Sunday, September 30, 2012

Weather Apps for Android Tablets

become a popular OS for users. There are more and more people starting to use mobile devices and tablets running Android OS everyday, opening a new future for Android app developers. Currently, the Google Play Store has thousands of apps for Android users to download and use, on both mobile phones and tablets.
Among the most popular apps, the weather apps are usually in the list for their versatility and usefulness. The weather apps often come with various features such as allowing users to see weather in other locations, current location and live weather information. Some weather apps also let users choose the sources to get updates, which is usually from The Weather Channel.
About the usefulness, weather apps often come with an option of widgets that allows users to put and customize these widgets on the home screen. This feature usually determines the popularity of the app as some people choose the apps with the best widget.
For Tablets that have larger screens than mobile phones, the widget displays not only the weather in the current area, but also predictions about the weather in the next few days. Some widgets also display the current time in different cities along with the weather. These widgets are quite useful as a weather forecast and as a decoration item to put on the home screen. Some tablets that have navigation features can take advantage of the "Location service" to determine the current location correctly without inputting manually.
As default, these apps will automatically sync with servers to fetch the latest information on weather to display on the home screen. To save the battery, users can turn off auto update feature or disable Wi-Fi. These weather apps can be found and downloaded from Google Play Store. Some of them are free to use, while some with premium features may cost a little bit. Overall, they are all worth the money spent.
Usually the new tablet comes with a pre-installed weather forecast app. To call out and put on the home screen, simply use "Add new widget" to call the widget and put it on the home screen. If you are using other apps, you can choose different types of widgets to use, such as for larger size to display more information or smaller size to display only essential information.
We personally recommend the HTC Sense widget, which displays all necessary information on the home screen, such as location, time, date, current weather and some system information that you can customize in the menu of the app. There are also other choices with more powerful features such as Weather Services and more. Be sure to check the compatibility of the tablet before downloading these apps.
These widgets not only work as a weather forecast, Android users often use weather widgets as a way to decorate their home screen. From the weather widget, they can choose to display which information they need, such as current temperature, clouds and time. They can also add more cities to display and customize the font of the widget from the menu.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7326085

Friday, September 28, 2012

3D Architectural Rendering Services: Showing the Idea

now offering 3D architectural rendering services. In fact, even individual artists are now able to offer the service because of the advance computer programs and software that make rendering an easy task. It is important to note as well the increasing demand for architectural rendering services because this is the force behind the rise of the industry. When it comes to architectural services, people always expect to pay a lot. The service and the profession is one of the highest paid in the industry of construction, and it s no longer limited to house construction. Many business people who wish to set up their own stores and offices need architects. In addition to this, civilians or simple homeowners are also in need of these experts who will design their homes and any add-ons they may desire. Even the business of creating homes has now been brought to the wholesale level and so architects are more in demand than ever.
The ability to render architectural designs into virtual images is something that comes in very helpful for architects and their clients alike. Architects will want to be able to show their clients the ideas that they have in as realistic a way as possible. It used to be that architects would use drawings to portray their designs. Some made use of their talents along with pictures of actual designs so that they can merge the two and show the new design that they have come up with. Thanks to 3D architectural rendering services that are available nowadays, architects can easily show their clients the design as seen through their own eyes.
The art of 3D rendering started out with simple items and props. Artists would render shapes such as circles and rectangles and put them together to create an image of actual items. Most artists started with making virtual images of simple chairs and tables, until these evolved into ones that had intricate designs. Now, this 3D rendering can be applied to architectural designs for a whole house or even a whole new business enterprise. On top of the actual house, rendering can also make it possible to show the other aspects that complete the picture such as trees and people.
For those who are interested about these rendering services, they will be glad to know that there are many individuals and groups who may be employed for it. The easiest way to find them would be to go online and search for the services that are in the local area. It would be best to find an actual store that offers the service right away so that correspondence will be easy but in the case that this is not possible, searching online is not a bad second choice. Again, it is still best to talk to these rendering artists face to face to make sure that you are all on the same page. The task of offering 3D architectural rendering services is not as easy as some people may think so try to employ the best in the field to get the best results.
Are you looking for information on 3D architectural rendering services? Visit http://www.8yolkstudio.com/ today!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Why Purchase a Vehicle Tracking System

is a fantastic way of being able to track your fleet on a daily basis. Business owners who use GPS tracking find it extremely beneficial and see instant results and they can track the whereabouts of their lorries or other vehicles and report to their customers instantly. For example, if a courier service has a customer who rings up wanting to know the whereabouts of their package, the company can instantly track on their system where the closest lorry is and send them to the customer. Unfortunately, many bosses may form an 'if its out of site then its out of mind' approach and then wonder why there are complaining customers. You have to trust your employees in that they are doing what they say they will do, but for a sound business model, it is worth looking into GPS systems.
A Great Investment
If you are planning on investing in vehicle tracking, it's not just a way of keeping a tab on your fleet drivers but it also prevents fleet misuse which every business owner does not want to happen. GPS trackers are a great investment into your business and a great way of being able to optimise fleet efficiency. It can also help to prevent and then stop unauthorised usage of a company's vehicles outside of working hours. GPS tracking works as it uses a intricate algorithm and technology to give the precise location of any vehicle that it is fitted to. GPS devices are fantastic as they are small, reasonably priced, lightweight and can be easily fitted to your car or fleet of vehicles.
By being able to track the speed of your one or many vehicles, owners can see how fast an employee is driving. Not only does speeding use more fuel and subsequently increase your costs, but it is dangerous and illegal and can lead to speeding fines and well as unnecessary accidents.
Gain the Benefits Today
If you purchase a Vehicle Tracking System, you will be able to gain the benefits easily. You will be able to easily keep an eye on workers as well as being able to see if they are at the place they are meant to be. You can also look into speeds they are travelling and how long they are travelling for. Purchase your today and you won't be disappointed.

Friday, September 14, 2012

A Variety Of GPS Trackers

GPS Tracker is a device that is used for tracking through global positioning. A Global Positioning System uses satellites in space to locate exactly where your car or vehicle is on the ground. They include extremely intricate technology to track your car no matter its destination which has a significant help to many individuals and company's lives. Trackers are great for tracking people as well as vehicles. A GPS unit is made up of a record which assesses the complete position of the goal subject with set time periods of energy. The data, then can be either stored in the device alone or perhaps it can be transferred to a location that may be a database, as well as a laptop or computer by using the internet.
A Variety For You
There are many different types of GPS trackers on the market. These of course include car plotting systems, marine systems and hand help outdoor systems. The great variety means that they can be used for a variety of uses. The particular marine trucker system can be used to obtain the place of various fish inside water systems in certain and virtually any type of water. The portable GPS tracker is great for transportability and compactness. Trackers are also great as they have many features. You may not need all of them, but the vast variety means that there is something for everyone no matter your need. Trackers are great for companies that rent out cars. This is as the vehicles can be easily tracked to keep a tab on the motions of all drivers. If you use GPS in cars that are driven by teenagers, this will also help parents to know the exact location of their children and all times and makes sure there are no unwelcome surprises.
Which Should I Choose?
When choosing your tracker, it's important to consider the many options available to you. What are you using your tracker for? How much do you want to spend? What exactly is your budget? If you are using your tracker for business you may well want to spend more than if you are just using it for personal use. Also decide what features you would like available. Do you want to see the speed at which your lorries or vehicles are travelling at our would you just like to see their position? With so many options available to you, GPS trackers are a fantastic purchase.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Give Your Technology Career A Jumpstart With IT Certifications

People who are looking for a way to get started in the technology field can use entry level certifications to show that they have a base level of knowledge. Those who are already employed in the technology field may seek certification as an avenue to pursue a higher paying position. There is some difference of opinion about which certifications are the most helpful to one's career.
The choice of certification should involve determining what one's career goals are. One's current experience level and skill set also plays a role in choosing which certification to pursue. A person that is seeking an entry level position should seek an entry level certification. Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA all offer entry level certifications. The vendor neutral certifications offered by CompTIA have some advantages because they are not tied to one single vendor. The Network+ certification would be an option for those seeking a career in networking. Security skills are sought after by many employers, making the Security+ certification another entry level certification that is beneficial for people entering the technology field.
For people with some experience, Microsoft has some good certifications to choose from. Because most companies use Microsoft products, it is important to have a good understanding of those products. Microsoft has many different certification paths. Programmers, system administrators, desktop support professionals, and help desk analysts all have their own certification tracks. The entry level certification for Microsoft is the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCST), which is achieved by passing any Microsoft exam. The next higher level of certification is the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), which is achieved by passing between three and five exams, depending on the certification track that is chosen.
Security is becoming more important as threats against companies continue to increase. There are several different certifications from different vendors in the security field. The most respected of these is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). This certification requires two years of IT security experience as a prerequisite. The certification exam is a challenging exam that requires in-depth knowledge of IT security.
People interested in a career in the networking field should consider certifications by Cisco. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNS) is Cisco's entry level certification. It requires passing one exam to become certified. The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is the next higher level of certification. It requires passing three exams. The CCNA and CCNP are well respected certifications that many employers require for their networking positions.
One of the more popular certifications for those who are beginning their career in technology is CompTIA's A+ Certification. It requires passing two exams that cover the basics of computer hardware and operating systems. It provides a strong foundation to build upon with more advanced certifications. It is sought after by many employers because they know that A+ Certified individuals have the skills needed to begin as entry level technicians.
Some people ask why they should get certified at all. In today's competitive job market, those who have certifications will have an edge over people who do not have certifications. Studying for a certification also increases ones knowledge level for a particular technology. Certification is not a replacement for real world experience. The best way to advance ones career is to combine IT certifications with real world experience on the job.
Knowledge Center Inc is a leading provider of information technology training courses. Computer training programs offered include CompTIA, Cisco,ITIL, CISSP, ISO20000 & Microsoft certification courses. Computer certification classes are held at KCI computer training center located at Ashburn, VA.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

What Are the New Features in Adobe InDesign CS6

has been a leader in the realm of desktop publishing software for over a decade, and the CS6 release seemed poised to continue that tradition of excellence. This versatile desktop publishing application allows detailed control over typography, design and image quality, with a wide range of new tools to help designers get the most out of their programs.
Liquid Layout
Adobe's new liquid layout feature makes it much easier to quickly adapt and change layouts. Designers can now change rules on a page-by-page or object-by-object basis, allowing content to automatically adjust based on those rules. This allows much simpler adaptation to new formats, page sizes or screen sizes.
Alternate Layouts
Alternate layouts can also be vital for designers, who must be able to adapt a pre-existing layout to a wide range of devices or media. The alternate layout feature automatically proposes horizontal layout options for tablets and similar devices, saving the new layout in the same document to make file organization much easier. Alternate layouts can be displayed in the Pages panel for easier organization, or as a split window to allow direct comparison of two different looks and feels.
Linked Content
The new linked content feature in Adobe InDesign CS6 gives designers the ability to link objects from one document to the next or in multiple locations in the same document. The individual incidences of the content can be adjusted on their own, but making a change to the original source gives designers the option to update all the different versions of the object across all the locations where it has been linked.
Content Collector
Adobe's new content collector tools give you the ability to grab multiple pieces of content, repurposing them across the same document or many different documents. Simply dragging and selecting the content adds it to the content collector conveyor. The content can then be placed in a new location directly from the conveyor, without the need to pull files from the hard drive individually.
PDF Forms
InDesign now permits designers to create form fields directly within the program, without the need to export to Adobe Acrobat first. The file can then be exported to PDF with the fields intact.
Recently Used Fonts Finding the right font out of a long list of possibilities can be frustrating, so Adobe InDesign CS6 stores the most recently used ones at the top of the font list. This speeds up the process of choosing fonts and streamlines the layout process.
Grayscale Previews
Since many layouts will also need to pop in grayscale or for people with visual disabilities, Adobe now offers a grayscale preview function. This allows designers to see how a layout looks when printed in black and white or when viewed on a black and white device with just a few clicks.
Learning to use all these features correctly can be difficult for designers who are struggling with a heavy workload. That's why Adobe InDesign CS6 training can be so important. Even professionals who use this program regularly can benefit from learning a few tips and tricks to make work go more easily, and new users will find the basic instruction invaluable.
Learn how to use the advanced features in Adobe InDesign CS6 training to design high quality print materials from an experienced professional. With VPclasses, you can learn more about this web design program through our Des Moines Adobe InDesign CS6 Training.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The New iPad for the Visually Impaired

people now enjoy the new iPad's Retina Display technology because it offers great graphics with its high resolution. It has received such positive reviews from fans and pundits alike that many more sell old iPad to experience the said display. But how about the visually impaired? Can they still use the iPad? Of course they can! In this article, I will present to you fun apps for your visually-impaired kids.
Here they are:
1. Fireworks Lite
In this app, if you slide your fingers on the screen, fireworks fly on the black screen and burst into many different colors. It also has cool firework sounds.
2. BabyTap
This one is also simple. It only has a white screen where your kid can tap and shapes will appear. With each tap, a sound will be produced like a baby laughing or a bell ringing.
3. Musical Hands
This is another fun app for your visually impaired kid. This app shows the screen with divided colored boxes. Each row is a different instrument. Once xour kid touches a box, a sound is produced while a burst of color appears.
4. Sound Shaker
This one is also easy to play with. All your kid has to do is choose a sound from several images. He has to touch the next blank screen with dots, and sounds will play. The sound changes every time he holds down his finger on the screen. The dots will then turn into an egg which hatches and a chick will chirp for your kid!
5. Peekaboo Barn
This one has very simple graphics. All your kid has to do is to tap on the big red barn and an animal will come out and make a noise. Then a child's voice utters the name of the animal.
6. Bubbles
This app starts with a black screen. When your kid slides a finger on the screen, blue bubbles will appear which will pop.
7. BabySymbol
This one is also very fun for the visually impaired. It is a cause and effect app that causes different sounds for every image your kid hits. You can choose whether the screen shows different images or just one big image for your child to hit.
8. Itsy Bitsy HD
This one is an interactive storybook of the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Your kid can touch anywhere and something fun will happen. You first choose either Mozart, Beethoven or Bach. Then some images will appear and when you touch the screen, different sounds play and stars appear. This app is great for kids with Cortical Visual Impairment.
9. PlayPhone
Just like the other apps, this app starts with a black screen. The whole screen becomes multi-color with each touch. When a button is hit, a character will show up and say something funny.
10. Tap-N-See-Zoo
This app was created for people with Cortical Visual Impairment. The screen is black with a red teddy bear floating around. When your kid touches the screen, the bear comes to the finger for him to tap it. If the bear grows very big, a fun sound is produced.
See? Even a child with visual impairment can still play with the iPad. So download these apps now for you're your little kid to enjoy!
Yvette Divino is a freelance writer. She is writing stuff about business and technology (especially electronics, tablet, iPad tablet). Sometimes she tends to write articles for marketing, internet, and computers. She's now currently writing an article for CashForiPads.com. Follow here at @PopTechGal

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

What to Do When Your iPad Won't Connect to Wi-Fi

to connect to the Internet. Yes, an iPad is still great even when it is not connected, but then again, an iPad that connects to the Internet is much greater. Some even sell their iPad just because it won't connect to the Internet, thinking that it is now broken. The Internet really is, for some, essential to their lives. So it is very irritating when an iPad won't connect even to a home network.
In this article, you will get introduced to some basic troubleshooting tips on what to do when your iPad won't connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Check Whether It Is Able to Connect to a Network
Other than checking if the Wi-Fi is turned On via Settings > Wi-Fi, you must check first whether it is able to connect to any Wi-Fi network. Take it first to a place that has Wi-Fi. If you have a generous neighbor, then ask them their Wi-Fi password for you to make a quick check. If not, go to a coffee shop or even a mall for free Wi-Fi.
Check Your Other Devices
Next, check your other devices, like your desktop computer, an iPhone, an iPod Touch, to see if they can connect successfully to your home network. If not, then you need to troubleshoot the network itself because the problem is probably not the iPad.
The Quick Fixes
Now that you are sure that your iPad can connect to a Wi-Fi network, and that your other Devices can connect to your home network, but the problem is that your iPad cannot, then here are some quick fixes that you can do to get your iPad working on your network. After testing one, try to see if you can connect to the Wi-Fi. If not, move to the next one.
1. Navigate to Settings, then Wi-Fi. Turn it off and on repeatedly and test your iPad if it can connect.
2. Restart your iPad then press and hold until you see "Slide to Power Off." Slide it.
3. Hard reboot your iPad by holding down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button for about 12 seconds. Ignore the "Slide to Power Off" and keep holding down the two buttons until the screen goes dark and the Apple logo appears as the iPad turns on again.
4. Restart your wireless router by pulling out its power adapter from the router for about 15 seconds, and then plug it back in.
5. Reset the network settings of your iPad. Navigate to Settings then General then Reset then Reset Network Settings.
6. Reset all settings of your iPad by navigating to Settings, then click General, then Reset and click All Settings.
7. Change the passphrase of your network. You have to rejoin the network with a new passphrase. If your network does not have one, make one by switching the network from unsecured to secure.
Try one of the steps mentioned above to resolve your Wi-Fi issues. If it won't still connect, then there are some solutions out there that are slower. You can get a full restore of your device, but it might not be a good idea if your iDevice is still under the warranty period or has an Apple Care Plan to it. Contact Apple first before doing a full restore.
If your iPad still cannot connect, then it may be broken. It is better to sell your broken iPad at CashforiPads.com and get a new one.
Yvette Divino is a freelance writer. She is writing stuff about business and technology (especially electronics, tablet, iPad tablet). Sometimes she tends to write articles for marketing, internet, and computers. She's now currently writing an article for CashForiPads.com, they specialized in selling old iPad.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Who Uses 3D Printing?

is a pretty cool manufacturing technology that will work to change the way that we get things made. When someone is looking to design their own product, tool, or part, 3D printing is usually there to pick up the slack. Let's talk about how 3D printing can help virtually anyone that's interested in creating something.
Who will this technology effect? Well, like I mentioned earlier, 3D printing will be there to help anyone who is interested in creating something. 3D printing can work with a variety of materials, sizes, and features. If a 3D printing machine needs to be used for creating a precise design with tons of curves and sharp edges, this technology will work. If you're interested in creating a fully colored sculpture of your face - this technology can also help there.Perhaps you may be working from inside off a machine shop - 3D printing will be there to help produce customized parts as well. When it comes down to producing parts and projects, this manufacturing technology is here to catch the slack. Who is directly affected by this technology though?
Well, "people who want to make stuff" is a pretty vague category. Another broad category might include engineers. Some of these engineers use this technology for a wide variety of purposes. Some of these purposes include architectural diagrams, or in different terms: a full color (or no color) physical model of a building. Some engineers use 3D printing to produce functional parts, for testing purposes. An example would be almost any kind of phone or gadget that's been mass produced. Instead of the manufacturers producing thousands of a part to test it, they would use 3d printing to produce 5-10 pieces. These prints would speak for the quality of the design, material, and many other aspects. Many professionals and engineers use additive manufacturing outside of diagrams and testing to produce ready to use parts. People within this genre of engineers work like machine shops, in that they produce parts quickly in a custom manor for clients. Perhaps someone within the aerospace industry needs a highly specialized piece out of a certain material to the exact dimensions of a design; this is where 3D printing comes into play! There are other engineering fields that use 3D printing, such as the biomedical industry - but you get the idea.
Not just engineers use 3D printing methods when it comes down to producing things. Many people like to create things just to create them - it's exciting! These people who I'm referring to are typically apart of the maker movement. If you haven't heard of the maker movement, you may want to look into it. Other artists and sculptors like to use 3D printing as another way to produce art in a physical form, rather than featuring fully done designs on the computer. These designs can look much better when they are produced on a real format, if you will. There is something that is magical about holding a piece that you actually designed by yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7329164

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

US Travelers Could Have Digital Devices Checked At Border, Here's What They Look At And Who Does It

keep almost everything about their private lives on their laptops, or other portable digital devices. Photos, bank accounts, medical records, virtually anything, is apt to be stored on a portable digital device... and this can become a problem for travelers trying to get across the US borders. This can be an especially troubling problem for people with especially sensitive documents. Things like the attorney, (or doctor,) client privilege, trade secrets, and other sensitive data could potentially be compromised.
What about The 4th Amendment-
The 4th amendment protects Americans from search and seizures that are unreasonable, true. In most cases, law enforcement has to show a Judge, or court, that there is a reason that they need access to anything... personal property, cars, and even digital devices and computers. But according to several federal court decisions when a person is crossing the border of the US, the expectation to a reasonable amount of privacy ends at the checkpoints. There have been legislative attempts to correct this, but all these efforts have failed for one reason or another.
How Your Digital Devices Will Be Searched Or Inspected-
There are two agencies that concern themselves with travelers' digital devices. The Customs and Border Protection agency of the DHS, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And, according to the published policies of both agencies, they have a great deal of discretionary powers as to what items can be detained for inspection. And though it is virtually impossible to discern how they will treat the equipment and data, they can do so with or without any kind of reasonable suspicion. In some cases they are allowed to keep the devices for closer inspection, where they can download and retain all the data on the device. Sadly, neither agency clearly explains how long the data can be kept, how it can be used, or how it can treated.
How Often Is This Done-
According to the agencies, such extreme measures are rare. The ACLU reports that an average of 300 device searches per month on average are conducted, and that less than half of those travelers were Americans. Yes, the searches are a regular happening, but not on an extreme level. With a frequency like this, most travelers have a low risk of their devices being inspected or retained for off-site inspection. But this average could increase in the near future. With advances in technology, both agencies, researchers, and software vendors are constantly searching for better and ore efficient ways to conduct this business, and eventually this could lead to everything on these portable digital devices being inspected without the owners even being aware that it is happening.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Do You Need To Upgrade To Adobe After Effects CS 5.5?

but using your own computer then the best option is Adobe After Effects CS 5.5. The latest version was released on June 30th 2011 and now is a good time to try it out, not only because Adobe has a free 30 day trial on their website, but also because the release cycle of this product is very recent so you are getting the absolutely latest iteration of the software without having to fear that it is about to be updated again.
After Effects is actually a much older product then you may realise, because version one was released as far back as January 1993. Since then there have been no less than 23 versions and partial versions of After Effects, and so the codebase is now extremely refined and streamlined which makes it a pleasure to use.
The latest CS 5.5 version has added in a whole slew of new features that videographers who use the software will love, including:
Camera Lens Blur Warp Stabilizer Effect Source Timecode Support Expanded R3D Features Timecode Effect Enhancements
And many more.
Which new features you hone in on will largely depend on how you use the software. As for example being able to import SWF files is a massive boon if you are an expert Adobe Flash user, as it opens up a whole new world of opportunities to change Flash files that a web developer has already sweated over into compelling visual effects for much wider mediums such as television or cinema.
There is also the fact that the software is now available in 64Bit mode, which is a massive boost for productivity over the 32BIT version. The difference in terms of processing speeds between older versions of After Effects and the new 5.5 version is quite striking.
In terms of individual features that make the software worthy of an upgrade from version 5, the most striking is the Warp Stabilizer feature.
The way that this works is to stabilize video footage that is out of focus or shaky, either through the unsteady hand of the cameraman, or because footage was filmed without stabilization options being active on the video camera during filming.
After Effects then takes this footage and through the magic of its digital wizardry stabilizes the footage.
It really is rather incredible to behold how quickly you can change an unusable piece of footage and turn it into something that looks like it was shot by a professional videographer.
The software also offers some very neat new postproduction features that speed up some of the more mundane, but necessary parts of the creative process and has a great new scaling option that is integrated into Warp Stabilizer.
The new After Effects CS 5.5 is a worthy upgrade to the old version, and with the addition of some compelling new features, and a lot of polishing of old features, it is an upgrade that is well worth checking out.
Sign up for one of our workshops to learn how to use the special features in Adobe After Effects CS5 to create award winning video effects from an experienced professional. Learn more about the Adobe video editing software through our Adobe After Effects CS5 Classes in Denver, Colorado.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Cool Applications Within 3D Printing

and it gives a lot of people the opportunity to do some pretty interesting stuff. There are people using this manufacturing technology to create some pretty interesting pieces, and there are people using 3D printing to do some pretty powerful stuff. However, there are also some scary applications that may come about through the use of this manufacturing process.
3D printing can be scary in some aspects, but it is also a truly phenomenal technology. What can this stuff do? What is so interesting and useful about 3D printing? Well, to answer that question - let's cover some of the current applications. 3D printing has been there to serve for quite a few of the engineering firms across the world. The process of testing product ideas, prototyping, and creating new products - 3D printing has become an almost crucial aspect. Being able to quickly, as in within 1 day, produce a test part is a powerful feat. It is also noteworthy that this form of technology can manufacture things that other types of manufacturing simply cannot. Machining processes have some powerful applications as well, but they simply can't create the kinds of products that 3D printing can. Mold manufacturing is also having a difficult time to compete.
Outside of engineering fields (well, sort of) there are other applications that come into play through 3D printing. One of these powerful applications would be the use of 3D printing within the medical field. What does this manufacturing world do in the medical field? Why is it important there, if at all? Well, there are quite a few applications that are taking place through 3D printing - which machining, mold manufacturing, and other manufacturing processes can't compete with. For example, customized implants such as spinal implants, skull implants, and various prosthetic devices need to be manufactured somehow, right? Well, some methods such as machining are already existing to do that right now. Well, at the same time not all kinds of implants and prosthetic pieces can be made through machining methods. This technology is fantastic for creating pretty much whatever you need. When it comes down to it, 3D printing has the power to create almost any design (with size & price limitations) out of one of a variety of material options. There are materials for certain plastics, ceramics, metals,and other parts. Metal printing, or DMLS is great for the medical field.
There are also other applications for the 3D printing industry to participate in. There are several marketing programs that benefit through 3D printing. By giving a sales representative a comprehensive 3D printed piece that offers everything that a product does, but is scaled down - is great for visuals. Instead of bringing a 150 pound valve to a sales meeting, a sales representative will be able to bring up a piece that is maybe half a pound, or 1-3 pounds. There are quite a few possibilities as to where this technology could go, and it is definitely helping the manufacturing facility.
If you enjoyed this article, you might want to learn about 3D Printing, or possibly you'd like to join a 3D Printing Community.

Monday, July 9, 2012

The Benefits of Using a Dedicated PCB Design Consultancy

Many companies will struggle through the design phase of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and incur extra costs and time delays along the way. In business it is best to focus on what it is you do best, and by concentrating on your core activities and using an outsourced service provided by specialists, you could gain an all important competitive advantage.
One of the main benefits of using the services of a PCB consultancy is their ability to manage the process from the initial concept through to the finished product, leaving your business free to concentrate on those activities it is you excel at.
Typically the services provided by PCB design consultancies are used by companies operating in the aerospace, automotive, communication, defence, medical, security and rail industries, and can shape the success such companies can expect when their products hit the market.
An experienced consultancy will be quick to grasp exactly what it is you are looking for, enabling them to improve your process by:
• Reducing the time to market
• Removing the need for numerous prototypes
• Improving the PCB design
• Reducing manufacturing costs
Simple design is just one of the services a dedicated consultancy will be able to offer. A far more diverse range of services will also exist, including but not exclusive to:
• Pre-design efficiency studies
• Signal integrity
• Data management
• Reverse engineering
• EMC pre-compliance testing
• PCB fabrication and assembly
• Consultancy and training
There are plenty of other benefits of outsourcing to a dedicated PCB design consultancy, with flexibility and expertise high on the list. There is also the certainty of a fixed cost for the work. Rather than redesign after redesign and escalating costs, a PCB design consultancy will work on a single price for the job, which will help companies when costing their project.
Such expertise will also help to ensure that the design of printed circuit boards is performed using the very latest software applications. This access to technology will improve the performance of your product and guarantee a bespoke solution to your requirements, rather than an adapted one size fits all approach, which would reduce the performance and relevance of your product when it finally hits the shelves.
Deadlines are particularly important when developing and designing new products. The rewards of being the first to market can be lucrative. When working with a specialist PCB design consultancy you can rest assured that deadlines will be met and your product will be swiftly available to your customers.
Quantum CAD is a leading PCB design consultancy offering a range of services. They harness the experience and skills of their team to produce cutting-edge products.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Optimize Windows 7 Startup Performance

suffering from Windows performance problems recently to the point that it is adversely impacting your productivity, then you may want to seriously consider taking the steps necessary in order to optimize Windows 7 startup performance. You would think that after seven releases of the most popular, best selling operating system of all time, that it would be an operating system that would require very little in the way of optimization and tuning. But alas, such is not the case.
As a matter of fact, when you think about it, today's modern cars still need to be optimized, tuned, and maintained, in order to run in tip top shape, don't they? If today's modern cars still need to undergo the rigors of routine preventative maintenance from time to time, then today's modern computers are by no means an exception to this rule.
Think about it for a moment. With all of the software that you install or download onto your computer or with all of the hardware that you connect to your computer from time to time, each and every little thing is bound to take its toll on your operating system, slowly bogging it down to the point where your computer begins to exhibit signs of performance degradation.
And nowhere is this performance degradation more pronounced than during the boot up of your computer. If your computer is taking an unacceptably long time to load, then you will want to take the measures necessary in order to optimize Windows 7 startup performance.
Do you have any programs configured to automatically launch as soon as you power up your computer, or as soon as you log onto your Windows account?
Do you have any services configured to run in the background which would launch automatically upon startup of your computer?
Even if the answer to the above two questions is no and you have ruled these out, one thing you will want to check for is for the presence of viruses and / or spyware. Believe it or not, spyware can remain hidden in your operating system by means of stealth, and you would have no way of ever knowing that it is running. This spyware can tax your system performance without your knowledge.
The good news is that in order to optimize Windows 7 startup performance, we can rely on software programs that are designed for that purpose: automating the process of streamlining the startup experience. A typical Windows optimization software utility will collect all of the information it can find from your system about the programs that are configured to start, and it will present this to you, for you to decide what to disable and what to allow, at start up.
Also, as alluded to above, it is important that you run antispyware and antivirus software on your computer at all times. This will keep any unauthorized, rogue processes from running on your machine at boot time that could be not only slowing down your startup experience but also spying on and collecting data from your machine unawares.