February 2009
Microsoft Dynamics GP Customization Tools Selection - Overview for Developer
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains was renamed into Microsoft Dynamics GP and became part of Microsoft Dynamics strategy in September 2005. Former name of the strategy was Microsoft Project Green, where the idea was to introduce so-called Microsoft Business Suites: Financials, Distribution, Human Resource, Manufacturing, etc. In our opinion Microsoft reserves the rights to alter the next steps of Microsoft Dynamics realization and the shapes of the next wave of the merging ERP (Axapta, Great Plains, CRM, Navision, Solomon). This is why the developer has to analyze the development tools, if she/he wants to provide the longest possible longevity to the custom logic. Let’s look at the dilemmas:
• “Fat” versus “Thin” client. Here we reveal “Fat” client technology - it is Microsoft Dexterity with DYNAMICS.DIC - dictionary (all objects for core functionality: table, procedure, function, form, window, string, etc are defined here). Thin client is Business Portal approach (we are not talking about Citrix way here, because in Citrix you usually open the same Fat Dexterity client) or web client. The dilemma of web client is - Dexterity is not web-enabled technology and such questions as GP security realm, accessing business logic (coded in Great Plains Dexterity) is complicated if not possible at all. Plus - if you look at licensing structure - user licenses are actually simultaneous “fat” clients connections, controlled by Dexterity technical logic. Imagine - you need to extend SOP Entry screen logic - you can only realize it accessing Fat client and adding custom logic there through dexterity, Extender (or in Visual Studio, programming relevant GP Object - but again it will go to Fat client extension and Dexterity has more control over its own realm). When Microsoft Dynamics GP will offload Fat Client logic to Business Portal, then you will be using more thin client or web development to do the job, it is not actual today and probably Dexterity has another several years to stay on the first position.
• Probability of the Paradigm Change. Could you expect in 1995 that something like .Net, or XML Web Services will show up on the scene and make Graphical Platform and database independence (Oracle, MS SQL Server, Sybase, DB2, Ingress) actuality obsolete? This was only a decade ago. Now - the paradoxical question - would you think that such paradigms as Java/J2EE/EJB and .Net plus XML Web Services will stay for another decade? We don’t know. At the same time, such old-timers, as Microsoft Dexterity or former name Great Plains Software Dexterity stay robust and alive since the beginning of 1990th. Please look at Microsoft tools, such as VBA (Visual Basics for Applications) - it was scripting language, designed in 1990th and now it is pretty much phased out. In other words, we don’t know and can’t predict the longevity of current paradigms and axioms in IT and Programming industry. Maybe the answer is this - Dexterity was designed to stay through technological cataclysms, while new tools were designed to serve current needs and commercialize current technology trends.
• Reporting. Let’s look at ReportWriter, which is Dexterity-based tool and Crystal Reports. Report Writer has huge number of customization across the Great Plains clients community: SOP Invoice Long form, Purchase Order with company graphical logo, AP Check form to name a few. Crystal Reports were the tool of choice when ReporWriter can’t do the job, to remind the story - Crystal was Industry Standard tool, capable to deliver stunning graphical quality and excellent database independence and heterogeneous linking. Nowadays Crystal is deemphasized for Microsoft Dynamics Project - Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services are in the preferred position.
• Balance. Again - what will be the future? It is not clear and what kind of agenda (even if it is not consciously placed behind by the tool architect) is behind it - you as developer should think through the time and minimize the risk for your custom logic upgradeability and the dependence of “modern” technology trends, which have high chance to be abolished in the short future.
Please do not hesitate to call or email us: USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 help@albaspectrum.com
Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com http://www.enterlogix.com.br http://www.ronix-systems.de ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.
We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY, FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Europe: Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, OAE, Bahrain), Asia: China, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South & Central America: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
How To Avoid Blog Burnout
Blogging is a time consuming process. It involves the process of gathering, reading, digesting and compiling information into a nice, meaty post that gives your reader an insight into the unique way you see and understand issues.
Most serious business bloggers have at least two or three blogs that they write simultaneously. I have ten, but don’t update all regularly.
Bloggers are also extremely passionate about what they do. Their blogs are a labour of love and they often tend to lose track of time, reading, writing and updating their blogs.
But there’s only so much time in the day and only so much abuse a body can take. So how do you avoid becoming a burned-out business blogger?
Here are a few tips to help keep you and your blog(s) fuelled up and running for the long haul.
1. Get your priorities right
Is starting a new blog really going to help your business (or personal) objectives? If not, then don’t. Simple as that. Save your energy for the tasks that help you achieve your objectives.
2. Discard the chaff
Do you have blogs that are not “hot” anymore? If you have a blog that’s not getting much traffic or is about a topic that no one wants to read about anymore, give it a quiet burial.
3. Grow up
Are you continuing to blog (whether it serves your purpose or not) out of some misplaced emotional attachment to your blog? Then you probably need a 12-step program.
Lots of blogs are abandoned everyday because they stopped serving their purpose, or more often, because the bloggers just grew up and moved to greener pastures. Find more appropriate ways to spend your time or promote your business.
4. Get a life
Blogs are a poor substitute for family and friends. We bloggers tend to take our loved ones for granted because we work from home (and anywhere else we can). Its important to schedule our day to make time for family, especially when there are children around.
5. Get “un-wired”
In order to keep the ideas coming you need to do things that nurture your mind and body. Shut down your PC and get away from it for a while.
Go for a movie, take a walk in the park, workout in the gym. Get out of the house and get some fresh air. You’ll be amazed at how easy (and fun) it can be it to get your creative juices flowing again.
6. Give yourself a break
If you missed blogging about something important because you had something else equally pressing to attend to, don’t beat yourself up over it. Stick to a realistic blogging schedule.
Nothing is so important that it can’t wait a day or two. Sometimes procrastination is not a bad thing at all. If it helps, write a bunch of posts at a time, so you can take a break and attend to other matters when you need to.
7. Quality, not quantity
Blog frequently, but not too often. Most bloggers will agree that two or three posts a week is a pretty good frequency. I usually manage to make that grade, but never push myself more than I have to.
The key is to make your posts count. Don’t post about anything and everything in your field just because you have to.
Posts that are original, meaty and full of opinion are more likely to get read and linked to than posts that are just a few words with a link to the news source.
So if you’re beginning to forget what your family looks like, if you think blogging is taking over your life, and your sanity, step back a bit and get things in perspective. Stop letting your blogs rule your life.
As for me, when it’s a choice between the blog and the beach, the latter wins hands down.
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Priya Shah is the CEO of eBrand360. Her areas of specialization include internet marketing, search engine optimization and business blogging. Subscribe to her free Blogging eCourse at her business blogging blog.
This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.
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Graduation Information On The Internet
Graduation information is available all over the internet. You’ll find multiple links which can assist you in your research. Gordon International offers a lot of information which can be useful to anyone ordering graduation regalia but if you’re looking for specific history please see the link provided below.
The Following Site Offers Great Information About Graduation:
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Cyberspace Sports Betting Keeps Betters Safe inside
Rangers hold off Devils, win series in 5
A lot of risk takers have read the caption “offshore sports betting” in recent months, though many may not be entirely certain what it symbolizes. An overseas gambling web site basically functions outside the control of a distinct country or else it could mean a machine-accessible sports betting internet site running their main servers in a state in which internet gaming is not presently proscribed. In short therefore, it’s a sports betting organization doing business outside the national territory of the better. Internet betting webpages are currently governed through 3 federations. They are OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association FTGA.
The OSGA is in fact a self ordering bureau that checks the overseas sports gaming trade in an effort to also provide betting devotees an avenue to distinguish legitimate internet sites to play gambling games with. It strives to maintain client’s rights, and in addition they charge no joining or annual dues. The agency are a professional not to mention objective third party council who assert impartial impressions, based on your responses, independent investigation, telephone conversations, inside advice also dispenses inside news.
The IGC is a non commercially influenced agency. The agency was set up to furnish a platform for worried individuals to talk over concerns also to improve communal matters in the multinational interactive betting profession, to establish civil and also amenable professional precepts and procedures which raise end user certainty in online gambling products and services, and in addition to function as the sports betting trade’s global procedure counselor and in addition the IGC provides a data depot.
The Interactive Gaming Council have developed a distinction for stimulating reliability, good behavior also plausibility because of the uncompromising code of conduct it demands, and in addition its allure for concerns of scrupulous practise. The IGC regulates overseas betting through advocating an original 10 step series of rules and in addition bills sports gambling business enterprises a price to feature their logo. Disillusioned bettors can, if they like, mention any of their conflicts to the IGC.
The FTGA was set up in order to construct a benchmark which will reform the procedures of on-line betting trading operations. The council believe that through associating only with companies of good standing, they are able to fashion a coalition of the most honest and professional online betting businesses world-wide.
To sum up, there are councils which co-ordinate the behavior of live gaming and which should aid to take the edge off most of the uneasiness felt by betters. On-line sports gambling websites are nowadays totally free from risk, in as much as private details should not be required and the rewards not to mention the odds should be equivalent to a typical Vegas-style sports bet. They wipe out travel outlay, but keep of a Nevada casino, but today you are enabled to bet at your own PC.
Advice to Economize on Your Ski Trips
The world banking system started to grind to a halt several weeks ago and it does not look destined to convalesce anytime soon. The economic slowdown, along with the historic low value of the pound versus the Euro, and that annual snowboarding break commences to appear like more of a expense than last year.
This year skiers have been returning home from the skiing holidays in the French alps with tales about the first-class snowboarding conditions and the high costs in ski resorts with prices increased by 34 percent compared to the same period last year. The better news is that there are more discounted skiing breaks on offer, that in many cases are setting off the increase in expenses in the ski resorts. Notwithstanding the time has come to be budget sensible. As luck would have it we have put together a top 5 to saving on this season’s Chamonix skiing vacation.
1. Discounted chalet holidays with breakfast dinner and wine included on all but one day
2. Drive yourself to resort saving a small fortune on both plane tickets and airport transfers
3. Smaller ski resorts will have both cheaper accommodation and lift passes
4. Take sandwiches with you and stay out of the mountain restaurants
5. Shop in the valley instead of the ski resort if you’re on a self catered holiday
The Perfect Presents for My Valentine?
Valentines day is fast approaching, and it is one of the most romantic days of the year. So, you should do something nice for your partner. Whether it’s a present or even a very romantic short break, Valentines day is the perfect day to treat your partner to something romantic.
Some of the more traditional Valentines presents include flowers, chocolates or a short romantic break, sometimes all 3. Whatever you decide to do for your partner for Valentines day, it’s always good to follow these tips.
- When buying flowers don’t skimp out. Even a single rose is a very romantic gesture, probably more so than a poor arrangement of flowers.
- If you decide to go for flowers, make sure you get an attractive bouquet in traditional colour. Don’t buy flowers from supermarkets, garages or newsagents go with a reputable florist
- Chocolate is always a safe bet, belgian chocs or truffles are a bonus. Try to find out what her favourite chocolate is and buy her that.
- If you want to do something extra special, then a romantic break is a fine idea. It may be impossible to get one on Valentines day, but try to book it close. Paris is probably the most romantic place to go
- If you are feeling rique for Valentines this year, and want to spice up your relationship why not try some of these naughty valentines presents
Whatever you do decide on, remember it’s always nice to make your Valentines a surprise. If you do the same thing every year it’s time for a change
Attitude and Meaning in Poetry
I know I keep saying I don’t like to do articles on poetry, but I do, maybe because of all the writing in the world out there, I respect poetry above all the rest.
My wife was looking over a poem of mine today, translating it actually into Spanish, and she said, “You put a noun where a verb belongs, and if you put another verb in, it will be two in the same sentence. And I said, it is not a sentence, it is a line within a stanza, and it compliments the direct object. To be honest with myself, I really couldn’t find the word I wanted so I made up the word to be presented as a plural adjective so I could push in what I wanted to end the line.
Then I said to myself: she is trying to help, and it makes more sense to her (not to me), so I looked at the whole poem, and figured if I had to change that one word, I’d have to change the whole poem, the whole two stanzas, 10-lines. You can’t write a poem, no more than you can order creativeness, it doesn’t happen that way. So I said, let me look, and see if there is something in this poem beyond the word that can save the day. And I restructured the whole poem, and created a deeper meaning than what I wantedbut was happier with it, and left the word completely out, and my wife fell to sleep in the chair. I wanted to show her my accomplishment; I mean I had to stop everything in my life to ponder on this, to see if I really wanted to change it. I think I did it for her.
Right or wrong, it doesn’t matter, what does, is approach, or attitude; now let me start all over again.
I have four corners to my world, north, south, east and west, better put, God, myself, my wife and poetry.
First thing I’ve realized long ago in poetry was thisyou take out of poets or poetry what you like, throwing the rest away. Good or bad, if it’s not for you, then why force-feed yourself. Thus, if you like what someone teaches you, it is good for you, if not, why argue about something or someone who is not for you. If you don’t like what I say, don’t read me. If you do, then fine; don’t conform to music that sickens you; that way you can keep a good attitude. When Elvis was making a record, if someone was in the area that bothered him, he’d stop the production and leave. It makes good sense, you cannot be creative with a bug in the nose, and that is why he was good, or perhaps one reason.
I was going to give a long example of an event that took place back in l985, when the Ronald McDonald House of St. Paul, invited me to a presentation, but I will make it shorter than what I intended to. Anyhow, in the process of me attending the presentation, they had asked me to do a small story, as the one I had done, “The Tale of: Willie the Humpback Whale,” back in l981. Well I did, but it wasn’t finished, yet I brought it along, was going to give it to the officials, for review. During the presentation, one of the officials looked it over, said something like this: if only you could take the rhyme schema out, and change the subject from turtle to a human being, and so for the and so on.
He was rude and demanding and I could go on, but I said: “You know what you want, go get it,” and I got up and walked out. They didn’t need me or want me as far as my creativeness went, and had told me over the phone, they didn’t know what they wanted, but I guess found out what they didn’t want. So instead of me trying to pretend, and fit in, I didn’t want to waste my time or theirs. If I lost anything, it was perhaps a potential future with an ongoing who knows what: I mean I was volunteering my services.
Anyhow, the one book I had done on the whale went up for a Pulitzer Prize, and I got a nice letter back, but not the Prize.
[Meaning of a Poem] Sometimes the poet gets lost and doesn’t’ even know his subject himself, or so I’ve noticed in much poetry I’ve read. Most of us think it is in the title of the poem, but could be to the contrary.
The problem comes not when he finishes up on a subject per se, but when he hobbles on, when he has already named it. It’s kind of like sitting down with an old friend and running out of things to say, thus, you grab whatever pops up in your mind: this creates in the reader confusion. If it is said, leave it alone, we don’t need to pound a person with it. Faulkner does that sometimes, and it irritates me, but he does it for his own reasons: he gets lost also, so do not stop writing if you are…just slow down.
I hate to say this, but I will: arrogance is good, a little good in poetryin a poem, if done right, just so you don’t take it to heart, and display it outside of the stanzas. What I write, I write because I want it there, usually, and I like a lot of imagination tucked in the corners. And thus, attitude and meaning are important ingredients in a poem; the reader can see it, feel it. The reader is no dummy, they may not write it, but they know it. Sometimes they are the better poets, not because they wish to write it, but because they love it, and those are often the ones who appreciate it more, and don’t like it mopped around on the floor; they have a good inner eye; we poets, are perhaps the ones with the eccentric eye, somewhere in the back of our minds trying to unveil the monster.
Let’s see if I can say this right: never write a poem that should have been written because someone told you they wanted to hear it, write it because it should be, perhaps, and it is something you overlooked, and would have done, but not directed to do in particular, you lose the creative touch; or at least I do, and the meaning of the poem becomes stale.
See Dennis’ web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com
Applique Tutorial for Machine Embroidery
Machine embroidered appliques are not only fun and easy, they also allow you to really get creative by using up any stray pieces of fabric you’ve kept around. No leftover fabric? Then you can have even more fun by grabbing your scissors and cutting up those clothes you still have but haven’t worn in years.
Use appliques to embellish an inexpensive gift or to create something unique for yourself very quickly. Try it yourself and see how much fun it is. Here’s how:
- Of course, the first thing to do is load your applique design into your embroidery machine.
- Next hoop the material your finished design will be on. Be sure to stabilize it just as you would for any kind of machine embroidery.
- When you push the ‘Start’ button the outline of the applique stitches first. Because it’s going to be covered later you can use any thread color you want but it’s a good habit to select a thread color close to the fabric color.
- Once the outline is complete your machine will stop. Place a piece of your applique fabric over the outline. Make it large enough to adequately cover the outline but not so large as to be cumbersome. You can safely remove the hoop from your machine if you want to position your fabric but don’t unhoop!
You’ll need to hold the fabric in place over the outline so it doesn’t pucker or bunch up on you. You can try using double-stick tape but usually it’s just as easy to hold it down. Watch your fingers! - Now the tacking stitch will sew, tacking the applique fabric down.
- Then remove the hoop from the machine but once again, don’t unhoop yet! Cut away the excess applique fabric from around the tacking stitch. Get close to the tacking stitches but take your time and try not to cut too many of them.
- After most of the fabric is cut away it’s easy to trim off the stray pieces.
- Put the hoop back in the machine and push the button one more time.
- Your machine will now run another tacking stitch around the pattern. It’s usually a V stitch or an E stitch and is like a double check in case you cut a stitch or two while trimming your fabric.
- When the second tacking stitch is complete your machine will apply the final outline stitch, usually a satin stitch, putting the finishing touch on your applique.
- You’re done already! Now unhoop it, admire your creativity, and do another one using a different fabric and create something entirely different. See how darned additive machine embroidered appliques are?
Deb Schneider is an embroidery design digitizer offering her machine embroidery designs, Redwork and Applique designs on her website: WindstarEmbroidery.com.
How an Average Photographer Can Take a Stunning Photo
Tired of your vacation photos not turning out the way you hoped?
Here’s the trick: take 100 photos too many.
On a recent week-long vacation I took 850 photos. About 5 or 10 of them are winners - photos that I am really happy with.
Am I a bad photographer since 840 photos I took were only so-so?
Not exactly - I just take more than one photo of every subject because I know that a slight change in light or camera position can make an ordinary photo great.
The photo in-crowd term for this is “working a subject”.
Let’s say you’re on a hike and come across an interesting flower. You snap one photo of it with your digital camera.
You go home and check the photo on your computer. Turns out your one photo has a competing background that hides the flower from view.
Now let’s rewind. Same hike, same flower.
Instead of snapping one shot and moving on, you spend some time with the flower. You photograph from a high angle and a low angle. You circle it, taking pictures as you go.
After some time you discover that you can isolate the flower against a blue sky. Without any background to compete with, the flower now stands out in all of its glory.
Here’s the key point: it takes time to “see” a photo.
As you take more and more photos of the same subject, you see interesting angles that you didn’t notice at first.
You can also experiment with camera settings like focus, depth of field and shutter speed to find the right combination that will take your photo from mundane to magical.
As time goes on and your photographic eye improves, you’ll get your best shot in 2 or 3 tries rather than 10 or 20.
Can you ever take too many photos? I don’t think so.
I have taken over 50,000 photos with my digital cameras and I’ve deleted nearly half of them, experiments gone wrong.
Even though 25,000 photos didn’t work out, each one helped me to capture those stunning photos I decided to keep.
Chris Roberts dispenses practical plain-English advice and information about digital SLR cameras at the Digital SLR Guide. His 5-week ecourse in digital SLR technique helps beginners get the most out of their digital SLR cameras.