A virtual private network (VPN) allows a secure connection via unsecured public networks. A common business scenario is an employee using a VPN to access the company network from the road or at home. A core advantage to a VPN is the low resource demands. The server only has to maintain its end of the connection and serve the requested data. Any resource-intensive processing occurs on the machine that established the connection.


A virtual desktop, on the other hand, is an individual user interface stored on a remote server. This desktop virtualization separates the software from the physical machine. In this scenario, the local machine is only responsible for maintaining its end of the connection, sending input and displaying the results on screen. Everything else, including the resource-intensive processing, occurs on the remote server.

Compared to virtual private networking, there are a number of key benefits to a modern virtual desktop architecture, such as the one provided via a Dell virtual desktop system. This strategy is more consistent and reliable. It is more cost-effective and resource-efficient. It is faster and safer. It provides centralized administration, fewer compatibility issues and improved data integrity. It is also less demanding on clients and thus less complex.

In many business scenarios, consistency is a crucial factor because it translates to savings. Yet consistency is near impossible to achieve using traditional VPNs because each client connects to the system with a different configuration. With virtual desktops, the user’s configuration is irrelevant to performance, and this equates to savings because the system is more compatible and does not have to account for so many variables.

Customer service, in particular, greatly benefits from the use of virtual desktops, both in terms of performance and cost. Using the Dell virtual desktop, for instance, companies do not even require a centralized customer service representative (CSR) solution. Instead, the server can distribute the virtual desktops, which has video communication and the appropriate software client automatically, to CSRs, who can even be working from home.

The other most important issues are security and data integrity. With a VPN, there is diminished data integrity because the system relies on the client to send the updated data. With a virtual desktop, the updated data is automatically on the server. In terms of security, the virtual desktop is more secure because it is far more difficult to compromise the system when the most sensitive elements exist only on the server.

One funny thing happened to me yesterday. I had one of those (rare) blue screen of death crashes on my Windows 7 machine. Happened randomly but I guess it was thanks to a faulty USB modem driver. Anyway, after I restarted and launched my Google Chrome browser, I noticed that all my settings and extensions vanished. Uh-oh. Good thing there’s this solution, I’m sharing with you.

1. Launch Windows Explorer

2. Navigate to C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\

3. Right-click on the User Data folder

4. Select Properties

5. Go to the Previous Versions tab

6. Select a version that’s before the crash happened

7. Click the Restore button

8. Wait for Windows to restore the folder

9. Launch Chrome again. You might have lost some activity but at least the Bookmarks and Extensions will be back.

We haven’t really recommended applications for the past year since most of the one we recommended in the past are still the best apps out there and all they got were newer versions that made them better.

However, some new innovative apps have emerged. Like Dropbox. I seriously can’t imagine computing without Dropbox. I do move around a lot and having it synchronize critical files in all my devices has proven to be the best thing since thumb drives.

One of the quirks with Dropbox is the (sort of) tedious process you have to go through if you want to share a link to someone. You have to copy the file to your Public folder, then right-click on it, select Dropbox then Copy Public Link. Not really a bothersome thing to do if it’s a once-in-a-while thing. But if you constantly do it, it can be bothersome.

Here’s a really nifty application that enhances Dropbox – Dropbox Linker. It runs in the background automatically copying the public link to a file that you just dropped into the Public folder to your clipboard. So once you drop the file for sharing, you only have to paste the link to whatever you need to publicize the link be it a blog post or email or IM.

Download Dropbox Linker here.

File management in Windows has gone a long way. Now you can drag and drop and shift or control drag and drop, use keyboard shortcuts or do a combination of right and left-clicks to manipulate files. However, there are times when the Windows GUI would leave you stumped on how to manage certain things. Bulk or mass changing file extensions for example.

Say you have a folder of files and you’d like to change their file extensions for whatever reason. Windows doesn’t let you do that right out of the box. But if you’re familiar with the old command line, this should be easy.

Shift+Right Click on the folder that contains the files the extensions of which you’d like to change. This will add options to the context menu such as the “Open command window here” option. Select that.

This will bring up the command line with the prompt exactly pointed to the folder containing files. To change the extensions, use the following command: ren *.jpg *.gif then hit Enter.

This should change all the .jpg files to .gif files in the folder. If you’re handling other file types just change the extensions. The first is to identify which extensions are to be changed and the second is the new extension to change them to.

How can you lose something as big as a laptop? Usually, the most reasonable explanation for losing it, is because some criminal forcibly took it from you. Otherwise you’re just plain careless. However, with the creativity of thieves today, you’d never know.
usa online casinos, us online casinos, usa casinos, us casinos, usa online casino, us online casino, casino usa

Always secure your things. A common place where people lose their laptops today is the coffee shop where they leave their computers behind to order something or do something else. There’s a reason why public places have those “Don’t leave your things unattended.” signs. As for leaving your laptop in your car, just don’t do it. Thieves often scout cars with bags in them so don’t make your car and your laptop a target.

Use locks. Most laptops have Kensington lock holes. These locks would allow you to secure your laptop to the table (pretty much like a bike lock for laptops). Invest on one of these if you have the habit of leaving it behind.
online casinos, best online casinos, top online casinos, new online casinos, flash online casinos, no download online casinos, usa online casinos

Password protect it. Make sure that whatever computer or operating system you have that it’s set to require a password to log in. While this will not deter determined thieves at least you create another electronic barrier to your data. Lock your keyboard when leaving it behind as well.

online gambling, online casinos, usa online casinos, us casinos, usa online gambling, casino online, online casino
Secure your data. Still, you’d never know if your laptop will get pinched. So if you have confidential personal data (financial and identity) and work data. Consider using encryption tools such as TrueCrypt. This will at least prevent access to your sensitive information.

Headphones and headsets make listening to music much more accessible even when we are busy with our daily routines. However, much care and caution should be considered while engrossed in the music we are listening. Here are some tips on headphones, headsets and their use.

Opt for open-air headsets as these can allow you to hear the sound from “outside” the headsets.

Try on headsets and headphones first before buying them. Make sure that these rests comfortably on your ears with no uneasiness even after an hour of wearing them. Consult the manfacturer’s warrnty or the store’s exchange policy if you find your headsets or headphones to be uncomfortable after a long period of wearing them.

Even if you can hear the outside noise, don’t turn the volume up to the maximum level. This is dangerous since your attention is fixated on the sounds and not on your surroundings. High sound volumes can damage your hearing as well. As a general rule, if the person next to you can hear the music you’re listening, the volume is way too loud.

If you like to listen to music until you fall asleep, invest on headphone and audio players that have sleep timers or can automatically shut-off.

Even if your external hard drive can hold more than 1 TB of data, it can still be used up. Here are some tips on saving computer space.

Execute your computer’s Disk Clean Up tool. This will delete files from the temporary files accessed by your Internet browser, recycle bin and system errog logs. You’ll be surprised by the additional storage you can claim.

Compress your old documents. If you need only to store your documents and not view them for a significant period of time, do consider file compression. There are a lot of archiving software available and they can reduce the size of your documents by up to 50%. You can always have list of your archived documents as reference for future use.

Delete unnecessary data. Sometimes we forget to remove files that are not necessarily storage worthy that they keep piling up. Before we know it, these files will take up a big space which could have been for a family video. Make it a habit to delete unnecessary files as soon as possible. Same thing applies to duplicate files.

Make sure to improve your email skills. Here are more tips on effective business communication via email.

Reply at the soonest possible time. Responding to emails is just as important as answering your mobile phone and face-to-face conversations. Email response should be sent not later than 2-3 hours after the time stamp of the previous email.

If you are unable to reply at the recommended time in much detail, just acknowledge the sender that you have received his email and you’ll get back to him with the appropriate response. Or better yet, use an autoresponder when going on extended breaks or vacation.

CC vs BCC. Use CC when it is acceptable for email recipients to display their email addresses like office memos and important company announcements. Use BCC when dealing with a larger number of recipients like marketing materials and newsletters. Also, use BCC if you want your recipients to remain anonymous to one another.

Email discussions within a group can also serve as meeting minutes. If private discussions related to the topic were done outside of the email thread, send the summary of the private discussion to keep the rest of the group “in the loop.”

Sometimes, the workplace is such a pit of stupidly drafted emails that sorting through your inbox is a chore in itself. Don’t want to be part of it? Here are some tips on effective business communication via email.

Always indicate the purpose of the email either on the subject line or the header of the email body. Some people filter their emails according to the priority and urgency of the email they receive.

Add tag words such as IMPT or URGENT if the email to be sent needs a reply as soon as possible. Add FOLLOWUP to the subject to let your recipient know that you haven’t received any response to your previous email.

Include a return receipt when necessary. Return receipts serve as an acknowledgement that the email receipient/s have read your email.

These could also save time since some return receipts are just a click away. Do follow the instructions for the return receipt if your co-worker has issued one to you as well.

Do not delete threaded replies. Threaded replies show the flow of communication regarding the subject being discussed. This will prevent any miscommunication from happenning since the conversation is recorded and both parties can easily refer to the previous statements.

This can serve as a proper manuscript should the email be forwarded to another person or someone is added to the email correspondence.

Here are tips on how to buy ne laptop batteries:

Find out the battery life. Batteries usually last between 2 and 5
hours. Buy good batteries with a long battery life. It should run
about 3 hours when running basic programs.

Make sure that the battery you buy is compatible with your laptop and
your computer system. Be sure to note the specs of your computer
before purchasing the battery and remember to bring it with you to the
store.
Compatibility

Buy from a brand that is known for its quality. It can be a bit
expensive but this will helo you save money in the long run.
Questionable brands may not last long, or they can even damage your
laptop.