samuel evans

Working from home has its advantages, including no commute, a more flexible work schedule and fresh coffee and home-cooked meals whenever you want.

But working from home while using a wireless local area network (WLAN) may lead to theft of sensitive information and hacker or virus infiltration unless proper measures are taken. As WLANs send information over radio waves, someone with a receiver in your area could be picking up the transmission, thus gaining access to your computer.

They could load viruses on to your laptop which could be transferred to the company’s network when you go back to work.

Up to 75 per cent of WLAN users do not have standard security features installed, while 20 per cent are left completely open as default configurations are not secured, but made for the users to have their network up and running ASAP.

It is recommended that wireless router/access point setup be always done though a wired client.

Change default administrative password on wireless router/access point to a secured password.

Enable at least 128-bit WEP encryption on both card and access point. Change your WEP keys periodically. If equipment does not support at least 128-bit WEP encryption, consider replacing it.

Although there are security issues with WEP, it represents minimum level of security, and it should be enabled.

Change the default SSID on your router/access point to a hard to guess name. Setup your computer device to connect to this SSID by default.

Setup router/access point not to broadcast the SSID. The same SSID needs to be setup on the client side manually. This feature may not be available on all equipment.

Block anonymous Internet requests or pings.

On each computer having wireless network card, network connection properties should be configured to allow connection to Access Point Networks Only. Computer to Computer (peer to peer) Connection should not be allowed.

Enable MAC filtering. Deny association to wireless network for unspecified MAC addresses. Mac or Physical addresses are available through your computer device network connection setup and they are physically written on network cards. When adding new wireless cards / computer to the network, their MAC addresses should be registered with the router /access point.

Network router should have firewall features enabled and demilitarized zone (DMZ) feature disabled.

You can test your hardware and personal firewalls using Shields Up test available at http://www.grc.com

All computers should have a properly configured personal firewall in addition to a hardware firewall.

Update router/access point firmware when new versions become available.

Locate router/access point away from strangers so they cannot reset the router/access point to default settings.

Locate router/access point in the middle of the building rather than near windows to limit signal coverage outside the building.

While none of the measure suggested above provides full protection as counter measures exist, a collection of suggested measures will act as a deterrent against attacker when other insecure networks represent easier targets.

The author of this article ia a software developer, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information about the Top Spyware Removal Software.

Touch screens on mobile phones are becoming commonplace in today’s technology crazy environment. At one time it was only the smart phones that commanding such a privilege. Now as the cost of this technology comes down, more and more mainstream devices are being fitted without keys. In this article we ask, can touch screens really replace the good old keypad? Or are we replacing old technology just for the sake of it.

Over the past year there have been many mobile devices that have been released with touch screens. First there is the LG viewty, one of LG’s best offerings. The lack of keys can often make it difficult to type in text messages, but the front of the phone does look as slick as can be. In terms of functionality, it performs most tasks well and there is a big improvement in performance when surfing the web.

Next there is the stunning iPhone. This offering from apple is nothing short of breath taking. They have got the touch screen just right making it easy to text and write emails with its ultra responsive screen. Some have said that the price is too high for a device that is not even 3g, but apple know their market and know that they have a loyal following who are willing to pay top dollar for anything that they make.

Then there is the Sony Ericsson W960i. Sony Ericsson have been using touch screens on their p series mobile phones for years now. The W960i is the first time that they have crossed over to the W series and the response so far has been fantastic. Some say that the stylus is a little cheap, but this is a small fault that will be rectified in future models.

Overall we can see that all of these mobile phones perform well with a touch screen. Whether they provide the functionality provided by keypads remains to be seen. Perhaps for the time being manufacturers should follow Sony Ericsson and add both a touch screen and a keypad. At least this way you get the best of both worlds.

Mark Hirst runs a website dedicated to finding you great mobile phone deals. If you would like to purchase the LG viewty then you can visit his site. If you would like to view Sony Ericsson w960i deals then why not pay this specially designed page a visit?

In the recent judgment of Re Shopalotto.com (2005), the Comptroller refused a patent application for a computer programme that permitted a user to play the lottery on the grounds that it was excluded from patentability under the provisions of the Patents Act 1977.

Shopalotto.com applied for a patent of a computer apparatus configured to provide a lottery playable via the Internet. The apparatus provided a web server and further software conditioning the machine to receive, store, select and compare. This enabled the computer to operate in a new way—to permit a user to play the lottery. The application was rejected and Shopalotto.com appealed this decision.

The patentability of the computer apparatus was examined in light of the exclusions under paragraph 1(2)(c) and (d) of the Patents Act 1977. These provisions exclude from being patentable, a scheme, rule or method of performing a mental act, playing a game, or doing business, and computer programmes and presentations of information.

Re Shopalotto.com argued that this claim was a game, conceptually no different from a board game, and therefore patentable as a result of a note from Official Ruling 1926(A) (1926) 43 RPC Appendix page i, which stated that a playing game would meet the requirements of an invention under s.93 of the Patent and Designs Acts, 1907 and 1919.

The Deputy Director of the Comptroller determined that the Official Ruling guidelines on the interpretation of the 1907 and 1919 Acts were not valid guidelines for interpreting the 1977 Act. Furthermore, as there have been difficulties in interpreting the 1977 Act, the court would refer to Article 52 of the European Patent Convention, which has the same effect as the 1977 Act.

The Deputy Director concluded that:-

▪ the first test to determine whether a computer programme is an invention is whether the inventor has contributed over and above a computer operating in a new way as a matter of substance;

▪ the second test is to determine whether the contribution lies in an excluded matter or, on the contrary, whether it creates a technical contribution or effect;

▪ in this case, it was unnecessary to make a search on the contribution to the art as computer programmes are notorious and the court could therefore apply common sense;

▪ the programme provides a web server to the Internet, which is a common service; and

▪ there is no contribution to the art outside of the provision of various pages to view the pages provided by the server.

The Deputy Director therefore dismissed the appeal.

Please contact us for advice on protection of computer programmes at enquiries@rtcoopers.com

© RT COOPERS, 2006. This Briefing Note does not provide a comprehensive or complete statement of the law relating to the issues discussed nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to highlight general issues. Specialist legal advice should always be sought in relation to particular circumstances.

Intellectual property law firm advising on patents, Patent attorneys, Patent Lawyers, Copyright, copyright law, know-how, trade marks, trademarks, copyright lawyers, IP lawyers, IP law Firm, IP valuations IP solicitors freedom to operate copyright lawyers, patent solicitors, branding, intellectual property lawyers, intellectual property solicitors, intellectual property law, patent law, law firm, law, lawyers, solicitors

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As the hold that Sony’s Blu-ray high def DVD format has on the market continues to get stronger in the face of opposition from the competing HD-DVD format, there are a number of things that Sony could do in order to secure a sure victory. One of them is lowering the cost of its Blu-ray disc players.

There’s a lot of evidence to support the idea that this move would make for a sure victory over HD-DVD. Most of this evidence comes in the form of sales statistics. Right now, despite the fact that Blu-ray players cost roughly twice as much as HD-DVD players, there are just as many Blu-ray disc players in American homes as there are HD-DVD players. When you add in the number of Sony’s Play Station 3 video game consoles- which also function as Blu-ray players- the number of Blu-ray players in American homes is significantly higher than the number of HD-DVD players out there. Combine those statistics with the fact that Blu-ray discs have outsold HD-DVD’s in the past couple of months by a margin of over two to one, and it becomes pretty obvious that consumers as a whole like the Blu-ray format more than the HD-DVD format.

There are several reasons why the Blu-ray format may be more popular among consumers than the HD-DVD format. The most obvious technical difference is that the Blu-ray format can encode a lot more data onto each disc than the HD-DVD format can. This translates into longer movies and more bonus features that can be included on Blu-ray discs. Since both High Def DVD formats are also optical discs just like DVD’s and CD’s, there are plenty of computer applications for the technology as well. More data storage capacity translates into being able to deliver more software on each Blu-ray disc than on an HD-DVD disc. Blu-ray is also a better choice for data archiving than HD-DVD. Specifically, the HD-DVD format can only store fifteen gigabytes of data per side of the disc while Blu-ray can store twenty five gigabytes of data per side of the same sized disc! With that kind of a difference, it could be argued that even if HD-DVD was the winner of the format war, it would end up being replaced by something like Blu-ray anyway. Using Blu-ray now, just skips that step.

With the overall popularity of Blu-ray, Sony could secure its win in the format war by lowering the prices of its players. Losses of profits from the players could more than be made up for in coming years by licensing and royalties from having a monopoly on the high def DVD market. Also, as the cost of producing Blu-ray players goes down, Sony will eventually be able to profit on sales of them as well. Unfortunately Sony has been unwilling to make that effort so far, but another company called Funai will force the price of Blu-ray players down by introducing their own Blu-ray players onto the market that will cost around five hundred dollars a piece- a figure much more in line with what HD-DVD players cost.

It’s interesting that a little known company could secure a victory in the format war for Sony by doing what Sony has so far refused to do for itself.

E. Sanderson writes articles for consumers who want to find the latest technology news about Cable TV. She has written for many major publications about Cable TV Providers and how buyers can find the best deals.

When you’re after superior information about computer components, it will be intricate unscrambling quality advice from misguided computer components submissions and help so it is important to know how to judge the information you are presented with. Let us take a look about the few guidelines which really works…

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Shop CDW.com for the latest desktops, notebooks, printers, electronics and more. Pay just $9.99 for Ground Service shipping of any order up to 70 lbs.

Here’s a few guidelines which we really think you should use when you’re seeking information about computer components. You need to realize the advice we tender is only pertinent to internet based information concerning computer components. We don’t offer any guidance or advice if you are receiving information offline.

Dell Small Business: Hardware & Accessories

Offers weekly specials on a range of computer hardware and accessories.

A great hint to follow when you’re presented with information and advice about a computer components article would be to determine who owns the site. This may show you the people behind the site computer components authority The easiest way to find out who is behind the computer components website is to look on the ‘about’ page or ‘contact’ page.

Any reputable site providing information concerning computer components, will almost certainly provide an ‘about’ webpage which will list the site owner’s details. The info should make known some specifications regarding the owner’s proficiency and credentials. You can then arrive at a decision about the webmaster’s familiarity and qualifications, to advise you on the topic of computer components.

For More Free Resources visit http://www.greateducationonline.com

Say hello to a fabulous phone that’s changing the world of mobile communication: the awesome 3 Skype phone.

The Skype phone - it’s simply fantastic

What happens if you take the wonder that is Skype, the superb little program that lets you makes phone calls over the internet, and mashed it up together with a really cool, really funky mobile phone? Surely you’d get a ‘Skype mobile phone’? Well, yes, you do. You get the 3 Skype phone, a marvel of modern communications. But, what makes it so special?

Looking at the Skype phone, it’s certainly very classy, as it’s available in 3 gorgeous colours. There’s not a great deal to give it away as being unique, though, until you look at the big button right in the centre of the phone.

And then it all becomes clear, because with Skype emblazoned on it, it instantly gives you a massive hint about what makes this phone so special. It has Skype built in, straight out of the box, and it’s the first mobile phone in history to have that! So, it’s kind of hard to compare it to other Skype mobile phones, because… well… there AREN’T any other Skype mobile phones! But how does it stack upon aginst the vast array of other phones on the market?

Skype mobile phones - the future!

You see, with the Skype phone, you obviously get all the benefits of an amazing mobile phone, things like free calls and texts, a 2 megapixel camera for taking beautiful photos, and a long battery life. But on top of that, you get full Skype access, and you can even use your existing Skype details to get all your existing contacts on your phone. So, you can ‘Skype your friends’ (and I’m aware that phrase sounds a little rude!) wherver you are! of course, throw in other features like instant Facebook access, and you’re onto a real winner! Skype mobile phones may very well be the future, and with this little beauty, you’ll be leading the way!

Skype phone

In a perfect world our computers would be able to maintain clean hard drives through self cleaning and eradicate any problems without our intervention. As we are all aware this is not a perfect world and thus we must be proactive when it comes to maintaining the welfare of our computers.

While this may seem like a task better suited for IT experts and computer outlets specializing in diagnosing and fixing hard drive problems the truth is, if we are serious about keeping our computers free of diseases and that could affect its speed then we can do something about it.

Most businesses rely on contractors to keeping their computers running and for this they pay a hefty price. Many fear that if they were to take the matter into their own hands they could cause even more problems and endanger and possibly risk losing valuable data on their hard drive.

There are certainly times when a business should allow the experts to handle work their magic. Instances when there is a loss of data or a hard drive infected by a virus will typically require the knowledge of an expert to fix but when it comes to preventative measures there are several options that a business can utilize to keep their computers healthy.

One such option is defragmentation software. Defrag, as it is commonly referred, works to ensure your computer runs at its optimal speed by eliminating fragmented files from your hard drive that slow down your computer’s response time.

Chances are if your computer is taking a long time to boot up or you experience a delay while loading applications your hard drive is likely loaded with fragmented files. While the first thought of hearing your computer has fragmented files may sound catastrophic the truth is there is an easy solution to the common problem.

Every time we make changes to a file, whether its modifying, deleting or creating new files, our hard drive is susceptible to creating a fragmented file. All computers store information in a space inside a block. When these blocks become full our computer must search for new space inside another block to store data. The problem arises when we try adding data to an existing file and when we go to save that information it no longer fits in the space it once occupied. In order to save the changes made to that file our computer is forced to cut it up and place it is available space, thus creating a fragmented file.

When we experience delays with our computer, whether its web browsing or file retrieval chances are it’s a result of fragmentation. By installing defrag software on our computer we provide a means by which our files will stay united regardless of modifications. Defrag will create larger blocks on the hard drive in which files can be saved and allow for modifications on existing files without the danger of having those files become fragmented.

One of the most significant features of our computers, whether for work or personal use, is the convenience they offer. The speed by which we get our information provides us with the opportunity to accomplish countless tasks in a day and thus become more productive. The ease with which we place orders or research information is contingent on how fast our computer can handle our requests. By installing defrag software we can not only keep our computer healthy but also eliminate the waiting time that is a direct result of fragmentation.

The flexibility and convenience of working at home is a sweet dream for most employees. That dream often becomes a nightmare when working at home is a forced alternative to going into the office with a fever, stitches, or ill attitude (i.e. it took you six months to realize he’s just not that into you.)

Faced with the choice of either allowing the huge pile of papers on your desk to multiply during your absence, or doing homework, you reluctantly open your laptop, prop up on that germ-infested pillow, and log on to the Internet.

It is essential to plan ahead for those days when sickness is not an option. Turning your bed into an efficient, ergonomic workstation is simple. Here are a few useful home office products that will increase your productivity without decreasing your recovery time.

*High speed Internet connection with a home network and wireless router
Advantage: Connects your wireless ready notebook PC, printer, and other devices without cables so you don’t trip going to the bathroom.

*Bed Lounger(with armrests)
Advantage: Back support, reduces the strain on head/shoulders/neck, and it’s more comfortable than leaning against the headboard or wall.

*Knee Pillow
Advantage: Increases circulation and decreases pressure points; meaning no numb legs. Look for one with a removable cover that’s machine washable.

*Adjustable Book Light
Advantage: Decreases eyestrain while you’re typing, writing, or reading boring reports. Bulbs that reproduce natural light are best.

*Portable Desk or Laptop Table
Advantage: Keeps hot laptop off your thighs and the nice, wide ones also accommodate a reference book or legal pad. Some feature a handy drink holder, also.

*Noise-Canceling Headset
Advantage: When the headset is in the off position, it blocks out the kids, the dog, and the lawnmower next door. When it’s turned on and connected to an audio source, the sound is phenomenal!

*Coffee/Tea Warmer
Advantage: Stay in bed and keep that sore throat soothed with hot tea within arm’s reach.

*Telephone Headset or Bluetooth
Advantage: Decreases neck strain. Must have a mute button so you can scream when the office calls for the umpteenth time.

*Wall Mounted Plasma HDTV
Advantage: Hmmm, watch CNN, MSNBC, Fox News…and gather research for potential tipping points to facilitate paradigm shifts for company growth.

*Alarm Clock
Advantage: Set it to go off every forty-five minutes, and take a break. You’re sick. You’re supposed to be resting. Remember?

Monica “Dr. mOe” Frazier Anderson
http://drmoeanderson.com
info@drmoeanderson.com

Smaller business owners are definitely well aware of the extreme price of toner for their copiers and printers. However, that price can be greatly reduced by buying compatible toner that is completely safe for copiers and printers. As an example, one of our clients bought a large amount of compatible Oki 7200n cartridges and writes to let us know about his experiences.

Steve Robinson, a project manager for a mid-sized regional restaurant supply company, discovered that at an online supplier, Oki toner was being sold at about a third to a half as cheap as the brand name toner he had previously been buying. In fact, switching to the compatible Okidata 7200n toner was so cost effective that he was able to cut sixteen percent off his entire budget for the month!

He asked that a few of his employees use remanufactured cartridges in each of his two hundred Okidata c7200n printers. He started out skeptical but quickly realized that the toner in the remanufactured cartridges was exactly the same as the high-cost original toner cartridges he had been buying. “I looked at several copies personally,” Steve noted, “and they appeared great - good ink yield, no smudging, and adequate coverage.”

Compatible Oki c7200n supplies are manufactured by companies using the same or better inks or parts as the original producers. The compatible Okidata c7200n toner cartridges are stringently tested to assure the same quality. So you can rest assured that when you purchase the cartridge, you are buying a 100 percent compatible, quality cartridge at a small fraction of the price.

Three months down the road, Steve was named the manager of the month, and this honor was awarded to him in part due to his amazingly resourceful attempts at saving money by converting to the compatible Okidata 7200n toner. Also, Steve’s boss asked him to oversee and manage toner orders for the entire company, giving him the opportunity to help them save tens of thousands of dollars per year.

Steve’s letter can be inspiration to each of us who are looking for those small ways to cut expenses and improve the profits of our companies. Ask your office supplier if they have compatible Oki toner cartridges, and do the price comparison yourself, to see how making a little change can make a big difference.

Replacement toner cartridges for copiers and printers can be outrageously expensive, but did you know that there’s an easy way to cut this cost significantly? One of our clients saved a lot of cash for his company by switching to compatible Oki toner. These cartridges performed just as well as the cartridges in his company used, the Oki c7200n toner cartridges, but at a fraction of the cost. Our client was rewarded with a significant career boost for his money saving choices. It might benefit you to look into switching to compatible cartridges the next time you need to replace your toner.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is one of those big events that tech and gadget geeks from all over the world look forward to every year to get a glimpse of the new gizmos they could salivate on and hopefully get a hold of before the year ends. In the last CES, one of the many gadgets that certainly wowed cellphone and photo geeks is an as-yet nameless product that we shall call the Zink printer.

What is the Zink printer? The Zink printer is one of the newest offerings of Polaroid, that camera products company that we are all familiar with, and of Zink, or Zero Ink Printer Company. The Zink printer promises to become a craze by the time it is released before fall. Why? First, because it is a portable cellphone printer that can easily fit in your pocket. Second, it is an inkless printer - with the Zink technology, it does not consume even a drop of ink.

How Does the Zink Printer Work?

Yes, the Zink printer does not use even a drop of ink. That is because this inkless printer makes use of special paper that was developed by Zink. This special Zink paper has numerous tiny crystals colored in yellow, magenta and cyan, the basic colors needed by inkjet printers to produce color prints.

The way the Zink printer works to produce color prints is quite simple. When a photo is printed using this inkless printer, the Zink printer’s head applies the appropriate heat and pressure on the Zink paper, as accorded by the image being printed. This heat and pressure causes the yellow, magenta and cyan crystals on the Zink paper to melt and blend together to capture the desired image on the paper.

Are photos printed with the Zink printer durable? The answer is yes. The Zink paper is designed so that any image printed on it will be highly resistant to light and heat, therefore more durable and more long-lasting that even Polaroid prints. The Zink paper’s polymer overcoat is the one that makes this possible.

Using the Zink Printer as a Cellphone Printer

What makes the Zink printer so great is that it can be used as a cellphone printer. Any image you can capture on your cellphone camera or digital camera, you can now easily print on the Zink printer.

As mentioned above, the Zink printer is so small it can fit easily into your pocket. Having a portable cellphone printer such as the Zink printer will make it a joy for photo geeks to exchange snapshots. What is more is that the Zink paper can come in variants with adhesive backing, which would make for lovely and colorful customized stickers and labels. A pack containing 10 sheets of the Zink paper is said to cost only $4.

The Zink printer promises to be a hit when it gets released this fall. As a cellphone printer, it is poised to add another dimension of fun and convenience to taking pictures with a cellphone. As an inkless printer, it is a more affordable and handier way of getting the prints that you want.

This Article is written by James Kara Murat, the contributor of Printer Ink Related Articles. More information on the subject is at An Inkless Printer in Your Pocket: The Zink Printer, and related resources can be found at HP Printer Ink Cartridges.