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We've grown to be pretty big fans of BlueAnt headsets over the past year, especially with the BlueAnt Z9 and the BlueAnt Z9i. Both Bluetooth headsets impressed us with excellent sound quality, while the Z9i improved upon the original with extra features like better audio and the addition of multipoint technology. However, just when we thought we've seen the best from BlueAnt, it surprised us with what is possibly one of the best Bluetooth headsets yet. The BlueAnt V1 is what BlueAnt is calling the world's first voice-controlled Bluetooth headset. It combines the excellent sound quality of the Z9i with an incredibly intuitive "voice user interface" that is a snap to use. Not only that, but we also think a voice-controlled headset like this is especially useful in areas with hands-free calling laws, since you can make and answer calls with just your voice. We definitely highly recommend the BlueAnt V1. The V1 is available for $129.99 retail, but you can get it for about $100 if you shop around online.
If you've seen the BlueAnt Z9 or the BlueAnt Z9i, then you'll know exactly what the V1 looks like. Indeed, the V1 looks identical to those two headsets; except that the V1 has a pinstripe exterior while both Z9 headsets are black. Measuring 1.61 inches by 0.68 inch by 0.44 inch, the V1 is small and lightweight, but since it looks so similar to the other two, we can't say it has a very innovative design. Like the Z9, the V1 has the multifunction button on the front toward the top, while the two volume buttons are on the right. All buttons are easy enough to find and press.
Turn the V1 over and you'll find an earpiece along with a flexible metal ear hook. The earpiece is a little different from the Z9; it comes with rubbery ear gels that dip a little deeper in the ear canal. We actually like this because the fit feels more secure and the audio quality is improved, but we can see how this might feel uncomfortable for some people. If you want, the BlueAnt V1 also comes with two foam tips instead. As for the ear hook, we did find it necessary and not optional, since it doesn't feel as secure without it. The V1 comes with translucent plastic ear hook as well, if you don't like the metal one. We found both ear hooks to be pretty comfortable to use. Also on the back of the V1 is a tiny clip that can be clipped on to a tie or a shirt.
We paired the BlueAnt V1 with the Apple iPhone 3G, and we didn't have to look up the user manual to find out how. Simply wear the V1 headset, turn it on, and it will automatically tell you a step-by-step tutorial on how to pair your phone. The process isn't too different from other Bluetooth headsets, but having a voice telling you what to do is really nice especially for those who are new to Bluetooth headsets. If you want to manually pair a phone, all you have to do is say "Pair Me." Note that you have to press the multifunction button once to activate the voice control mode.
Aside from that, there is no voice recognition tutorial--just start talking. With the voice control mode on, we found we didn't need the user manual at all. If you want help, you can say "Teach Me" and it'll guide you through the different voice commands. If you forget the commands, you can say "What can I say?" and it'll go through the commands again with you. You can say "Answer" to answer a call, and you can say "Ignore" to reject a call. Other voice commands include "Redial" for last number redial, "Check Battery" for the battery status, and of course you can say "Call" followed by Home, Office, Voice mail, speed dial numbers, or any other number. You can even say "Call Back" to call the number of the last incoming call. One of our favorite commands is "Call GOOG-411" which automatically connects you to Google's free 411 service.
Audio quality was pretty incredible, and we think it's on par with the Jawbone 2. The voice isolation technology really helps to isolate our voice so that callers can hear us really clearly, and the echo-cancellation means we can hear our callers' just fine as well. Like with the Z9i, the V1's voice-isolation sensor has two modes--Standard and Max. Standard is for everyday situations, keeping the regular noise suppression but also maintaining the sound of the natural voice. Max is for extremely noisy situations where natural voice isn't as important as increased noise reduction. We tested both situations: one in a car, while the other was in a busy food court. Indeed, the Max mode resulted in a more robotic sounding voice, but callers could still hear us just fine.
Aside from the features mentioned, the V1 also supports call mute, call waiting, and the capability to transfer calls from the headset to the phone and vice versa.
The BlueAnt V1 has a rated battery life of 5 hours talk time and 8.3 days standby time. It also comes with a USB charging adapter as well as an AC adapter.

SOURCE
CNET.COM

Small Business Server Business TipsTop 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting ProfitsOver the past 7 years, Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) has gained traction as a widely-respected Small Business Server networking suite.As a result, many small business computer consultants, systems integrators, and value-added resellers have jumped on-board the Microsoft Small Business Server bandwagon. However, before you go ahead and bet YOUR company on Microsoft Small Business Server, consider the following three Small Business Server Business Tips... so you can maximize your Small Business Server consulting profits.

(1) Most small businesses in your area have never heard of Microsoft Small Business Server. Although there may be hundreds, if not thousands, of small businesses in your area that would be excellent candidates for Microsoft Small Business Server, don’t make the ultra-common mistake of assuming that the typical non-technical small business owner even knows what Microsoft Small Business Server is. If you want to maximize your consulting profits and avoid commodity price wars, you’re much better off leading off with a pitch for something that’s more universally recognized... such as getting rid of computer viruses, stopping SPAM, or preventing computer security breaches.

(2) Sell your small business prospects on YOUR company first.The real money in Small Business Server is NOT in reselling the Microsoft Small Business Server software. The real money comes from selling the RELATIONSHIP with the small business. So your company essentially becomes your clients’ outsourced IT department. Remember, no small business owner is going to wake up in the middle of the night, in a cold sweat, craving Small Business Server. However, small business owners DO constantly lose sleep over what will happen to their companies if their computer systems fail them. Become the solution to the more primal, survival instinct and you’ll get plenty of opportunities to sell Small Business Server, once you’ve established a solid client/consultant relationship.

(3) Microsoft doesn’t value computer consultants as much as they sometimes say.Little known fact: the first version of Microsoft Small Business Server, planned in 1996 and released in 1997, was code-named

CNET EDITOR'S REVIEW

With the public release of its second beta, Microsoft said it intends for the Internet Explorer 8 browser to be more customer-oriented than previous versions of its browser. Our initial impression of Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is positive: we think Microsoft has not only caught up with Opera, Safari, and Firefox, but in some cases even surpasses these other browsers with its innovative new features. IE8 offers people several enhancements like color-coded tabs, increased privacy options, and greater security features baked right in. Most of the new features require systems to be running Windows Vista SP1 or Windows XP SP3. The final version of Internet Explorer 8 is expected in November 2008.

The user interface hasn't changed much since Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1, except to add a Security pull-down menu between Page and Tools on the main toolbar. In addition to blocking phishing sites, IE8 now highlights the main domain of any Web site you visit. Thus, if something other than eBay.com is highlighted, chances are you are on the wrong Web site. Perhaps the most anticipated addition is Internet Explorer's new antimalware protection. Opera 9.5 and Firefox 3 both recently added antimalware protection. Safari has so far not announced plans for similar protection. Using mostly its own antimalware technology, Microsoft will block emerging threats by masking the entire IE 8 browser screen with a warning to users. The addition of malware protection to the existing antiphishing protection will be rebranded as the Microsoft SmartScreen filter.

In another feature, known as InPrivate, Microsoft allows the browser to suspend caching functions while you surf. Some scenarios for using InPrivate might be when you're using someone else's computer, when you need to buy a gift for a loved one without ruining the surprise, or when you're at an Internet kiosk and don't want the next person to know which Web site you visited. While you can currently clear the browser cache with a mouse click, it's an all-or-nothing action. InPrivate temporarily suspends the automatic caching functions, allowing you to keep the rest of your browsing history intact.

IE8 also contains a cross-site scripting filter, one of the first in a mainstream browser. Cross-site scripting allows an attacker to execute script on a user's browser without them knowing. When the IE8 filter finds a Web page with a cross-site scripting request, it changes the content on the page with a notice. Users are not presented with an option; IE simply blocks the malicious script from executing and displays the rest of the page.

IE 8 Beta 1 has already introduced several changes when handling ActiveX components. Components will be installed per user, which eliminates the need for everyone to have administrator privileges. In addition, you must acknowledge or opt-in for the component to run, eliminating drive-by downloads. Components will be per site and will only be available from the site of origin. Finally, site developers can request killbits, code that identifies a particular ActiveX control, from Microsoft which can be sent via Windows Update to terminate risky or outdated components. Killbits look for a specific identifier; if the identifier is missing or marked bad, an application will not run within Internet Explorer until the developer issues an updated version of the application.

Getting back to the customer experience, there's an underlying assumption by Microsoft that everyone wants new tabs. For instance, opening a bookmark means automatically opening a new tab. To re-open a closed tab, you need first to open a blank tab; same if you want to restore a previous session within IE8.

Fortunately, IE8 has included a new color-coded tab system that interrelates tabs. If you are on one page and click a link to open another tab, the two will appear side by side and share a color. This may work for casual users, but for a power user who needs 10 to 15 tabs open with tools and sites frequently visited, the proliferation of new tabs becomes unwieldy--whether or not they are grouped and associated by color.

IE8 provides what Microsoft calls an "accelerator." Here's how it works: highlight any word or phrase on a Web page and the browser will prompt you with a blue arrow icon. Now, use that icon to associate that word or phrase with a Web 2.0 service, such as Google maps to conveniently find an address. You can customize the options. Your accelerated item will appear in a new tab that is color-coded and adjacent to the original reference tab.
All this is good news for loyal Internet Explorer fans, but loyal Firefox fans still retain the customization edge--for every new feature in IE8, there will undoubtedly be another Firefox extension produced soon enough. If anything, IE8 will serve notice to the other browsers that the sleepy giant has awakened. The browser wars have reignited.

Content obtained from www.cnet.com

Many Webmasters have never bothered to view their website's server log. Ignoring your server log is like flying with a blind pilot. You may still be cruising along, but you have no idea where you are or where you're headed. If your website is on a free host, you probably don't have access to the server log. However, if you pay for your web host, or if you own the server, you almost always have some access to the server log. In this article, you'll learn what kind of information a typical server log provides, how to analyze that information, and how to use that information to steer your website in a direction for growth and success.

The actual data in the server log is just that, data. Data is of little use without an application to compile, categorize, analyze, and turn it into useful information. The power of server log analysis software varies depending upon the web host, and it's not related to how much you pay for hosting service. I have seen some very low budget web hosts with powerful server log analysis software, and some expensive web hosts that provide only a limited utility. The importance of the server log analysis software is second only to up-time reliabilty when it comes to web hosts. A web server log can tell you who is visiting your web site, where they're coming from, what operating system and web browser they're using, what pages of your website they are viewing, and much more. A smart webmaster performs a regular monthly analysis of the valuable information contained in the server log. Hits

Some webmasters brag about the number of "hits" their website receives, but hits themselves are not important. For example, when a search engine spiders your website, it generates a hit for every page it visits. There are ways to generate millions of hits on a website without anyone ever actually viewing a single page. The important statistics are "page view hits" and "unique visitors". Server log analysis software should tell you how many times each page was viewed. Anaylyzing the popularity of individual pages tells you where to place your most important advertisements, and what kind of new content you should add to your website. The king of all statistics is the number of unique visitors your web site receives. When it comes to selling advertising or joining the most exclusive affiliate programs, a high number of unique visitors each month is the statistic that gets respect. Good analysis software will tell you how many pages each visitor viewed and how long they stayed on your website. The goal is to develop content that gets your visitors to stay longer, a quality sometimes referred to as "stickiness".

Upgrading RAM We have understood by now, that more memory will enable your computer to work faster. How much memory you need is really a factor of the nature of work that you do on you computer. Two factors are worth considering: the first, that if your computer does not have enough memory, it will run slowly. Conversely, if you computer already has enough memory, then adding more will not necessary enhance performance. In this case, your microprocessor or graphics may be slowing your computer down. Hence, do consider these factors and use common sense while upgrading. That said, since memory chips have become a lot cheaper, it makes sense to install a little more than you anticipate you will need. If you do not have a large enough budget, then of course there is the option of upgrading later.

Upgrading your microprocessor A faster microprocessor means a faster computer, given that the other components (memory, graphics card etc) are up to date. First you need to assess whether it is really your microprocessor that is slowing down your computer. It may be that you have a good microprocessor but a slow graphics card or insufficient memory. On the hand, if your microprocessor is slow, and your other components are relatively efficient, then it would make sense to upgrade the microprocessor. The idea is to achieve a balanced PC in which all the components are relatively equivalent in terms of performance. If you just want more speed, and all your other important components are up to date, then a microprocessor upgrade would well do the job.

Upgrading your graphics card If you are playing hi-tech games and finding that the animation is slow, then your graphics card probably needs to be upgraded. Upgrading the graphics card in such a situation would certainly enhance the speed of your computer. If you work a lot with images and find that it takes time to update, then also the graphics card could do with an upgrade. However, if your word processing or spreadsheet functions have slowed, then your graphics card is not the culprit and upgrading it will not help.

Are you or your company in need of another server, but the cost is too high? Do you feel like you are paying a large sum of money for a new system and you aren’t getting the configuration that you were hoping for because it is too costly? Are you looking to get the most equipment for the amount of money you have budgeted? Well, if you answered yes to any of these questions than this is the article for you! Used Servers can be purchased and configured to your needs, while saving you a bundle. Here are some of the benefits of buying used.

First and foremost, buying used server equipment saves you money! In fact, at http://www.FocusTechnology.com, you can save upwards 70% on some items! This allows you to invest that money elsewhere, and makes your boss happy. Here is an example of the savings in used:

Focus Technology Price:Sun E250 (used) $1,000.00
Competitive Price on a similar ConfigurationSun E250 (new) $12,999.00
Cost Savings of $11,999.00!!!

As you can see, there are clear cost savings to purchasing your equipment used. By using that model, you could buy 13 used servers for the price of one new server!

This brings me to the second reason buying used servers is better, better custom configurations. Most servers that you can purchase new are pre-configured to what the manufacturer has decided, when you buy used, you can configure the server to what you want. When you save the loads of money on the servers, you can afford to configure them to perform better. This makes your server faster, and more reliable, while saving you money. The choice is ultimately up to you, you could get a new server, and get a good system for a high price; or you could get a nice looking used server, with better hardware, for a much lower price. Be the hero of your company, and save it loads of money, while increasing productivity, buy used!

Before you freak out and throw your router out the window, make sure you get all the facts straight about wireless routers.Wireless routers are great, they reduce clutter, allow you to easily use laptops or PDAs around the house, and save money on wiring and wiring installation.However, when the big router companies had the decision of whether to make Wireless Routers easy to install or secure, the chose easy to install.What does this mean?This means that rather than having you go through a lengthy process of encrypting your signal and preventing outside users from taking your internet connection, the big wireless companies (Microsoft, Intel, Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear) wanted to make installation a snap! Did you ever notice how easy it was to get up and running with a wireless router right out of the box? Once you power up the router and connect your DSL line or Cable Modem, that signal is being broadcasted in every direction up to an average of 300 feet. That means your next door neighbor can easily pick up on your signal and surf the web for free!Even worse, this means that if someone using your connection is doing something illegal, whoever traces that activity ends up knocking on your door since the internet connection is in your house!Protect yourself by doing 2 things:1. Encrypt Your ConnectionThis will vary between router manufacturers and models, but if you refer to your manual then it will explain it in detail.You'll basically go into the settings through the computer that's hard wired to the router and enter a password that will be further scrambled into what's called a Network Key. This network key is a series of letters and numbers that are then entered into each computer you wish to have access to the internet through your router.2. Don't Broadcast Your SignalThis is also an option in the settings you go to from the hard wired computer. To see an example, click here. As you can see, as outlined by a red box, there is an option to not allow the router to "Broadcast" it's signal. If this box stayed in the "Broadcast" position, then anyone with a wireless card in their computer within 300 feet could pick up on your signal and steal your internet connection.This has happened to my friend who happens to live in an apartment complex. There are three signals available for him to use the internet with, including his own. It's caused so much of a problem that now he can't even connect to his own router in his own house. So not only does this keep people from stealing your connection, it also helps to prevent any confusion or conflicts, especially in an apartment complex!If you follow these steps to ensure a secure connection, then you can prevent someone from taking your internet connection!

When you signed up for that ultra-fast DSL or Cable connection there was probably one very important piece of information that your ISP failed to mention. By accessing the Internet via a high-speed connection, you have tremendously increased your chances of being victimized by a computer hacker.Dial-up may not have seemed like it could have held any advantages, but it actually did have one upside. It is much less prone to hacking. Every time you dialed-in your computer was assigned a new IP address. That unique IP address made you a moving target that was more difficult for hackers to hit.With a high-speed connection you are assigned a static IP address (it never changes). So, your computer went from being a moving target to staying still with a bulls-eye pasted on the side. That, coupled with the fact that with a high-speed connection your computer is always online, are ideal conditions for a potential hacker attack. That seemingly beneficial always-on connection gives hackers a 24/7 open invitation to try and hack your system. Once inside they can access personal or financial details, compromise your computer's operating system, or unleash a virus, worm, or spyware.Which Firewall is Right For You?Now that you know how vital a firewall is to the protection of your PC you have to decide which firewall is right for you. Software or hardware.A software firewall is designed to monitor your computers activity at all times. Think of it as a bodyguard who won't let anyone into your computer if he doesn't like the look of them. With a software firewall you may to have to assist in protecting your system. The firewall might alert you to certain activity and ask you if you want to grant or deny permission. It's just like the bodyguard that was mentioned before. He needs the okay before telling someone to scram. After you give either the thumbs up or the thumbs down the firewall will take the appropriate action and remember your reply so that you won't be asked in the future.If you feel comfortable installing and configuring hardware, then you might want to consider a hardware firewall in the form of a Cable/DSL router. The hardware firewall handles everything on its own without any input from you and you also won't have to read any reports or make any decisions. The firewall handles everything on its own. Installation, however, can be tricky, so this option is definitely more suited to the advanced computer user.My Firewall is Installed. Now I'm Safe, Right?With your new firewall in place you are probably thinking that your computer is impenetrable, right? Well, maybe not. As important to the security of your system as a firewall is, some do have their limits. Most software firewalls won't scan your system for viruses that can harm your computer and there aren't any hardware firewalls on the market that offer virus protection. That means that you are still vulnerable to attack. The best line of defense against viruses that can harm your system is anti-virus protection.You can either buy a seperate anti-virus program or shop around for a software firewall with anti-virus protection built-in. You may never be able to make your computer 100% hacker-proof, but the installation of a firewall coupled with anti-virus protection will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a hacker's next victim.

Cleaning viruses off your computer system can be an easy process if you have the right tool. There are many fee and free programs that you can use to do this, ones that you may not even know are available to you. Many of these programs are set up so that even the most novice of computer user can use them without a probleam. Running a virus scanner will safeguard your computer, and may save you from a lot of headaches in the future.
Some of the well known virus scanners are made by Symantec (Norton), Mcaffee, and Trend Micro. Computer Manufacturers will even include a month to six months to a year of free updates with these virus scanners. Once these free updates run out, it doesnt mean that your virus scannner is not working. It means it wont be updated with the latest virus information. While it is reccommended that you have the most recent updates, having the virus scanner itself on your computer will afford you some protection. I dont recommned keeping your computer this way, but if it is your only option, as in you some how cant download one of the free virus scanners I will mention later on in this article, make sure you keep atleast this one line of protection on your computer. Norton and Mcafee sell their antivirus programs for 39.99. You get a years worth of updates with both of theses. Trendmicro bundles their antivirus package with their internet security suite. This costs $49.99, the same as the Mcafee internet security suite, but less than the Norton internet security suite at 69.99. If the information on your system is important to you, the cost is actuallty very reasonable.
There are ways you can save money on Antivirus programs. Many internet service poviders such as aol, verizon, and netscape have started to offer their customers the choice of getting virus protection from them. For instance, with verizon dsl, you can download MSN Premium, which in turn allows you to download Mcafee's virus scan for absolutely free. You simply have to make sure to sign into msn to verify your subscription once every few months. The reminder is actually very non intrusive. Netscape for an additional 3.00 a month will provide you with antivirus protection from Mcafee as well. This comes out to 36.00, so you'll save about 3.99 against buying the actual program. While this is not much, as they say, every little saving adds up over time. For AOL users, you get a free Mcafee virus scan online included with your service for no extra charge. If you're not sure if your isp offers a free virus scanner, you can check over their web site, send their representatives an email, or give them a call. For those of you signed up with the very very inexpensive isp's make sure that you're not going to be charged to call them for information. Most of them though will offer free email support.
For an abosolutely free virus scanner that any home user can get, you can check out a company named TrendMicro Housecall. While it will not reside on your computer to actively protect you from viruses, you can run the program from the internet to verify your computer is virus free, or even to remove a virus if it has not caused enough damage to your computer to stop you from using it. It is available at http://housecall.trendmicro.com. Another free virus scanner that you can download is AVG free edition from Grisoft. It has an in resident scanner that can actively protect you from viruses. You can download it from http://free.grisoft.com. If you like the free version, and would like a more full featured anti virus program, Grisoft also offers a paid version to their antivirus program.
So no matter what you budget is, you can get a virus scanner from some where. You can even get the full featured clients depending on which isp you are using. The most important thing is that you have the scanner on your computer, protecting your data from harm.