Kalmia Records Blog

With so many Microsoft Windows related viruses, errors, and other software problems, many average computer users are looking at alternative operating system platforms, such as Linux. It is important that users, frustrated with Windows, don’t simply install a version of Llinux without knowing what they are in for. There are many important differences between Windows and Linux that anyone considering a change should be fully aware of. Herein we discuss some of the similarities and differences between Windows and Linux so you can get a better idea as to which operating system is really best for you.

The major difference between Linux and Windows is the open-source nature of Linux and closed-source nature of Windows. Linux, as an open-source OS, can be modified by the user as he/ she sees fit. Open source really means that anyone can modify the underlying code, and that no one completely owns it. Microsoft Windows, on the other hand, is not an operating system you can modify easily - it was designed to work a particular way with a certain user interface as designated by Microsoft software engineers.

The consequences of Linux being an open-source OS are many. Because you can modify the code, and because there are many user interfaces out there (GUIs), there are usually compatibility issues with various software applications. Some software may be designed to work with multiple Linux GUIs, while others many only be able to work with a few, or just one. Also, the open-source operating system demands that the user know how to work with and modify the program - a task that is usually very difficult for the average computer user familiar with Windows. Even the installation of Linux can be a chore if you are not familiar with Linux terminology.

What I am getting at here is that Linux is great for those who are willing to take the time to learn the program, pick out and install a GUI they like (this may take a while!), and prefer choice over simple usability. Windows is easy to learn, easy to run, and does not demand a lot from its users. This OS is appropriate for a majority of the general public who simply want something that runs right out of the box with little configuration. People also want universal compatibility, and don’t want to have to deal with constantly modifying their OS. Price wise, Linux is super cheap compared with Windows. For advanced users who have the desire to modify their OS, Linux is the by far the best choice. If you don’t have the time or knowledge, however, stay with Microsoft Windows for the time being, and be sure to download all updates and security patches as often as possible!

Bradley James is a senior editor at SciNet.cc, a website containing many helpful consumer electronics review articles. For more information on Windows and Linux OS, please visit our Linux vs Windows webpage.

As we see Microsoft Great Plains 9.0 or new name of the project Microsoft Dynamics GP is marching across the US, U.K. Australia, Latin America, South Africa, parts of continental Europe: France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Poland - we would like to point out to new support options, available with Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 - as it leverages new Microsoft technologies, such as MS Sharepoint, integration with Microsoft CRM/Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Business Portal (locomotive of Microsoft Dynamics or Microsoft Project Green). Potential clients or Microsoft Great Plains / Great Plains Software Dynamics, eEnterprise or even DOS based Great Plains Accounting orphan (without support) clients should know their options in getting Great Plains remote support. In this small article we will try to educate the clientele

• Remote Support Technology. There are three options in your disposition: Citrix/Windows Remote Desktop connection (with VPN or without VPN - directly by static or dynamic IP), second option is web session - multiple web sessions vendors are out there on the market, the third option is PCAnywhere - this is the veteran on the remote support market, now it faces strong competition from the side of “free” remote support options (coming with Windows XP Pro license)

• Business Portal. It is web portal by the technology, and so - it could be supported remotely. Additional comments: Microsoft Project Green, targeting to merge Microsoft ERP applications: Navision (Microsoft Dynamics NAV), Axapta (Microsoft Dynamics AX), Solomon (Microsoft Dynamics SL), MS CRM (Microsoft Dynamics CRM), Great Plains (Microsoft Dynamics GP) should enable more tools for Microsoft Dynamics products remote support

• Competition. As Microsoft Business Solutions admits - SAP Business One and Oracle (Oracle E-Business Suite lite version) are major competitors. We are not talking about BestSoftware here - this is subject for separate article

• International MRP Market. Where you have localization questions and challenges. Localization usually deals with French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian language translation plus local country tax engine automation (especially for such unique tax legislations as Brazilian, Chinese, Indian, French)

• Customization. Especially in the USA we see a lot of clients and orphans who have Microsoft Dexterity (or Great Plains Dexterity) customizations. Dexterity, being designed in earlier 1990th has modular structure. This means that original Great Plains Software code (DYNAMICS.DIC) is separated from third parties (later purchased by GPS and incorporated into GP as Manufacturing, Project Accounting, Service Advantage Suite). With version 6.0 GPS renamed products and dictionaries and this is now the dilemma for clients, using old version of Microsoft Dynamics to bring their customization up to the current version (Microsoft Dynamics 9.0). We recommend technology approach, when Dexterity pieces should be analyzed and upgraded or recustomized with newer technologies, such as eConnect, web services, Integration Manager VBA (subject to be phase out) and Continuum (subject to be phased out)

• eOrder. Please be informed that eOrder will not be upgraded to version 9.0. eOrder was legacy IIS ASP application, not integrated with Great Plains Business Portal

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 and http://www.enterlogix.com.br ) - 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, Columbia, Ecuador, Chili, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico

FrameMaker has a very powerful cross referencing (linking) functionality. You can easily refer to another section or element in your book by a hyper-link that will be alive when you save your document as a PDF file.

The linked cross references are updated automatically when you edit your document or book and select Edit > Update References.

Here is how you can create FrameMaker cross references easily:

Enter your cursor to where you want your cross reference to be.

Then select Special > Cross Reference (or use the very useful Esc+S+C hotkey shortcut).

In the Cross-Reference dialog box, make sure PARAGRAPH is selected for Source Type.

Select a PARAGRAPH STYLE in the PARAGRAPH TAG window. All text for the document (the NAME of which is displayed in the DOCUMENT field on top) tagged with that paragraph style will be listed in the PARAGRAPHS text box on the right.

Select the text on the right window TO WHICH you’d like to create a cross reference from your cursor position.

Then select a REFERENCE FORMAT from the drop-down list at the bottom.

Click the INSERT button and you are done. The cross reference is inserted to where your cursor is.

Now you have an accurate and great looking cross reference which will be updated every time you edit your chapter or book.