http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/internet/internet-technologies-shaping-the-net.html http://www.articletrader.com/internet/internet-technologies-shaping-the-net.html Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Businesses as well as private users regularly take advantage of the conveniences the internet now offers. Topping off the list of favorites among internet users is undoubtedly the ability to communicate across vast distances almost effortlessly. The ability to trade and buy items through websites dedicated to such activities also appears frequently at the top of favorite’s lists. Online registration software is another type of technology that has come on as of late and allowed its users to change the way they operate both on and offline. This particular type of application not only allows users to register for events online and organize events on a computer but there are now options within such programs that allow individuals to make payments using credit cards, for events they register for or are donating to. With applications such as these available to users it is sometimes difficult to remember just how simple the internet once was.

Further helping to shape the modern internet are programs that allow even the most inexperienced user to build and maintain their own personal websites, blogs, and social media sites. Of course these days technology is being developed at a much faster rate than it once was and the time in between releases or new applications has been vastly reduced. Additionally programs are now developed with users of different ability in mind and are no longer aimed solely at tech savvy eggheads.

All of these progressions have not only shaped the internet we all know and love today but have made tasks formerly reserved for those with an immense technical knowledge, a reality for the layperson. The internet has been transformed from a place used almost exclusively for storing and retrieving information to a place where personal and formal business are handled on a daily basis. As these types of technologies continue to evolve it’s anybody’s guess as to what might be coming next and what it might allow us to do. There is one certainty however and that is that whatever the internet gives us next it will be something that provides us with yet another convenient time saver.

--
Scott is an avid tech enthusiast who utilizes Online registration software when planning his own events.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/the-next-fantasy.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/the-next-fantasy.html Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Throughout its two decades of existence the Final Fantasy series has accomplished some fairly significant feats. From establishing staples of the console RPG genre, to shattering RPG and many of its own clichés, and providing gamers with new and engaging environments, the Final Fantasy series has practically done it all. One of the biggest questions fans of the series often ask is “what are they going to do next”? Many of these same fans have been waiting for a black eye entry into the series given the fact that the creative forces behind the games have almost always come up with fresh ideas for both storytelling and game play mechanics. While almost every fan can cite at least one entry into the series that they consider lackluster or a disappointment, there is no black sheep in the Final Fantasy family.

With so many brilliant ideas, locales, and variations on gameplay what’s left for the esteemed series? Final Fantasy XIII won’t be available until sometime in 2009 however it too is looking like it will be yet another solid entry into series, even if it does appear that it’s only improving on the things Final Fantasy XII did. Additionally it would be foolish to think that Final Fantasy XIV and XV aren’t already on the drawing board or at the very least in the concept stages of development however the question must be asked again, “what are they going to do next?”

Whether or not anyone at Square-Enix has given it serious thought, a Final Fantasy game that unites all heroes of past installments for some sort of mega showdown against an ultimate evil would work well provided that returning characters aren’t merely thrown into the game for some type of fan service. Of course the very nature of such a game has fan service written all over it, though the RPG market and Final Fantasy fans are primed for such a game. Throughout this decade alone Square-Enix has released direct sequels to different Final Fantasy installments, which is something they previously avoided. The constant release of such sequels and even remakes of some of the older entries are proof that fans of Final Fantasy are indeed hungry for more of their favorite characters and worlds. Furthermore this trend shows that these gamers are open to the idea of seeing more from their favorites.

If the idea of such a game is ever to be entertained however, again it must be stressed that the inclusion or exclusion of characters, items, monsters, worlds, locales, and music must appear because they are relevant to the story and are not there simply for nostalgic reasons. Fans of the series would no doubt expect a deep, emotional, and complex story to move the game along and while there might those who would butcher such a game, those responsible for previous entries into the series would certainly take great care in putting this game and its story together.

In what setting and context this game would take place in is anybody’s guess though fans should expect surprises aplenty and hopefully something extraordinary that draws all heroes and their worlds together. With any luck a Final Fantasy game of this magnitude will also allow its players to explore complete worlds seen in previous entries as well as the universe the game begins or is set in. As this game is likely one that would cause fans to salivate profusely Square-Enix would be wise to up the play time in such a game. With a number of large storage mediums available there is no reason a game like this should be restricted to the industry standard 40 hours of game play. The target audience for a game like this would be the hardcore fans of previous Final Fantasy games, none of which would complain about a quest two or three times that length. Final Fantasy could set the bar at a much higher level here and redefine another industry standard.

It’s difficult to ascertain whether or not this games concept would ever be considered on any type of serious level within Square-Enix however gamers can always hope. Stranger things have happened in the world of gaming and games that have gone without sequels for twenty years are now receiving their next installments, though it is likely gamers will be standing in line to buy Sega’s Dreamcast 2 before this Final Fantasy ever sees the light of day.

--
Scott is an professional copywriter who is also a long time fan of the Final Fantasy Series as is his wife, a professional Virtual Assistant.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/your-employers-right-to-invade-your-privacy.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/your-employers-right-to-invade-your-privacy.html Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The question that now arises is why, if an employer can ask you not to bring personal business and problems to work do they have the right to peer into your personal business even after you’ve left the office? Even scarier, the law allows employers to view your personal spaces online such as your Myspace and Facebook pages. Furthermore there is nothing that can stop an employer from using the information they read or see from firing you, or even keep them from hiring you.

The business owners in this country aren’t satisfied with having well behaved and productive employees in the workplace. They now expect their employee’s to behave in a way that is conducive to their business at all times. An employer’s policies and procedures have now been extended so that they reach far into the personal lives of their employees. While it is a fact that all employers discriminate both legally and illegally they should have no right to view any employee’s personal emails, websites, blogs, or any other documents.

A large majority of business owners and individuals will state that because an employee puts something on a public domain, like the internet that they have a right to read it. Well if we run with that thought and continue down that road, the question must be asked, is it ethical or moral to stand and watch someone undress in their home simply because they left the blinds open? The answer to that question will be determined by the morals and ethics of each individual who reads this article, just as it would if we were asking employers their thoughts on viewing and using personal, off the clock employee information.

The vast majority of employers and working class people will state that employees should be wary of what they post online and that some materials might be damaging to the company with whom they are employed. More often than not however employers are making employment decisions based on pictures of their employees engaged in behavior that they feel isn’t business appropriate. Written works created by employees on their own free time have also been scrutinized by invasive employers. Those looking for employment or going for a promotion are often advised to keep things offline, especially if these things involve politics, religion, opinions on work, or essentially anything that might make an individual look undesirable.

While there are most certainly those out in the workforce who find this type of activity immoral they rarely speak up as they fear employer retaliation, discrimination, or even loss of employment. In many scenarios there are silent majorities who don’t speak out for what’s right and this is one of those many situations. As an employer does only what’s in its best interest there will never be a time where those in control and those who want more control over people will allow this right to be taken away. The courts and the law will always favor those with money and those already hold the reigns.

A company has and should always have the right to dictate that its employees act and behave in a professional manner while in the office, at company functions, or any time he/she is being paid for their time. If however an employee wishes to put materials online that are of a personal nature they should be allowed to and should be able to do so without fear of termination, retaliation, or discrimination in any form. What may or may not be ironic about this type of activity is that more often than not those that do use an employees Myspace page, blog or other personal site to determine employment, promotion or otherwise do discriminate against people who engage in many of the same activities they themselves partake in.

It’s an inevitable fact that the majority of our lives are spent working for wealthy people who are only interested in obtaining more wealth for themselves and more control over you. Moreover employees are now not only expected to act in a professional manner in the workplace, but are being told that employers have the right to chastise, penalize, scrutinize, terminate, or pass on an individual for employment simply because they don’t agree with what an employee does on his or her free time. Many employees now walk on eggshells even during their off time because they fear losing their job which is a true shame.

Instead of concerning themselves with what their employees do with their free time, what their employee’s politics are, and what lifestyles their employees choose to lead, employers should focus on the employee’s in office or at work performance, attitude, and work ethic. Employers should then ask themselves if looking at or using an employee’s personal materials online is even ethical at all. Of course any business owner will tell you that they do so only to weed out undesirables and to protect the company. Sadly these people use such excuses to justify behavior that would, in the private sector might be considered immoral or unethical. Voyeurism is a crime in many states, countries, and parts of the world and when and employer peers into your personal spaces online it is a type voyeurism plain and simple.

Where as Americans do we draw the line on this type of activity? If an employer has a legal right to view and use its employee’s online information against them, why are they not allowed to peer through the windows in our homes? Surely the things we think and say behind closed doors might be detrimental to an employers business reputation so what’s stopping employers from sending a company representative into an employees home to take note of what they watch on television, how they treat their spouse, when they sleep, and who they favor in an election?

An employer should make decisions regarding its employee’s based on work performance, work experience, desire, ambition, contributions, and skill rather than the things they do, speak about, engage in or believe in on their own free time. Employers are on the verge of negating the right to choose and live a lifestyle that suits you. On the other side of the coin, you however must take great care to keep your employers best interest in mind at all times rather than your own and are expected and advised to act in an manner which is ethical.

Do employers honestly believe that pictures of a drunk, unkempt, or an unruly employee taken and posted away from work and on a personal site are truly detrimental to business? Long before the internet came along employees drank, engaged in socially unacceptable behaviors, sometimes with one another, enjoyed using drugs recreationally, talked trash on the boss, and moaned and groaned about their jobs. Employers themselves do these things and unless one is completely naïve one knows that these things go on all the time. The only difference is now the internet provides people with a way to express themselves and share it with their friends without having to physically get together. Employers had never had the right to attend parties or a gathering of employees outside of the workplace to see what their people are up to so why do they have the right to view and use things of a personal nature simply because they’re online? Though the law currently states otherwise everything surrounding this issue cries Invasion of Privacy.

An employee doesn’t have the right to company secrets, or confidential information even if it’s put somewhere on the company website so why are employers given the right to view my personal information. Furthermore what type of person wants to know what others do with their free time? If you’re an employer focus on what your people do when they come to work, not what they do after.

Business has always been and continues to be full of hypocrisies and now more than ever employees are being discriminated against for things their employers have done or enjoy doing themselves. If employers are going to continue to ask their employees to check their personal lives at the door, employers should have the courtesy and decency to allow their employees to leave their work at the office. So long as an employee isn’t openly slandering the company he or she is employed with, an employer should have no right to take action against such persons, and from the human perspective, shouldn’t want to. Employers already get at least eight to twelve hours of an employees day isn’t that enough?

The things people do in their personal time don’t necessarily reflect their work ethic, skill, responsibility, or what they’re willing to commit to and employers would do well to remember that.

--
Scott is an independent copywriter who believes an employer and employees should have the decency to respect each others privacy in and out of the workplace.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/sports/the-air-rifle-deadly-weapon-or-toy.html http://www.articletrader.com/sports/the-air-rifle-deadly-weapon-or-toy.html Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
It appears that the majority of those individuals who do use such guns for unprincipled behaviors are usually on a younger generation and male. These persons in their mid to late teens and early twenties seen to have a vendetta against the world as dictated by their choice of tools when committing such crimes. Surely many of these younger people thankfully have no access to real firearms and so choose weapons of lesser force.

Everything from drive by shooting using paintball guns, and robberies using bb guns have become all to common. Additionally it is becoming increasingly difficult for both passerby’s and law enforcement to discern the difference between real firearms and their far less then lethal counterparts. This has caused uproars in those communities affected by such criminal activity. Many law enforcement officials have been left with no other option that to treat these cases as though the perpetrators are using real firearms.

There are some who have stated this is nothing more than an overreaction to an antiterrorist mentality but those on the other side of the fence are calling for more stringent laws to better govern those who own an air rifle, or other types of air based guns. Still there are others that cry out for all guns to be banned, both those capable of deadly force and those of lesser danger. Some smaller groups oppose all of these views and would rather see no additional action taken. These individuals believe that while an object may be used to commit a crime, it is ultimately the actions of irresponsible and angry people that cause others harm.

Who’s right depends on your personal opinion though one thing is for certain. When looking to point fingers when minors are involved in such actions, it is only fair to point at parents. In some cases parents have admitted to leaving an air rifle within reach of an irresponsible and immature teenager. What’s worse is that some parents aren’t even aware that their child is having trouble or had access to weapons, even when they are the owners of such things. I think that even the most troubled kids can be better managed by giving and paying a little more attention to them and carefully observing their behavior.

--
Scott supports the right to own both real firearms as well as an air rifle and shoots regularly during his weekends.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/politics/banning-guns-doesnt-fix-the-problem.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/politics/banning-guns-doesnt-fix-the-problem.html Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
There are multitudes of rationales that one can make in favor of the banning of firearms both deadly and non deadly force. Those who support such actions against firearms often site the success other countries have had with their banishment of guns. They will also cite that those same countries have much lower crime rates as well as crime to fatality ratios. Though these examples as well as many others they may make all make convincing arguments I think perhaps that they may be missing several points.

I will never defend the actions of individuals who commit such odious crimes against other human beings but I will defend the right to own both real firearms as well as the more recreational different types of pellet guns. While I have great respect for those who wish to remove firearms from our society completely, I could not disagree with their stance more. Regardless of the object or weapon used while engaging in criminal activity, the object is not responsible for any injury or fatality that may occur. Those individuals who choose to commit crimes and deal out physical injuries to others will do so regardless of the weapon they choose. Surely being shot has the potential to kill or at the very least permanently damage the human body but a knife of any type or other kitchen utensil can be just as deadly in the hands of a psychopath. A simple roll of coins can also be used to deal heavy and deadly damage out to another person. Even in the event that all objects capable of being used as a weapon are banned we are still left with our arms and legs. Surprisingly enough more individuals lose their lives to physical beatings delivered by fists and feet. Surely fists and feet can never be banned or removed as they are attached to our body’s. What then would those opposed to firearms say?

Should our society continue to act in a manner as to punish the mass for the mistakes of the few? Of course there are some who would say it’s not about punishment but protection and that removing guns will save lives. I say to these people, fine take our guns. In doing so you are indeed punishing those who have a right to own a firearm or even other types of guns such as pellet guns. Once guns are out of the equation, what’s next? These people hell bent on crime and injury will turn to knives, rocks, and anything thing else they can get their hands on. What then? Do we ban those too?

Instead of placing such a hyper focus on objects we should be looking at people and the behaviors of such people. I don’t know that its possible to “fix” another human being or if its possible to show violent people the error of their ways before committing such horrid acts but we’d at least be looking and pointing in the right direction. Death and violence will not decrease nor will it cease simply because we remove weapons from the equation. People who want to kill will always find a way to accomplish the act regardless of what’s available to them.

--
Scott is a proud owner of both firearms and pellet guns and will defend the right to own these things to the end.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/surviving-in-a-technologically-demanding-business-world.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/surviving-in-a-technologically-demanding-business-world.html Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Most recently two affordable solutions have presented themselves to willing industry leaders. Both network automation as well as data center consolidation are providing institutions with not only affordable new technologies but these technologies also save money and time buy freeing up resources and allowing networks to manage themselves to a large degree. Of course those who do automate quickly learn that this does not necessitate the end of employing an IT staff. What it does mean however is that those individuals who once spent their days watching for and patching bugs can now be assigned more significant tasks which ultimately makes an IT department more productive. This also allows an IT budget to be neatly trimmed as the need for hours of overtime will be lessen considerably.

Aside from automating a network a business may also opt for data center consolidation in lieu of automation or in addition to it. Either way consolidating networks helps all businesses make their IT budgets much more responsible and manageable by drastically cutting the cost of power consumption and allowing multiple servers to be combined into one. Additionally important business applications can be merged onto a single server which usually means an improvement in application performance and reliability. Those thinking of data center consolidation should be aware however that the process is not a short one by any stretch of the imagination. Though smaller networks will complete the process more rapidly large corporations and networks should expect at least a 5 year process.

Most business have already adopted data center automation and while consolidation is the new kid on the block, expect to see businesses of all sizes warming up to the procedure as the economy forces businesses to work with less. We should also expect companies that streamline their networks and IT teams with one or both of these methods to survive while those that do not will likely have a difficult time maintaining a healthy bottom line and may end up going out of business. This highly technology dependant business world requires a willingness to accept changes even when they initially seem as though they aren’t for you.

--
Scott has a large scale plane for implementing data center consolidation within his networks and knows this will only benefit his business.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/men-and-wedding-plans.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/weddings/men-and-wedding-plans.html Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Well my fantasies of the perfect “man gathering” as my wife calls it where shattered post haste as plans for the wedding took off at a hurried pace and I was swept up in the pandemonium that is planning for such an event. My then fiancée expressed great interest in having me participate along with her in the planning of our day of joy. She didn’t expect me to pick a DJ, band, and brand of liquor to serve and then quietly sit back and watch her finalize the rest the plans. She conveyed with great emotion that she had hoped that I would be with her to meet with florists, DJ’s, photographers, etc. As a man I had no opposition to this however I wanted to avoid this type of thing for fear of being stricken with boredom.

As the fates would have it, I agreed and gave our wedding my full attention and partook in all aspects of planning our wedding. Ironically meeting with all the different vendors and even wedding officiants was anything but boring. These people treat weddings as though they are creating fine, priceless pieces of art and I was amused at just how serious they took each and every wedding they provided services to. This helped to make the experience much more enjoyable than I had envisioned it to be.

There was one activity that was less than thrilling for both my wife and me and that was looking at Mens Wedding bands and trying to find one that I would actually consider wearing. Prior to getting engaged I had never given much thought to men’s jewelry and though I had accepted the fact that I would be wearing some sort of wedding band, I had strong reservations about wearing any rings I considered to be effeminate. The search for a suitable wedding band was long and arduous and the tension that mounted with each visit to a jeweler was palpable.

Eventually after what we agreed to be an exhaustive and tumultuous search we began looking online for Mens Wedding bands and we were both surprised at what we found. Men’s rings made from platinum, titanium and tungsten where littered all over each website. It appeared to us that these sites were really pushing these types of rings and after reading multiple reviews on such topics we found out why. Luckily for me I turned out to be but one of many men who despised the traditional gold, silver, and diamond men’s rings. Not only do many men feel those rings are a misrepresentation of their masculinity, but they also feel these rings lack any style. When our online expedition for the perfect ring concluded I ended up with a multicolored Tungsten ring with fancy inlets. It is both reflective of my inner man and oozes class and style.

Once our quest for a ring was finished we wrapped up a few small loose ends and then waited out the remaining six month between that and our wedding on the couch watching our favorite movies and television shows. Any men who are close to proposing or accepting a proposal should prepare themselves for a long but enjoyable planning process. Don’t be afraid to take part in the planning of your wedding. It can only serve to make the event great.

--
Scott is a newlywed that was completley suprised at the wide selelction of Mens Wedding bands that are avaliable to men like him.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/automation-the-proper-approach.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/automation-the-proper-approach.html Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
As it is common for overly eager companies to rush head first into network automation without much preparation it is equally common to see these same companies either restart the process or pull back out and forego the process. This happens when IT staff and management have to little experience or aren’t keen on change. These people and companies find it easy to lay blame on the automation process and almost always back out at the first sign of perceived trouble.

So what are some of the common mistakes companies make when rushing into and through this process? Most commonly these people believe that a revised run book isn’t essential and that automating the run book so that it can manage and update itself is something that’s just not needed. Many untried IT professionals will also pass up the opportunity to have ITIL automated which then leads to problems down the line as the run book and ITIL are the foundations on which a their networks stand.

Sadly these missteps and shortcuts turn into costly blunders and often require a company to start the process again from scratch. These mistakes are easily avoided as well by taking things slow, performing research on not only organizations that offer automation services but taking the time to determine which services your company and network need as well. It is not unusual too, to find companies that have gone overboard with the process especially when expectations are high. Going this route carries with it a whole host of problems as well however it’s always easier to trim the edges of something when you have too much than it is to work with to little.

If you find yourself or a company with whom you are employed in a situation where the decision to automate has just been handed down, remind those involved to not only be patient but to keep their expectations realistic. Sure you’ll have the opportunity to delegate new tasks to those who once micromanaged your network but you’ll still need a full and talented staff on call to keep things running smoothly. Take things slow and spend some time in preparation for the transition. Following simple steps like those can help ensure that your networks perform better than ever after automation is complete.

--
Making mistakes during the automation process himself, Scott has learned the value of an automated run book.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/why-data-center-automation.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/why-data-center-automation.html Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
IT managers or those hoping to secure such a prestigious position should be realize early on that automating their networks in part or in whole will not only free up resources and allow their teams to be more productive but will also create some free time for themselves as well. Things like Runbook automation and good ITIL management and mechanization will also free an IT manager from performing some of the more daunting and tedious tasks that a network demands before it becomes automated.

Once a network has automation in place, even in limited capacity, an IT manager will find that they now have time to perform duties which where previously placed at the bottom of a priority list. Things like simple team meetings, and even time for technological research will be moved up this list which in turn will help make the manager more productive. As always in business when a motivated and organized leader is productive the team always follows suit. So in essence automation allows an environment to be created that is both productive and more streamlined.

Those companies who have yet to automate any part of their network face rising staffing costs as well as steadily increasing networking costs both in operating procedures and in hardware and software maintenance. It’s likely that most companies will automate out of necessity at some point but it is almost a certainly that some will remain resistant to the idea and will go out of business as a result of being unable to meet costs and keep up with competition.

The automation process though initially costly pays for itself over time, many times over in fact. Those businesses that have resisted in the past but are now considering a transition to an automated database should take heed and handle the process in proper fashion. Take the time to find actually assesses your networks and find out exactly what it needs and what will work best for your company, its clients, and its employees. Taking the time to automate properly and find the best services provider will make the transition smooth, fast, free up resources sooner rather than later.

--
Scott knows the value of a well constructed ITIL and has been involved with several types of automation such as ITIL automation and runbook automation.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/two-factor-authentication-protecting-a-network.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/two-factor-authentication-protecting-a-network.html Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500
It isn’t so much a dead end as it is the end of their automation. Many companies have automated to a point where going any further with the process will cost to much and yield little to no improvement. What many of these same companies are not yet aware of however is the fact that there is a next step. This step involves consolidating servers and applications to help reduce IT costs across the board. This is commonly known as data center consolidation. When executed properly the process will reduce power consumption in your office and can eliminate unnecessary IT positions. This allows IT managers to delegate more significant tasks to their teams raising productivity and reliability which in turn saves business owners a lot of money.

Simple data center automation though complicated and detailed can be accomplished in a short amount of time given a business has the budget and the willingness to begin the process. In sharp contrast data center consolidation takes several years. While you would be hard pressed to find a medium or small sized business that has consolidated several major corporations have already begun the process and regularly speak of this as a five plus year plan. These companies also speak highly of the process and about how much money the process will be saving them.

Those organizations that are spending the time and money necessary for such processes have also recently spoken out about just how important it is to have some form of Two Factor Authentication in place both during and after this process. This type of security ensures that their customers and their properties receive maximum protection against theft and malice. It would be foolish to invest in such expensive developments without having some type of security like Two Factor Authentication in place.

Automating a network and protecting it are two of the most important things that anyone can do for his/her business. Businesses that take the necessary steps to ensure that their customers receive fast reliable service and are well protected will likely outperform their counterparts whom choose not to take these steps.

--
Scott is an technology enthusiast who employs forms of Two Factor Authentication within his office and network.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>