Update - Google Documents, a Web Based App To Thwart Microsoft?

Since I wrote my last piece on Google Docs, Google's developers have been hard at work on adding new features. This brings me back to my original assessment that Docs is going to be a mainstream business application for use with Chromium. The strategy is very sound, as web based apps and mobile computing continue to make huge strides. All one has to do is look at the sales Apple APPS store has been making to know what I mean. The bonus is that Google Docs works with any browser and many mobile devices, and it's free. So without further ado here are some of the neat new features Google has added since my last post.

Maximize Screen Space

One of the issues that Google has addressed is the amount of wasted screen space, especially on mobile devices and netbooks. Google has added a feature that allows the user to hide this and streamline the interface. By clicking View -> Compact Controls, Docs gets rid of the white space. By clicking View -> Hide Controls, Docs hides the menu and toolbar.

Drag and Drop

Google Docs now has a Drag and Drop feature. This allows the user to simply drag anything on to the file upload area and use Docs to store practically any type of file. In the case of Microsoft Word Documents, it automatically converts them the Google Docs format. In addition to that take any image you want in a document, drag it to the cursor position, and viola it's inserted in the document.

Fonts

Google has added a number of new fonts to Docs. Google docs now sports Calibri, Consolas, and Cambria fonts found in both Windows Vista and Windows 7. A new cursive style font named Corsiva, as well as Droid font for use on Android mobile phones. Google boasts of more fonts to come.

Redesigned Chart Features

Google has been working hard to give the user more chart options, as well as better looking charts. They have added several new styles of charts, improved graphics and overhauled the chart editor. They have added a feature where the chart can be viewed independent of the document, and that changes made to one are reflected in the other. I find the new features to be much more user friendly.

Video Playback Enhancements

Now any video file that you send to your Google Docs space can be played back from within the browser. This is a vast improvement over having to download the file to view it. The interface seems to work similar to an embedded YouTube video.

Drawing Connectors

Google Docs drawing app has added the ability to keep images linked using line connectors. This makes creating certain object and organizational charts a bit easier.

Automatic Substitution

This time saving feature is something that I love. Type (C) it becomes ©, or 1/2 becomes ½. Saves you from having to use all those nasty ALT codes. You can also create and save your own autocorrects by using Tools-> Preferences and entering it in the list.

Revision History

A nice feature that allows you to go back through old revisions and view all previous document states. Simply click File-> See Revision History.

Upcoming New Features

On the rumor board are feature such as a full fledged media player, Export Google Docs to 3rd party apps, and Sync services.

I hope you have found this information useful (or at least entertaining). As always we would love some feedback.

To try Google Docs click below:

http://www.google.com/google-d-s/b1.html

The Basics of Internet Load Balancing

For the great majority of people the world over, the internet reigns supreme in our lives. We are becoming increasingly dependent on the internet and staying connected for the large part of day has become the norm. With the number of online businesses increasing daily and more people opting to work from home, the need for a reliable internet connection is at an all time high.

Staying connected and avoiding downtime has become crucial because downtime causes huge financial losses to businesses and individuals. In this article we introduce the concept, importance and benefits of load balancing for the internet.

Let us begin with a clear understanding of what internet load balancing really means. Computer networks route billions of data packets literally every second. For this data to be routed efficiently, networks need to operate at optimum efficiency. Enter load balancing as the ideal solution to helping networks operate more efficiently. Through the even distribution of the processing and traffic across the network, the technology ensures that one single medium is not over taxed.

Internet web servers use load distribution technology to help in the even distribution of traffic across numerous servers. What this achieves is a more efficient use of the available bandwidth. There is increased efficiency resulting in faster access to the many websites hosted by the web servers.

Internet load balancing is done in one of two ways: inbound and outbound. Let us examine each type individually to better understand how they function. Inbound balancing supports multiple servers but to all external appearances shows up as only one system. Load balancing for inbound traffic uses dynamic DNS through one of two ways. It can either be incorporated into the system or provided through an external service. The benefit to having it built into the system is cost savings and better control.

Balancing for inbound traffic processes traffic from remote users. Through the use of multiple servers it helps to increase bandwidth, providing better connectivity and low downtime. This method helps enhance the efficiency of the information retrieval process.

Outbound balancing technology specifically helps to process distribution of traffic in an even and efficient manner over the network. This helps to meet the objectives of connectivity and high speed performance for global users.

Load distribution for outbound traffic offers several benefits including practically uninterrupted connectivity, enhanced bandwidth efficiency and the ability to make use of diverse internet technologies. Additionally, it is possible to implement flexible load balancing options.


To summarize, the even distribution of processing and communication activities across the network to minimize one server being overloaded is the primary aim of internet load balancing. This alternative approach helps to improve the performance of busy websites by the quite simple process of increasing the web servers in use. When traffic is evenly distributed across a cluster of back end servers, the efficiency of the site is improved tremendously.

Relevance of IT Education in Today's Emerging Business

In our day to day lives, we have become completely reliant on technology. Due to its robust growth, it has created many job opportunities in the IT field. Businesses operating on many software packages are satisfied with their functional and operational needs.

As it ensures smooth functioning of all departments of a company, it is necessary that these companies should be updated with latest IT education to compete with the global markets. It has helped in adapting new business processes and facing the possible impact on them. With the help of IT, all the work related applications have become fully automated leading to true globalization.

Many corporate companies are also taking an additional effort in increasing their knowledge on IT to enhance employee's soft skills, taught by experienced professionals in the training programs. It also helps the students in learning different courses as a part of their curriculum. It has rippled the form of communication across the globe by making it cheaper and the world a "global village".

IT education is available in various options like Certification, associate's degree programs, certificate programs and bachelor's and master's degree courses. In order to get updated with latest trend in the technology, it is essential for you to opt for computer courses that benefit your career prospects.

Today, there are many colleges and Universities are offering training courses that matches your skill sets. However, if you are not able to devote time for learning, you can opt for online training or distance learning courses where you can devote time and pace at your convenience. These courses are also taught on a virtual platform to learn from home.

Although there are many certified computer courses, you need to choose the best program that matches your skills and interests. You would have the edge in terms of salary and job by practicing theses courses. In today's ever changing technology, the marketability of the workforce can be enhanced if their employees have diverse computer skills.

At present, there is a huge demand for software professionals with Linux skill sets. Red Hat Linux training is most sought after course by many companies, although Microsoft dominates in major IT classes offered. This training is based on a server operating system. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) offers many training and certification programs.

There are many ways that you can get this training including Classroom training, Virtual training, Onsite training, short courses training, self-paced training and remote classroom training. As most of the major websites like Google, YouTube, Facebook, Wikipedia and many more run on Linux, there is a huge demand for this course.

Employers are also considering potential candidates who have already got Red Hat Linux training as their core business runs on these server operating systems. This would fetch you more job opportunities or can move up in your career. Red Hat is also considered the popular Linux distribution offering three degrees of certification, namely RHCA (Red Hat Certified Architect, RHCT (Red Hat Certified Technician) and RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer).

By updating yourselves with the latest trends in IT, you can increase your demand in the market and also can add value to your organization.

Simplifying Cisco CCNA Multimedia CBT Certification Training

The CCNA is the usual starting point for all Cisco training. With it, you'll learn how to operate on the maintenance and installation of routers and network switches. Fundamentally, the internet is based upon huge numbers of routers, and large companies that have various regional departments utilise them to connect their computer networks.

Because routers join up networks, look for a course that includes basic networking skills (for example Network+, perhaps with A+) prior to starting your CCNA course. You'll need an understanding of the basics before you commence any Cisco training or you may encounter problems. At interview time, networking skills will be valuable to complement your CCNA.

Having the right skills and understanding in advance of getting going on the Cisco CCNA is very important. Therefore, it's probably necessary to speak to an advisor who will be able to help you.

Can job security honestly exist anymore? In the UK for example, where business constantly changes its mind on a day-to-day basis, it seems increasingly unlikely. We can however hit upon security at market-level, by searching for high demand areas, coupled with a lack of qualified workers.

Looking at the Information Technology (IT) sector, the 2006 e-Skills survey demonstrated a twenty six percent deficit in trained staff. Put simply, we can't properly place more than just 3 out of each 4 job positions in IT. Acquiring in-depth commercial IT certification is consequently a quick route to a long-term and gratifying livelihood. We can't imagine if a better time or market circumstances could exist for obtaining certification in this hugely expanding and evolving market.

We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: You absolutely must have proper 24x7 instructor support. You'll severely regret it if you let this one slide. Always avoid training courses that only support trainees through a call-centre messaging system after office-staff have gone home. Training companies will give you every excuse in the book why you don't need this. The simple fact of the matter is - you want support at the appropriate time - not at times when they find it cheaper to provide it.


Top training companies use multiple support centres from around the world. By utilising an interactive interface to seamlessly link them all together, at any time you choose, help is just a click away, without any contact issues or hassle. Don't compromise where support is concerned. Many would-be IT professionals that throw in the towel, are in that situation because of a lack of support.

Many people question why traditional degrees are being overtaken by more commercial certifications? With the costs of academic degree's increasing year on year, and the IT sector's growing opinion that accreditation-based training most often has much more commercial relevance, we have seen a great increase in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA authorised training paths that supply key solutions to a student at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time. University courses, for instance, often get bogged down in vast amounts of background study - and much too wide a syllabus. This holds a student back from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.

The bottom line is: Commercial IT certifications provide exactly what an employer needs - the title says it all: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003'. So employers can look at their needs and which qualifications are required to perform the job.

Understanding LAN and WAN Networks

Did you check your email today? Perhaps you printed a document to your work printer but had a brief wait while your co-worker's documents printed first. Or maybe you just went online to update your social status. If you did, you just accessed a network. Whether from home, school, or work, most of us access a network at least once a day. Essentially, a network is a series of connected computers and computing devices that share information and resources. There are a variety of network types, but the most common of these are Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN). For individuals or businesses wishing to develop a networking strategy, understanding the differences and similarities between the two is vital.


Just as its name implies, a Local Area Network (LAN) is a network encompassing a smaller physical area. Typically, you will find LANs inside homes, or within a single business or school location. A LAN allows multiple computers to do such things as share peripherals like printers or faxes, and/or share and store information such as files and databases. This ability to share resources is particularly attractive to the home-user or small organization as it allows them to save both money and time by reducing hardware and software costs. Thanks to their limited geographic area, LANs are simpler and cheaper to maintain due to easier access to all network components. LANs also typically enjoy higher bandwidth, or data transmission rate, as a result of lower traffic. While LANs may be connected in a variety of ways, they trend more towards physical connectivity using cables.


Wide Area Networks (WAN) connect much larger geographic areas, from locations separated by a few blocks to ones around the world. In fact, the largest WAN in existence is the Internet itself. Essentially, a WAN is formed when you connect two or more LANs together. While WANs may be utilized by large companies, often with global offices, WANs are more often not owned by an individual entity, but shared (such as the Internet). Whereas LANs are often restricted to specific users, WANs are typically more open and available. As such, they are less likely to be used for sharing hp hardware resources and more often used for communicating and sharing information. For large businesses with multiple locations, WANs are useful in providing ease of access to information on Sun servers, for sharing database software/resources, as well as providing private internal email communication to even global workers. Given the open nature of WANs, its higher traffic and usual need to transfer data via telephone networks or leased lines, not only is bandwidth lower on WANs, but they are more vulnerable to security issues. Additionally, WAN can be more expensive to maintain due to its size and scope.

While both networks have already greatly helped individuals and organizations to save time, resources and money, the process continues to improve. Now, the trend for both networks is wireless LANs and WANs, which allow remote access with even less need for physical connections. With this technology, individuals and organizations find that their ease-of-access and sharing is even greater, as well as their ability to do work and communicate from almost any location, at any time.

About the Author: Steve Oono is the VP of Sales for Mojo Systems. They are the leading industry provider of Sun servers, HP servers, IBM, Oracle, and Fujitsu hardware and servers. For more information, please visit http://www.gotomojo.com.