory Authority has a different view.
According to a recent survey conducted by networking technology company Spirent Communications, the International Engineering Consortium and Total Telecom magazine, twenty per cent of European telecoms executives said that government regulation is the biggest threat to VoIP, meanwhile 84 per cent believe the technology is ready for widespread deployment.

According to a Gartner report in January 2006, no common approach has so far been adopted among National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) for the delivery of voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) across Europe. In some countries, the service is treated as being equivalent to a regular circuit-switched telephone connection, while in others, it is considered more as a data service. Until a common approach is implemented, VoIP service providers will be unable to deliver common service platforms across multiple countries, removing one of the key opportunities enabled by the underlying technology that of cross-national competition.

The survey found that NRAs have resisted developing specific policies or regulations concerning VoIP. While no one has an appetite to aggressively regulate this technology, changes will need to happen to accommodate the rapid move in consumer and business use patterns. Gartner believes that with VoIP and other IP-enabled or electronic communications service (ECS) maturing, end users are often unaware that protection and statutory rights are not the same with VoIP services as for switched voice.

Therefore, Gartner concludes, VoIP will force broad regulatory changes, because voice telephony is being redefined. IP not only affects the pricing of voice services, but also changes the way voice services and features are ordered, provisioned, delivered, marketed and regulated. As a result, the inevitable regulatory changes will add cost to the provisioning of IP-enabled services, thus closing the end-user price advantage currently enjoyed by VoIP services.

As regards the UK market specifically, under the Communications Act of 2003 Ofcom’s primary regulatory control on the VoIP market is to police a code of conduct for providers of a pubic telephony service - over whatever technology - to consumers and small business. (As for big business, caveat emptor.) This code of practise deals with the business process as opposed to the underlying technology and, as far as the consumer is concerned, is all that is required.

To quote from Clause 52 of The Act itself:

(2) Those matters are-

(a) the handling of complaints made to public communications providers by any of their domestic and small business customers;

(b) the resolution of disputes between such providers and any of their domestic and small business customers;

(c) the provision of remedies and redress in respect of matters that form the subject-matter of such complaints or disputes;

(d) the information about service standards and about the rights of domestic and small business customers that is to be made available to those customers by public communications providers;

(e) any other matter appearing to OFCOM to be necessary for securing effective protection for the domestic and small business customers of such providers.

VegaStream’s position regarding regulating the VoIP industry is similar to that of OfCom’s. The application is straightforward - the ability to enable people to talk to each other over a telecommunications network. With VegaStream gateways this network can contain both IP and TDM elements and that fact is completely transparent to the end. Regulators should therefore continue to refine their ability to protect the consumer against bad business practise and ensure that the innovators within the VoIP industry can bring the full benefits of this technology to business and consumers alike.

Formed in 1998, VegaStream is one of the most experienced players in the industrial VoIP market. The company supplies gateway CPE to both traditional telecommunications carriers and the new generation of Internet telephony service providers. VegaStream also serves the enterprise market through a global network of distributors and resellers supported by regional offices in the UK, USA and Australia. VegaStream is a non-listed UK company. Investors include the management team, Pace Micro Technology PLC and MTI Partners. http://www.vegastream.com

[tags]voip, voip gateway, voice over internet protocol, voice over ip, h323, sip, voice over ip gateway[/tags]

Crystal Reports Making Data Crystal Clear

One of the most commonly used report-writing programs around the world; Crystal Reports have been in use for more than 10 years, though many did not realize they were using it. Not specified by name and commonly grouped with other programs, this innovative reporting tool has only recently begun to garner the attention it deserves. Taking dull, flat reports and turning them into exciting visual displays, Crystal Reports are a must-have for any contentious business.

The job of Crystal Reports is to take basic data and change it into a report which is not only easily-understood, but pleasing to the eye. By allowing the user to call upon almost all types of charts, maps and graphs, this program grants a new level of freedom to report generators. Also capable of entering texts, tiles, columns and diagrams, users are able to generate personalized charts and maps, as well as allowing them to save their reports and enter new data fields, at a later date, saving a great deal of time and work. Crystal Reports opens the business to a wide variety of options, allowing information to be sent to all networking computers, to be placed on the Web, or making printer-friendly versions that can be used in presentations.

At first glance, Crystal Reports may seem very intimidating to the new user, especially when one encounters Crystal Reports boot camps and high-priced schooling that is advertised on the Web. Fortunately, a large portion of this program relies upon drag and drop technology, simplifying what others would have you believe to be very complex. Additionally, many publications offer step-by-steps and how-to guides on using this popular program. With patience and a willingness to explore, Crystal Reports are easy to use and provide high-quality work with very little expertise.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.
Read more at http://www.business-intelligence-help.info

[tags]Crystal Report, data, program, tool, visual display[/tags]

Network Support Contracts Can Provide Personal Help

Network support contracts are most commonly provided in the workplace to help maximize the efficiency of daily operations and also help professionals best keep their technology up and running. But students and others not using laptops for business purposes also need to be assured that their networking capabilities are insured. For these people, it may only take a few simple steps to get the peace of mind of a network support contract.

Keep Computers Running Under All Circumstances

A well-plotted and stable network will keep you connected at all times. The purpose of network support contracts is to keep your network running all the time, uninterrupted. If you have a reliable network infrastructure, you will be able to get to files you left at work off-site, any day and at any time. Using professional consultants as part of network support contracts allows companies to give employees access from anywhere. Having these consultants accessible to not only implement but also monitor these networking capabilities will help promote business growth and peace of mind.

Personal Networks

People using their computers at home often want to set up personalized networking options, but find themselves feeling alone sometimes when it comes to the network support contracts they find to help them. No matter how skilled you are at navigating the process of not only setting up but maintaining these at-home networks, you have probably found yourself in need of the extra support provided by a high quality network support contract.

Looking For Online Support

Those in academic and government arenas will typically get free network support contracts that help them connect to offices across the campus or between departments. Other people trying to set up networking capabilities can do speedy searches for network support contracts that will help them find Internet resources to trouble shoot when they need immediate or simple help. Online support contracts can provide a wonderful way to get personalized help particularly when balanced with in-person guidance.

Copyright MMI-MMVII, Computer Consulting 101 Blog. All Worldwide Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in author resource box required for copyright compliance}

Joshua Feinberg, co-founder of Computer Consulting 101, helps computer consulting businesses get more steady, high-paying clients. Learn how you can too. Sign-up now for your free access to these field-tested, proven business strategies on the Computer Consulting 101 Blog.

[tags]Network Support Contracts, Network-Support-Contracts[/tags]

Conference Call Providers

Conference call providers are the ones who enable the basic service for conference calls, either on web conferencing software or on a comparative low cost audio conferencing solution for online conference call meetings. They provide advanced teleconferencing platforms for customers to place international phone calls to anywhere in the world. With these features and calling flexibility, the telecom costs can be easily reduced by 90% over the traditional phone companies. This helps businesses to save money on international phone bills.

An organization can have up to 50 people connected on a single call through a conference caller, and be billed the same rate as a regular phone call. They don’t have to pay those high per-minute rates from other telecom companies. Conference call providers use the latest digital routing and switching equipment. Nowadays, conference call providers use full fiber-optic cabling throughout the network, providing callers with the finest quality service available, with a good bandwidth and less noise and transmission errors. There are multiple options to connect to a conference call provider. You can dial into a local toll-free access number, enter your conference code and get connected.

For conference call providers, with Conference Caller Web Dial Out, the calls are initiated via the Internet, are able to be received at any time of the day, 7 days a week. The fully automated system acts as a 24-hour operator, connecting organizations to their international partners and clients.

A lot of these providers are full-service conference call companies offering quality service and low-cost options. These companies provide personalized service for all of your conferencing needs. Affordable conference call provider rates, obviously, are preferred by most businesses. Reasonable pricing is the growing trend in the conferencing industry. Conference call providers are battling for their share of the marketplace. One must be sure to discuss and negotiate the best deals from their providers.

One should note that many providers offer a limited selection of conferencing services. Most of the companies specialize in one or two services, like audio, video, web, or data. Web collaboration software, video equipment, and conferencing phones are also offered by some companies.

Conference Call provides detailed information on Conference Call, Conference Call Services, Audio Conference Call, Conference Call Providers and more. Conference Call is affiliated with Cheap Conference Calling.

[tags]Conference Call Providers[/tags]

Vibration Measurement

Vibration measurement is done to create the data that’s necessary in drawing a meaningful and significant conclusion from the system being tested. The said data can be very helpful in reducing as well as eliminating the vibration. Among the devices used in a typical vibration measurement system are transducers, preamplifiers, and processing and display apparatus.

The transducers are generally used in vibration measurement and analyses since they are responsible for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. They do this by generating an electrical signal, which is a role of mechanical vibration. The velocity pickups and accelerometers installed or connected to the vibrating structure are considered transducers.

Velocity pickups generate an electrical output signal that is proportional to the velocity of the vibrating device. Since the vibrating mechanism’s velocity is naturally cyclical, the sensitivity of the velocity pickup is expressed in peak milli-volts/cm/s. It is, therefore, a magnitude of the voltage created at the stage of optimum velocity. The natural frequencies of the equipment are very low, and they are tuned to calculate the vibration frequencies that are more than the pickup?s natural frequency. These velocity pick ups are considered helpful transducers since they are sensitive but strong enough to resist intense industrial atmosphere.

The accelerometer is a device that produces an output signal. The size of this electrical signal is proportional to the acceleration of the vibrating mechanism. Accelerometers possess good sensitivity qualities and a wide, helpful frequency range. Though small in size and light in weight, accelerometers are capable of calculating the vibration at a certain point without generally loading the vibrating apparatus. Moreover, accelerometers can easily work with electronic integrating networks to achieve a voltage that’s proportional to displacement or velocity.

The next apparatus that’s useful in vibration measurement is the preamplifier. Consisting of one or more stages, this equipment has two very significant functions. One purpose is to amplify the vibration pickup signal that’s generally weak, and the other is to serve as an isolation tool or impedance transformer between the processing and display apparatus and vibration pick up tool.

The equipment intended for processing and displaying the vibration data is normally some kind of spectrum analyzer. The said analyzer can be a simple device that provides the rms equivalent of the vibration displacement, or it can be the one that essentially gives an instant analysis of the whole vibration frequency range. These analyzers are perhaps the most important device in vibration measurement. Usually, they are either a constant-percentage-bandwidth or constant-bandwidth kind of tool. They typically feature some kind of graphical display to give comprehensive frequency information.

Vibration Testing provides detailed information on Random Vibration Testing, Shock And Vibration Testing, Vibration Analysis, Vibration Control and more. Vibration Testing is affiliated with Wire EDM Machines.

[tags]Vibration Measurement[/tags]

An Overview of CompTIA Certification Programs

High-tech is often associated with computers or information technology (IT). IT has transformed the way we live and the way we conduct businesses. A well-established certification program is often the indication of maturity of an industry or profession. The programs utilize standard tests to exam the knowledge and level of expertise of the professionals . CompTIA certifications are one of such certification programs for the information technology industry. CompTIA certifications are provided by The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) - a non-profit trade association founded in 1982. Many of ComPTIA certification exams are computer-based and are composed of multiple choice questions.

A+

The A+ certification demonstrates the knowledge and understanding of computer hardware and operating systems. It is primarily designed for qualification of a computer technician though many organization utilize the A+ certification training to help their employee to acquire the basic knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems.

The actual certification includes the A+ Hardware Exam and the A+ Operating System Technologies Exam, which focuses exclusively on Microsoft operating systems. The A+ exam is designed for IT professionals who have about a year of hands-on experience.

Network+

Network+ certification is designed for network technicians to test and demonstrates skill and understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting in general. Network+ certification is not vendor specific. Besides Network+ certification, network technicians further acquire vendor specific certification, such as to Microsoft certifications and Cisco certifications.

Server+

CompTIA Server+ certification demonstrate the competency of server-specific hardware and operating systems skills. A+/Server+ certification focus on the general knowledge of various servers while the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification, of course, test the knowledge of Microsoft products - NT server, SQLServer or Information server for web publishing.

Security+

Security+ certification focus on security aspect of information technology, such computer security and network security.

Linux+

As the Open Source operation system gains the popularity and wide acceptance, CompTIA offers Linux+ certification. Unlike other CompTIA certifications which focus on general understanding of the subject, not on any vendor-specific products. Linux+ is product-specific, but not vendor-specific because the nature of open source software. The certification exam covers the installation, management, configuration, security, documentation, and hardware of Lunix.

The most-known ComPTIA certification is A+ certification for computer hardware and operating system. Many organizations simply utilize A+ training for general computer training. Other even less-known certifications from ComPTIA are HTI+ (Home Technology Integrator covers installation, integration and troubleshooting of automated home sub-systems; e-Biz+ certification covering basic knowledge of e-commerce, CTT+ certification for training professionals, and CDIA+ certification for document management and enterprise content management.

Natalie Aranda writes on computers and information technology. The most-known ComPTIA certification is A+ certification training for computer hardware and operating system. Many organizations simply utilize A+ training for general computer training. A+ certification and other CompTIA certifications are provided by The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) - a non-profit trade association founded in 1982. Many of ComPTIA certification exams are computer-based and are composed of multiple choice questions.

[tags]CompTIA Certifications[/tags]

Security Issues with VoIP

Are you acquainted to the pace with which IP telephony is catching up?

With major telecommunication carriers, in the process of preparing to launch VoIP applications it is heading towards a prime time. However a new sense of urgency is developing with the risk of wide spread security violation as VoIP technology is gaining popularity.

Until now VoIP security was not a volatile subject, since IP voice traffic remained on local and wide area enterprise networks mostly but VoIP usage becoming widespread has raised concerns over the VoIP security-security of voice data transferred since these voice networks are IP based and special call signal internet protocols that carry these data contains flaws.

To combat threats on VoIP security system it is essential to first device a method of sending VoIP traffic through firewalls. Which can block or restrict data packets due to their inbuilt security functions. Until then we are all susceptible to security breaches like denial of service attacks, tapping, loss of data, snooping.

The apprehensions attached with VoIP security are the major deterrents in the popularity and acceptance of IP telephony. Issues like invasion of privacy, eves-dropping are a serious matter and one would not want to fall victims to them. And it is this feeling of venerability that discourages people to adopt VoIP technology.

However there is a newer technology which has developed not very late ago. It’s called VPN (Virtual Private Network) -it’s a wonderful way to connect through VoIP, fully guarding your concerns on breach of security. VPN forms a personal gateway between two users with the help of routers and forbids any attempts of intrusion. Although placing routers is an expensive affair altogether but many broadband service providers have begun offering a separate VPN servers to their routers.

Hence to ensure a secured calling experience with VoIP, choose a broadband service provider supporting VPN routers. And you could get the best of VoIP telephony.

Webmaster
VoIP Termination

[tags]VoIP Technology, VoIP article, broadband service providers, VoIP telephony[/tags]

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