August 29, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
HTML5 – Not Designed for Business Applications
HTML5 is the next version of HTML to come along since version 4.0 in 1997.
HTML is an acronym for Hyper Text Markup Language and HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of web pages. The Internet would not exist as we know it today without HTML.
But HTML is not a programming language at all. This concept is confusing to some people. Web pages rely on a scripting language such as JavaScript in order to respond to user input. Think of it as HTML being a car and JavaScript being the engine.
JavaScript was introduced in 1995 by Netscape and coincidentally, that’s when the web started to really “take off”. This is an important fact to consider before we dig deeper into HTML5.
The open source nature of HTML and JavaScript has contributed to the growth of the Internet as a whole. Source code and design ideas are often borrowed from around the web and even from competitor’s web sites. This is facilitated by the fact that HTML and JavaScript are impossible to hide or protect.
HTML5 is no different!
There has been a lot of talk about HTML5 over the past couple of years and developers think that HTML5 is “cool” and “fun” to work with. But the logic ends there.
As usual with most new technologies, there has been confusion and misinformation over when HTML5 should be used and for what purpose. We aim to enlighten you about what HTML5 can and can’t do in this article.
New Features Same Old Concept
HTML5 includes new features such as the “Canvas” element, along with audio, video and Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) content, some of which replace the “object” tags of HTML4. There have also been some modifications and standardization of tags such as (a, cite, menu) but the basic concept of HTML remains the same in HTML5.
Who’s Promoting HTML5?
HTML5 was originally proposed by Opera Software (makers of the Opera web browser) and designed by the World Wide Web Consortium, also known as W3C.
An important point is that the W3C has been criticized as being dominated by larger organizations and thus writing standards that represent their interests.
The large organizations (Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, Google and Facebook) have promoted HTML5 as the most up to date technology for web development. In fact the late Steve Jobs termed HTML5 as the win-win solution for consuming any kind of web content on all types of web platforms. But it is important to note that Apple, Microsoft, Google and Facebook each have an incentive for promoting HTML5; each own and operate very profitable “app” stores such as the Windows Marketplace, Google App Store, iTunes App Store, Facebook Canvas Apps, etc. Protection of intellectual property and trade secrets is of little or no concern to those companies and in fact it is almost a conflict of interest.
Fact #1: HTML5 is based on JavaScript, which is impossible to protect. Yes, that’s a fact!
As we discussed a moment ago, JavaScript is the core “language” of HTML5, whose source code is impossible to protect. The most evident reason is that anyone can view HTML5 and JavaScript source by just a simple click. JavaScript was never intended to be anything more than an engine for client-server communication and re-useable web content, including menus, buttons, tabs and the like.
Developers may argue that they can mangle JavaScript source code by obfuscation and pseudo-encryption (such as “minification”, where the code is compressed and “minified”). But this is a dangerously false sense of security. Any skilled developer can reverse engineer a “minified” or “obfuscated” JavaScript application. By design, JavaScript cannot be encrypted and it cannot be hidden. JavaScript files must be downloaded in order to run in a web browser.
To make matters worse, JavaScript also cannot be locked down to a specific web domain.
The code is accessible to be hacked by any competitor. No matter how many steps are taken to hide the JavaScript, the web browser eventually downloads the JavaScript file to run it within the client’s web browser.
For comparison, hacking a Flash or Silverlight application just by viewing the source is not very easy but anyone with a little knowledge of HTML5 can do it in minutes.
The hacks of famous HTML5 games like AngryBirds, Texas Holdem and many others are excellent examples of the insecure techniques employed by HTML5 developers. All security measures are useless once the code has been obtained and reverse engineered. No matter what any HTML5 or JavaScript developer may claim, these facts are true and irrefutable!
Fact #2: The concept of HTML5 Canvas is nothing new.
As we discussed already, HTML5 is based on the same concepts of HTML4. The most useful and talked about feature of HTML5 is the new “Canvas” object. Canvas makes it easy for JavaScript developers to “paint” within a web browser, simplifying the design of applications that utilize graphics. But you may be surprised to know that this functionality has been available in a simulated manner with very little attention since the release of HTML4.
Fact #3: There is a widespread misconception about HTML5
HTML5 has been labeled as a “cross platform programming language” which is a serious misconception. It is true that HTML5 is capable of running on all types of platforms such as Windows, Linux, Android and other mobile operating systems but let’s not forget that HTML5 is nothing more than web page markup, which is controlled by JavaScript. Classifying HTML5 and JavaScript as a true programming language would be incorrect. It is a browser integrated language that cannot utilize all the features of the underlying operating system.
When Should You Use HTML5?
The answer is quite simple. Use HTML5 when you do not care about your source code, intellectual property, or trade secrets. If you do not care that a competitor may steal your source code after it has been uploaded to your web site then use HTML5. As you can see, HTML5 is perfect for buttons, menus and website specific content, for which it was designed.
The Bottom Line – Better Options Available
The bottom line is that HTML5 and JavaScript are great for a lot of things, but you can’t effectively protect anything that you develop with them. This clearly doesn’t add up if you are using these technologies for developing business applications, which they were not designed for.
If you are developing a web application then consider using Flash or Silverlight, both of which run in all popular web browsers for desktop operating system, including Windows, Mac and Linux.
If you are developing a mobile application, there are far better options for iPhone, iPad and Android development that afford better protection of trade secrets, better security, performance and usability for the end user and also allow you to take advantage of the native features of the underlying operating systems. For iOS (iPad and iPhone), use the Object C programming language. For Android, use the Java programming language.
For Windows development, consider C++, C#, Delphi or other proven languages.
Although slightly more difficult to develop with, Objective C, C++, C#, Java and other low level languages are always the best option no matter if you are developing desktop, web, or mobile applications.
Permission to Redistribute
Copyright (c) 2012 by Modulus Financial Engineering, Inc. http://www.modulusfe.com All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to redistribute the article providing this copyright notice remains in place.
About the Author
Richard Gardner is Founder/CEO of Modulus Financial Engineering, Inc. In addition to his leadership role of the firms team members, Richard is an influential member of the financial technology industry at large, a globally-respected professional trader and software engineer, a guest speaker at industry conferences and among the inventors on over 70 technology patents.
August 27, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
Are you still looking for a job? Think about creating your own. There are a lot of business social networks to help you connect with other entrepreneurs and get the business ideas off the ground.
Here are the top 7 business networking sites and apps. Each helps entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with the guidance, tools and resources they need to start a business and gain exposure.
1. StartupNation
Most social networks for business neglect the content aspect that makes StartupNation so useful. With articles, forums, blogs, on-demand seminars, and podcasts, entrepreneurs will be better prepared for their ventures and have the resources required to make better business networking decisions.
There are a wide range of topics being discussed on StartupNation right now, including business planning, marketing and web-based business. The site also offers a series of competitions, such as an elevator pitch business networking competition. If youre an entrepreneur or hope to become one, this site is definitely one you cant miss out on.
2. LinkedIn
Its difficult to leave LinkedIn off of any business social network list because its so useful for anyone whos either searching for a job, is trying to network with like-minded individuals, or starting a business. LinkedIn offers many resources for entrepreneurs, such as groups, including the very popular On Startups group that has over 54,000 members.
Entrepreneurs on LinkedIn should brand themselves properly so they can attract the right kind of business opportunities, and perform searches to find service providers or partners. As an entrepreneur, you should also be looking to participate in LinkedIn Answers, events and business networks to spruce up your profile and become a valuable member to your LinkedIn network.
3. Entrepreneur Connect
Entrepreneur Media, the company that produces Entrepreneur Magazine, started a business social network years ago specifically for small business networking. Like all business social networks, you have the opportunity to create your own profile, explore the community and network. Unlike most social business networks, this one frowns upon too much self-promotion and applauds idea sharing.
You can use this business social network to connect to service providers, suppliers, advisers and colleagues. Just like LinkedIn and Facebook, there are business groups that you can join or create. Another cool feature is that youre able to start your own blog and possibly have it appear on the main page of the business social network.
4. Biznik
This isnt another LinkedIn clone. Instead, Biznik brands itself as a business social network that doesnt suck. The Biznik community is composed of freelancers, CEOs, and the self-employed. Like the other business social networks, this is a place for you to share ideas, instead of posting your resume. It is mandatory for all members to use real names and provide real data, and Biznik editors actually review all profiles to ensure compliance with that policy.
5. Cofoundr
The Cofoundr business social network is made up of idea makers, entrepreneurs, programmers, web designers, investors, freelancers and executives. The primary purpose of joining this network is to start a new web venture. Unlike most of the business networking sites already listed here, Cofoundr is a strictly private network, which means that you cant view member profiles before you register for an account.
Membership requires having a valid university or work email address, which means high schools students and younger arent allowed. The first thing you have to do is sign up, then specify your abilities and the people you are trying to business network with and finally, post your idea on the bulletin board or in the forum.
6. Perfect Business
If you want to meet thousands of serious entrepreneurs, experts and investors from a variety of industries, then Perfect Business might be the business networking site for you. The type of people youll find are potential business partners, potential clients and advisers. Additionally, the site has leading business partners like Entrepreneur and Virgin Money.
From business social networking to a video center where you can learn from successful entrepreneurs, a business plan builder and even an investor center, youll have most of the resources you need to start a business.
7. CityHour
Much more than a contact manager, CityHour social networking app easily syncs with your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts to instantly transform a collection of static digital contacts into an actionable network full of new people and opportunities. So whether you are looking to jumpstart new business efforts, explore career opportunities or create new partnerships,
with CityHour youre just a few taps away from a meeting that could change your life.
Oh, did we mention that its absolutely free?
August 26, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
In November 2004, talk radio host Tom Martino picked up the phone on his consumer-advice show. Unhappy Washington state resident Melissa Feroglia was calling to complain about a jet ski she had purchased in Boring, Oregon at John and Susan Gardner’s Mount Hood Polaris. Unfortunately for the Gardners, Martino’s show was nationally syndicated.
Feroglia told Martino that her jet ski had broken down again and again. According to Feroglia, John Gardner had first promised to refund her money, but had then said that her ski jet was fixed and there would be no refund. Feroglia concluded her woes by telling Martino that at that point the weather was too cold. She would have to wait until spring to try out her jet ski.
Martino, in the flip and annoying way of many talk show hosts who could not be bothered with the facts, then told Feroglia that Gardner was lying to her. Martino and Martino’s producer continued the saga by telling us of a cycle we are all far too familiar with: Calling the shop, being told to contact the manufacturer, contacting the manufacturer, and being told to call the shop again. We don’t know if their tale was true or not.
We do know that Martino said, “Polaris sucks.” The situation further spiraled out of control as Martino encouraged his listeners to contact Mount Hood Polaris and the manufacturer and tell them that they would never again buy any Polaris products.
John and Susan Gardner sued after their phone lines were flooded and they were threatened. The Gardner’s lawsuit stated that people driving by the store for several weeks shouted insults and the store lost approximately $600,000 in business. A judge dismissed their suit and in April a federal appeals court upheld the dismissal. According to the federal appeals court, this was basically not slander because reasonable talk show listeners do not expect facts on talk shows like Martino’s, just opinions. Without facts, there cannot be slander.
In the eyes of the law, any damage to the Gardners’ business and reputation was due to Martino’s opinion, not to any false fact or facts. Given that this damage could not have been caused by reasonable talk show listeners, the Gardners have no recourse. No law protects businesses from talk show hosts who urge unreasonable talk show listeners to damage the business.
Tom Martino has more critics than just the Gardners. His critics are concerned by the “Troubleshooter Referral List,” a list of businesses that Martino endorses. A business can join Martino’s list by paying a $3,000 fee and agreeing to a code of ethics. This code includes agreeing to let Martino decide disputes with consumers and follow his decisions. Martino also personally endorses business products and services on the air for payment. Critics question Tom Martino’s being a creditable consumer advocate due to the very substantial fees he earns from his endorsements.
Martino apparently enjoys both sides of the street. He appears to profit as an entertainer masquerading as a consumer advocate. He also appears to profit as a businessperson selling endorsements that appear to make him a pseudo consumer advocate. Unfortunately, his audience does not appear to notice that he is a pseudo consumer advocate. He is not the real thing.
Perhaps some day we will have a law that holds talk radio hosts liable for inflaming audiences that can reasonably be expected to cause damage. Until then, businesses savaged by Tom Martino will continue to occur damages, both justified and unjustified. In the final analysis, we have no idea if the Gardners were fine upstanding business people or not. We don’t know anything about their business practices. We can definitely state that it would have required some very bad business practices for $600,000.00 in damages to have been a fair penalty. We can conclude two things from this: We need laws to handle situations like this and we need to watch out for Tom Martino and other talk show hosts like him.
August 26, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
Well, here you are. You have taken the first step in owning your own business. Congratulations! I would also like to thank you for purchasing this directory that will catapult your business with the necessary products, that are both fun and functional like fashion cufflink.
Being your own boss is fun. But it is also a lot of hard work. You get to call the shots. You decide how things will be run and when. Starting your own wholesale cufflinks business is a dream come true for a lot of people. You don’t need a big brick and mortar store anymore with the internet being so widely used.
However, a cufflink business plan is still a top priority. It doesn’t have to be real elaborate. Just something that will keep you focused on your goals. Maybe you want to stay home with the kids, and have a little side business that doesn’t require you to go out of your home each day to an office. Maybe selling products for an animal rescue group to get the needed money for the day to day expenses in saving lives, is what you want to do. Or maybe you have a special dog club that needs funds for all those activities.
Whatever it is, a business plan will still help you. Don’t neglect this part of the business. It all starts with an idea. Then keep adding to that. Get help
when you need it. When you feel like you are stagnating, it is probably becausc you arc not sure how to handle something. Remember, you are the boss, and even the boss can ask for help.
When I decided to compile and put these directories into distribution I decided how the layout would be. I wanted the type to be large, as 1 personally hate reading 10 point type, it is just too small. All the details fell to me. Did 1 ask for input when I got stuck? You bet!
I didn”t always follow others advice, but it got me thinking and I stayed on task.
Sometimes just leaving a project for a few hours and coming back to it later can give you a fresh perspective.
Try to think of the whole cufflink idea as fun. Yes, there will be things you don”t know how to do. So what. You can learn to do them. It all takes time. In fact, sometimes, thinking things over can help you eliminate a lot of problems. Don’t feel like you need to have the whole business up and running today. Set yourself some small goals to work toward, and use that as your guide.
Before long, everything will be finished and your business will be ready for its first customer. When that day comes, celebrate!
Getting Organized
The best time to get your office organized is right now, before you even start your business.
It makes your productively so much more efficient when things are organized. So I encourage you to get in the habit and start now.
The directory lists only one vendor per page. The reason is so that all orders and notes pertaining to that vendor can be recorded easily. It has a space for who you talked to at that company.
There is also a chart where you can list your orders with each vendor. How you paid for the order, and when it was received. Plus any special notes that you will find helpful. There is also a Master Copy included, that you can photo copy and continue the process once you fill the original chart. As time goes on, these charts will prove very valuable to you for comparing costs, not only for products but also for shipping costs, delays, back orders, how returns are handled, etc. But only if you take the time to fill them out.
File folders will also prove to be very helpful. Make a folder for each vendor and put your invoices into each one. Although most of these vendors are listed on the internet and have a website, some of them may also have a print catalog. If they do have a catalog, I encourage you to order one. These catalogs are useful in comparing products and you can do that while enjoying the fresh outdoors. No need to stay inside on those wonderful days.
After all, you are now your own boss and can do as you like. Put these catalogs into each folder as well.
This is also a good time to decide if any outsourcing will be done.
If you don’t like to do something, and you find that you put it on the back burner and it never gets done, those are the things to outsource. Maybe it”s taxes. Get an accountant to do that. Maybe it’s web design. Although that can be outsourced as well, you will benefit if you get some knowledge in how your website is set-up and how to make changes on it.
Having a separate checking account for your business is a good idea. Do it right from the start. If you are planning on using a credit or debit card, try to only use one. It makes keeping track of finances so much easier.
Also, be sure to follow all guidelines for resale numbers, wholesale business licenses, etc. Run your business like a professional.
Most of your shipping supplies can be obtained right from the post office. When shipping an order to your customer, putting a delivery confirmation on the box will insure that your package is tracked, right up to delivery.
Be sure to use insurance when shipping breakable products. Even with packaging well, breakage may occur. Follow through with your customer to remedy the situation and your customer will be happy with your “service after the sale”. A happy life-long customer is an asset to your business.
Sending updates to your customers, directing them back to your web-site on new arrivals, special offers, close-outs and upcoming holidays, will increase your bottom line. Make a habit of marketing your business. Set aside some time each week to think about advertising your business. Then do it.
To be successful, you need customers. Happy customers will spread the word about your business. Have a link on your website that they can send an announcement to a friend saying, “I thought you would like this site”. Wholesale Fashion Cufflink
August 24, 2016 / como / 0 Comments
The definition of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) in 90s included finance, human resources, order management and manufacturing. Because of todays high level competition in businesses, customer satisfaction have gained top priority in everyones mind. However, today ERP is referred as a technology strategy that joins a set of business functions, such as finance, HR and purchasing, with operational aspects, such as manufacturing or distribution, through tight linkages from operational business transactions to financial records. Its a widespread idea that executing ERP improves efficiency and provides a transparent view on productivity and growth. An enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution checks your business software that has been designed to record and manage your enterprise data.
Advantages of a well-planned ERP
A good ERP strategy must include potential vendors, business processes, business requirements, business goals, deployment strategy, business and technical architecture. ERP is considered as the backbone of a businesss operations and the primary system-of-record.
1. Combination of all business processes
To understand a well implemented ERP system, it must combine all aspects of your business from customer, to planning and scheduling, till the production and distribution of the products that you make.
2. Increases overall performance
Applying an ERP solution will check that the routine reporting work of employees at all levels are reduced. It also helps your companys management to understand their workforce in a better manner from analyzing individual performance through different business sites to visualizing the overall performance of an entire operating zone. Hence, it helps organizations to take strategic decisions as well.
3. Operational efficiency
If your business is small with less than 50 employees, then it is easier for you to manage, control and track things. But, when the business multiplies and you have an employee strength of more than 1000 employees, it becomes difficult to maintain and control workforce, different processes and procedures. Implementing an ERP solution could help businesses update variety of processes, log them and track them on an hourly basis. In addition, it increases productivity and profitability thereby reducing operating and overhead expenses.
4. Improves accuracy and consistency
In organizations where different departments are not properly integrated, information is inconsistent and sometime inaccurate. The views of every department might vary and hence, the information that they provide the manager will also be different. This hints to confusions and wrong decisions being made. Implementing an ERP solution will make sure that all information is maintained and managed in a consistent manner across the departments.
5. Quality Reports and Performance Analysis
Analysis on ERP will allow you to produce financial and meeting room quality reports, as well as to conduct analysis on the performance of your organization. Overall, ERP solutions work as an excellent information tool especially for medium and large businesses, for better decision making and accomplishing required goals. Hence, its a must for every growing business.