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Unix VS Linux

Linux

What is it?
Linux is an example of Open Source software development and Free Operating System (OS).

Cost
Linux can be freely distributed, downloaded freely, distributed through magazines, Books etc. There are priced versions for Linux also, but they are normally cheaper than Windows.

Users
Everyone. From home users to developers and computer enthusiasts alike.

Development and Distribution
Linux is developed by Open Source development i.e. through sharing and collaboration of code and features through forums etc and it is distributed by various vendors.

Usage
Linux can be installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from mobile phones, tablet computers and video game consoles, to mainframes and supercomputers.

Filesystem
Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, Jfs, ReiserFS, Xfs, Btrfs, FAT, FAT32, NTFS

GUI
Linux typically provides two GUIs, KDE and Gnome. But there are millions of alternatives such as LXDE, Xfce, Unity, Mate, twm, ect.

Virus
Linux has had about 60-100 viruses listed till date. None of them actively spreading nowadays.

Threat and Solution
In case of Linux, threat detection and solution is very fast, as Linux is mainly community driven and whenever any Linux user posts any kind of threat, several developers start working on it from different parts of the world

Processor
Dozens of different kinds.

Distros
Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, Debian, SUSE, Centos, Android etc.

UNIX

What is it?
Unix is an operating system that is very popular in universities, companies, big enterprises etc.

Cost
Different flavors of Unix have different cost structures according to vendors

User
Unix operating systems were developed mainly for mainframes, servers and workstations except OSX, Which is designed for everyone. The Unix environment and the client-server program model were essential elements in the development of the Internet

Development and Distribution
Unix systems are divided into various other flavors, mostly developed by AT&T as well as various commercial vendors and non-profit organizations..

Usage
The UNIX operating system is used in internet servers, workstations & PCs. Backbone of the majority of finance infrastructure and many 24x365 high availability solutions.

Filesystems
jfs, gpfs, hfs, hfs+, ufs, xfs, zfs format

GUI
Initially Unix was a command based OS, but later a GUI was created called Common Desktop Environment. Most distributions now ship with Gnome.

Virus
A rough estimate of UNIX viruses is between 85 -120 viruses reported till date.

Threat and Solution
Because of the proprietary nature of the original Unix, users have to wait for a while, to get the proper bug fixing patch. But these are not as common.

Processors
x86/x64, Sparc, Power, Itanium, PA-RISC, PowerPC and many others.

Distros
AIX, Solaris, OpenBSD, HP-UX, Mac OS, FreeBSD, NetBSD

Looking into the Future...

Studies have shown that Linux has grown faster than any other server OS over the past few years. Current estimates are that Linux has a user base of about 25 million machines compared to only 5.5 million combined UNIX installations.

Keep in mind that these figures do not include the Android OS and the many consumers who have chosen to run their home computers using open-source Linux distributions.

At this point, it’s safe to say that UNIX is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Especially given the current state of the economy, it is difficult for a business to justify spending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on UNIX hardware when Linux machines are just as capable and significantly less expensive. In the next few years, UNIX will most likely become a thing only found in history books about the evolution of today’s operating system.
g
Command
Description
cat
Display File Contents
cd
Changes Directory to dirname
chgrp
change file group
chmod
Changing Permissions
cp
Copy source file into destination
file
Determine file type
find
Find files
grep
Search files for regular expressions.
head
Display first few lines of a file
ln
Create softlink on oldname
ls
Display information about file type.
mkdir
Create a new directory dirname
more
Display data in paginated form.
mv
Move (Rename) a oldname to newname.
pwd
Print current working directory.
rm
Remove (Delete) filename
rmdir
Delete an existing directory provided it is empty.
tail
Prints last few lines in a file.
touch
Update access and modification time of a file.

SAP ECC

What is ERP Central Component?



SAP ERP(Enterprise Resource Planning) Central Component (ECC) is one of the most recognized assets that SAP owns. It is an enterprise resource planning software which consists in several modules that provide the organizations with great control over their key business processes.
Modules can communicate with each other to create a fully integrated solution specific to almost any customer within a wide range of industry sectors.
SAP ECC implementations are a big challenge for any customer because of the risk that represents changing the way they manage vital information and processes, but the importance of counting with this kinds of systems, and the benefits of a successful/integrated ERP implementation are too valuable.
With modules like Financials (FI), Material Management (MM), Sales and Distribution (SD), Human Capital Management (HCM), among others, SAP ECC is one of the preferred choices for many organizations.

Releases

-SAP R/1, System RF - 1972
-SAP R/2, ran on a Mainframe architecture - 1979
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 1.0 A - July 1992
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 2.0 - 1993
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 3.0 - 1995
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 4.0 B - June 1998
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 4.3
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 4.5 B - March 1999
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 4.6 C - April 2001
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 4.6 F
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Release 4.70 Release Date March- Dec 2003[2]
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Edition 4.7
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Central Component (ECC) 5.0 - 2004
-SAP R/3 Enterprise Central Component (ECC) 6.0 - Oct 2005- Jun2006
-SAP ERP 6.0 - Enhancement Packages (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)

Oracle Listener

What is Listener?


Listener is a separate process that runs on the database server computer. It receives incoming client connection requests and manages the traffic of these requests to the database server.

listener directory - $ORACLE_HOME/112_64/network/admin

eg: listener is a tool to connect a DB with SAP.

Useful commands:-

show listener status - lsnrctl status
start listener - lsnrctl start
stop listener - lsnrctl stop
check listener process - ps -ef | grep lsnr
test listener connection - tnsping SID
list all option for listener as below - lsnrctl help

The following lsnrctl operations are available
An asterisk (*) denotes a modifier or extended command:
start                             stop                        status
services                       version                   reload
save_config                 trace                      spawn
dbsnmp_start              dbsnmp_stop         dbsnmp_status
change_password       quit                        exit
set*                             show*

By default, listener will point to your local hostname and port 1521.
However there is always circumstances that error happens when someone customize the listener configuration such doing oracle patching and messed up the settings.
You can always check the listener configuration in listener file and confirm everything was right.

Try to check listener status to make sure your listener point to your listener configuration file in %ORACLE_HOME/112_64/network/admin.

If not, you can change it in listener cmd line.
lsnrctl > help > show > show current_version > LISTENER_A (different from listener config file)

change it by using > set current_listener LISTENER > save_config

SAP Netweaver

What is SAP Netweaver?


SAP Netweaver is a platform that -
support various SAP applications such as - ERP, CRM, etc
provides usage types for analytics and integration, such as – BW, PI & Portal, etc.
can operate independently (a.k.a. Standalone Instances) for various purposes, such as –
ABAP or J2EE services
Monitoring, Basis services (e.g. email, fax, ccms, etc)
Platform for specific add-ons (e.g. LVM, GRC, ILM, ADS, etc)
Netweaver runs both Java (or rightfully, J2EE Services) and ABAP independently or in some cases both ABAP and Java together (eg. Solution Manager and PI).
Netweaver also has its own release and release strategy. For example NW 7.0 or NW 7.0 EHP1 or NW 7.3.
Not all products run on all Netweaver versions. For example –
• ERP 6.0 EHPx runs only on NW 7.0 EHPx and is not released for NW 7.3 EHPx
• NW 7.1 was released only for certain usage types such as PI, Portal or BW
• etc.


What SAP Netweaver is not?

SAP Netweaver is not always a “Java” instance nor necessarily a product that you will have to install. The architecture has to be rightly chosen depending on the business problem you are trying to solve.
For example, sometimes it would make sense to use the existing SAP Portal platform to also support other add-ons while sometimes it just makes sense to separate them out. Another example - you might decide to install SAP Netweaver Gateway (which is an add-on) on a separate Netweaver system with ABAP-only stack instead of running it on the Netweaver available within an ECC system.

SAPinst JAVA DB Dump Import Error - Phase Configure Oracle Client Network SAPInst

An error occurred while processing option <i>SAP NetWeaver 7.0 including Enhancement Package 2 > Software Life-Cycle Options > System Copy > Oracle > Target System Installation > Distributed System > Based on AS Java > Database Instance( Last error reported by the step: System call failed. Error 1 (Not owner) in execution of system call 'lchown' with parameter (/oracle/SID/11204/network/admin, 150153, 650), line (231) in file (syuxcnode.cpp), stack trace: EJSController.cpp: 182: EJSControllerImpl::executeScript()
JSExtension.hpp: 1101: CallFunctionBase::call()
iaxxbfile.cpp: 319: CIaOsFile::setACL_impl()
syuxcdir.cpp: 42: CSyDirectoryImpl::setACL(const PSyACLInt &, ISyNode::eACLInheritMode, ISyErrorHandler *, ISyProgressObserver*)
syuxcnode.cpp: 165: CSyNodeImpl::internalSetACL(PSyACLInt)
syuxcnode.cpp: 188: CSyNodeImpl::setNativeACL(const NativeSecurityDesc_t & sd, ISyErrorHandler * pErrorHandler) const

Solution :

1. Check permission /oracle/SID/11204/network/admin and compare with other system
2. Try give full access on admin folder/files, then retry
3. Backup and recreate folder admin/files , then retry
3. Backup admin folder and retry then retry

Sudden Computer Shutdown - Resolving the Issue

          It can be quite annoying if your computer keeps shutting down automatically without your permission, or without giving you any warning. You might lose some important and unsaved data in this process. If it is a system crash and not a simple shutdown, then you might also lose the saved data in your hard disk.

          Frequent random shutdowns may damage the motherboard permanently. So try troubleshooting the problem as soon as possible.
Sudden turning off of computers may be due to many reasons. There are a number of factors that could cause such issues. Damage of windows registry settings is one of the major reasons for sudden shutdown of your computers.
       
          You might want to explore some basic troubleshooting methods to get rid of this problem. In order to choose the correct alternative, you will first need to understand the main reasons for automatic shutdown of systems.
       
          Factors to be considered to avoid random shutting down of computers:
This problem might have started due to something that you added recently in your computer. It may be due to recently installed software or a hardware component. So, consider rechecking all the factors for their appropriate configurations.
       
          There are many types of malware or virus programs that may cause your computer to shutdown suddenly. You will need to get rid of such programs as soon as possible. Run a full system virus scan on all the partitions of your hard drive. Make sure that you update you antivirus program before scanning.
       
          Upgrading and adding of devices should be ideally done one at a time, in order to avoid conflicts between them. Sometimes the system could slow down if the memory is full, and it could also cause sudden shutdown issues. Make sure that you have appropriate RAM according to the size of your hard drive and the type of processor you use. Mismatch in system configurations can cause system shutdown issues.

          Resolving heat issues by placing a desk-fan near your personal computer:
Excessive heat may be another cause for CPU failure resulting in random shutdowns. Keep checking the proper functioning of your internal fan regularly. Keep it clean and free from fluff and dust. If the internal fan does not keep your CPU cool, then you can use a table fan for cooling your system. Use a flat fan for cooling your laptops or notebooks. While using a table fan, you could open one of the sides by removing the panel. However, it will make your system vulnerable to dust. It is always a better option to change the internal fan, or to buy a cabinet with double fans.

Checking for issues on safe mode:
Safe mode option in Windows operating system loads all the default programs without loading any externally installed software on your computer. This can test whether the problem is due to any software, or if there are any hardware related issues. Reboot your computer and press F8 button to run your system in the safe mode. If the problem persists, then there is some hardware causing it. You might have to contact a technician to detect the faulty component.

By Ramonr Coburn


PC Crash or Freezing of Computers and Their Solutions


PC Crash or Freezing of Computers and Their Solutions
A personal computer or a laptop has become an important tool for almost everyone these days. Using a PC is not a luxury anymore. In fact, it has now become a basic necessity. However, we do face problems with our computers every now and again. The biggest of all the computer problems is the system crash, or the dreaded blue screen.
Usually such problems might occur due to hardware or software issues. More often than not, it will be because of the operating system getting corrupted. Issues related to operating system usually arise if you use a pirated OS.
What are the issues that cause freezing of Windows?
There are a wide range of reasons that could cause freezing of PCs. It could be due to hardware problems, or due to system files getting corrupted. Sometimes, the systems freeze if we do not use them properly. For example, improper shutdown of computers can cause issues. If you repeat it several times, then there are chances of operating system getting corrupted. Once the OS is corrupted, then you will not be able to switch on your computer. It means that you will see a blank screen, or a blue screen display.
Damaged registry:
Another reason that might cause a system freeze is the damaged registry. Registry basically has the core information that manages overall operations of systems. When the registry gets corrupted, it will eventually lead to OS failures or system crash. The systems become unpredictable, and you will not be able to use them efficiently. Registry is the most useful part of your PC, especially in a Windows Operation System. It is more like a central repository that stores all the software settings and preference options.
System registry is the vital core of a computer that calls a number of settings each and every time an individual uses the system. Since the registry is used more frequently, there are chances of it getting corrupted. Even virus and spyware can attack the registry files and mess up the settings.
How to prevent system crash?
You will need to have considerable knowledge to fix the registry issues. However, there are many Registry Cleaning and repair programs that will help you resolve the registry issues with quite an ease. They are also very simple to use. All you will need to do is, download and install them on your system. Although, the registry is not the only reason for Windows crash, it is one of the main reasons for the problems associated with PC freezing.
Make sure that you use your computers in a systematic manner. Don't directly unplug your systems without shutting down the windows. Use a proper UPS System for power backup, so that your system does not get switched off automatically when the power goes off. Your UPS should give you sufficient time to save your works and shutdown your system. Update your antivirus regularly to download the latest virus definitions. Keep your system free from dust and moisture.

By Ramonr Coburn

Diagnosing Protocols Before You Submit Your Unit For Computer Repair


Not every malfunction you encounter with your PC requires a computer repair. Often times, the machine's failure to start are merely related to a faulty power source. The same goes for your laptops. So you should always try to diagnose the problem yourself first, before you submit your device for a computer or laptop repair. It would be a shame to waste all that money for a fix you could have done yourself. To help you out in this initial process, here are some guidelines you should follow.
a. If your computer or laptop does not turn on properly the first time or gives error messages you don't understand, perform a power cycle and see if the condition improves. Sometimes, glitches occur out of nowhere and the unit only needs to reboot in order to get its programs in order.
b. If the power cycle does not work, check the connection to the power source. It seems silly now, but a lot of times, people fail to restart their units or get internet connection, because they don't have their devices plugged in to the right outlet. For laptops, try turning it on using the cord without the battery, and also using the battery without the cord. If one of these power sources is corrupted, there is usually that tendency for them to confuse the system. For program errors, try to uninstall and reinstall the problematic application.
c. If all is in place and nothing is still working properly, swap compatible components with stocked ones or those from working units and see if the same problem occurs. Make sure to change one thing at a time, so you can identify what is working and what isn't. See, 70% of the time, computer errors are brought about by faulty cabling, connections and peripherals.
d. If the problem is mostly because of the platform you are working on, then create a backup copy of your files or save them in the D drive in your PC, and then reformat your computer or laptop.
e. If all of the steps above have not worked, keep your calm and don't lash out on your equipment. If you feel like you're about to get frustrated, then walk away from the problem and start taking down notes on what you have done and what you have observed. You can use this information to find out if there is anything else you can do. If you discover that there's nothing else in your capacity that you could try out, endorse your list to the computer or laptop repair technician so he doesn't waste his time and you don't waste your money.
Given that computers and/or laptops are machines incapable of self-preservation and regeneration, expect that you will have to submit them for laptop or computer repair every now and then to maintain their functions. Frequent upgrades may also be necessary, as well as the installation of a strong and sensitive antivirus program is advised.
Now, if you are dealing with a lot of units and very sensitive information, it would be smart if you employ an in-house networking expert to take care of your system on a regular basis. Or if you have the time, study how to keep your set-up in pristine condition to prevent crashes.

By Cedric P Loiselle

Get The Most Out Of Your iPhone With This Advice


Everyone is aware of the power of the Apple iPhone, whether they own one or not. If you own or are thinking about buying an iPhone, read on for some great tips on using it and personalizing it.
You can download an app to allow your iPhone to upload files and save them as a storage option. Whether you want to carry videos, music, photos or documents, you can easily put them on your phone. You just connect your iPhone to your computer and transfer your files from your computer to your iPhone.
You do not have to be concerned about being lost once you have an iPhone. Mapping software comes with your iPhone so that you can immediately start pinpointing locations without having to worry about adding an app. You can find directions home or explore new regions you never considered before.
Interruptions many frequently bother you while you are using your iPhone. It might be more important to wrap up your current project than to check out the notice. You can get rid of that notification easily. You just wipe away the pop up screen.
Did your iPhone freeze or is unresponsive? If it is unresponsive to clicking the Home button, hold down the Home button. This will automatically close any locked apps. If this does not work, hold these buttons simultaneously for five more seconds. Doing this should cause the Apple to pop up on the screen and your mobile device will reset.
For a quick way to add, subtract or multiply, don't forget that calculator function on your iPhone; it's located in your phone's utilities section. When held vertically, the calculator is a standard calculator, but when held horizontally, it becomes a highly-functional scientific calculator.
If you are unhappy with Siri's mechanized voice, know that there are other choices. Siri can be found in General Settings. Once you do this, you can set the Siri's language to French, German, or English. You can even change her voice, if you wish, to reflect a British or Australian accent. In fact, the British version of Siri has a male voice.
You may run into a problem in which you are unable to power up your iPhone by pressing its Sleep/Wake button. Fortunately, a hard reset remedies the problem. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home key at the same time. Your phone will shut down, then restart if everything was able to reset properly.
One of the useful things you can do with your iPhone is share pictures with your various contacts. You can do this in two different ways. First, save your image and add as an email attachment, or you can upload it to your application on Facebook so everyone can see.
As you can see from the advice in the above article, there is always something new to learn about the most effective way to use an iPhone. If this is the case for you, all that is left to do is to put the information to use to get the most out of your phone, or decide if the phone is right for you.
By Ron Bailey

Computer Hangs/Stuck! What to do? Reformat? Oh No!

There's a solutions that I would like to share with you guys...You can try this application
if you suspect that your computers are infected with malware/virus/trojan...even if you are not sure, you still can try to use this application to identify your issue whether it solved or not...this application called combofix and you can read more details on how to use and download from the following sites!

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/

Regards,
Archenic

Updates after a long time sleep...

Thanks for those that are found my blog is useful, I will start update this blog again but not so frequent because of there are also personal things I need to follow up...BTW thanks for all of you coz making me feel alive and wants to start over again with this humble blog...cheers peeps!

AND congrats to Spain coz win EURO 2012!

Regards,

Archenic

Computer Repair - What's Wrong With My Computer?

The top problems that most PCs have when they stop working properly are security/protection related. Windows ( particularly Vista ) has a heap of security settings that can often go overboard trying to protect you from viruses and spyware.

Then after that, the majority of problems are a blown power supply, Windows is corrupt, or the computer simply going slow or slowing down.
Some points about computer repair -

1) Check to make sure all the Windows updates have been done. This includes the latest service pack release ( a service pack basically irons out the bugs after Microsoft identifies an issue with the Operating System ).

2) Make sure that you're not using AVG or Avast ( both freeware ). These only cover you for a small number of the problems that are already out there. Imagine it like this - you buy a new car and have the option to take out free car insurance that covers you for everything except for an accident. By not having the correct internet security you're putting yourself at risk to lose your valuable data, photos etc. Also there's a risk of fraud - online banking, identity theft and other issues that are out there.

3) There are millions of viruses that cause a heap of different problems. A virus is a bit of information that's designed to cause damage to the information that's on your computer, similar to cancer in a human. Sometimes if it can be caught early it can be fixed, but on some occasions its too late, and the computer will need to be re-formatted and the software re-installed.

4) The computer won't turn on at all. This could be due to a power supply fault or a surge that's blown a component in the computer, like the motherboard.

5) Sometimes computers don't work properly due to a hardware fault, and your screen will just go blue. It may not be software related at all and that's when you'll need to get in a professional to diagnose the problem.
6) Sometimes Windows in completely corrupt due to a life of downloading and installing and uninstalling over  a period of time.

7) The windows registry. When you start up Windows there's a list of commands it runs through. The registry can get so bogged down with irrelevant or dead commands ( something that's been uninstalled, but not from the registry ) that the computer slows down. Just like a car needs to be serviced - oil changed etc. a computer needs its registry cleaned and needs defragging at least every six months.

8) Computers that run slow often only need a bit more memory in conjunction with a clean- up to make a big difference and speed it up.

By Josh Fairhall

WD TV Live Hub

WD TV Live Hub With 1TB Hard Drive

What is the WD TV Live Hub? It is a convenient and easy way to funnel all those media files into one central location and watch them directly from your TV. Not just the files on your computer, but it also streams directly from the internet. And when you have all of your files accessible to the WD TV Live Hub, you can then stream it to any other location in your house that's set up to handle the media stream. It even handles sending out several streams at one time. Think of it as a mini media server under your TV. But what really sets this apart from the rest of the streaming field is its onboard 1TB hard drive. Let's break down the features.

WD TV Live Hub File Support

When Western Digital set out to make a device of this kind they no doubt wanted to learn from the mistakes of some of the competition, namely Apple TV's lack of file support. So here are the files that the WD Hub can handle.

Video
AVI (Xvid, AVC, MPEG1/2/4), MPG/MPEG, VOB, MKV (h.264, x.264, AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1), TS/TP/M2T (MPEG1/2/4, AVC, VC-1), MP4/MOV (MPEG4, h.264), M2TS, WMV9

Audio
MP3, WAV/PCM/LPCM, WMA, AAC, FLAC, MKA, AIF/AIFF, OGG, Dolby Digital, DTS

Photo
JPEG, GIF, TIF/TIFF, BMP, PNG

This is very convenient if you have collected a number of odd and different files from multiple locations lost in a sea of folders just sitting on your hard drive. (You know you do.) Well this can assist in sorting it all out very handily, and who knows, you may even rediscover some old videos you loved when you first saw them but simply forgot you had them.

Streaming
A computer is not necessarily needed in order to benefit from the WD Hub. It connects to directly to the internet and gives you access to online services. Here are some of them in no particular order.
Netflix, Blockbuster, YouTube, Pandora, Facebook, flickr, Live 360, Media Fly, AccuWeather.
Storage Capacity
There are several other devices on the market that are similar to this one. But as I said at the beginning what really sets the WD TV Live Hub apart from the rest is the onboard 1TB Hard Drive. How much can 1TB hold you may ask?
  • Up to 285,000 digital photos
  • Up to 250,000 songs (MP3)
  • Up to 25,000 songs (uncompressed CD quality)
  • Up to 76 hours of Digital Video (DV)
  • Up to 440 hours of DVD quality video
  • Up to 120 hours of HD video
Now that's a lot of time spent in front of the TV. And just how will you get all those files in and out of the WD Hub? On the Hub itself it has Gigabit Ethernet, front and back USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4 (that's the latest version), Composite A/V, Component video, Optical audio. The only thing you need to supply is the cables. All this for around $200.00.

Final Thoughts
Now this isn't to say that Western Digital has come out with the perfect device. While the navigation is fairly straight forward and easy to use it still takes a bit of navigation to find what you're looking for. All in all though it's a solid product with good support from Western Digital. After a little bit of set up you'll be watching movies, looking at photos and going through all those forgotten files on the big screen.

By Jason Craig

MSS32 DLL Errors On Vice City - Fix

MSS32.dll (Miles Sound System) is a file used by many advanced games to help your system run as smoothly as possible. It's responsible for helping your computer to read all the important settings and options it requires to help process surround sound, and advanced sound options.

Unfortunately, however, mss32.dll, is continually causing errors on your system. The good news is that if you want to resolve errors caused by MSS32, you should look to repair any of the potential problems that will be leading the file to be unreadable - which can be done by using the steps outlined on this page.

What Are MSS32 Errors?
The errors you're seeing on your computer are generally going to show in this format:
  • MSS32 cannot be read
  • MSS32 unreadable
  • MSS32 Is Missing
The way to resolve these errors is to first understand what the mss32 errors are, and then repair the issues that are causing them. Most of the time, the error will be triggered by the way in the way that your computer will not be able to process the settings that it needs to run, leading it to run much slower and with problems. The way to fix this is to use a program or replacement mss32 file, that's going to fix the problems that your PC may have.

How To Fix MSS32.dll Errors
The first step to fix the mss32.dll error is to make sure that you don't have any problems with GTA Vice City. To do this, you first need to repair any of the possible errors that the program has, by re-installing the software.

This can be done by clicking onto Start > Control Panel > Add / Remove Program. From the list, you should then be able to repair the program by re-installing it.
After that, it's recommended you use a registry cleaner to scan through your computer and get rid of any of the possible problems that your system has inside.

Registry cleaners will be able to get your PC running smoothly again by getting rid of any of the potential problems that your system may have - as it will clean out any of the errors inside the registry database of your system.

By Greg Kahn

MP3 Buying Guide

The humble CD was invented way back in the 80s. High time we ditch those archaic media and switch to electronic storage right? A good MP3 or MP4 player these days is much more than just that. These little devices are multifunctional power tools too. Many have FM (with recording), ability to view photos, videos, function as a dictaphone and as portable storage. 
The market is flooded with options (including Chinese ones) of different types, brands, memory capacities, features and prices. And this is exactly the reason why this buying guide should help you.

The basic requirements
A media player is actually and definitely not one-size-fits-all. Available in different shapes and sizes, these players make use of different types of memory and supports varying formats. So the idea is to realize your requirements as well as the budget, and then buying the suitable media player. Broadly, the market showcases a slew of media players comprising a PMP with huge storage space to accommodate voluminous data like music, videos, pictures etc. Apart from this, if you want something light and small, you can get a flash-based player, which is more durable, smaller and longer lasting. Moreover, Hard drive-based players will give you more megabytes per rupee that you spend.

What type?
If you're looking to take along your MP3 player for your morning jogs and warm up exercises in the gym, a flash-based player would be ideal since they don't skip a beat, are resistant to shocks and temperature variations and easy to carry owing to their smaller size. Moreover, they are engineered to offer comfort with no moving parts and battery backup to look for. Some examples of small flash based players are the Creative Zen Stone Plus, iPod Shuffle, Samsung U3, iRiver iFP-899, Zune HD and Sandisk Sansa Clip. To make sure that you sweat out without hassles, the player is designed in such a way that they can be clipped onto a piece of clothing or be strapped on your arm for your daily workout.
Adding something novel to the list is the new Sony NWZ-W250 series, which is also apt for people looking for something voguish while sweating out. The series comes with new and improved water-resistant exterior and design, making it comfortable while exercising. Moreover, the player comes in wearable style and is completely free from tangled wires, hence giving utmost comfort and less stress while working out.
There are larger flash-based players with color screens that can display photos, text and video too. For example the Philips GoGear SA1ARA08, Samsung Yepp T10, Sandisk Sansa View, and the Apple iPod Nano.

Music enthusiasts who have an extensive music collection can opt for a 80GB or 120GB player like the Apple iPod Classic, Creative Zen Vision M or Microsoft Zune. These players usually have bigger screens, extra features like games, Wi-Fi and organizer and feature a longer battery life to keep you company on long journeys.

Spanning across the slew of portable media players with memory upto 80 GB, one can come across Archos 605 Wi-Fi PMP and Archos 704 Wi-Fi PMP. The versions lie mid-way between a PC and a TV, helping in streaming of content from PC to the PMP. Other versions also support recording of TV programmes and songs as well as videos.
How much storage?

You'll always need more, is something you should remember. Get the maximum storage space that you can afford, and if the player has a card slot to further expand the memory, nothing like it! If you have a larger memory capacity, you carry a larger number of files, but you can also carry higher quality (high bitrate) files with ease. Plus the advantage that you can use the extra capacity as portable storage. Generally the thumb rule applied is 1 MB of memory will give you approximately one minute of music playback with standard quality files. If you are going to watch a lot of video on your device, the amount of space you need will do up dramatically.

Not just audio, I want more
In addition to music, if image viewing and video playability is what you need, there are many options with flash-based players now. Almost every flash based player with a large color screen will support popular photo formats and video. Keep in mind that many of these players will not natively play any video files stored on your PC. You will have to convert them to a smaller size and compatible format using (usually) supplied software.
Display

A 2.5-inch screen is good enough for viewing photos and videos, but the larger the better. The Apple iPod Touch has a 3.5-inch (Diagonal) widescreen and is great for photos and videos. You can also install apps on it and use it like a PDA. If you really want power and flexibility, go for the Cowon A3 which comes with a huge 4" TFT-LCD display, supports almost all the formats, has TV-out and direct line in recording from any video source. Even the Creative Zen Vision W has a bigger 4.3" high-res screen, native DivX support and TV-out.

Size does matter after all
Weight, size and in general the form factor of your PMP is a crucial factor. This will dictate how much you carry it around and how useful it becomes, especially if you travel around a lot. There can sometimes be a huge variation in weight (from 30 to 350 gms) and form factor (the size of a thumb to a pack of cards or even bigger)

Can my Lithium-ion go on and on?
Lithium batteries are common among all players and pack in more power. The one worrying trend is the built in, non user-replaceable batteries. The first Creative Zen hard drive players had removable batteries so that you could easily carry a spare or replace it when the time came. Now, if you run out of juice while on the move, you're stuck.

The Extras
If you want a player to function as your complete entertainment center, the choices are narrowed down. The Apple iPod Touch has many of the features that a PMP has plus more. It has built in Wi-Fi (so you can configure your email on it, browse the web, watch YouTube videos etc). And thanks to the thousands of apps available in the App Store (both free and paid), you can add on functionality and games, just like you do with a smartphone.

Other players like the Cowon A3 and Creative Zen Vision W have extras like games, FM (with voice and FM recording), an organizer (clock, calendar, alarm) and in some cases even a document Viewer.
Some other often neglected features include an equalizer (if you'd like to customize your music), quality bundled earphones, speakers and maybe in some cases, even built in Bluetooth to wirelessly transmit audio to compatible headphone.

By Vineeta Tiwari

This Operating System Looks For More Cash Savings

Making money on the internet is all about being number one. It is very similar to many sports where the first place the winner receives the most. Similar to sports second place can also be lucrative. Many articles I have read write about knowing your market, finding your niche and dominating until you become number one. I decided I was going to take a peak at my statistics for my blog and see how things look. My blog is new to this world, it was born in 2011 on a very interesting topic.

I was totally amazed at my numbers. People were actually reading my content, surprising as this was to me it was what I wanted to have happen. The internet is an amazing technology that allows people to do so many things that they could not dream of 10 years ago. Remember the phone when all it did was send and receive voice? Now we have video chat, instant messaging, picture sharing, social networking the list goes on and on. The internet can also be used to make money and gather information. There are millions of people and companies that are freely sharing information on the internet. My kids use the internet for school projects and to email their teachers.

The statistic that stood out for my page was the different types of operating systems being used to view my blog. Could there be some kind of relationship between the operating system being used and the kind of person who is looking for information about managing the family food budget?
The number one operating system had 70% of all page views. Windows dominated this statistic, I am not sure if this surprises anybody.

My blog is about sharing information to help people manage their food budget. With the economy the way it is people are looking through out the internet for information to help them cut costs. Grocery shopping and meal planning are two ways to achieve substantial savings in cash.

Window users could be suffering a substantial amount of financial pain from job losses or other financial events and looking for helpful information more than any other operating system user. It could be the other operating system users are more entrepreneurial in spirit and look for ways to make money instead of having to cut back on expenses.
I will have to monitor the statistical data I have received and continue to update through future articles.

By Rick Henderson

The Most Popular Browser To Save You Money

I wonder which group of browser users would save more money when it pertains to grocery shopping?
The one thing everybody using the internet has in common is the fact they use a browser to manage how they view the internet. There are numerous kinds of browsers out there to select from and I am not writing this a tech person who knows all the differences of each browser. I am writing this because many people are experiencing financial pain with the way the current economy is treating them and browse the internet for solutions.

The internet is a very useful tool to gather information about any subject. You can find substantial information about coupons, tips to save money, find a job, know what is going on around the world and in your own back yard, phone, chat, video chat.

All these things are very important. The question I have is how do you use and what kind of browser do you use if you want to find information about how to feed a family on a limited budget. Is there some kind of interesting fact nobody has looked at when a correlation is made between grocery budget and browsers?
There could be a unique relationship between who is frugal and what type of browser they use. Let me share a little bit of information that triggered this article.

The statistics for people who look at my blog about feeding a family of four for under $100 a week has produced some interesting numbers. Now I am not a tech person but this is kind of obvious, even though the numbers are small. Just to be clear, I rarely mention product or promote any kind of brand. This is not about that but I will mention one browser here because the article will not make sense with out it. The most popular browser to view my blog is Firefox.

Firefox has a 48% view rate and a commanding lead of the top three browsers viewing my blog. Does this mean people who are looking to save on their grocery budget prefer Firefox? If we expanded this number to 100 Million views would the numbers still be fairly close? Maybe this is just coincidence because the population that has viewed my blog has not reach a million views yet. I could be onto something important relating to how frugal Firefox viewers are. We will keep tracking these numbers and I will write another update article in a few months.

Our free new book "The Scratch" will show you the basics of three great meals you can use to start your new family budget. It has great meals you can use to feed a family of four for a combined cost of under $16.00.
Rick and his wife have been able to reduce their grocery budget by almost 50% since they started this challenge in 2010. Their 15 years of grocery shopping for the family has led them to start a blog that includes using leftovers to save big, money, meal planning, cooking utensils, recipes, and grocery lists.

By Rick J Henderson

Apple: Perception of Dominance

The emergence of the iPod and its rapid adoption gave Apple the keys to explosive growth. From the iPod to the iTouch, iPhone and now the iPad, the think tank at Apple has found a way to make their products more than electronic gizmos designed for everyday use. CEO Steve Jobs has masterfully sold investors and the public on the 'experience' of these devices. The public is buying and profits are great for Apple; even in the current economic downturn. It appears that Apple has an app and device to fit any situation; but how dominate is Apple? Is this dominance a perception or fact?

Apple to Apples...
Many comparisons have been made about the differences of Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. The general consensus is that Windows is unstable and inferior where Mac OS X is clearly superior from UI to stability. Given the mass appeal of the Apple's device designs; you could be left to believe that there really isn't any use for the Windows platform other than to view spreadsheets and crunch numbers.

Generally, it is easy to forget that Microsoft's strength and stock in trade is software, whereas Apple is grounded in a proprietary model. From Apple's inception Apple built software to run on its proprietary hardware. This legacy goes back to the days when computer companies built their own systems from scratch and marketed those systems to build brand awareness and generate sales. Microsoft chose to build compatible software to run on initially the IBM PC which eventually led to Microsoft's MS-DOS to be installed and ran on different PC manufactures' systems.

I'm a PC, You're a Fanboy...
Looking over the years, you can see the effect that the two business models have had on both companies. In the early eighties, Microsoft was a new startup kind of company while Apple was the darling of the industry, by the nineties the roles had changed as Microsoft rose in stature and Apple all but disappeared from the scene.

Changes in technology pushed the companies in different directions as well as market share and size. Due to Microsoft's expansive growth in the PC market, Apple chose to stick with what worked best which was the proprietary model it started with. By the early 2000's; file sharing sites like Napster led to the development and popularity of the mp3 player.

This gave Apple the opportunity to innovate and tap into a growing market which Microsoft wasn't quite quick to jump into. Over time, Apple continued to develop new and appealing products like the iPhone. Apple's experience of building hardware has helped Apple develop a line of products consistent with what the public is currently looking for in personal use devices.

Microsoft's, relative inexperience in hardware development has hindered Microsoft's ability to capitalize on new trends in the marketplace. The development of the XBOX 360 for Microsoft has been a large success, but it could be said that the success of its' online gaming service; XBOX Live, has made a bigger splash. It's a recurring theme with both companies; both enjoy being the 'top dog' at different times.

Why Can't We Be Friends?
Fast forward to today; where we have Mac stores and ads showcasing the hip, fresh Apple device of choice. A healthy dose of perspective is needed to understand that despite Apple's apparent ubiquity; Microsoft is also enjoying its own measure of widespread success. Windows 7, the company's latest os offering; has been widely hailed as a great release by consumers and industry insiders alike.

Kinect, the motion sensing device designed for the revamped XBOX 360 console has also been widely praised as a victory for Microsoft. Apple is enjoying a fair amount of visibility these days, and without question well deserved. In every segment that Apple is succeeding in however; its competitors are also chipping away at Apple's lead and looking for an opportunity to innovate. Google has risen in size and stature that rivals both Microsoft and Apple.

Google has the largest search engine, a widely accepted browser and a phone operating system in Android that has seen rapid acceptance in the mobile phone segment. Like Microsoft, Google places emphasis on software rather than hardware, but it does have products that are exclusively designed and marketed for Google. The company is a kind of hybrid in its business model; a little Microsoft and a little Apple. The industry is starting to see that just like Apple and Microsoft before, it is clearly becoming Google's time to shine.

Conclusion
Dominance? No. Perception? Yes. The eighties belonged to Sony; the Walkman and later the Discman. Those devices' popularity was the equivalent of Apple's iPod, iPhone and recently; iPad. History has clearly proven that the 'dominance factor' that Sony enjoyed was simply an arc in time that all innovative companies share. Soon we will be looking back on Apple's past triumphs while marveling at the newest company enjoying the market accolades that Apple used to. Maybe it won't be a device; but some form of bio-tech interface. Either way, we'll know soon enough.

By C. Imanon

Keeping Your USB Flash Drive Virus Free

These days a USB Flash Drive is something that most people have and use. Since it is easy and convenient to use most people depend on it for file transfers. What they don't realize is that this makes the USB susceptible to getting infected with a virus. If you often use your flash drive with several different computers then you need to make sure that you keep it virus free.
  1. Be Careful. One of the easiest ways to be sure that your USB does not get infected is by being careful. Avoid using it on public computers and use it only with computers that you know are safe. It is also a good idea to avoid lending it out since you do not really know where others may use it.
  2.  Scan It. Some of us do not bother to run a scan before using our flash drives because it seems like a waste of time. This does not take very long and it can save you a heart break later. Before you use it on your computer make sure that its been scanned. It is also a good idea to do a scan before you open or run any files that you have put in the flash drive. This way you'll know whether or not to continue using the USB.
  3. Prevent Infections. Like with many other things prevention can be better than a cure. Instead of finding a way to get rid of a virus on your flash drive you can just keep the virus at bay. The easiest way to do this is again by using a USB anti-virus scan or a USB clean up. This way you can make sure that you get rid of any virus or infection before it can be put into action.
These three things are all very simple and easy to do. You just need to make sure that you take the time out to do it. Keep these in mind especially when using a promotional USB or your external hard drives.
Armon Rostami is a recognised expert in the field of design and brand management. He has over seven years commercial experience in this area.

By Armon Rostami

Why the Format of MP3 Is More Popular Than WMA

Nowadays audio compression formats are not so many. Besides, there are also few image compression formats to be used. I guess you may have heard of some formats such as GIF, JPG and BMP. But the two most popular audio formats are WMA and MP3. As for the WMA format, it is a kind of older audio format. It was produced by Microsoft Company in order to work with Microsoft's Windows media player.As the WMA compression format was only devised for WMA files, it is not able to be converted to other formats.

As for the audio quality, there are obvious differences between MP3 and WMA formats. When the phone line speed is around 30kbps, WMA is really a proper audio format. At this speed, WMA could access an FM level of audio quality even though the surroundings are not quiet enough. At the speed of 128kbps, Microsoft declares that the WMA is almost the CD-quality. But nowadays WMA is not popular any more among users. Its compression offers comparatively small audio documents and these documents need less processing power to run. So this format becomes less popular when MP3 comes into being.

At the year of 1991, the MP3 audio compression was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. Compared with WMA, MP3 provides higher quality sound for it adopts perceptual audio coding to compress CD-quality sound. Consequently, MP3 has become the widespread criterion among audio broadcasting and usage. It offers the CD-quality sound at proper compression sizes with high speeds. But remember that MP3 quality will likely suffer the same as WMA at low bitrates.

By Shirley Jingsi Huang
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