Conversion of Spreadsheet Graph data to SVG

Writen by Peter Hale

It should be possible to convert spreadsheet graph data to SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). This could also be achieved in any software system that uses graphs. It is difficult to convert one structure to a different representation such as a tree based information structure of a component into a diagrammatic representation of a component in SVG. This is not impossible though as CAD tools can do this. But output of a graph to SVG is straight forward, as the actual structure and semantics are the same, its only the syntax that needs conversion, so this can be achieved using virtually any programming language. In spreadsheets the data is converted to a graph automatically anyway.

However it is not practical to expect users to do this, its much more sensible to provide this functionality for them, so they can concentrate on representing the graph to explain the information they want displayed. There might be graph types that are difficult to translate, but a good approach would be to first automate the translation to bar charts, line graphs, and pie charts.

If anyone has worked on this can they let me know, and I’ll add an explanation of what they are doing to this article.

It would also be interesting to know whether anyone is aware of whether Microsoft are going to provide an HTML output that conforms to W3C recommendations for XHTML so the converted pages can be validated. This is another straight forward problem, and would save everyone so much time. Another thing that would save a great deal of peoples’ time is a tool to aid in conversion of non-compliant web pages to compliant pages.

I am a Researcher in the final year of my. I specialise in applying Semantic Web techniques. My current research is on a technique of ‘User Driven Modelling/Programming’. My intention is to enable non-programmers to create software from a user interface that allows them to model a particular problem or scenario. This involves a user entering information visually in the from of a tree diagram. I am attempting to develop ways of automatically translating this information into program code in a variety of computer languages. This is very important and useful for many employees that have insufficient time to learn programming languages. I am using the Protege ontology editor developed from a project of Stanford University and beginning to use the Jena tool of Hewlett-Packard. I am looking to research visualisation, and visualisation techniques to create a human computer interface that allows non experts to create software.

My Home Page is at http://www.cems.uwe.ac.uk/~phale/ My blog is http://userdrivenmodelling.blogspot.com/

ERP: Brazil – Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle Apps, SAP Business One

Writen by Andrew Karasev

Brazilian ERP/Accounting systems market is represented by local MRP applications, such as Microsiga, Datasul and other local ERP applications as well as several international ERP brands from Microsoft Business Solutions / Dynamics, SAP, Oracle. When planning to penetrate to the market place in Brazil, such lucrative urban areas as S

What is Spyware (and Ad-ware)?

Writen by Mark Berger

Although this is a fairly basic question, not everyone is aware of exactly what spyware or ad-ware is. Spyware, usually in the form of cookies or server-side code, installs itself into your browser while you are visiting a certain website. It can also get onto your PC from peer-to-peer file sharing programs like Bearshare, Kazaa, etc. And did you know that Microsoft have actually put their own ad-ware program into Microsoft Windows?

I bet you didn’t. If you are getting annoying windows-like popups (and you just re-installed windows or formatted) that say how to stop popups, etc. Then you need to consult my article on how to disable Window’s built in ad-ware service.

Why ad-ware and spyware was invented is simple. For as long as their has been privacy, there has been those that mean to invade that piracy. It is a never ending cycle, much like how good battles evil. Companies that produce spyware usually have bad intentions. After all, how can software that resides on your PC monitoring what you do, or trying to access your personal information, be used for a good cause?

It most certainly is not. When you think about it, Spyware certainly could have been made as a preventative measure. Like helping police find pedophiles and logging their steps. Whether it was invented for good or evil, spyware will collect your personal information and sometimes attempt to transfer it without your knowing. If you think you have spyware or ad-ware, refer to my article on getting rid of it.

Ad-ware was created as an extension of online marketing. Likely some online marketing gurus were looking for another way to reach their users. You may remember programs that were popular some time ago, ones that you made money on by surfing the ‘net. I myself never made a cent on them, but the way you were paid was through advertising. A small banner would change ads rapidly at the bottom of your screen. The thinking behind this program was you clicked on an ad, and that company you clicked on paid the company who’s program you were running money per click. In other words, say you were using Company 45’s “Make money by surfing the ‘net” program. Company 45 displays random ads across your screen at the bottom. You click on company 1402’s ad, so company 1402 pays 45 for that click. And for every click on the ads at the bottom, company 45 collects revenue per click.

The thinking behind this model is you will visit these websites, possibly buy something, become a regular forum poster, whatever. No matter what, by visiting their website you are another user who contributes to the revenue to that site (or not). Although this method of traffic generation is simple, it was one of the first PPC (Pay Per Click) models on the Internet. (If you’re into Internet marketing, you’ll know this method of PCC is ineffective because the traffic is completely non-targeted).

Anyways, ad-ware works a lot like this model. A company is paid money to get the software onto your PC and then display the ads on your box. A very small percentage will actually visit the URL that appears in the ad-ware dialog boxes, so either the company displaying the ads makes the money through PPC or cost per million (CPM). CPM means every million ads displayed, the company makes a certain amount. PPC is a more effective model, but likely these companies are paid CPM because very very few users will click on the ads. This way the company displaying the ad makes money just by displaying it.

And that’s the skinny on ad-ware and spyware, and where they come from. Feel free to use this article on your website.

I am a young, aspiring computer engineer into Internet Marketing, hardware, software, web design, SEO and just about anything related to computers. Please come check out my growing PC forum at http://www.markspcforum.com

ERP Software Financing: the Future? – Overview for Company Owner

Writen by Andrew Karasev

In our case – we serve Microsoft Business Solutions ERP and CRM products: Microsoft Great Plains, Microsoft CRM, Navision, Microsoft RMS, as well as we do customization and integration to these products. We would like to share with you our experience with financing through Microsoft Financial Corporation, the entity handling software financing for Great Plains, CRM, Solomon, Navision & Axapta.

0% interest financing. Well – this is probably a dream or something that should not be practiced (otherwise you compromise MRP list price). However, considering the nature of software – this is something that costs nothing to sell – assuming that all the software development expenses and costs are already behind. From time to time Microsoft Business Solutions practices this 0% financing. Right now (June 2005) new customers are enjoying this promotion

Increasing Number of Clients – who use financing. Last year we saw clients who were trying to increase their market share, by fueling their efforts with financing of all the kinds, including MBS financing. This year we see regular clients, who are using financing just to stabilize cash flow. Some of these clients have enough cash to purchase the system, but they still finance.

Car vs. House financing. This is classical American dilemma. In my personal opinion – you can not pay upfront the price of the real estate, so you use mortgage to finance you house. However, again this is my personal opinion – car financing is something you should probably stay away from, because car loses value as you leave the dealership place – you can not sell the car on your own for the same or similar price. Software is very challenging asset – from one side – ERP might be something your business get he market value on, from another side – if it is not implemented or implemented only half of the way – it might be the burden. Maybe you, as business owner have to do your homework long evening and weekend hours to decide on your MRP financing.

Consulting Paradox. This is something I would prefer to keep silence about and tell when I face to face with the prospect. You can finance not only the software, but also the implementation. Imagine the situation, when Microsoft Business Solution Partner gives you the proposals where Software list price is k$25 and estimated services to implement the systems are another k$25. You can finance k$50. And if you catch 0% promotion – you finance services at 0% and the most amazing fact is – MBS Partner will get the money upfront from Microsoft Finance Corporation for both pieces (k$50)

How to trade your system in? if you or MBS partner failed to implement – is it any known way to trade in the system. Well – this is the place where we would like to stress – consider first to be conservative and do not use financing

Good luck with financing, implementation, customization and integration and if you have issues or concerns – we are here to help! If you want us to do the job – give us a call 866-528-0577 or 630-961-5918! help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew is Great Plains specialist in Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) – Microsoft Great Plains, Navision, Microsoft CRM Partner, serving clients in California, Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, Florida, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Russia

Versals & Typography

Writen by Debbie Jensen

The better a person understands software, the more flexibility there is when designing with typography especially when it comes to versals. According the Google’s dictionary, versals are the “oversized initial letters usually colored in red or blue and characterized by exaggerated curves, vertical strokes, and serifs (also called Lombardic Capitals).” To clarify, graphic designers not only have an oversized letter start out the body of text, but they make the text wrap around it too. Any given software tool can be the single answer to polishing up an awesome design. This is why graphic designers need to thoroughly understand the tools in which they work with. To get the desired professional look for their layouts, they have to thoroughly understand software tools first.

Graphic designers can learn from the stage play called “Lion King.” The play has unforgettable stunning colors and perfectly orchestrated choreography. Everything about the play was artistic and cleverly done. In addition, the music perfectly harmonized with the stage play too. Amazingly, layers and layers of information were presented harmoniously as the audience watched in admiration. From this, graphic designers can learn the importance of orchestrating and fine-tuning as they bring together all the required information for their layouts. In theory, it sounds easy, and if measuring the “Lion King” to the challenge of a layout, it is easy comparatively. At times, I wonder how I am going to organize my racing thoughts as I attempt to pull my projects together. But, I try to stay mentally organized by dividing up my ideas which helps me to organize my thoughts. Then, I methodically and strategically put it all together.

For instance, when starting a layout, I first try to pinpoint what my message is going to be and determine who is going to be my audience. Next, I start thinking about the design elements such as the heading and subheadings, the versal, graphics, and color scheme. Usually, the versal is one of the last design decisions I make for a layout. It seems that a versal to a layout is like the icing on the cake.

If you are not sure if you have made your versal correctly, show your layout to others or open up some books and magazines and make some comparisons. In fact, you should always solicit critiques and feedback from your peers. Everyone seems to see and interpret information differently, and artists should welcome feedback because of this. You’ll find with every versal you make, it’ll get easier. Nothing beats time and experience. (revised 2/14/2006)

Debbie Jensen, http://www.debjensendesigns.com

Website Design Software

Writen by Kristy Annely

Much consideration has to be given to your website design if you want to do business on the Internet through the use of an e-commerce website. This is because it is the overall design of your website that can either provide a pleasing or disappointing experience to your visitors.

The Design of Your Website

Website design refers to the graphic makeup of the site itself including your web pages, usability, interactive applications, and level of user interface as perceived by your visitors. For this, you can either hire a web development firm to build you a website complete with hosting and maintaining services, opt for the services of a fee-only web designer, or download website design software from the Internet.

The website design software is a tool used for creating web pages tailored according to your preferences. The features that the software comes equipped with can vary, although the fundamental features include drag-and-drop image selection, web templates, layouts, graphic effects and animations, incorporate colors, customizable fonts, and even free website designs among others – indeed, the software is designed for building professional-looking websites in an instant.

But before you can go all out in building your website with your web design software, it would be best to know the basics of a website first.

Nuts and Bolts of a Website Design

Homepage

This is referred to as the main page or window of your website, and reflects the site’s entire content at best. You can design your homepage depending on the tools available in your website design software: animations, speakers and essential Flash effects, links directing to the lower pages, colored graphics, logos, and more.

Inner Pages and Landing Pages

Linked directly from the homepage, it is on the inner pages and landing pages that you will find the products and services offered on the site. While others use their lower pages to put their contact info, references, and site resources among others.

Navigation

Website navigation can vary depending on the structure of the site. You can find embedded links, breadcrumb trails, drop-down buttons, pop-up navigation bars, and other web buttons available on the site. Here, it has to be well constructed and user-friendly because the tools are your visitors main avenue to navigating and discovering the rest of your website.

Modifying Standard Shapes in Photoshop

Writen by Gabriel J. Adams

Have you ever wondered how someone was able to create a logo that looked so perfect? I used to think that someone probably had to draw the logo by hand, but then I learned some very interesting things about creating shapes in Photoshop. I used to think that you could only create standard shapes like ovals, rectangles, squares, and circles. However I recently learned that Photoshop gives you the ability to take these standard shapes and modify them to make new shapes that are very appealing. The way that this is accomplished is by selecting the path of the shape and manipulating it to create a completely new and different shape.

The first thing that you need to do is create a shape like a rectangle or an oval. Then choose the direct selection tool (white arrow), and select the path around the shape. You will know that you have selected the path, because you will see anchor points at the corners of the shape. Once you see the anchor points you will be able to click the anchor points and use them to resize and redesign the shape. The best thing about using paths to change the shape’s design is that the shape maintains its crisp lines, and looks just as good as a standard shape. How are you able to do this? The reason these changes are so clean is that the shape is vector based, and not pixel based, so you are able to just manipulate the vectors that comprise the shape. Another great thing about editing a shape in this way is that whatever formatting you have used on the shape will not be affected by modifying the path. If you have a gradient fill on the shape it will be modified as you modify the path of the shape, and it will maintain the same look as before you modified the shape. Now that you know how to modify the path of a shape you are no longer limited by the standard shapes that appear in the tools palette. Use your freedom wisely, and take this new found knowledge to you computer so you can create graphics that everyone else will envy for a change.