4 Myths About Cloud Computing You Should Know

 

Cloud computing is a term that involves delivering hosted solutions over the internet. These solutions are broadly categorized into three groups: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. So, we can see that cloud service come in different forms. This might have probably caused some entrepreneurs to be doubtful about how this technology will have an impact on their companies. I am sure it is because of this ‘doubtfulness’ and lack of proper knowledge about cloud computing, that various myths have proliferated, concealing the true benefits it provides, like reducing expenditures and enhancing business agility.

Here I have discussed some common myths and misconceptions about cloud computing to give a reality check on it.

When compared to on-premise alternatives cloud computing is less safe

A common hesitation in migrating into the cloud lies in the issues of privacy and security. Because of the cloud system’s deployment of essential business data to the internet, IT professionals see on-premise system as being less susceptible to risks and security breaches. However, contrary to the notion, cloud computing is safer than on-premise system deployment.

Cloud computing is appropriate only for small businesses and consumers

Unlike small firms that have lesser system-data, which need to be migrated to the cloud, big companies generally have legacy systems with a huge data-pool and more requirements, which slow the cloud adoption to some extent. This kind of complexity might have given the notion that cloud is not right for big businesses, when in reality; it leads to development of cloud services, which are inclusive and meet stringent rules. Integrating the cloud computing with on-premise systems in two-tier ERP model has proven to be useful for large enterprises, while running subsidiaries, particularly on a global basis.

Cloud computing is not apt for mission-criticalsituations

Businesses that are involved with mission-critical events run completely on Groupon, Amazon, cloud-Netflix, and Google to name a few. In the Asia-Pacific region, mission-critical apps continue to move into the public cloud like CRM, human-resource management and ERP. This provides better business agility in comparison to the traditional delivery models or public clouds.

Private clouds provide cloud-computing benefits withoutany shortcomings

The conception that private clouds can offer all the advantages associated with public clouds without any issue of privacy is not completely true. Private clouds have disadvantages like limited scalability and a continuousrequirement forsupportsolutions. Public clouds even offer OpEX (Operating Expenses) based pay-as-you-go model in comparison to CapEX (Capital Expenditure) intensive nature of private clouds.

When switching to cloud computing, it is vital to distinguish reality from myth and comprehend the many pros that the cloudenvironment provides. It is even wiseto keep in mind that though not all cloud providers are equal, there is a cloud solution, which definitely suits every organization.

Author Bio: Koustuv Roy is an expert in iPhone app development having worked with a leading mobile app company.He doubles up as a seasoned tech writer, reflecting on topics like web design and development, the future of wireless communication. Get in touch with him Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Linkedin

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3 Digital Marketing Tips In Shaping Your Business

Just like your body, you need to give your business a good shape in order to entice more customers, thus giving your company the chance to grow. There are many ways in which you can improve your digital marketing campaign system. It's time to gear up your site and get it into shape. I want to share to you the 3 digital marketing tips that will certainly revamp your website and help you achieve your marketing goals for 2014.

Here are 3 digital marketing tips that may help you in shaping your business and keeping it on track.

Watch out your Analytics
Analytics is the complete data regarding the statistics of your website. It is important for a business owner to track down the analytical data of his website. There are various websites which offer analysis of a site and allow its owner to know the different important data about his site. Knowing them can the owner of the business a lot because they will see if something is wrong about their website. An example is that when the owner observed that the traffic is exceedingly going down, maybe there is a need for him to create blogs to other channels that will redirect it to his or her website. Other than that, problems with social, search ranking, mobile, etc. may also be known by Analytics.

Focusing your Efforts
Giving efforts for your business to grow is vital. You need to offer your time for advertising and marketing so that more and more customers will come and purchase your product. But all of these efforts will be useless if you don’t have focus. You need to know who your audiences are and who the potential buyers of your product are.

For example, you are selling dental supplies. Your qualified leads (people who have the intent to purchase your products) are dentists or dental students. Why would you want to advertise these things to engineering students?

Therefore, when marketing or advertising, be sure that you discuss the information about your product on potential buyers and not just for any people out there. If the qualified leads are high, then there will be more sales for you.

Better Nothing than Junky Something
Putting something on your website doesn’t mean that it is already good. It should do something there and not a just a piece of thing standing on your site. An example is the contents on your site. Having high-quality contents in your site is an advantage for your marketing strategy. If you have content in your site that is not essential, it is best to change or remove it completely. It will just disappoint your customers and they may think that your site is not reliable. This is also true, especially if all of the things on your site are not right. You will not gain their trust and therefore more and more customers will stop from subscribing your product.
I hope these tips help you in achieving your marketing goals!

This article is written by Dorothy Matthews.

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Top 10 Architectural Software Recommended For Students

Architectural design professors won’t be successful in building the educational foundation for their students without introducing a reliable architectural design software.

However, there’s no guarantee that a single program will give you everythingyou need, and this is why most companies use several tools for this kind of operation.

Hence, we created a list of outstanding architectural designing tools to get you started. Here are 10 programs we recommend:

10. AutoDesk Building Design Suite 
Building Design Suite allows you to edit and view saved designs through the cloud where you can visualize, organize, and clean large file sets. It features built-in BIM (Building Information Modeling) software which also includes integrated structural analytical tools.

Other features include clashes detection, intelligent 3D accuracy, and extensive quantification tools. The only downside we see here is that you need to purchase the ultimate version to enjoy all its features.

9. ArchiCAD 
ArchiCAD has a built-in rendering program known as Artlantis which creates 3D renderings in high resolution. It has green building designing tool to assist you in analyzing alternatives for environmental efficiency. Its virtual building explorer can also help you develop effective 3D presentations for design communication.

However, the software is only available for specific regions.

8. Chief Architect 
This software features both manual and automatic designing tools including truss and stick, dimensioning, elevations, and other task-specific CAD tools. You can use its style and finishing toolsets to create interior designs like kitchen and bathrooms.It can import AutoCAD files and other formats including PDF, DXF, and DWG. You need to buy the premiere edition to get all its features.

7. SoftPlan
SoftPlan has a wide list of symbol layouts, giving you an array of 3D renderings and furniture models from the leading manufacturers in the market.

All light models in this tool are embedded with light sources. This allows the program to automatically calculate shadow and lighting as you add 3D models to your design. The pricing varies from one-time payment of monthly subscriptions.

6. Home Designer
Home Designer has at least 3,600 landscaping models which include plants and trees for outdoor designing. Its built-in Cabinet Designer gives a list of more than 1,000 cabinet designs for interior modeling.

Home Designer also includes How-To videos to familiarize beginners with the program. It comes in academic release, allowing you to save more without removing any features.

5. Envisioneer Construction 
This architectural design software has integrated quote generator to help you manage gross profit, selling prices, and markups which you can export in PDF format. Its 3D framing has additional features like steel and wood frames, rafter layout, and ceiling or floor layout. Its 3D modeling engine can help you insert stair railings, ramps, and easy-to-adjust stairs.

The software comes in 4 versions, including the Construction edition, which offers every feature you need.

4. SketchUp
SketchUp features pattern fills and enhanced zoom-in function which you can use to specify details in your designs.

You can also export your designs as presentation in several video formats including WebM and AVI. You can get a Pro license at no cost for teaching purposes by simply visiting their website.

3. Autodesk Revit
Architectural features of Autodesk Revit include building energy analysis, work sharing for multiple users, and enhanced API for accurate designs.

Its structural engineering functions include materials modeling, structural reinforcement, and parametric components. It has cloud-based rendering tool, high-speed visualization, and design preview in photorealistic view.

If you want all features, you should go toEducation Reseller of its ultimate version.

2. Punch Software
With Punch Software, you can instantly create customized rooms and columns with base styles and shafts. The drag and drop 3D function allows you to easily add, edit, and rotate models through its user-friendly interface.

There are also thousands of models for electrical outlets and switches, complemented by improved drawing tools for customization.

1. Vectorworks Architecture
Vectorworks allows you to immediately publish your designs in different formats through its cloud server. It features interactive viewing where you can zoom in and out, pan, select objects, and walk through your interior models.

Its new feature called the Twist Toolwill help you twist solid models to create stylish angles. Free trial is available via the official website.

Your Turn

Do you use one or more of the programs listed above? Tell us about the architectural design software you currently use by leaving your comments below.

This highly-informative blog post is brought to you byVagueware.com – a website that gives unbiased review and important information about software and programs that will make your life easier, more efficient, and more profitable!

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How The Remote Control Has Let Do The Downfall of Society

A remote control does not have to be large to have a very controlling influence over individuals’ lives. What began as a novelty in 1898 when Nicola Tesla produced a remote-controlled boat has now morphed into a major technology. One large area in which these controllers are used is in the military.

The first drone airplane was developed in 1916 by Peter Hewitt. Since then, drones have become much more highly developed and are used throughout all the branches of the military for surveillance and for safety behind enemy lines. As soon as these drones were developed, the face of warfare changed for all of time. Today, analysts worry that war has become dehumanized as military personnel rely on remote control technology for aircrafts, bombs, missiles, sensors and more. Even civilians can be affected and towns can be destroyed by a remote-controlled device.

It concerning to many that remote controls can keep people apart and can destroy emotion-based decision making. Both military personnel and civilians are put at risk today by this otherwise fabulous piece of technology. This infographic helps people consider whether remote controls have brought more harm than good to modern societies.

This infographic was produced by Pannam Imaging.

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Are You Textually Active? What Your Texting Means

Some form of texting has been around for the last twenty years. However, it has become much more widespread in the past five to ten years. In fact, users sent an amazing 14 billion texts each month back in 2000; however, that number became over 10 times more by 2010 with a surprising 188 billion texts per month. Obviously, texting has caught on as one of the best ways to keep in touch with family and friends.

However, there are some trade-offs to this awesome phenomenon. Sadly, people are unable to communicate true emotions via text messages. Body language and tone of voice are two major pieces of communication that cannot be conveyed via a simple SMS message. Some people are even worried that relationships can suffer when only text messaging or a majority of text messaging is used for communication.

On the other hand, there are definite benefits to SMS. Many people feel more comfortable conveying awkward messages or difficult information via text messaging than in person or over the phone. With almost 70% of those studied believing that they would have a difficult time staying in contact with others without text messaging, this once-unfamiliar technology has become widespread and much beloved.

This infographic was produced by Scratch Wireless.

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The History of Hacking Culture

Hacking culture is changing and developing all the time. The modern world is full of flaws to discover and secret places to explore. It makes sense that people are fascinated with the subject, but how has it progressed over time?

In 1975 the “Robin Hood and Friar Tuck” programs were installed on Xerox machines by Motorola staff which meant every time the program was deleted, it would re-appear after the computer rebooted.  This virus was the first of its kind and paved the way for a long line of internet virus hacks that we see today.
As for today, hacking culture has matured and more recently the ‘free online school’ hack believed that ‘information wants to be free’ and so this saw a rise in code literacy and naturally made people even more aware of computer security, which can only be beneficial.

What will happen in the future? Will the elite hackers go underground and start working for the government? Who knows! Either way it’s clear that hacking will always have security perks. If there weren’t people to uncover pitfalls, we wouldn’t be making online security tighter.

By James Duval, business and technology editor at GKBCInc.

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Things You should Remember when Redesigning Your Website

Things change. Businesses change, directions change, audiences, trends and attitudes change. As the face of your business or service, your website is the window through which your clients experience you, and as such, if it doesn’t adequately reflect what you or your clients are after, then you’re out of the loop. This is true if you’re looking to design your fledgling website, or if you’re looking to update and re-haul your existing site. The list of tips below should help website owners – new and old – know what to look for when giving their online presence a facelift.

Purpose
First, what’s the purpose of your website? Why is it out there in the first place? Find the essentials, and convey them in a clear mission statement. If your website is clogged with meandering information and distracting tangential stuff, there’s no way your clients will be able to easily figure out where you want them to go. If your purpose isn’t easily noticeable, it’s assumable that you don’t know your own purpose. And if it’s overused, it seems weak and unconvincing. But with clearly designed, easily navigable website design that brings out your purpose clearly, simply and concisely, you’ll be onto a winner. In combination with consistent, well chosen color themes and font choices, your site will present purposeful content and clearly understood images.

Audience
Know who your target audience is, and speak to them on the same level. Don’t dilute your site with self-promotional flattery – write from the point of view of your audience. Why should they take the time to devote their attention to you? What’s in it for them? And to make it a lot easier, don’t saturate your writing with overly technical, ridiculously complex jargon and babble. Speak simply.

Know your competition
Take the time to do your research; look around at your competitors’ websites, and take notes on what you like and don’t like. Explore their sites as if you were a potential client, and your pointers will direct you well.

Copywriting and SEO
Copy is super important, and so is choosing the right kind of writing for your site. As mentioned before, you ought to view all the copy on your website as an invaluable resource to state your mission and ideology. However, there’s a fine balance between over- and under-saturated, and you should be careful with how to work it into your website. Search Engine Organization (SEO) is also important – good SEO will keep you high up on related searches and increase your traffic, and it’s important to stay updated.

Read the Fine Print
There are virtually hundreds of web hosting packages on the internet that you can possibly selectF from. However, make sure that you scrutinize the fine print because there might be some limitations that might surprise you especially when it comes to data transfers, bandwidth usage and other purported unlimited features that comes with your web hosting services.

Plan ahead - web hosting packages
Build your website with growth in mind – you want it to grow, right? You should add in enough space for extra pages to be added later. And to make your site constantly fresh and relevant, schedule maintenance and content. This will make launching new promotional or marketing campaigns that much more easy.

Website design really is a deal breaker – take the time to do it right.

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Chat Wisely: Softros LAN Messenger

Whether you run a small web design agency or a large-scale enterprise, corporate network security should be one of your major concerns. Establishing bulletproof security isn’t a one-time action, but an ongoing commitment that encompasses various activity aspects, one of which is communication. You’ll be surprised to learn that your most sensitive information can be easily stolen by hackers due to the vulnerabilities of public messengers. All your best-laid antiviral measures might be for naught if you use a ‘not-so-safe’ piece of software. So, which messenger does your company use? Are you sure it is secure enough?

LAN Messengers

Computers belonging to a single network (Local Area Network or Wide Area Network) can effectively interact with each other (exchange messages and files, chat, send notifications etc.) in real time even if the network has no Internet connection. This was made possible thanks to LAN messengers that work as stand-alone client applications which don’t depend on any central servers (there is no need to set up those for LAN messengers). LAN messengers have proven successful for intra-office communication due to their enterprise-level security measures, ease-of-use and functional flexibility. Join me reviewing Softros LAN messenger, one of the highly rated IM tools to explore the benefits of this type of software.

Softros LAN Messenger

LAN messenger by Softros Inc. is one of the major players in the market. It has bought the heart and trust of many business owners for a wide range of handy features:

• Ease of use. Softros LAN messenger works out-of-the-box and requires minimum user intervention. It can be easily configured by non-tech-savvy users.
• Full Windows support (XP, Vista, 7-8). Works seamlessly on large and small TCP/IP networks.
• Secure LAN messaging. All messages are protected by the AES encryption algorithm minimizing eavesdropping and leaks. You get full control over who and when accesses the messenger.

• Requires no Internet connection. Softros helps you save the bandwidth, as well as prevent external attacks and keep your employees from chatting with friends and families.
• Private and group channels. File transmission.
• Sound alarms for incoming messages.
• User grouping: you can recreate the structure of your firm through grouping users by departments and teams, for instance Devs, Sales Department, QA etc.
• User rights management. You can selectively assign different rights and thus restrict certain functions of the messenger for normal users.
• Message logging. All correspondence is archived and can be looked through anytime.

• Easy importing/exporting. If needed, you can export your LAN settings to a file and then use them on any other PC on the network.
• Multi language interface. Included languages: Spanish, French, German, Polish, Italian, Dutch, Danish and more.
• Affordable pricing: $10.95 per copy. Quantity discounts are available.

It is better to see once than to hear about it a thousand times, so you may want to try the application yourself free of charge through downloading a free trial version.

The core advantage this piece of software is security. You should never skimp on it. When it comes to business, enterprise-level software isn’t a whim, it’s a necessity.

Featured images: Both Images are owned by the Author.

Robert is a passionate blogger. He's the owner of http://yourtechlib.com/, a website covering various technology topics. Feel free to contact Robert via his social accounts anytime.

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New Choices for Domain Names for Your Website

In the spring of 2014 a vast range of new domain name extensions are going to open up, with industry specific extensions becoming available after the dot, such as .photography, .london and .wedding.

It's likely that in time what's after the dot could become as important as what's before the dot and it allows for the whole of your domain name to have meaning.  Some of the most popular domain extensions that will be available are:

• .photography
• .london
• .web
• .services
• .ltd
• .blog
• .hotels
• .football
• .wedding
• .training
• .media
• .holiday

The Business Week article - New Domain Names are in the Works has more information on the latest domain names.

This gives you a wealth of extra choice in deciding what you want to name your website and it's likely that these extensions will be become important for SEO (appearing high with search engines) too.

Given that there's more choice in what to call your website, how do you go about deciding on your domain name?  The infographic gives some suggestions that are important to consider when deciding what to name it, both from a user-friendliness perspective and from an SEO perspective, whether you're looking to launch your website locally, nationally or internationally.

The "New choices for domain names for your website" infographic was designed by Allison Carmichael at Indigoextra Ltd, a creative multilingual web design and SEO company.  Allison has 2 boys and created the infographic to compare naming a new baby with choosing the name of your website.  It wouldn't surprise me if people put as much thought into both!

Allison lives in Montpellier, South France and is a film fanatic of all genres (although there's only a few French films she likes) and is home educating her two boys.  For work, Allison is the Art Director of Indigoextra Ltd and runs the graphic design team.

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