List of Essential Guides on Computer Weekly
On this page you will find essential guides to different software, security issues, manamgement tasks, networks and communication, topics for SMEs and green and efficient IT. The essential guides are detailed pieces of information in a 'how to' and Q&A format targeting people in the technology sector.
Essential Guides Sections:
Software
- Service-oriented architecture
A service-oriented architecture (SOA) is a standardised IT architecture designed to support the connection of various applications and the sharing of data.
- Google’s Chrome web browser
Ten frequently asked questions about Google's Chrome web browser.
- Data recovery software
Data recovery software is a specialised field, with the software designed particularly for hard drive data recovery. Data loss itself can come from hardware or software failures, and natural or man-made disasters, but as a result, the majority of businesses will use some form of computer recovery software or data recovery services.
- Distributed systems grid and cloud
Distributed systems, or distributed computing, have spawned many familiar technologies across the years, including Cloud computing, Grid computing, Utility computing, application service provision (ASP), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Web 2.0.
- Project management software
There are literally dozens of good project management software applications out there, with Microsoft Project being one of the most popular mid-range project management packages, and the likes of Primavera being popular at the higher end. Free and open source project tools are also available to download or use via a web browser.
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software suppliers
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software suppliers come in all shapes and sizes, with the vital business process software available as a client server application, a hosted ERP service or even via a web-based portal.
- Point of Sale (POS) software software
Point of Sale (POS) software, also known as electronic Point of Sale (ePOS), is an essential application for retail or hospitality businesses because it manages checkout operations and is what the customer sees when they make a transaction.
- Google Wave - will it make the splash they hope?
Google Wave promises to revolutionise how we communicate and work together by incorporporating email, instant messaging (IM), wiki, online documents, file sharing, chat rooms, networking and gadgets. But what is it and what does it mean for you?
Security
- Infosec 2009
Infosec is the biggest security event throughout Europe. Among those speaking this year is the former Home Secretary, the RT Hon David Blunket, MP for Sheffield Brightside, who will deliver Infosec's opening keynote speech on 28 April 2009.
- Hacker Gary McKinnon
Hacker Gary McKinnon has lost his final appeal to be tried in Britain and now faces extradition to the US.
- Email security
Email security is a priority for all businesses, with the growing threat of hackers, viruses spam, phishing and identity theft, as well as the need to secure business information.
Management
- Outsourcing
Outsourcing IT can save money and reduce the risks associated with buying and supporting IT in-house. It is also a way of accessing the technology skills and experience that can drive business change without having to train staff and take the risks of doing something for the first time.
- Identity management
On 5 July 1993 The New Yorker published a cartoon that summed up the problem of identity management in the networked world. It showed a dog, seated at a computer terminal, saying to another dog, "on the internet, nobody knows you're a dog."
- The UK IT skills crisis
Ten frequently asked questions about the IT skills crisis.
- Computer data recovery
Computer data recovery can be a tricky business, usually requiring the help of hard drive data recovery experts. But in all hard drive recovery situations, experts advise users remain calm and not act in a way that will make matters worse.
- Internet law
Internet law is closely related to the laws that relate to other similar areas of broadcasting, retail, and information handling, and in many cases, internet laws are identical to those covering the offline world for such things as data protection, defamation, copyright infringement and trademarks.
- Outsourcing contracts: Getting started
Outsourcing contracts can be complex affairs, but a good outsourcing contract will examine service level agreements, penalties and rewards, timeframes and measurements, regular reviews, and exit strategies.
Networks and communications
- VoIP
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a way of making telephone calls over the internet.
- Installing VoIP
Roger Jones's customer had a problem. The firm had Cisco implement one part of its voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system and Avaya do the other. Sound quality was suffering, and callers were hearing jittery audio. This article looks at the most common problems with installing VoIP.
- VoIP suppliers
The benefits of voice-over-internet-protocol in cost and flexibility are well understood, but what is not yet certain is how the supplier community will ultimately shake out. With multiple companies offering different voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) components, how are the suppliers aligning themselves?
- Network monitoring
Network monitoring systems and network testing technologies have evolved greatly over time, offering more automation, more ways to test servers and systems, and more ways to alert network administrators, sysadmins and IT managers of problems with the network and internal systems.
SME
- Business internet providers (for SMEs)
There are literally hundreds of UK business internet providers that offer broadband, mobile internet and e-commerce services to SMEs.
- The best software for small businesses (SMEs)
The best software for small businesses is software designed to help them to run their operations better, cut costs and replace paper processes. The most popular software packages include accounts, office productivity, email and communications, but nowadays, most business activities can be improved through desktop or web-based applications.
- How to set up your small business computer network
Setting up a small business computer network has become easier over the years as operating systems and networking technologies have improved, and storage and networking peripherals have evolved to incorporate plug and play features.
- Computer security for small businesses
Computer security for small businesses can be multi-layered, using desktop security products such as antivirus, antispam and firewalls, and network intrusion detection, and hardware technologies such as security tokens, disk encryption and biometric fingerprint recognition.
- Small business servers
Small business servers, both server hardware and server software, is designed to help any small business planning to grow its operations. Business servers can assist in handling communications, database functions or hosting business applications for multiple users.
- IT outsourcing for small businesses (SMEs)
IT outsourcing can help small businesses reduce IT costs and access new technologies. It begins understanding which IT operations could benefit from being managed by a third party service provider, which could be an offshore outsourcer or someone based on-shore.
Green IT and Efficient IT
- Computer equipment recycling
Computer equipment recycling and refurbishing is an important part of an organisation’s sustainable waste strategy. Businesses are encouraged to dispose of their IT equipment in an environmentally responsible way, and there are government regulations, such as the WEEE directive, designed to deal with hazardous waste.
- Risk Management Software
Risk management software, often linked closely with compliance management software, is designed to lower the overall risk and security implications that enterprises face.
- Green data centres
Green data centres have been on the increase over the past few years, and there are a number of ways to make your data centres more environmentally friendly, through the use of energy efficient technology and servers and systems that require less power.
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