Need CPU or Hard Drive Information – Crystal Dew World Software

Crystal Dew World has excellent freeware software for Hard Drive and CPU information.

Convert any Video, Sound or Music File

Format Factory offers an excellent program that does the following.  Excellent Software. Pat, Mike and I are always having to modify some video or sound file.  Don’t forget Audacity when it comes to audio editing.  And don’t remember meGUI for video editing and converting.

Support converting all popular video,audio,picture formats to others.
Repair damaged video and audio file.
Reducing Multimedia file size.
Support iphone,ipod multimedia file formats.
Picture converting supports Zoom,Rotate/Flip,tags.
DVD Ripper.

For a closer look at another great blogger’s view on Format Factory, go visit Rick at What’s On My PC.  Be sure to read some of his other great articles.

SUMo is a great software to keep all of your software up-to-date

SUMo is a great software that keeps your software up-to-date.  Previously in our blog we mentioned secunia.  Give it a try, it works great and is free.

This 1.5mb download is worth downloading.  Just because you have windows up to date does not mean that your computer is secure.

YOU DO NOT have to accept the extra add-on.  (see below)

Scanning and Scanned Screenshots

Create PDFs from any printable document

Often you will want to upload a document or email a document in a standard format.  PDFs are a standard format for all operating systems and computers.  Here’s a program to do just that.  Link

Where to Find Used and New Books

Mickey sent this link to a book site I have never seen before.  Link

Mozilla slates first Firefox 3.5 patch

Mozilla slates first Firefox 3.5 patch

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No to SQL? Anti-database movement gains steam

No to SQL? Anti-database movement gains steam

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US agencies require net neutrality with broadband grants

US agencies require net neutrality with broadband grants

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Symantec Exec warns of Free AntiVirus Use

Why of course they do….I like using original material and often read other blogs and give full credit to the blogger or webmaster.  When I read this article, I felt the way most of the other individuals who had commented.  Go over and read the article and comments.  Link

Over the years, the commercial guys have missed something.  I don’t know what it is but I see more viruses on ‘up-to-date’ commercial antivirus software and I have to use the ‘free’ utilities to remove the viruses or malware.  The computer is also strained under the bloated software.  Before I purchase software from a commercial vendor, they will have to make significant improvements on computer resources and the detection of real world viruses outside of a lab.  When you read about commercial antivirus products, they detect 98% to 99% of viruses.  In the real world, I receive computers to be repaired with these products and I have to remove their product and use tools to remove malware and viruses.

If you feel commercial antivirus is bloated (resource hog) and freeware works better; please comment.

 

IT Salaries Sliding or Growing

IT Salaries have slid down on the help desk / repair side of the salary chart.   With everyone becoming more educated in repairing computers and operating systems becoming easier to repair, this has led to salaries slightly decreasing on this side of information technology.

However, more advanced information technology careers such as database administrators or security analyst have gained or remain the same.  This side of information technology has grown more complex and companies would be advised to truly look at keeping these salaries the same or increasing pay.  With ecommerce being a key factor in companies succeeding, maintaining databases and the security of their assets is of the utmost importance.   The analytical skills required to perform the aforesaid duties requires these individuals to perform above reproach.

Tech Reupublic has a good article on salaries and information about the field.  Link

Because of the economic downturn, many companies have streamlined and combined responsibilities.  IT professionals have to work harder and have more ‘hats’ to wear.  This alone shows the changes the US is going through and being in IT for more than 25 years, this is no ‘big’ change in reality.  IT personnel in the ‘trenches’ are seeing responsibilities and jobs beginning to ’stack up’.   If you are in IT, ‘dig in’ and accept change.  The more versatile you are, the more likely you will survive in this field.

A contradiction to this is MCP magazine’s salary survey.  Their 13th annual survey says salaries are on the rise.  Article While I think the latter is true, I know upper IT management and ‘least’ used skills are being redefined and consolidated.

Information Technology is still one of the most rewarding careers today.   With the technological changes that are happening, IT will be a fulfilling and rewarding career to be a part of for years to come.

Thanks to Cecil for one of the links in this article.