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    16Jan, 2012
    Server Application Development

    Server Application Development

    Server-side applications in the managed world are implemented through runtime hosts. Unmanaged applications host the common language runtime which allows your custom managed code to control the behavior of the server. This model provides you with all the features of the common language runtime and class library while gaining the performance and scalability of the host server.
    The following illustration shows a basic network schema with managed code running in different server environments. Servers such as the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) and the Microsoft SQL Server (MS-SQL) can perform standard operations while your application logic executes through the managed code.

    Server-side managed code

    ASP.NET is the hosting environment that enables developers to use the .NET Framework to target Web-based applications. However, ASP.NET is more than just a runtime host; it is a complete architecture for developing Web sites and Internet-distributed objects using managed code. Both Web Forms and XML Web services use IIS and ASP.NET as the publishing mechanism for applications, and both have a collection of supporting classes in the .NET Framework.
    XML Web services, an important evolution in Web-based technology, are distributed, server-side application components similar to common Web sites. However, unlike Web-based applications, XML Web services components have no UI and are not targeted for browsers such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. Instead, XML Web services consist of reusable software components designed to be consumed by other applications, such as traditional client applications, Web-based applications, or even other XML Web services. As a result, XML Web services technology is rapidly moving application development and deployment into the highly distributed environment of the Internet.
    If you have used earlier versions of the ASP technology, you will immediately notice the improvements that ASP.NET and Web Forms offer. For example, you can develop Web Forms pages in any language that supports the .NET Framework. In addition, your code no longer needs to share the same file with your HTTP text (although it can continue to do so if you prefer).
    Web Forms pages execute in native machine language because, like any other managed application, they take full advantage of the runtime. In contrast, unmanaged ASP pages are always scripted and interpreted.
    ASP.NET pages are faster, more functional, and easier to develop than unmanaged ASP pages because they interact with the runtime like any managed application. The .NET Framework also provides a collection of classes and tools to aid in development and consumption of XML Web services applications. XML Web services are built on standards such as SOAP (a remote procedure-call protocol), XML (an extensible data format), and WSDL ( the Web Services Description Language). The .NET Framework is built on these standards to promote interoperability with non-Microsoft solutions.
    For example: the Web Services Description Language tool included with the .NET Framework SDK can query an XML Web service published on the Web, parse its WSDL description, and produce C# or Visual Basic source code that your application can use to become a client of the XML Web service. The source code can create classes derived from classes in the class library that handle all the underlying communication using SOAP and XML parsing. Although you can use the class library to consume XML Web services directly, the Web Services Description Language tool and the other tools contained in the SDK facilitate your development efforts with the .NET Framework.
    If you develop and publish your own XML Web service, the .NET Framework provides a set of classes that conform to all the underlying communication standards, such as SOAP, WSDL, and XML. Using those classes enables you to focus on the logic of your service, without concerning yourself with the communications infrastructure required by distributed software development.
    Finally, like Web Forms pages in the managed environment, your XML Web service will run with the speed of native machine language using the scalable communication of the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS).

    16Jan, 2012
    .NET Framework Class Library

    .NET Framework Class Library

    The .NET Framework class library is a collection of reusable types that tightly integrate with the common language runtime (CLR). The class library is object oriented, providing types from which your own managed code can derive functionality. This not only makes the .NET Framework types easy to use, but also reduces the time associated with learning new features of the .NET Framework. In addition, third-party components can integrate seamlessly with classes in the .NET Framework.
    For example, the .NET Framework collection classes implement a set of interfaces that you can use to develop your own collection classes. Your collection classes will blend seamlessly with the classes in the .NET Framework.
    As you would expect from an object-oriented class library, the .NET Framework types enable you to accomplish a range of common programming tasks, including tasks such as string management, data collection, database connectivity, and file access. In addition to these common tasks, the class library includes types that support a variety of specialized development scenarios. For example, you can use the .NET Framework to develop the following types of applications and services:

    • Console applications.
    • Windows GUI applications (Windows Forms).
    • ASP.NET applications.
    • XML Web services.
    • Windows services.

    For example, the Windows Forms classes are a comprehensive set of reusable types that vastly simplify Windows GUI development. If you write an ASP.NET Web Form application, you can use the Web Forms classes (System.Web).

    16Jan, 2012
    The Common Language Runtime

    The Common Language Runtime

    The common language runtime is the core component of the Microsoft .Net Framework and manages memory, thread execution, code execution, code safety verification, compilation, and other system services. These features are intrinsic to the managed code that runs on the common language runtime.
    With regards to security, managed components are awarded varying degrees of trust, depending on a number of factors that include their origin (such as the Internet, enterprise network, or local computer). This means that a managed component might or might not be able to perform file-access operations, registry-access operations, or other sensitive functions, even if it is being used in the same active application.
    The runtime enforces code access security (CAS). For example, users can trust that an executable embedded in a Web page can play an animation on the screen or sing a song, play a WAV or MP3 file but cannot access their personal data, file system, or internal network. The security features of the runtime thus enable legitimate Internet-deployed software to be exceptionally feature rich.
    The runtime also enforces code robustness by implementing a strict type-and-code-verification infrastructure called the common type system (CTS). The CTS ensures that all managed code is self-describing. The various Microsoft and third-party language compilers generate managed code that conforms to the CTS. This means that managed code can consume other managed types and instances, while strictly enforcing type fidelity and type safety.
    In addition, the managed environment of the runtime eliminates many common software issues. For example, the runtime automatically handles object layout and manages references to objects, releasing them when they are no longer being used. This automatic memory management resolves the two most common application errors, memory leaks and invalid memory references.
    The runtime also accelerates developer productivity. For example, programmers can write applications in their development language of choice, yet take full advantage of the runtime, the class library, and components written in other languages by other developers. Any compiler vendor who chooses to target the runtime can do so. Language compilers that target the .NET Framework make the features of the .NET Framework available to existing code written in that language, greatly easing the migration process for existing applications.
    While the runtime is designed for the software of the future, it also supports software of today and yesterday. Interoperability between managed and unmanaged code enables developers to continue to use necessary COM components and DLLs.
    The runtime is designed to enhance performance. Although the common language runtime provides many standard runtime services, managed code is never interpreted. A feature called just-in-time (JIT) compiling enables all managed code to run in the native machine language of the system on which it is executing. Meanwhile, the memory manager removes the possibilities of fragmented memory and increases memory locality-of-reference to further increase performance.
    Finally, the runtime can be hosted by high-performance, server-side applications, such as Microsoft® SQL Server™ and Internet Information Services (IIS). This infrastructure enables you to use managed code to write your business logic, while still enjoying the superior performance of the industry’s best enterprise servers that support runtime hosting.
     

    15Nov, 2011
    WiFi Security Tips

    1. Enable Encryption on your Access Point. Using 128-bit encryption or higher makes your Wireless Network more secure. WEP and WPA are entirely different encryption schemes. WEP has been proven insecure. Using WPA is recommended, but actually no more secure than WEP. WPA is just a little friendlier to use.

    2. Set the &qt;&qt;Administrator&qt;&qt; password on the router. Anybody who gains access can use the &qt;&qt;default&qt;&qt; password to lock you out, or grant themselves more privileges (i.e. disable MAC address filtering or add one more MAC address to the MAC address filtering list so they don&qt;&qt;t always need to &qt;&qt;clone&qt;&qt; your MAC address to get in). If you forget it, most routers have a hardware reset that will restore all of the settings to factory defaults.

    3. Don&qt;&qt;t use easily guessed Keys, such as "ABC123", "Password", or a string of numbers in order. Use something hard to guess that contains both letters and numbers. Special characters such as !@#$&qt; are not supported by most routers. The longer the key, the better. Using the Passwords Page on GRC.com is recommended.

    4. Change your ESSID (Wireless Network Name)from the default to something unique. Don&qt;&qt;t use your phone number, address, or anything that may identify you. If you leave it &qt;&qt;linksys&qt;&qt; (or whatever default) your Windows notebook will automatically connect to every other network it encounters with the same name, and not every wireless network is a good and secure thing to connect to.

    5. Disable the &qt;&qt;ESSID Broadcast&qt;&qt; feature of your Access Point or Router. People will be less likely to pass by and notice your network. On the down-side, it becomes problematic to connect a guest&qt;&qt;s computer to it, as well as many &qt;&qt;devices&qt;&qt;, like printers with wireless networking built in.

    6. Use MAC Address filtering on your Access Point or router. This registers the hardware address (MAC Address) of your networked devices, and prevents unknown devices from joining or accessing the network (unless they clone one of your &qt;&qt;allowed&qt;&qt; MAC addresses after you go to bed).

      15Nov, 2011
      Why your office needs a knowledgebase

      One of your employees has just tried to print something and he/she gets a printer error. The error says, “Out of paper.” Well the employee knows that the printer is not out of paper and it does not have a paper jam. What to do? Well the traditional answer is to call technical support. But wait. Hasn’t someone else in the office seen this error before? Can it be corrected faster with the help of a co-worker? In this article we will review 7 ways a Knowledge Base program can improve overall office communication.

      1. The biggest reason to use a Knowledge Base program is to keep track of software problems. Almost all offices have three dynamics to their software: Operating System, Productivity Software, and custom built software for your business. Entrusting all your business computers to all of this software is indeed a brave move. A Knowledge Base program allows your employees to enter detailed information on a variety of software topics including; how-to(s), program errors, settings and options, hardware settings, and many others.
      • A Knowledge Base program is perfect for storing… well, knowledge. Quite often your office will have an employee who has been with the business for several years and then suddenly submits their two week notice for a variety of reasons. This employee takes all of his/her knowledge with them. This leaves other less informed employees to fill their shoes. Not an easy task. It doesn’t need to be that way any more. With a Knowledge Base program, an employee can be required to make at least one entry a week. If you have 5 employees, that is 260 entries in your Knowledge Base per year!

       

      • How does one define knowledge? A Knowledge Base can be basically anything you desire. Quite often we have contact information, vendor information, and policies and procedures stored in hundreds of files over the whole hard drive; or worse, papers all over the office. A Knowledge Base makes it easy to have all that information in one place. If the Knowledge Base has a robust search engine; a search can be completed in a few seconds.

       

      • Customer Relations. A Knowledge Base can improve customer relations. Customers can now have advanced knowledge of polices and procedures and well as product and service pricing, and with a quick response from the employee.

       

      • More accurate answers. Often, you simply give up trying to find the information and take your best guess at what you think the material contained. While this may be acceptable to you some of the time, it may not be acceptable to the customer or client you are talking to.

       

      • Improve Office productivity. The same employee that had the “out of paper” error message found out from the Knowledge Base that he/she needed to re-install the printer driver. This saved the employee twenty minutes out of the work day.

       

      • Beat the competition. The competition may have never even considered using a Knowledge Base program in the office. By having this basic idea and software in place, you will be able to work smarter, save time, and save money. The competition will be left in the dust!

       

      • Research the best Knowledge Base software for your business. Knowledge Base(s), sometimes called Knowledge Management comes in many different flavors. Check out the vendors! Make sure they have a free demo or product information on their website.

       
       

      15Nov, 2011
      What You Should Know About Data Backup And Restore Procedures

      Learning about data backup and restore procedures is incredibly important, especially so that you can be aware and informed in case a bad situation ever happens to you. For instance, if suddenly the power goes off and you were working on something it could be deleted, however if you know and understand about the available data backup and restore procedures, then you are really going to be prepared and thus will be able to do something about it.
      What are the Data Backup and Restore Procedures?
      There are actually various different data backup and restore procedures, however there are certainly the most basic that should be learned about, and the most common data backup and restore procedures would be just the regular way, as in how most people do it on their computer, which is to have an automatic data backup retriever on the system.
      This way, if the power goes off or for some other reason your computer turns off when you weren’t planning it to, and you were working on something and it ends up that you didn’t save your files in time, this backup and restore procedure is already in place so that your files can be retrieved once you turn the computer back on.
      However, you should know that there are further steps that can be taken in regards to your backup and restore procedures, and so you are going to want to make sure that you take all of the necessary steps that you need to, and this means speaking to a professional so that someone who knows what they are talking about will be able to let you know for sure what you are going to need.
      Basically the results will depend on how much time you spend on the computer, as well as how upgraded your computer is and thus how likely it is to keep from failing on you. Once all of this is taken into consideration, then the professional will be able to figure out what the best data backup and restore procedure would be for you in particular.
      None of these procedures will be all that expensive, and so you can definitely rest assured in knowing that you will not have to spend an insane amount of money simply over getting a data backup and restore procedure for yourself, which is obviously a very good and positive thing overall.
      DAPROSE developed a Quick Backup For Windows which it protects your valuable data from partial or total loss by automating data backup tasks, and allowing you to create quick (manual) backups in 3 easy steps.
      Backup Tasks can also be automated and scheduled for daily, weekly or monthly operations. No user intervention is required after setting it up. Experts and experienced network administrator will agree in that there is no safer way to create backups than avoiding any type of compression algorithms, -of any nature-, and avoiding incremental backups as much apossible as well.
      DAPROSE QuickBackup for Windows mirrored copies are the best safeties backups ever produced. By using our QuickBackup for Windows you can easily back up from/to any local or network drive, or any other removable media, (such as an external USB HDD or flash drive).
      QuickBackup for Windows is the best backup solution for server, desktop, and laptop computers, for businessese as well as for personal use.
      To order, please visit: http://www.bestvaluestores.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=4

      15Nov, 2011
      Understanding MP4 Players

      Mp3 audio format became available back in 1993. Shortly after it became the standard internet audio format, and it is still very much used world wide. Recently another format has been introduced, the mp4 audio-video format which allows video capability, so that users can watch movies, TV shows, music videos along with mp3 songs.

      As the industry of mp4 player devices evolved, more features such as fm tuner, voice recorder, email, internet browser capability and others were added to mp4 devices, making them a desired product among electronic users.

      Differences between mp4 and mp3 format, relies basically that mp4 devices holds both audio and video files. As for the mp3 it only holds the audio type file. So, one could think of mp4 as being the next step in this evolution file format that started with mp3.

      Due to the capability of delivering audio and video at the same time, mp4 devices can offer a wide range of interesting features, such as web browsing, email, instant messaging, video and music download, bluetooth wireless technology, digital camera and others. Also game capability and multiple language options are features that made mp4 devices so popular. Other features, such as voice recording, enabled mp4 devices to be used for professional purposes, besides entertainment.

      Another important mp4 feature is the storage capacity, that can start from 256 mega bites up to 40, 60 and up giga bites. Usually a small hard disk unit is used to hold several giga bites of data. For smaller storages, an internal electronic flash memory may be used.

      As a music player device, mp4 may offer a 7-band equalizer which will allow the user to change the sound category according to the music style. These sound categories are Pop, Jazz, Rock, Soft, Classic and DBB. Also mp4 player device will support various format files such as Mp3, AMV, ASF, WAV, WMA, WMV and others. As far as the supporting video formats are concerned this device proves to be able to convert file in the AVI, MPEG, Windows media format into the AMV thru the use of software.

      Since mp4 devices is compact, it is safe to say that its small size, light weight and good user interface menu, make this device portable, easy to control and access no matter where one can be.

      As mp4 format became more popular, several internet audio-video download sites started to offer services, so that mp4 users can download their favorite music or video at affordable prices. There are sites that offer music file download for only 99 cents each, and one has to only pick his favorite song, not the entire album.

      Also available in these internet sites are files called Podcasts, which includes information programs, news broadcasts, comedy and entertainment programs. Podcasting is quickly becoming a buzz word among the techie crowd. So what is podcasting, anyway? Podcasting is online audio and video content that is delivered via an RSS feed. Although Podcasting is new, it should become a mainstream communication medium in the near future.

      Being basically a container, mp4 player devices are able to provide multimedia solutions with its audio-video file format. Because of that mp4 players became very popular and as it becomes more sophisticated with new features being added in new models, people become more eager to own these device players. After all most electronic consumers do have a wish to keep up with modern time.

      15Nov, 2011
      The Importance Of Tape Backup

      You’ve heard about them but your still not really sure what they are.

      Well in computer terms a tape backup will offer you the ability to copy the data on your hard drive to a tape cartridge device. This is so important, probably even the most important thing that you can do, especially if you own a business. What would you do if your computer ever crashed? Have you even thought of it. Backing up your computer will allow you to have all of your information stored on these tape cartridges.

      These tape backup devices have the ability to back up large amounts of data. There are different devices that you would by depending on how much data you have to backup. So you would need to look at the tape devices that are capable of supporting the amount of data that you have, whether it’s large or small. There are many bundled packages that you can choose from and they usually have the software included with it.

      A few years ago tape backups were the best method of backing up your data, but with all of the technology today there are now they are not the most suitable way to protect your data – a remote server, mirror sites, second hard drive, and many others. There are many online services that will store your data for a monthly fee, if you have a large amount of data then this may cost you a pretty penny. You can store your data on your website server and it would cost you less than using a service.

      Tape backups are generally the least expensive way to backup your data, but if losing the data can potentially destroy your business then you should begin looking into another means of protecting your valuable information.

      If you already are using tape backups as your means of protecting your data then you should be using another method along with the tapes. If you have a website already for your business then you should put your data up there in it’s own file. If you are worried about somebody finding it up there then you can have it password protected. You can have your web designer do it if you do not know how too.

      With all of the different product reviews on the internet you can figure out which product would be the best to suit all of your needs.

      15Nov, 2011
      How to Use a RAM Drive to Troubleshoot Memory

      Windows 95 and Windows 98 use memory differently than earlier versions of Windows. If you encounter unusual random problems in Windows 95 that you did not experience in an earlier version of Windows, your computer may have faulty memory.

      This article describes how to use a RAM drive to test the memory in your computer and what to do if this does not solve the problems you are experiencing.

      Microsoft RAMDrive is a memory-resident program that lets you use part of your computer&qt;&qt;s RAM as if it were a disk drive. By creating a RAM drive that uses most of your computer&qt;&qt;s physical RAM, you may be able to isolate the memory problem to a particular memory chip. To create a RAM drive using Windows 95, perform the following steps:

      1. Restart your computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press the F8 key, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

      2. Use any text editor, such as Edit.com, to add the following line to the Config.sys file

      device=
      amdrive.sys /E

      where specifies the location for Ramdrive.sys and is equal to the total amount of RAM (converted from megabytes to kilobytes) minus 4096 (4 megabytes are required for Windows 95 to start). For example, if you installed Windows 95 on drive C in a folder called Windows and your computer has 16 megabytes (MB) of RAM, add the following line:

      device=c:windows
      amdrive.sys 12288 /E

      The value 12288 is derived from the following formula using the example above:
      (16 * 1024) – 4096 = 12288 bytes

      NOTE: The Ramdrive.sys line must follow the Himem.sys line, or the RAM drive may not function.

      3. Save the Config.sys file and then restart your computer normally.

      4. If the problems no longer occur, halve the value for in the Config.sys file and restart your computer. Repeat these steps until the problem returns. Once it returns, the faulty RAM is in the area that you most recently removed from the RAM drive. Contact your hardware manufacturer about replacing this memory.

      5. If the problems persist, there may be a problem in the memory above the high memory area (HMA) that Ramdrive.sys is not using. To test the memory above the HMA (starting at 1088K), remove Ramdrive.sys from the Config.sys file and add the following line to the Config.sys file

      device=himem.sys /int15=

      where specifies the location for Himem.sys and is equal to the total amount of RAM you want to exclude from Windows 95&qt;&qt;s use. For example, the line "device=c:windowshimem.sys /int15=4096" prevents Windows 95 from using the section of memory from 1088K to 5184K (or roughly the first 4 MB of RAM above conventional memory + the UMA + the HMA). If the problems no longer occur, this memory needs to be replaced.

      If you continue to have problems, one of the following situations may exist:

      • The problems may be caused by memory within the 1088K of RAM that the RAMdrive and HIMEM statements cannot reserve for Windows 95. To test this, try new memory modules or switch the order of the RAM modules in your computer. If you are unfamiliar with this process, Microsoft recommends that you contact your hardware manufacturer for assistance.

      • The problems may be caused by CPU cache RAM. Many new processors implement a method of optimization that uses motherboard and internal CPU cache RAM to increase performance and optimize data and code execution. This cache is used to offset the number of direct reads that are performed against main memory for frequently used data and code.

      To test this, disable the internal and external CPU cache. For information on how to do this, please read your hardware documentation or contact your hardware manufacturer.

      15Nov, 2011
      Buying the right laptop computer

      The single most important reason anyone buys a notebook is for portability. This is something that you can take anywhere. If you frequently travel in your work, you need a notebook. If you are a student going back and forth to the university, you need a notebook. If you are journalist traveling the world and submitting articles, you need a notebook. And today’s notebooks can be as powerful as most desktops with dual processors, large capacity internal drives, and other attractive features. But which one is right for you? How do you determine what type of notebook will fit your current needs plus allow you to expand for the future?
      And the first part of the answer to the question of which one is right for you leads to a half-answer: “It depends.” It depends on what you are going to do with the computer. Are you going to use it for work or recreation? Is it something needed for your profession or are you a hobbyist? Do you play a lot of games? What level of internet access do you need? It is also important to remember that unlike desktop models, notebook computers cannot be upgraded easily. In fact, they usually have no upgrade path so you should take the time to get exactly what you need in terms of features and performance.
      One characteristic of a notebook computer one should consider is the screen size. If you need to be able to have a lot of landscape for projects you are working on then consider a wider screen. Screen sizes usually can range from 10.4 inches to 17.1 inches. If you do a lot of work on an airliner in economy class, you are probably better off with a smaller screen size (because of the reclining seatbacks in front of you). Also a smaller notebook is just easier and lighter to carry around. Some who do presentations with their notebook computers will benefit from larger screen sizes such as those that use the newer WXGA technology. WXGA notebook screens can achieve resolutions up to 1366 by 768 pixels.
      Battery life in your notebook computer is very important too. If you move around quite a bit, you might want to consider buying a notebook with not only a long lasting battery (most go 2-3 hours), but also one where buying a spare battery is not very expensive. One very inexpensive solution for the battery problem is to buy an external universal battery that can last up to 3-4 hours.
      Another feature you need to consider when buying a notebook is internet connectivity. You will find that a popular way for people to work these days is with a wifi-enabled notebook at a wireless hotspot (such as in coffee shops, restaurants, libraries and airports). If you are buying an older used notebook, you may have to get an additional wifi-card if you want to have the mobile connectivity provided by this technology. Also, you will find that most hotels nowadays offer high-speed internet access but it is usually through a wifi connection.
      And lastly, you need to consider what other options you want for your notebook computer. Do you want a CD writer or will you need to record DVDs? Do you need premium sound? How large of a disk drive do you need? When it comes to disk space, CD/DVD writers, sound cards, memory, and processor speed, it’s best to get it now as opposed to get it later. Here’s why: The upgrade path for most laptops and notebooks is not very long. This is because notebooks are probably replaced every 2-3 years. They are quick becoming just as expendable as a set of tires for your car. And if you do not maximize on memory and processor speed, your notebook may not able run efficiently the new application and game software. The more your notebook is adaptable to software upgrades, the longer it will be an effective tool for you.