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If you are going to be an online entrepreneur, you always need to have access to your computer when you are away from home. Some people use laptops for home and travel, but many prefer to have use a desktop or tower model PC.

When we retire and are using the Internet for our retirement job, it is very important that we can access the Internet since working on the Internet is our life blood. There are several software packages on the market that will enable you to access your computer as though you were sitting in front of your own monitor. Some of the better known ones are www.GoToMyPC.com and LogMeIn.com. GoToMyPC.com costs $49.95 for the initial setup and between $18.95 and $24.95 per month depending on the plan you choose. LogMeIn.com has a limited feature free version which you might investigate. The full version costs $12.95 per month for a single PC.

The great news is that Microsoft has created a package that is included in the XP Windows operating system. It can also be downloaded from the XP System CD to other operating systems. This will allow the computer to access the remote computer. This software uses the Terminal Server package which only transmits mouse, keyboard, and display information so it is fairly effective over a slow bandwidth connection.

You can install this on your home computer and access the home computer from a laptop that you might carry or from any Internet connection when you are on the road.

My road laptop is running Windows 2000 Professional so I loaded the software on it from my Windows XP system disk and it works very well. When you are traveling, you will be able to use any computer running Windows XP if the Remote Desktop software is installed on it. Most of the hotel business centers and Internet cafes have this set up. All you will need is the IP address of your home computer.

If you want to set this up, click the Start button and select Help and Support. Search on "remote desktop". You will get the information that you need to set up the connection. NOTE: You need a fixed IP address to which to connect. Some Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) do not assign a fixed IP, but rather give you a variable IP address. Most will issue you a fixed IP address for a one time fee or for an additional monthly fee. My fixed IP address cost a one time fee of $25. You need the fixed IP so you can always connect to the same address when the connection is configured. Check with your IP to see what your situation is.

If you have a firewall/router on your system and have a home network, you will also need to make your own computer IP address fixed within your network. This is done by clicking Start/Control Panel/Network Connections. Right click on the icon of the connection that takes you to the Internet and select Properties. In the scroll down window, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the properties button below the scroll down window. Click the radio button. "Use the Following IP Address". Enter the IP address to be assigned to the computer. Most computers on Windows are in the 192.168.1.NNN number range. Usually, the lower numbers are assigned first by the software so skip to 101 for the rightmost address in the IP string (192.168.1.101). The subnet mask is 255.255.255.0. The default gateway is usually 192.168.1.1. Leave the DNS server information alone. Click OK twice. Now try to access the Internet to make certain that nothing has been changed that will prevent you from operating your computer. If you cannot access the Internet, go back through the process above and turn on the radio button that says "Obtain an IP Address Automatically" and it will reset back to your old processes. At that point, I suggest you use your software support guru to help you do the job.

If you have a router, you will need to direct the input from port 3389 to your fixed IP address (192.168.1.101). This is done by logging onto your router and setting up the port routing settings. This is not as difficult as it sounds. Read the router instructions and you can do it. As a precaution, write down the router settings before you change them so you can reset to the original values if something does not work properly.

To log on, go to Start/Programs/Accessories/Communications/Remote Desktop Connection. Enter your Internet IP address in the box and click Connect. If all is well, you should see the logon box for your user and password. Caution: If you have someone sharing your computer at home, warn them that the display may suddenly show the login screen. When you are on the remote connection, no one can use the home computer until you finish.

Sometimes we are careless about passwords on our home computers. Since you will be accessing your computer over the Internet, create a strong password for your login. Make it at least eight characters long and make it a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.

When you log in, your job will be a window on the computer you are using for the access. There is a job bar at the top of the screen of the remote software. It has the IP address of the computer being accessed and the standard Windows Minimize, Reduce, and Close. While you are working on the computer, you can minimize the remote window and work locally and the connection will remain active. This will allow you to look up data on your home computer, copy it to the clipboard, minimize the remote window, and paste the information into an application running on the local computer.

I have used this feature for over six months now and it has worked very well for me.

One other consideration is to make certain that your home computer does not shut down while you are away. If a family member is there to restart it if you call and ask for help, this is not a problem, but if you are on vacation and no one is there to help, you have a problem.

Purchase a UPS (not the brown truck) but an uninterruptible power supply and install it on your computer. This will keep your computer running if there is a short power outage. There are bargains on good refurbished UPS units on the Internet. Buy one large enough to keep your computer running for twenty to thirty minutes if your power fails. Most of the time the power will be restored in less time than that.

Try it and see how it works. Good computing.

Copyright 2006 John Howe, Inc.

John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. He has been involved in entrepreneurial activities for over 40 years. He founded http://www.boomer-ezine.com and http://www.retirement-jobs-online.com to help Boomers (baby boomers) become entrepreneurs when they retire.

[tags]remote computer access, remote computing, retirement job[/tags]

Configuring a wireless network involves setting up a wireless router or access point and installing wireless adapters on the networked computers. The wireless router must be placed in a central location because the computers closer to the router or access point obtain faster network speeds. The wireless router needs to be connected to a power source and a source of Internet connectivity so that all computers on the network are provided Internet access.

A wireless router is not mandatory for setting up a wireless network. Almost any computer with a wireless adapter and a wired connection to the Internet can be used as an access point. Next, the wireless network must be provided a name. This is usually referred to as SSID. All the computers on a WLAN must share the same SSID.

Each computer connected to the wireless network should have a wireless LAN card (also know as Wi-Fi adapter) installed. Wi-Fi adapters can be configured after installation of TCP/IP based networking on the individual computers. On computers using Microsoft Windows operating system, adapters usually have their own graphic user interface accessible from the taskbar after the wireless networking hardware is installed. This allows a user to enter the SSID and enable the WEP. For a WLAN to function accurately, all the adapters must use same parameter settings.

One can also opt for automatic wireless configuration that supports the IEEE-802.11 standard for wireless networks. This minimizes the configuration that is required to access the wireless network. Once you enable automatic wireless network configuration on your computer, you can move across various networks without reconfiguring your network connection settings. As you move from one place to another, automatic wireless networking searches for a network that is available and notifies you about the same. You can select the network that you want to connect to and the network configuration wizard updates your wireless network adapter to match the setting of the access point of the new network.

Wireless Networks provides detailed information on Wireless Networks, Home Wireless Networks, Configuring Wireless Networks, Wireless Network Cards and more. Wireless Networks is affiliated with Wireless Internet Services.

[tags]Wireless Networks, Home Wireless Networks, Configuring Wireless Networks, Wireless Network Cards[/tags]

Developing a Migration Strategy

The typical site where Microsoft Exchange 2003 is installed has an existing mail system that provides messaging services to its users. Migration is the act of moving or copying the data for all users from the legacy (existing) system to the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system. Migration is performed so that all customers can be serviced by the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system, not simply those new subscribers following the installation of Microsoft Exchange 2003.

Migration is the most complex facet of any deployment project. Even though this document provides a framework to follow for migration, no two migrations are exactly alike, due to the differences in each site’s legacy mail system and its integrated systems and procedures. A successful migration depends upon accurately identifying all unique aspects of the system that are to be duplicated in Microsoft Exchange and then duplicating these conditions through development and testing prior to the actual physical migration.

The principal issues of concern in any migration to a new mail service are data integrity and transparent cutover to production. Data integrity guarantees that all mail accounts, stored messages, and associated personal information and preferences (for example, address books, passwords, and so forth) are accurately retained in the new mail system. Transparent cutover to production means that the transition is handled quickly, cleanly, and with no disruption to the end-user experience.

In typical migrations, the total amount of time required for a successful transition is a function of system complexity. Both the total number of mail accounts and the total number of stored messages are significant factors. In addition, migration time can be affected by system and site-specific issues.

Any migration strategy must address:

1. Migrating accounts

2. Migrating mailboxes

3. Migrating Accounts

This migration involves all of the information that uniquely identifies and describes a user, including class-of-service data that defines the service for which users are subscribed. Account data must be placed in the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system before message data. The first task is therefore to collect and transfer account data from the legacy system and then transfer it to the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system.

If your legacy system has domains and organizational units, you must prepare to migrate these also.

Migrating Mailboxes
This migration involves message data–the actual messages to be migrated that belong to the user. The mailbox is simply a collection of the messages belonging to a particular account.

Preparing the Migration Plan
Migration involves significant planning, more so than any other deployment task. This planning is necessary because the activity is exposed to existing users and will, in most cases, be the initial experience that users have of the new system. It is very important to plan for every eventuality in order to avoid problems during the migration.

Migration is 95 percent planning and 5 percent execution. A multitude of factors that must be considered in order for a migration to succeed.

The Migration Plan provides a detailed, step-by-step procedure for migrating accounts and mailboxes to Microsoft Exchange 2003. The deployment team should make several dry runs of this plan, with each dry run resulting in a subsequent refinement of the plan.

Any migration plan should address these considerations:

1. Ensuring systems readiness

2. Coordinating with other groups and identifying dependencies

3. Verifying software installation and configuration

4. Setting up the test system

5. Providing provisioning connectivity

6. Testing the migration

7. Choosing full or limited migration

8. Resuming service

Ensuring Systems Readiness
All systems to be tested must be ready and operational before testing begins. In addition networks must be implemented as defined in the architecture design (see Chapter 2).

For each original e-mail system, separate IP settings (each with unique “A” records in the DNS) must be established for the following:

Host Address This is the permanent IP assignment for the host.
Service Address This is the address that is used by all e-mail clients for a service. The Service Address will be re-assigned to Microsoft Exchange at the time of account migration.
Service Proxy Address There must be a Service Proxy Address for each Service Address. The IP number used for any Service Proxy Address will match its respective Service Address. The Service Proxy Address will be used for proxy targeting where proxy is used on the Microsoft Exchange system. These can be de-assigned after all migrations are complete and when it is determined that a revert procedure is not required.

Coordinating with Other Groups and Identifying Dependencies
Since any migration touches upon many aspects of a company’s operations, make sure you coordinate the migration with all affected groups and identify dependencies–that is, determining the order in which systems should be migrated.

Verifying Software Installation and Configuration
In addition to installing Microsoft Exchange 2003 (see Chapter 3) and verifying that all components inter-operate, you must set correct Microsoft Exchange environment settings for the root user. These include the correct $PATH, $LD_LIBARARY_PATH, and $Microsoft Exchange settings in order to access the Microsoft Exchange migration tools.

Setting Up the Test System
To validate a migration plan, the test system should have the capacity of production systems, including the proper storage volume configuration and failover configuration (service continuity). The test system must have Internet connectivity, as Proxy mode operations cannot be tested without this.

Aside from equipment that mimics the production system, test driver machines must also be available to power the migration and capacity tests. The test drivers must be configured with migration utilities as well as with mail clients or other test utilities for accessing and sending mail.

At least one test host is required for migration testing; this host acts as a surrogate for the actual online e-mail hosts and holds all mailbox data required for testing.

Providing Provisioning Connectivity
The provisioning interface must be validated before migration can occur. C API procedures should be tested to ensure that modifications performed on the ISD are successful and are propagated to the provisioning database. The Perl API set for batch account migration also must be tested. Last, administrative routines in the provisioning system or ISD must be validated.

This testing is performed in a dual provisioning environment. The purpose of dual provisioning is to ensure the ability to revert to the legacy mail system in the event that the new mail system in not successful.

For provisioning, automatic mailbox creation must be tested. Zero-length mailboxes are typically not migrated; rather, they are turned on in Microsoft Exchange 2003. The first time mail is received or checked, the mailbox can be created. A large test database (representing the volume of anticipated accounts) must be test-migrated to ensure that the procedure works and that the destination ISD database can handle it.

If possible, you should identify a group of “friendly” users willing to assist in identifying any problems or errors

Testing the Migration
Before the migration can occur, comprehensive testing on the production system must be completed. Migration test activities are “non-intrusive” to the existing mail system and are conducted from a separate system using actual user account information and a test copy of the production user data.

The procedures for extracting account data from the legacy system must be tested. The method and utilities to load these accounts into the ISD must be validated through testing. Each class of service must be included, as well as each combination of account attributes, such as forwarding, aliases, and vacation replies.

In addition, the process of moving mailboxes to the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system must be tested. This process includes the method of suspending the account, the physical transfer of messages and attachments, and the return of the account to active status.

You should make any possible configuration changes to prevent network or system loading. In addition, you must establish any special network, host, or storage accommodations that may be required for testing. A special network configuration may be required to prevent traffic complications introduced by migration testing. Another solution may involve localization of the original mailbox storage to the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system.

Choosing Full or Limited Migration
Accounts to migrate can be defined based on business rules (for example, all mail accounts in good standing or priority accounts requiring early access to features not offered in the exiting mail system).

If you are not going to migrate the entire population at one time, there are certain considerations you need to plan for. For limited migration, you must configure the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system for POP proxy in order to retrieve mail from the legacy system for unmigrated accounts and mailboxes. The architecture must also account for SMTP relay during Proxy mode in order to deliver appropriate mail to the legacy system as well as to Microsoft Exchange 2003.

The method of migrating account data must be identified and tested. Before the limited account migration can occur, a back-out plan, migration quality assurance, and certification of migration must be resolved and validated by testing.

In many instances, new subscribers to mail service at the customer site are added to the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system before migrated accounts from the legacy system. The benefits of handling new registrations in Microsoft Exchange 2003 are that you may be able to:

Offer differentiated service immediately.

Introduce Microsoft Exchange 2003 at a measured pace.

Ensure that no more users are added to an obsolete system.

Resuming Service
Once migration is completed, accounts are automatically switched from Proxy mode to active status. Users regain access to their mailboxes and all messages that were deferred during migration are delivered to their intended recipients. In addition, you must move operations entirely to the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system and deactivate the legacy system.

A burn-in period should be identified, over which the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system must be closely monitored for error conditions.

Using Migration Utilities
There are multiple methods for the combined migration of accounts and mailboxes. One method is to transfer all accounts in a single migration. Then, mailboxes can be transferred in batches. Another method is to transfer a batch of accounts, then transfer a batch of corresponding mailboxes, and so on.

Utilities that support the chosen strategy must then be developed and tested. These tests should include timing of the execution of these utilities.

This phase involves the building of the migration utilities themselves and must include the design, development, and testing of the migration utilities that are to be used to migrate the mail from the existing system to the newly implemented Microsoft Exchange 2003 system. New tools have to be built very often because of the different source mail systems that can be in existence.

Microsoft Exchange 2003 offers automated migration tools designed to streamline the process of moving your service, including built-in tools for services using Sendmail and Software.com’s Post.Office. These flexible, modular, and customizable tools are Perl scripts that handle the export of directory, mailbox, and user information from these other systems to files in Microsoft Exchange 2003-readable format (based on LDIF), which are then imported into Microsoft Exchange 2003. These tools enable you to migrate all accounts at once or as incremental blocks of users. When migrating from a different mail system such as Netscape Messaging Server or SIMS, Microsoft Exchange 2003’s proxy features and robust export command set provide a solid foundation for rapid development of custom export scripts.

Tips for a Successful Migration
With the completion of the migration tests, the only anticipated impact will be caused by the difference in functionality between mail systems. Once the migration of accounts has started, the target production environment becomes the production environment.

The migration procedure involves these discrete steps:

Setting up Microsoft Exchange 2003 in Proxy mode

Changing the MX record

Identifying accounts to be migrated

Extracting account information

Creating accounts in Microsoft Exchange 2003

Migrating messages

Setting Up Microsoft Exchange 2003 in Proxy Mode
Microsoft Exchange must be configured for Proxy mode prior to activating the system. The proxy configuration permits the relay of message and service requests to the legacy system until the full migration has been achieved.

In Proxy mode, all incoming mail is directed to Microsoft Exchange 2003. If the mail is for a user that does not have an Microsoft Exchange account, the mail is relayed to the legacy system for delivery. If a user attempts to retrieve mail, but the user’s mailbox is not yet located on the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system, the POP server will connect to the legacy system and will retrieve the mail from the legacy mailbox location.

Changing the MX Record
In order for mail to reach the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system (instead of the legacy system), you must change the MX record in the DNS for the mail domain of the site, so that traffic is directed to Microsoft Exchange 2003.

With all of the mail directed to Microsoft Exchange, you can begin to burn-in the system with live loads and become accustomed to operations administration even if there is no account data in the system. However, as soon as the system is activated, accounts are provisioned directly into Microsoft Exchange 2003.

——————————————————————————–

Note: This step can take a few hours to be propagated over the Internet.

——————————————————————————–

Identifying Accounts to Be Migrated
The first step in migration is to determine which existing mail accounts will move to the Microsoft Exchange 2003 system. Accounts to migrate can be defined based on business rules (for example, all mail accounts in good standing, or priority accounts requiring early access to features not offered in the existing mail system).

Extracting Account Information
After defining the accounts to migrate, the next step is to extract account information from the existing mail system. Using the target account list, account information is exported into a file in LDAP Data Interchange Format (LDIF). The standard LDIF format permits the importing of account information from any existing mail system to an Microsoft Exchange system. The scripts used here can be customized to handle any situation.

Creating Accounts in Microsoft Exchange 2003
Next, accounts are created in the Microsoft Exchange directory based on the account information described in the LDIF file. As accounts are created, they are placed in Proxy mode, causing mail delivery to and access from unmigrated accounts to be passed directly through to the old mail system, thus ensuring continuous service to end users. During this phase, if a user logs in and supplies an unknown username, the Microsoft Exchange POP server connects to the current e-mail system.

Migrating Messages
The last phase of migration involves moving mail messages from the existing mail system to the Microsoft Exchange system. Message migration may occur either as separate files or as a single, concatenated file. However, some customization is typically required, since the way a message is stored in the Message Store Server (MSS) can differ from the standard mail format. This phase requires new accounts to run in Maintenance mode, during which time these mailboxes are unavailable. For this reason, message migration is typically performed in small increments during off-peak hours.

Exchange Migration plan for moving forward:

Perform Due Diligence on your network via Remote Terminal Service ( Next Week)
Identify existing components - users, groups, login variables

Document proposed AD structure
Project kickoff meeting (Friday)
Install Windows Server 2003 (Friday Night)
Install Active Directory (Friday Night)
Configure, Patch and Connect (Friday Night)
Review Event Log, resolve any errors (Friday Night)
Connect AD environment to existing Windows 2000 (Friday Night)

Identify existing printers (Saturday)
Identify existing components in Exchange (Saturday)
Build Exchange, configure, patch(Saturday)
Install and configure virus software,Spam solution and Fax
Software(Saturday)
Configure OWA in DMZ(Saturday)
Verify Installation (Saturday)
Perform Mailbox Move (Saturday)
Install Outlook 2003 on all desktops. (Saturday - Sunday)

Review Event Log, resolve any errors (Sunday)
Setup Test workstation/perform testing (Sunday)
On-Site to handle any issues with the migration (Monday)

The above steps are only an estimate of work needed to be perform a successful migration. After we perform the Due Diligence Intercore will have a more definite outline in MS Project to fully detail the breadth of work needed to perform the migration . This Due Diligence will identify issues that we can resolve before the migration is performed.

InterCore Technologies, LLC opened it’s doors in May of 1996. Our mission: To Provide a high level of computer consulting services using the most experienced engineers at fair prices. We believe in using a Business Value approach to every aspect of computer consulting. This provides our clients with the most cost effective solutions. We help our clients get more with their current technology investment. Click here to see why Intercore is different from other firms

Exchange Migration Groupwise Lotus Notes
conversion services

[tags]Exchange Migration , Microsoft Exchange Server, Exchange 2003,5.5 to 2003, groupwise to exchange[/tags]

In the computer consulting business there are several ways you can best qualify clients to ensure you get the best accounts to help grow your business.

Proximity

The first thing to make sure of when looking for clients for your computer consulting business is that they are close to you, at least within a 30 to 60 minute drive from your location. Having a pool of potential clients nearby will help you make the most impact at networking events or any other marketing-related functions.

Client Size

Your best client targets in the computer consulting business will be those with 10 to 50 PC’s. The customers need to be large enough to require a real server, which means you want to look for companies with 10 to 100 employees. The best company prospects will have $1 million to $10 million in sales per year. Knowing this information about prospects will help you with marketing in the future, especially if you choose to do direct mailings.

What Should Clients Have Available?

Most of the time, your computer consulting business’ clients will have email domains of their own. You will want to spend time talking about how clients will receive and send emails when you meet with them. They will probably have a dedicated server of Internet access, so this will help you better figure out options and indicate that they have serious IT needs.

Are They Serious?

If you determine that potential clients for your computer consulting business have no dedicated server, Internet access or are using peer-to-peer or dial-up lines, they probably are not going to be able to use your services.

Any prospect you target should be making IT a business priority, and how entrenched he is in the IT world will determine whether or not he will make a good future client.

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

Joshua Feinberg can help you get more steady, high-paying computer consulting clients. You can learn how too. Sign-up now for Joshua’s free audio training program on the Computer Consulting Blog.

[tags]Computer Consulting, computer consulting business[/tags]

So what is the big deal with being a Microsoft Certified Professional also known as MCP? Is it the cachet of having some extra letters behind your name on your resume? Well, if you are into that sort of thing, sure. However, letting potential employers know about that Microsoft certification could open some doors for you in your quest for a new job.

Taking MCP courses and passing MCP exams for your certification is perhaps the best and only way to let prospective bosses know that you grasp and thoroughly understand the most up to date technology and products to come from Microsoft. Without going through formal MCP training, you would have a pretty tough time relaying your knowledge to your current manager or future employers. They like to see those formal little letters like MCP on your resume. These employers seem to trust that a Microsoft certification.

So who typically goes through the MCP courses? The answer: Individuals who are most likely to need a broad range of technological knowledge. This could be salesman pushing software or other technical products. Consultants, product designers and even trainers can benefit as an MCP. Even people with other certifications like the MCSE benefit. They are usually network administrators and engineers or technicians providing support to end-users. Your MCP training in the MCP courses will show proficiency with one Microsoft operating system like Windows 2000 or Window XP.

The cool thing about the MCP is that you have to pass just one certification test from current Microsoft material. That means you cannot test on anything outdated. And one caveat is that the test cannot be on networking basics. This still leaves the field wide open on any number of MCP exams to choose from. Does your company have SQL database servers? Perhaps you might consider one of several exams on designing or administering SQL servers.

Maybe your dream job entails e-commerce or web site design. Take a look into MCP training in the topic of site servers or commerce servers. If you are customer service minded, take MCP exams in troubleshooting desktop systems for users or supporting mail servers. Keep in mind that experts in the technology sector help develop these exams, so you will be tested on the latest and greatest in technology.

When you get an MCP, you are showing your technological versatility. There are also advantages that come with passing those MCP exams. You are updated with the latest information through newsletters and you will also get invitations to special round table groups, training classes and conferences. This is also a perfect networking tool!

Just considering a Microsoft certification is the step in the right direction for your career. With an MCP, view it as the liberal arts degree in certifications. You can specialize with a major in MCSE or MCSD. But to take that first step, the MCP is the way to go.

James Croydon, Microsoft Certified Professional and MCSE Study advisor - focusing on Boot Camp MCSE and MCSE Certification Online.

[tags]MCSE Training,MCSE Study,MCSE Online,MCSE Certification,MCSE Courses Online,Boot Camp MCSE[/tags]

VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network. Private network is a network for select users that has a firewall enabled to prevent intrusion from the Internet. Even though such networks tend to be safe from intrusion, it causes a problem for users. It becomes difficult to get past the firewall, if someone wants to access email or their own files. Therefore, a specific kind of software or electronic hardware is used. This is called a VPN or virtual private network that can help users access their email or files from private networks, without difficulty. VPN is a private communications network. It is usually used within a company, or by many different companies or organizations, communicating over a public network. VPN message traffic is carried on a public networking infrastructure (Internet) using standard protocols.

VPN clients are used in three scenarios. It is used to support remote access to an intranet. It is used to support connections between multiple intranets within the same organization. It is also used to join the networks between two organizations, forming an extranet. Experts in VPN technology warn against connecting the client computer to the Internet directly. Connecting the computer directly when there is only one Internet connection bypasses the firewall. This destroys the security and access-sharing capabilities that the firewall provides. Spreading the firewall to accommodate the VPN traffic will help retain the fire walling security provided by it. It will also permit the other systems on the local network to access the Internet. The Internet can be accessed even if the VPN networks connection is not active.

If a firewall is used in an environment of many thousand users, it is considered safer to make the VPN client users to go through that firewall. This is done for security reasons. This approach is better than providing the clients with modems. Clients having modems can dial out on their own when they need to use the VPN and this will totally defeat the purpose of a firewall.

VPN provides detailed information on VPN, SSL VPN, VPN Client, VPN Software and more. VPN is affiliated with Secure Remote Access.

[tags]VPN, SSL VPN, VPN Client, VPN Software[/tags]

‘Peer to peer’ (P2P) networks or software systems allow users to transfer audio/video files directly from the user’s computer, rather than through the use of a website or directory. It allows the integration of different configurations of computers with software systems without the need for special server devices. P2P has become very popular with domestic users for sharing and downloading audio/video files.

P2P has acquired a non-technical meaning in recent years due to its popularity and is sometimes referred as ‘people-to-people. According to this approach, P2P provides a base for developing new software systems and help in the growth of new businesses that allow users to meet each other on the Internet and share common interests.

The popularity of P2P networks can be gauged from statistical figures that indicate that simultaneous users of these networks have crossed the ten million mark in recent years of which the United States comprised fifty percent, Germany at about ten percent and Canada & France at about eight percent. Some of the most popular P2P networks or software systems include ‘edonkey/overnet’, ‘Shareaza’, ‘WinMX’, ‘BitTorrent’, ‘Limewire’, ‘Morpheus’, ‘eMule’, ‘Ares’, ‘BearShare’, and ‘Kazaa’. Other P2P are also available on the Internet but are not as reliable and may contain ’spyware’ or computer viruses that can damage the data stored inside the user’s computer.

P2P does provide an easy to use platform for sharing digital files but is often regarded as the main cause of revenue losses to the music and movie industry. Cases of copyright infringement have become rampant with the use of P2P networks and software systems.

The present system of P2P needs to be improved and effective laws need to be put in place that will check illegal transfers of copyrighted material. The best way is to make these a paid service where users will be charged a nominal amount for sharing and downloading copyrighted material.

P2P provides detailed information on P2P, P2P Downloads, P2P Applications, Free P2P and more. P2P is affiliated with Mpeg Encoders.

[tags]P2P, Free P2P, P2P Applications, P2P Downloads[/tags]

In the new era of internet marketing the problem of severe competition comes into the first position. If you look back into 1990-th you will find high tech companies using traditional sales techniques: purchasing local and regional businesses contact lists, making cold calls and then trying hard sales closing techniques, such as “selling to the top” - IBM style, selling to VITO (very important top officer), etc. It did work those old days. We would dare to announce that these days are gone and these techniques are now obsolete.

We launched Microsoft Business Solutions VAR business nationwide without any money/investment in 2002 and now we are present in major US business metros, have international satellite offices in Brazil, Russia and Europe.

Below we would like to share our techniques

1. Internet Marketing - in contrast to the old believe that you can cheat out internet search engine and place your web site on the top position, we state that this is virtually not possible. But the paradox is in the fact that internet is the major marketplace. So - you have to spend most of your sales efforts on the internet. There is no direct answer about the preferred method - all the methods should contribute and be tried out

2. Concentrate on your product line - your customers and prospects should see and recognize the expert in you, reading your publications. In our case - we stake on Microsoft Business Solutions Products: Microsoft Great Plains, Microsoft CRM, Navision and Microsoft RMS. We are publishing ezines on the weekly basis and trying to keep our forum answered on the daily basis.

3. Create your partners and subcontractors network - when you are small and short of resources the best you can do to speed up your expansion is to partner with other market players who could help you open the door to new prospects and close the sales.

4. Pay your people and subcontractor - There was popular technique of trying to negotiate down the price and do not pay in time. This game is not good, but it is acceptable in the case of huge corporation. When you are small - you can not play this card - your partners will not do business with you in the future.

Happy business building! Give us a call 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer in Alba Spectrum Technologies - USA nationwide Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Great Plains customization company, based in Chicago, California, Colorado, Texas, New York, Georgia and Florida, Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil, Mexico ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ), he is Dexterity, SQL, C#.Net, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK developer.

akarasev@albaspectrum.com

[tags]Microsoft Business Solutions, Microsoft Small Business Manager,CRM,business software,software[/tags]

Three highly respected names in Human Resources have joined forces to provide companies with a revolutionary blend of services that make the hiring process more efficient and effective. The partnership joins three companies: NAS Recruitment Communications, a recognized leader in the specialized field of human resource communications, Hannibal, Inc., a software development firm specializing in recruiting automation solutions, and InfoLink Screening Services, Inc., a nationwide leader in employment background screening, drug testing and physical exam services.

The three companies’ services, each of which may be utilized separately, are now available through NAS’s new web-based recruiting tool called “Max.” Max makes it easier for HR departments to source, match, screen and hire quality employees. One of the primary benefits of Max is the ease with which recruitment ads can be placed and tracked.

“Companies of every size can count on Max for the simplest and most efficient recruiting assistance in the industry,” stated Don Sabatino, Vice President of NAS Recruitment Communications. “Max is not a typical applicant tracking system (ATS). Unlike the traditional ATS approach, which can take months to fully set-up and integrate, Max will be up and running in a matter of days.”

Max installs easily, is updated automatically and provides a full range of sourcing, screening, and organizational functions that are ideally suited to the needs of today’s modern Human Resources executives. Max is also available in a tiered format to fit the exact requirements and budgetary commitments of every HR department. Key components include the following:

• An innovative interface for selecting and posting recruitment ads to print publications, job boards, career sites and internal referral sites

• A customized library of job descriptions

• Powerful filtering and ranking technology

• Resume pool management, candidate tracking and reporting

• Seamless Integration with InfoLink Screening Services for background checks

A strategic partner in the release of Max is InfoLink Screening Services, a leading provider of background screening, drug testing and physical exams of job applicants and employees. InfoLink has a strong reputation for providing exceptional service and fast turnaround of information, as well as ensuring its clients screening practices are legally compliant.

“InfoLink’s Integrated Background Screening (TM) and easy-to-use web-based solution enable Max users to eliminate duplicate data entry and data entry errors, increase efficiency, and reduce cost and time-to-hire,” stated Barry Nadell, President and Co-Founder of InfoLink Screening Services. “Our combined strengths give HR departments total control in recruiting and background screening their job applicants.”

NAS Recruitment Communications

NAS Recruitment Communications is recognized as a leader in the specialized field of human resource solutions. As part of the McCann Worldgroup, we offer a network with global, national and local-market expertise. HR departments are able to benefit from our proprietary Demand Chain, a process map that creates the foundation and traction to lead superbly talented people to our Employer of Choice clients. For more information, please call NAS Los Angeles at (818 906-3313 or visit www.nasrecruitment.com.

Hannibal, Inc.

Pioneering numerous advancements in electronic recruiting, Hannibal, Inc. emerged as an industry leader by developing HR technology that provides valuable, cost effective and efficient services at the touch of a button. Hannibal’s continued goal is the development of products that anyone can use, regardless of computer literacy level, Internet skills or knowledge of recruiting laws and practices. For more information, please email info@hannibalinc.com or visit www.hannibalinc.com.

InfoLink Screening Services, Inc.

InfoLink Screening Services is a leading provider of employment background checks, drug testing and physical exams. Thousands of companies nationwide, from small businesses to Fortune 500’s, rely on InfoLink’s exceptional service, fast turnaround, legal compliance and accurate reports.

InfoLink’s easy-to-use web-based solution enables easy order entry, status tracking, hit notification and secure archiving. Its drug screening and physical exam programs include a nationwide network of thousands of collection sites and clinics, secure online reporting and consolidated billing. InfoLink’s comprehensive employee screening services and seamless integration with Human Resource software increase efficiency and enable businesses to Hire with Confidence