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Internet Relay Chat - A Basic Introduction
What is IRC? IRC is Internet Relay Chat. It is a group of networked server computers that let clients (or users) connect and passes their message among the networked servers in almost real time. In other words, it is a big chat server, you join a group (channel) and you talk in an open forum type environment or one on one. What IRC Networks are out there? There are about fifty really mainstream IRC networks (groups of servers) you can connect to. The most common I have found is typically, 'EF-NET', 'Under-Net', and 'DAL-Net'. What is a Channel? A channel is the name for the 'group' you are joining, or the 'forum' in which you want to talk. On IRC channels are denoted as #ChannelName. For instance, say you are interested in MP3 music, then you may want to go to #MP3. What is a nickname? Your nickname is how others will see you online. On most IRC works your name can be 9 characters long. However on some networks it can be much longer. The syntax for changing names is listed under the basic commands below. What are the @ + things I see in all the channels? This is the structure of the channel. Someone that starts a channel will have a '@' sign. That denotes that he is the channel operator. In essence they 'own' the channel. The channel operator can make other people operators also, as he sees fit. The '+' sign in front of somenames is to denote 'voiced' mode. The channel operator has the option of setting the entire channel up as a 'moderated' channel, which means he can select the people 'allowed' to speak. He does this by 'voicing' them with a '+' sign. How do I get on IRC? To get on IRC you will need to get a client program. I personally suggest using 'mIRC', if you are in the windows environment. I have used the program for many years faithfully. It is a shareware program that doesn't disable after a given time period, however it does have a nag screen when you first load it, if you don't register it. What are the basic commands once I am on? /join #channel - this will make you enter a channel /part #channel - this will make you exit a channel you are in /nick newname - this will change your current screen name A note to parents, about IRC. IRC is a wonderful forum for idea exchange, and a fun place to chat and learn. However you must keep in mind that you don't know who is on the other end. Just because someone says they are 16, doesn't mean they aren't 45. Keep an eye on your children and make sure they know not to give out any personal information on IRC. Safe IRC'ing everyone! Ken Dennis http://KenDennis-RSS.homeip.net/
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RELATED ARTICLES
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? Version 8.0 Overview for IT Director/Controller If you have Microsoft Great Plains as main accounting and ERP system you need to know some technical details on Great Plains version upgrade and what is going on behind the scenes, which options do you have in case of Dexterity, VBA, SQL customizations, ctree/Pervasive migration to MS SQL/MSDE.� As of right now it is reasonable to upgrade to Microsoft Great Plains 8.0�Is upgrade required?� Not actually, but you have to consider these factors� ?�Technical Support discontinuation - the old version may not be supported - currently if you are on version 6.0 - support is already discontinued.� You can not have Microsoft Business Solutions help you, but obviously you have MBS partners who can still help you.� If you are on Ctree or Pervasive SQL, then your support expires December, 31 2004.� ?�Tax Updates/Magnetic media expiration - if you have US Payroll module and depend on it with W2 and other forms - you must stay with the version, which is supported and has tax updates.� If you are on Ctree or Pervasive SQL - then you will not have tax updates for these platforms at the end of 2004 and your W2s maybe inaccurate.� If you have a lot of employees - you may have issues with government.?�Following the Technology and Microsoft rules� - Microsoft wants you to be on the newest platform and provides you the best support when you follow this rule?�If you do have heavy customization - we recommend you to skip one version, for example if you are on version 7.5 - do not upgrade to 8.0 and wait for the next version�What is upgrade in the language of technology?� Upgrade has server and client sides.� ?�Server side - upgrade converts tables from old format to the new one.� In general words - Microsoft Business Solutions developers may change table structure, append additional fields to add new functionality, things like that.� Upgrade copies the table with changes to temporary table, then drops original table, recreates it with new structure and copies all the data from temp table to the newly created one.� ?�Workstation side - workstation is written in Great Plains Dexterity and has Dynamics.exe - engine and DYNAMICS.DIC - dictionary.� These two plus all the additional files will be replaced with the new ones.� Other dictionaries, such us REPORTS.DIC and FORMS.DIC should be also upgraded and upgrade will try to deal with them automatically.� In some cases modified reports (in REPORTS.DIC) could not be upgraded and need to be recreated in the new version.� What is customization upgrade?� You should consider different types of customizations: Dexterity,� VBA/Modifier, SQL, ReportWriter, Crystal Reports?�Dexterity Customization - being very short - Dexterity may have so called Custom Forms - these do not need upgrade - they should work as is.� Then Dexterity may alter existing Great Plains forms (so-called Alternate Great Plains forms) - in this case Dexterity customization should be redone for these forms/screens.� Plus additional consideration should be given to Dexterity triggers, shadow tables, etc.� ?�VBA/Modifier customization - Modifier allows you to modify existing Great Plains windows - it creates so called modified Great Plains windows, stored in FORMS.DIC.� Usually modification is placing new buttons or fields, which in turn will be given VBA scripts (stored in DYNAMICS.VBA).� VBA scripts may call something nice, like Crystal Report, or have some data access logic.� Usually the old version of DYNAMICS.VBA workds with the new version.� You may need to rearrange buttons on the modified form.?�SQL - you may have some stored procs for data integration, EDI or the like - if the addressed tables will be changed in the new version then you need to analyze your SQL code.� The good news is - Microsoft Business Solution doesn't make a lot of changes since version 7.0, because Microsoft is now trying to merge the products it owns: Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta - and so has different priorities?�ReportWriter - MBS doesn't change tables, but it keeps changing Dexterity formulas used in ReportWriter original reports - this is the problem in so-called Modified Reports upgrade - usually you have these reports modified: SOP Blank Invoice form, SOP Blank Picking ticket, etc.�� If report can not be upgraded - it should be redone in the new version with some exceptions.?�Crystal Reports - the nice thing about Crystal Report - id doesn't need to be upgraded (if the fields in the tables exist in the new version - which is usually true statement)What is upgrade for third-party modules?� Your Great Plains may have so-called third party modules: Mekorma, Kampdata, Horyzon, Wennsoft, Avalara, Truepay, Trinity, Intellisol to name a fewThird party modules may have their own utility for upgrade.� You just need to know that your third-party is ready for the new Great Plains version - if not - you just wait and stay on the old version.�What is migration from Ctree/Pervasive.SQL 2000 to MS SQL/MSDE?� MBS has migration tool.� You need first to install Great Plains on SQL Server with exactly the same account/segments structure and then install migration tool (it is Dexterity chunk) on your ctree/Pervasive workstation - then, when you integrate the chunk - you will map it to target SQL-based Great Plains Company, select all system and company tables, click the button and it will move all your tables one-by-one.� In the case when your Great Plains ctree/Pervasive has third parties - you need to check if the vendor has migration tool - otherwise you have to do manual move, use SQL Linked server to your legacy data�Do I need consultant?� It is probably good idea to have consultant to do the upgrade.� We strongly recommend you to use consultant in the following cases?�You have Dexterity customization?�You are doing migration from Pervasive/Ctree to Microsoft SQL Server/MSDE, especially when you have third-parties without migration tools?�You have a lot or ReportWriter Modified Great Plains Reports?�You have old version of Great Plains: Dynamics or eEnterprise 6.0 or prior - in this case you can not appeal to Microsoft Technical Support - it is discontinued ?�Your Great Plains has more than 20 users and you have to have upgrade done over the weekend - if it fails - you have business problems?�You don't have support - in this case you have to select your Microsoft Business Solutions Partner and pay for the annual support/enhancement plan - you will get new registration key and will be ready for the upgrade �Good luck with upgrade and if you have issues or concerns ? we are here to help!� If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! [email protected] Microsoft Great Plains Integrations - Tips for Developer In this short FAQ style article we would like to introduce you - software developer, programmer, database administrator into Microsoft Great Plains Integration tools and options Five Tips For A Great Software Demo Whether you need to close a sale, gather end-user feedback, show progress to your customer, or simply explain how your product works, sooner or later, you will need to demo your software product. Can You Calculate Complex Financial Calculations? Are you a whiz at calculating financial information? Not the easy personal stuff, like figuring out your monthly mortgage based on a fixed interest rate for x number of years, or how much money you have available each month after all your bills are paid. (You can probably use your fingers to figure that one out!) Spyware Statistics -- Whats New in May 2005? Although statistics often is blamed for various deadly sins -- from being biased to being inaccurate -- there is nothing left to those who are anyhow connected with IT but to keep up with fresh data. Since spyware is literally ubiquitous, nobody who owns or uses a PC can say that it is none of his business. So general public also has to keep an eye on the news about spyware. Builders Beware Which Type of Shop Can Rely On A Home Built System? Beware of The Pirated Software E-Mail Scams! You have gotten those E_Mails buy software at deep discounts. It is very tempting to save 85% to 95% on your favorite Software Titles. Why would you pay $279 for Windows XP when you can pay $49. Most of the times these are Pirated copies of the Software. You can run into huge problems later when you seek upgrades, Support or Security patches. Microsoft Great Plains - Microsoft RMS Integration ? overview Microsoft Great Plains and Microsoft Retail Management System (Microsoft RMS) are originally developed by different software vendors, who had no idea that in the remote future (now) these two applications will be owned by Microsoft and will need to be tightly integrated. Current integration between the two is not an easy thing. At this time MBS has RMS integration on the General Ledger and Purchase Order level into Great Plains out of the box. This integration has some advancements in comparison to old product: QuickSell, but it is still GL and PO only. We do understand the need for midsize and large retail companies, structured as clubs and selling on account to their members to have more adequate integration when you can synchronize your Sales information and have robust Great Plains reporting. Groupware: Answers the 5 Questions of Document Collaboration Every organization which creates collaborative documents, whether they are budgets, presentations, reports, spreadsheets, or other documents recognizes that collaborative efforts are requirement. That collaboration always forces the 5 eternal document collaboration questions: Who? What? Where? When? How? The reason I refer to them as eternal is that every day businesses are faced with these questions and rarely find the answers when they collaborate on documents. Microsoft Great Plains version 8.5: Upgrade, Customization, VBA, Crystal Reports - Highlights Microsoft Great Plains is one of the Microsoft Business Solutions family ERP products: Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, Solomon, Small Business Manager. MBS also has Microsoft CRM - Client Relation Management software and Microsoft Retail Management System (Microsoft RMS) Microsoft Great Plains Implementation for Midsize & Large Corporation: Lockbox Processing Microsoft Great Plains is now targeting large and midsize businesses and being matured ERP has advanced, but still very simple in use modules and features: Lockbox Processing for Accounts Receivables, Customer/Vendor Consolidation, Multicurrency etc. We'll try to cover these features in the series of small articles to help decision maker and end user understand the feature and how does it work to make a decision to purchase additional nice modules. In our opinion large corporation, which had to use ERP with rich functionality in the past, doesn't have to do it in our new time. There are few reasons to switch to cheaper ERP, the most important are: database platform reliability improvement ? nowadays MS SQL Server does excellent job and has most of the former instability and maintenance issues resolved. The second reason ? MS Windows server is now close to be considered as a solid rock and you do not have to reboot it on the regular basis to fix all the types of "memory leaks", etc. OK, lets review Lockbox processing: Seven Reasons Why a Hosted Inventory Management Solution Might Be Right For Your Organization Upgrading. Downtime. Maintenance. Hardware obsolescence. Implementation issues. The litany of headaches related to the implementation and on-going care-and-feeding of enterprise based applications is enough make the savviest of companies want to engage in anything but another software implementation. Like a full-blown IRS audit. Anything? Lowering The Risks In Developing Do-It-Yourself Software Projects Mike Dunville* had a decision to make. As the new operations manager for Alpha Staffing, he wanted to make a difference at the dynamic staffing firm. The principals of the firm had charged him with making the day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently while they concentrated on growing the business in today's challenging economy. Corporate ERP: Standard vs. Rich functionality ? Microsoft Great Plains Traditionally we were considering functionally rich systems, such as SAP, Oracle Financials, PeopleSoft, JDEdwards as the fit for large publicly traded corporation. There might be multiple opinions for the future corporate ERP/MRP systems. We would like to give you our prognosis: high-end systems will be losing market to generic granulated standard functionality systems. Customization will be in high demand ? but it will be appropriate to go for light of medium customization versus purchasing high-end functionality system. It is not a secret, that nowadays multiple companies from Fortune 500 list use midmarket solution, such as Microsoft Great Plains as their corporate ERP. In this small article we'll try to defend our position and give you highlights on deploying Microsoft Great Plains for large corporation. Microsoft Great Plains Reporting ? Overview for Developer Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular, partly because of Microsoft muscles behind it.� Now it is targeted to the whole spectrum of horizontal and vertical market clientele.� Small companies use Small Business Manager (which is based on the same technology ? Great Plains Dexterity dictionary and runtime), Great Plains Standard on MSDE is for small to midsize clients, and then Great Plains serves the rest of the market up to big corporations.� There are several reporting tools available and you definitely need to know which one to use for different types of reports. If you are developer who is asked: how do we create report for Microsoft Great Plains ? read this and you will have the clues on where to look further. Great Plains Report Writer (ReportWriter) ? this is built-in reporting tool.� All the original report in Great Plains are written in ReportWriter.� ReportWriter itself is Dexterity module.� You should use this tool if you would like to modify existing Great Plains reports, such as Blank Invoice Form - here you can place your company logo, change the positioning, fonts, colors, etc.� ReportWriter will allow you also do new� reports - simple option� if you want to export all the records from one Great Plains table - use it.� New report, however doesn't have interface where you would enter parameters - so it is not useful for real custom reports.� Another limitation of ReportWriter - you can not do cross-modules report - when you need sales and purchasing info on the same report for example. FRx.� This is excellent tool when deal with financial reporting - it works on the General Ledger level (Balance sheet, P&L, Cash Flow Statement, etc.).� It also allows you to do multiple companies consolidation - when you do consolidated Balance Sheet (with inter-companies transactions elimination). Smart List - Export to Excel ? this is nice feature in Great Plains - you could create a list with simple criteria and then export it to Excel. Crystal Reports.� It gives you unlimited functionality.� Obviously flexibility requires you to know Great Plains table structure:� Launch Great Plains and go to Tools->Resource Description->Tables.� Find the table in the proper series.� If you are looking for the customers ? it should be RM00101 ? customer master file.� If you need historical Sales Order Processing documents ? they are in SOP30200 ? Sales History Header file, etc.� Create ODBC connection to GP Company database.� Use the same technique as when you create standard ODBC connection for GP workstation ? but change default database to targeted company database.� Create SQL Query to probe the data ? we always recommend tuning your query and see that you are getting adequate results ? in any case ? Crystal Report is just a nice tool to show the results of your query. Direct Web Publishing off Great Plains databases ? yes - it is easy now with Visual Studio.Net and you can hire good programmers.� This is good - Microsoft Business Solutions products: Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta will be integrated into so called Microsoft Business Portal - which will have web interface - you can get the idea if you look at Microsoft CRM web client - so direct web publishing is good taste. SQL Queries.� If you have SQL background - this is great field for you.� You know - with properly formatted SQL query you can realize simple EDI export/import for the integration with legacy systems. Happy designing!� if you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-866-528-0577! [email protected] Implementing Microsoft CRM: setup and configuration ? notes for IT specialist Microsoft Business Solutions CRM is web-based CRM application, deploying all the spectrum of recent Microsoft technologies. We'll try to analyze different needs and implementation scenarios attributed to specific industries and business types, based on our experience. Artificial Intelligence And Intuition The intuitive algorithm. QuarkXpress Tips: How to Move Content Between Print and Web Layouts Since its release in 1987, QuarkXpress had made an immediate impact to computer enthusiasts. QuarkXPress introduced precision typography, layout and color control to the desktop computer, and delivered those features to designers at a fraction of the cost of proprietary typesetting systems. Quark software programs had been widely utilized to create, design and manage their documents such as books, catalogs, brochures, packaging, newspapers, magazines and online materials. Groupware and Online Collaboration: Collaboration Series #4 This article is the fourth of a series of articles exploring specific aspects of groupware. The brief informational articles in this series discuss some of the technologies associated with groupware, as well as some of the characteristics of groupware. Some of these characteristics may go hand in hand with business collaborative needs. Other characteristics go beyond what some groupware providers have to offer. The purpose of these articles is to equip the groupware user or investigator with helpful knowledge about the product in order to enable more effective use or to lead the investigator to the groupware service he or she is looking for. This fourth article explores the ability of groupware to facilitate online collaboration. Microsoft CRM ? Typical Customizations Microsoft CRM was designed to be easily customizable. Microsoft CRM Software Development Kit (MS CRM SDK) which you can download from Microsoft website contains descriptions of the objects or classes, exposed for customization. It has sample code in C# and partially in VB.Net. In Visual Studio.Net you can analyze all the classes, used by Microsoft developers to create MS CRM - you will discover that most of them are not documented in MS CRM SDK. Microsoft will not support your customization if you use undocumented class or do direct SQL access to CRM database.
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