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Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011 Review

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:05:14 +0000

Many organizations are constantly looking to address their business needs with flexible and scalable applications. In most cases, the time and resources necessary to build those applications are not always available.

Here’s the solution: Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011 has the potential to meet these business needs.

Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011 is a flexible development tool that helps developers to rapidly develop polished and fantastic business applications for the desktop as well as the Cloud.

With an intuitive development environment, timesaving tools and templates, Visual Studio LightSwitch helps speed the development process. It also reduces the complexity from user-interface design to Windows Azure cloud deployment. LightSwitch is essential in the development of affordable, scalable custom software solutions that connect with existing applications, legacy systems and web services. It automatically handles the routine code and lets you focus on developing the custom logic that makes your application unique. It facilitates comprehensive and user friendly views of your business data.

Key Features of LightSwitch 2011

LightSwitch 2011 supports exporting data to Microsoft Office Excel for easy reporting.
The asynchronous data loading routines help in building load-responsive applications.
The built-in authentication models provide all the users with varying degrees of authorization and accessibility.
Automatic generation of administration console.
A simple and innate way of setting user roles and permissions.
The pre-built components and templates of LightSwitch 2011 are absolutely extensible.
LightSwitch 2011 ships with a set of Application Shells that gives a feel of popular Microsoft software.
It consists of predefined data types for commonly used fields like email addresses and phone numbers.

Major Benefits

You can easily enhance the functionality of LightSwitch application by adding extensions from third party vendors.
It is very easy to collect, analyze and reuse the content from various sources such as Microsoft SQL Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, Oracle and other databases.
As LightSwitch 2011 handles the code, you can create user friendly business applications.
It helps in building the applications with built-in paging, filtering and sorting capabilities. This makes it easier in handling huge amounts of data.
The development environment simplifies all the phases of the development by providing assistance as and when required.
You can create custom business logic and rules that are unique to a particular business and the users.
You can change the behavior and appearance of an application by just changing one setting of shell and theme extensions.
With LightSwitch 2011, you can build applications that can be deployed to desktop clients, browser clients or through the Cloud. You can choose the deployment method according to your requirements.

As you create a new LightSwitch project, the only decision you need to make is whether to use Visual C# or Visual Basic. The projects are logically 3-tier applications and follow n-tier best practices. They also utilize Entity Framework and RIA services.

Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011 is in stock at SoftwareMedia.com!

Article Contributor: Satish Kumar

SAP Crystal Dashboard Design 2011 – In Depth Review

Kyle — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:36:31 +0000

Bored with the same old, bland figures in your spread-sheets? Want to impress your clients with some extraordinary dashboards? The new era of business intelligence begins with SAP Crystal Dashboard Design 2011. Formerly known as Xcelsius Engage, Crystal Dashboard Design is a powerful tool which can generate eye-catching dashboards in a very short time.

The main benefit of SCDD is its embedded spread sheet and flash format output files. Just drag a component from component list, map it with the embedded sheet and a gorgeous dashboard is ready for your viewing. In addition to dashboard development, normal flash development can also be done, such as flash slide shows or some normal visualization effects for web pages.

Crystal Dashboard Design contains several different categories of templates which can help to develop various kinds of dashboards. If, for example, someone wants to create sales, finance or other category-related dashboards, they need only select a template from the list, enter their data and the dashboard is ready.

Crystal Dashboard Design boasts a wide variety of features and functionality, including various types of charts, grids, analytics with alerts, maps, text boxes, radio buttons, labels, image containers, panels and much more. In addition, if a user cannot find what they need in the included components, there are a number of third-party SCDD-supported components are available for download, many of which have insertion functionality with multiple options which are very useful in drill-down development.

The key element to any dashboard is presentation, and with Adobe Flash being the primary output format, the aesthetic benefits and capabilities of SAP Crystal Dashboard Design should be self-evident. SCDD comes equipped with ten different preset themes, each with its own effects and component looks and color schemes.

SAP Crystal Dashboard Design 2011 is a unique business intelligence tool that offers a multitude of features, utilities and functionality that will allow users to present their reports and spreadsheet data in a compelling, visually engaging medium. Advanced compatibility with Microsoft Excel and Live-Office connection make this product a must-have for any business professional.

Article Contributor: Nisarg Kothari

ABBYY PDF Transformer Review

Kyle — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:27:10 +0000

ABBYY PDF Transformer is a useful PDF (Portable Document Format) conversion and creation application that quickly and easily converts PDF files into editable file formats, while retaining the original layout and formatting. ABBYY is the most comprehensive solution for anyone working with PDF files including image-only PDF, text and image PDF and text under image, or searchable PDF. It can convert PDF files to Word, Excel, HTML and ASCII text and can also opens PDF files directly in Word and Excel for immediate editing.

In a very short time, you can create a PDF file directly from Microsoft Office applications. You can also combine a number of files from different directories into a single PDF file, or modify PDF files as per your needs. In addition you can add stamps and change your files into searchable as well as protected PDFs.

Key Benefits

Short file-conversion time
Support for over 180 languages
Exceptional integration with Microsoft Office
Versatile output formats
Extensive file format compatibility
Document accuracy and integrity retention
Excellent security for confidential or sensitive documents
Efficient and easy to use

PDF Transformer has the ability to analyze documents and then process them while preserving their logical organization, retaining the original text and columns, headers, fonts, footers, styles, footnotes and the numbered captions of tables and pictures. It also recognizes the fonts used in the original document and finds the most similar font from those installed on the computer.

ABBYY PDF Transformer uses a compression algorithm to produce smaller files while retaining maximum quality. You can also edit out unwanted texts or pictures before publishing a PDF document.

The file conversion process is quick and easy, giving accurate results. Its language recognition, document identification and protection functionalities, along with the ability to redact sensitive information make it one of the best PDF conversion tools. The software also has a number of features that help you combine, modify and secure your PDFs. Creating PDFs from scratch is also easy and gives impressive results but this functionality appears as a separate application on a separate user interface.

For anyone having any PDF requirements, AABBY PDF Transformer is the right software. It does a great job of converting, manipulating and creating PDFs.

ABBYY PDF Transformer is therefore a great PDF tool that is easy to use and gives great results. I would recommend it to anyone handling PDF files or anyone who wants to easily create a PDF file from scratch.

Article Contributor: Michael Gituko

Acrobat Standard vs Professional

Kyle — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:43:51 +0000

Standard? Professional? Super-ultra-mega-awesome edition?

Software applications often come in multiple editions, and it can be difficult to determine which version is right for you. Standard editions might be cheaper, but don’t always offer all of the necessary tools and utilities you need to get the job done right. Adobe Acrobat X is certainly one of those programs.

Acrobat is available in several different editions, each of which offer a different level of utility, from simple viewing and sharing of pdf files with Reader, all the way up to the full-service Acrobat X Suite, which includes numerous software programs (including Photoshop) that enable the widest range of PDF editing and creation capability.

Many people have difficulty in deciding which edition best meets their needs. Have no fear, this Acrobat Standard vs Professional buying guide is just the ticket to help you decide which edition is best for you.

AutoCAD 2012 LT New Features

Kyle — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:35:42 +0000

In March, Autodesk released its 2012 product line, including AutoCAD 2012 LT. We understand that some people are hesitant to immediately upgrade to a new version of a software product before they really get a chance to see some of the new features, improvements and upgrades that have been made to the program. So, we have put together a little video overview of some of the cool new features in AutoCAD 2012 LT. We think you’ll be as amazed about the advancements made to this version as we were!

Right now, you can buy AutoCAD LT 2012 at mega-low prices and qualify for a $300 mail in rebate!

For all of the latest software tutorials, free software guides, licensing overviews and product tours, check out our YouTube page! Our subscribers have access to all of our news and videos, plus exclusive promo codes, discounts and free software giveaways!

Oracle Primavera Review

Justin — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:00:12 +0000

Oracle Primavera P6 offers best-in-class solutions focused on the mission critical Professional Project Management (PPM) requirements of key vertical industries including engineering and construction, public sector, aerospace and defense, utilities, oil and gas, manufacturing, IT & services.

Primavera is focused exclusively on helping project-intensive businesses manage their entire project portfolio lifecycle, including projects of all sizes. It is estimated that projects totaling more than $6 trillion in value have been managed with Primavera products. Companies turn to Primavera project portfolio management solutions to help them make better portfolio management decisions, evaluate the risks and rewards associated with projects and determine whether there are sufficient resources with the right skills to accomplish the work. These best-in-class solutions provide the project execution and control capabilities needed to successfully deliver projects on time, within budget and with the intended quality and design.

Primavera P6 provides executives with a real time view of their organization’s project, program and portfolio performance. It equips managers with the right blend of usability, power and flexibility to effectively and efficiently execute on projects. It enables individuals across all levels of an organization to analyze, record, communicate reliable information and make timely and informed decisions.

Primavera’s PPM products, together with Oracle’s project financials, human resources, supply chain management, product lifecycle management, business intelligence, and infrastructure software are expected to provide the first, comprehensive Enterprise Project Portfolio Management solution.

Maximizing Potential: The Benefits of Primavera

Covering all aspects of professional project management, Primavera applications enable the companies to

Identify and select the right projects: Prioritizing enterprise investments based on risk tolerance and resource constraints.
Easily view project data: Summarized information across multiple and disparate project teams with easily configurable scorecards and expanded visibility into project status, costs and risks. The result: Greater program control and improved compliance reporting.
Assess project performance: Up-to-the-minute performance data across all business units and regions via a logical and easy-to-read dashboard. The result: More effective and efficient project management.
View only the data needed: Customizable data views that enable users to view only the information they need – in a format that makes sense to them.
Control job costs: Access to cost information for multiple projects. The result: Improved execution, efficiency, compliance, and overall planning.
Improve decision-making: Visibility into the types of changes that can have an impact on projects, enabling organizations to make better-informed and timelier decisions.
Maximize resources: Improved resource planning and utilization, enabling organizations to proactively track resource demand, address staffing requirements and view available resources for common skill sets.

Primavera at Work: Herbalife

With more than 2 million distributors worldwide, Herbalife has a simple but ambitious goal: To change lives through its nutrition products and business opportunity. To achieve this goal, the company relies on a significant IT infrastructure. In fact, it’s not unusual for Herbalife to be juggling 30 or 40 simultaneous IT projects. Prior to adopting Primavera, Herbalife’s IT organization was having a hard time managing this task.

By taking advantage of Primavera, Herbalife was able to

Complete large-scale IT projects on time and within budget.
Enable real-time executive viewing of IT project timelines and costing data.
Achieve visibility within and across all IT projects.
Improve customer service.

Many contractors have standardized on Primavera products, with some purchasing decisions driven by the PPM software in use at the clients’ sites. Although it can be used for small projects, Primavera P6 was also developed to enable contractors to plan, schedule and control large-scale and multiple projects simultaneously. Successful implementers range from AEC firms with $10 million to more than $500 million in annual revenue, as well as public and private owners and operators. Through Primavera P6 Web Access, users around the globe can receive real-time access to the same information. One reason for the popularity of Primavera P6 is its ability to separate complex projects into small and more easily manageable jobs. Check out SoftwareMedia.com for big discounts when you buy Oracle Primavera P6.

Contributing writer: Satish Kumar

Oracle AutoVue Review

Justin — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:01:33 +0000

Oracle AutoVue is Enterprise Visualization solution software which delivers an enhanced and more robust enterprise-class architecture that continues to serve all of an organization’s document visualization needs within a single platform. From individual desktop requirements to an enterprise wide visualization and collaboration solution, AutoVue provides a flexible platform capable of delivering engineering, asset and product information throughout the entire enterprise.

Oracle AutoVue enables customers to make better business decisions, capitalize on information, and drive business process innovation across the entire product lifecycle. AutoVue delivers world class support for several new formats and includes many fidelity improvements for Electronic Computer Aided Design (ECAD), 3D and 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) as well as PDF and Office document types. This review highlights the tools AutoVue puts in your hands to simplify deployment, administration and minimize costs.

Visualization Platform to Develop Differentiated Solutions

To facilitate visualization at an enterprise level, AutoVue delivers a host of standards-based integration enablement capabilities. Partners and system integrators can leverage these to build rich AutoVue integrations that visually enable business processes by connecting data, visual information and business applications. These capabilities represent significant opportunities for partners to develop highly differentiated solutions to address specific business needs in a variety of industries and use cases.

Hotspots: Enable visual navigation and actions and deliver tighter integration with enterprise applications by connecting visual information to structured data. With AutoVue hotspots, textual elements in a document or drawing are turned into hotspot links that can trigger actions or launch pages within other applications. This round trip visual navigation allows for improved operational and process efficiency by making information accessible from multiple environments and providing rich information context.

AutoVue Document Print Services: With this new release of AutoVue’s Document Print Services (DPS), partners and system integrators can build robust printing solutions which can serve to automate and process high volume printing operations of both business and technical document types. The new release also includes performance enhancements and new deployment options. This new release of DPS is available on both Windows and Linux platforms.

Extended Text Extraction APIs: These APIs have been extended to include support for Office document types and enable development partners to leverage AutoVue as a single source for all text extraction requirements. Partners can use one solution to extract and index text from any file type, including Office, 2D and 3D CAD, and build an optimized search index within applications, such as content management or product lifecycle management solutions.

Desktop Deployment ActiveX Integration: With this integration, Windows centric development organizations can embed the AutoVue user interface (UI) into other Windows applications to enable visualization capabilities within other solutions.

Visualization Enhancements for Industry Customers

Customers in the Electronics and High Tech space can take advantage of the many new features which improve design and manufacturability reviews and enable an end to end design-to-manufacturing process. Productivity enhancing capabilities include:

Ability to measure minimum distance between entities across layers.
Improved support for Bills of Material (BOM) with the ability to select board side attributes.
Support for Enhanced Display Modes (EDM).
Ability to modify global transparency for EDA files.
Modify layer polarity for Gerber files.

Customers in asset-intensive industries take advantage of new printing enhancements which include:

Excel printing improvements – support for print settings taken from Excel files.
Printing of markup notes.
Optimized spool size for documents with transparent logos and images.
Ability to skip blank pages & print in grayscale.

Thanks to our Oracle expert, Satish, for contributing to this article.

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 – 5 Reasons to Upgrade

Kyle — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:30:52 +0000

Stanley Kubrick once noted that editing is possibly the most important phase in the film-making process. In spite of the most spectacular directing, riveting performances, expert camera work and cutting edge special-effects (get over yourself, James Cameron), the simple fact remains that the quality of editing can easily make or break a film. That being said, even the most talented editor is only as good as the tools that he uses. Why then, would any video editor or post-production artist choose to use anything but the latest, most up-to-date video editing applications to edit their films?

Adobe has always been on the cutting edge of the creative software market, and their newest version of Adobe Premiere Pro does not disappoint. Loaded with new features, upgrades and support, Premiere Pro CS5 is so spec-freaking-tacular (eat your heart out, Avid) that any video post-production artist who has not already done so would be stark-raving mad not to upgrade.

Here are 5 reasons why I upgraded to Adobe Premiere Pro CS5:

1. New Mercury Playback Engine
Being named for the fleet-footed Roman god of messengers is a tough namesake to live up to, but the Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 playback engine is most assuredly up to the challenge. The GPU-accelerated, native 64-bit engine allows you to open projects faster, work through more complex, effects-loaded and long format footage more quickly and efficiently than ever before. You can easily mix various formats such as P2, RED and DSLR cameras in the timeline without having to render.

2. New Ultra Keyer
Any video editing enthusiast that has ever had to work with green screen footage is well aware of the multitude of headaches associated with chroma-keying: color-spill, having to ensure absolutely even lighting, and the need to tediously identify minute details such as hair. The brand spanking new Ultra Keyer in Premiere Pro CS5 is a powerful tool that allows you to swiftly and easily do excellent chroma-keying, even with HD video. The Ultra Keyer was built with real-world shooting conditions in mind, and lets you do fast, accurate keys smoke, liquid and even transparent objects. Your space-battles and fantastical, awe-inspiring CG landscapes will be easier than ever to implement. Just promise us that Jar-Jar won’t be there.

3. Improved Work-Flows With Other NLES
Premiere Pro CS5’s enhanced NLES workflows makes it easier than ever to import projects to and from other non-linear editing systems without having to do pesky file conversions or time-consuming re-renders. Easily transfer projects to and from Final Cut Pro or Avid Media Composer while preserving most of the commonly used effects and transitions. You can also use Premiere Pro CS5 to bring projects from other NLES into Adobe After Effects, allowing you to utilize the awesome effects powers in ways never before imaginable.

4. Metadata
Have you ever found yourself desperately searching through hours of footage, just so you can find that one 10-second clip that you know would be perfect for your scene? Enhanced metadata in CS5 can be added automatically or entered manually at any stage of the post-production process, allowing you to quickly and easily categorize your clips and assets by a multitude of criteria, from location, to actors, to copyright information. This allows you to quickly locate the exact clips or assets that you need in a fraction of the time it would take you to search manually. Time is money.

5. Support For the Latest Cameras
Premiere Pro CS5 is equipped with native support for all the latest camera formats, with new updates and upgrades being introduced nearly every day. You can easily edit your footage shot on RED, P2, XDCAM, AVC-Intra and AVCHD, as well as Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras. Coupled with Adobe OnLocation, Premiere Pro is even capable of logging and capturing footage from tapeless cameras directly to disk, all but eliminating the intense logging times that DV tapes require.

Already have Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 or CS3? Upgrade to Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 and get in on the awesomeness!
Don’t own an earlier version? Buy a full version of Adobe Premiere Pro CS5!

These wonderful products, plus tons of other great deals on discount software are available on our sister site: SoftwareMedia.com

Premiere Pro CS5 v.5.0 (Video Editing - Upgrade Package - Standard - 1 User - Retail - PC - Universal English)

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Hands-on Review: Total Training for Adobe Illustrator CS5 Essentials

Justin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 22:27:57 +0000

Oh software: what would we be without you? From Microsoft Office, to VMware v Sphere, to Adobe Creative Suite 5, we use software to perform just about every function related to work or pleasure possible. Adobe’s CS5 is one which gets the attention from both professionals and hobbyists. Each program of the suite is integrated to provide the most seamless transitions possible for your project; whether for building a new website, designing a magazine layout, or editing a blockbuster movie. With so many tools at one’s reach, it can be difficult to get a firm grasp on what they are capable of. That’s where Total Training steps in. Recruiting the expertise of professionals in all industries, Total Training makes high-quality tutorial videos for all your favorite software titles. Here at the office, I was given the chance to try out Total Training Adobe Illustrator CS5 Essentials first-hand to see how useful it was. And let me tell you, my expectations were blown away.

Total Training is video tutorial software. You may be asking, “Big deal. I can watch all sorts of tutorials about every program imaginable on YouTube. And it’s free” (funny thing, I actually posted a YouTube video in conjunction with this article showing how to use Illustrator CS5 to create your very own Charlie Sheen t-shirt design). Keep in mind, though, these aren’t teeny-boppers using a web cam purchased from the Best Buy Bargain Bin. These are professional graphic designers and video production editors with years of experience—some dating back to the birth of Illustrator and Premiere Pro. You’ll get highly informed teachers showing tips and tricks you only dreamed about.

When I loaded the DVD, I had to install a few MB worth of files (examples, practice files, etc). Installation was quick and painless and Total Training has a very user-friendly interface to make following the steps an absolute breeze. Once installed, you simply move on to step 2, which is to launch the training program. Total Training uses its own proprietary player which provides you with easy access to the standard media player functions like volume and pause, in addition to an intuitive chapter selection menu to locate the specific video you need. You can even bookmark specific points of the video for easy review later. At any time you feel a bit lost, there is a help button which provides a nice layout of the interface, complete with descriptions. Total Training really does make using their products simple.

The video began and I was introduced to Steve Holmes, a graphic designer with over 20 years of Adobe Illustrator experience. The video quality was superb and I was able to hear what he said clearly and effectively. Steve was very well informed with the ins and outs of Illustrator, and was able to teach the most basic of functions for beginners without becoming boring nor making it seem like a never-ending lecture. The speed at which he taught allowed me to follow along on my own practice files without having to pause and rewind to catch up.

Before watching this Illustrator CS5 training tutorial video, I had very limited knowledge of the program itself. I had attempted to use it a few times out of curiosity, but most of my graphic editing experience has been with Photoshop. By the end of these videos, I felt confident enough to create my own Illustrator CS5 tutorial. Total Training is easily worth the time and money, because your return on the investment will pay for itself many times over. And if you want to become an Adobe Guru, check out the Total Training CS5 Master Collection Essentials Bundle.

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Gizmodo iPhone Scoop Leads to iPhone Raid

Lansia — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:55:10 +0000

Everyone is excited for the new generation of iPhones. Maybe a bit too excited?

Gizmodo recently posted a huge scoop with photos and video for the next iPhone. But the police are questioning how editor Jason Chen acquired the iPhone prototype for his written review.

Last Friday night, California’s Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team raided Chen’s home (while he was away, but with a search warrant) and confiscated four computers and two servers. There’s a lot of information regarding the situation and questions of legality are being thrown to both sides of the action.

According to TechCrunch, Gizmodo admits to paying $5000 for the alleged iPhone 4g prototype, but “contended the device was found at a bar, not stolen.” Gizmodo also contests, “the search warrant to remove these computers was invalid under section 1524(g) of the California Penal Code.” This code, sometimes referenced in part of the Shield Laws, states “no warrant shall issue for any items described in Section 1070 of the Evidence Code.” Basically, it protects journalists from having to reveal their source(s) and includes any unpublished information. Does that apply to online blogs, such as Gizmodo? Well, the DA has currently halted the police investigation as they thoroughly mull over Gizmodo’s defense statements.

Jason Kincaid at TechCrunch asked Stephen Wagstaffe, Chief Deputy at San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, if it was “typical for the DA to evaluate the relevance of these shield laws after removing evidence.” Yep, “Wagstaffe did concede that it was unusual.”

The Business Insider says Chen may face up to one year in prison if “convicted of a felony for receiving stolen property or aiding a thief.” SND Readers, what do you think? Was Chen in the wrong? Were the police too quick to raid?

typical for the DA to evaluate the relevance of these shield laws after removing evidence