Why companies don’t consider Security and how to decode a Barcode!

Paul

Weak Security is NO security!

I am working with a company of late that few months and I must say their security is weak to say the least. They use Barcodes to establish who they are and what jobs they are doing.   It seems kinda simplistic to some but to me they are just asking for problems.   Now a days, 90% of people who work have access to some kind of smart phone, whether it be Android or IOS each one has their unique problems but I am not here to talk about their problems but to point out that each one can literally scan a barcode and decode it in a matter of minutes!

How to decode a Barcode!

If your looking to decode a barcode for Android, I can help.  Here are a few that I’ve found to work really well with any and all barcodes you might have a need for!

  • Google Goggles — This app for the Android is so interesting, I have installed on my phone just to see what would the world be like if we had those on Google Glasses which I suspect is coming soon!
  • Barcode Scanner  by ZXing Team — This is a good little app for those of you who just want to see what the code is and so forth.   It can does 1d, 2d, and QR Codes.   This is also a really useful app for those of you who want to see what the barcode at work really says about you!
  • Barcode Scanner by TACOTY CN — Another one that does basically what others do and it can decode any barcode that you might have to see what it really says about you.   
  • Scan by Scan, Inc — Here is a good tool for reading barcodes.   I really can’t say much more than this because they are do basically the same thing 1d, 2d, and QR Codes.   Works really well though!
  • ClearImage Free Online Barcode Reader / Decoder — Although this isn’t a app for Android it can be very useful for anyone who has a camera and would like to decode a barcode this way.   No need for a smart phone, just a camera will do that can take digital pictures.

The Problem!

The company I am contracted with thinks this is convenient and probably even thinks no one will abuse this.   I hate to think of who might use this to gain personal information about another worker or even get them fired.   It isn’t hard to imagine that someone may go so far as use someone else’s barcode just to get them in trouble.   So why use barcodes in business?  This is a constant problem that needs to be fixed ASAP for any business that does this might want to consider changing over to something a little more secure.   In the coming weeks, I’ll probably talk about this in more detail but until I fix the problems with this company I can’t go into much more detail.   

Paul Sylvester

 

 

 

What To Look For in A Quality Video Game!

Paul

There are hundreds of video games available to purchase, but a lot of them are not worth their cost or will only provide a few hours of entertainment. Luckily, there are an abundance of great video games from every genre. When purchasing a game, it is vital to do research in order to save money. Everyone has different tastes in video games, though most people first and foremost want to be entertained. Here are four tips to find a quality video game that basically anyone can benefit from!

 Reviews

To find out a game’s popularity, check out reviews on the game. Gaming magazines routinely review the newest games, going as far as to recommend the game or not. Better yet, check out reviews on sites that sell the game. Reviews from fellow gamers will be unbiased and offer a unique prospective. Take extremely positive or negative reviews with a grain of salt – they are likely to be fake. Most sites will have an overall rating, such as four out of five stars. Reviews from fellow gamers will give the buyer an idea on how enjoyable the game is.
 

Long-Running Series

Some video games seemingly come out with new versions every year. These include games such as Madden Football, Resident Evil, or Mario. Any video game that has been around for many years certainly has gained a devoted following. Gamers speak with their wallets, so this is a sure sign that the game is a solid choice.

Borrow or Rent

It is difficult to find an enjoyable video game without testing it out first. The only way to test a game is to bring it home and play for a while. There are rental services that work much like Netflix, but for video games. This is a powerful way to test out games without shelling out very much money. This can help the gamer determine if the game is quality or if they should save their money. Another way is to borrow the game from a fellow gamer – this is a fantastic & free option to test out a desired game.

Previews

Often, software companies release free downloads for their video games. Downloading and installing shareware offers a terrific way to get a feel for any game. This allows the gamers to test out the basics, and to get a feel for the game. The great thing about shareware games is they can be obtained quickly and tested out within an hour or two. Many gaming companies have sections of their sites devoted to shareware downloads. It may not seem like it, but many gamers would testify that it’s crucial to test a game in order to get a true feel for it.

Tim Gail writes about all thing related to technology. His best work focuses on online computer science degrees.

 

 

 

Common Pitfalls in Software Development!

Paul

221192_GeneralAt times, software development is a tremendously difficult process. Not only do multiple departments need to come together, but deadlines are often difficult to meet. Most software companies release software later than their expected release date. Most pitfalls are avoidable, while others are an inevitable part of the process. Oftentimes, software companies have unrealistic expectations regarding their software engineers. Here are the five most common pitfalls in software development.

Communication

Software development involves multiple departments. This can cause communication problems. Oftentimes, the marketing department, has entirely different ideas than the software engineers. The finance department can have problems with both marketing and software development. In software development, there needs to be communication between all departments and their. At a software company, everyone from the CEO down to software testers should be involved in the process. Poor communication results in missed release dates and will cost a company a lot of money.
 

Expectations

This goes along with communication – a company needs to set realistic release dates. Quality software needs to be tested by the quality assurance department multiple times, and the engineers need time to fix errors. Setting unrealistic expectations will cause the software to be released prematurely, with errors and omissions. Engineers that that constantly work long hours are going to put out an inferior product.

Estimates

When making estimates for a release date, many software companies set their release date way too early. When starting a project, it is almost impossible to have a release date for nine months in the future. Instead, software companies should set estimates on a different scale. A company needs to set estimates for each release and QA testing round. Following a schedule is much easier when setting short term release dates; this will also give the company a rough timeline for release.

Robin Hughes writes about education and technology. Her most recent work discusses online web design degrees in the US.

Why Tablets are Booming! [Informational Graphic]

Paul

 

Tablet’s being used in Jobs!

251936_Tablet Insurance 300x250As I was going to make this post up, I had a really good experience with what the Informational Graphic depicts.   As you can see there is a lot going on.  I thought we would at least break this down a little and hopefully make you understand just how they are being used.   If anything we can discuss some of the aspects from some of my previous posts as points to this new booming lifestyle people are taking up.

Mobile Productivity is on the Rise!

Although this isn’t hard to believe that people are looking to buy Tabelts for business purposes.  Actually they have started to ask me in my local area which tablet is right for my business.  I have on occassion even helped them consult with them on this very aspect.  So I do know a thing or two about tablets.  I do not know everything about them but I can pretty much help you find the right one for what you may need it for.

Tablets are being used by Youths!

This isn’t really a surprise on my part because my niece and nephews are all using 7″ tablets right now and they are only 11 years old.  So that part I bet isn’t really going to surprise anyone.   I even have a few good gaming apps for the android OS if your wondering.  I really can’t say much else about this because I don’t really have a lot more to say about this graphic.   It however is quite showing just how much demand there is for tablets in the workplace.  Please feel free and share this with your friends and family.

Paul Sylvester

Balancing Act between Technology and Lifestyle!

Paul

Balancing Act

Technology is a Balance!

It isn’t everyday that you hear people say that they have to balance work, family, and Technology.   Technology has never been in demand like it has today.    Everyone can say they do it really easily but it isn’t always that simple or some would just stretch the truth.   Truth be told no one ever thought it would be this difficult to keep up with technology and keep themselves involved with their kids and work. 

Human Error!

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Human error is always going to be a problem because no one can do the job a 100% that being said we have seen in the past where Human error can cause data lose.  That though isn’t as big as keeping your data safe from those bad guys that would love to find out all that personal information from your tablet or computer.   Some would say that Facebook has problems too, and I would tend to agree but it isn’t the end all to keeping your information safe from Identity Thefts.

Protecting your Data!

I am sure most people will say that it is impossible, I tend to agree but we can at least make it harder for someone to get that data that they want to use against you or just to see what you’ve been up.   Here are a few things you can do to make it that much harder for someone to get that information!

  • Encrypting your Data — You can do this from several different ways.   It just depends on how you want to proceed.  If your an Android user you have several options to encrypt your device.  I won’t go into much detail on how because each device is a little different but you know where you can start!
  • Password Manager — This has been something that I tell people every time I see someone’s account being hacked.   If you don’t have a strong password than you can’t possibly keep people from gaining access.   I suggest using Lastpass and even tell people to invest in Yubikey also!
  • Back up your data — It isn’t easy but it is Essential to keep your data backed up because you never really know what will happen and you should always try to keep at least three or four different backup options.   This way if one fails you have a redundancy to help you keep your data from getting lost!

How to Balance Life with Technology!

Here is something you probably are very interested in learning.   I only have one rule when it comes to this and it is something that I have to work at each and every day.   I have come to the conclusion to set time limits on when I use my computer and when I am using technology.   I will not use it all the time and I will not miss being with my kids.   I am sure you have the same problem as me and that is why you were looking for this answer but it isn’t like it will help you because it is all about discipline and you only gain that by doing this every day in school, work, or home.  One tip that I can help you with this is, set a limit and slowing each week or day take a minute off until you get to that limit.   It will be a slow process but it will be a rewarding one at the end.

Paul Sylvester