Archive for October, 2010

How to Choose a Sharepoint Alternative

So you’ve made the decision to leave Sharepoint.

You’re probably relieved, because the move means the end to many headaches and problems.

But now you’re faced with about a hundred solutions that all claim to be the “True Sharepoint Alternative.” How do you choose? How do you avoid leaving one disaster only to find yourself deeply invested in another?

Don’t worry – our simple guide  to choosing a Sharepoint Alternative will ensure that you make the right choice. Opt for a SaaS solution. SaaS means software as a service, as opposed to hardware/on premises solutions, and they don’t require expensive installation and maintenance. Make sure that implementation of the solution across your entire company will not be difficult, expensive nor time-consuming. Request an implementation plan or strategy and how long the implementation is expected to last before the solution is full integrated. Your Sharepoint Alternative should be user friendly, so that even the most non-tech saavy member of your team can easily adopt it. One of the most important features of any Sharepoint Alternative is security. Make sure that your solution meets Fortune 500 security requirements, under which your data will be protected and secure. e Make sure you are getting enough storage. Once your data storage is exhausted, extra storage space can be costly. Check to see that your Sharepoint Alternative company has a backup data storage facility. Even better, check to see which solutions have more than one data storage back up location. The more, the better. A Sharepoint Alternative must be flexible, since there are probably a diversity of computer and OS users in your company. Make sure your Sharepoint Alternative works for multiple browsers, Mac, PC and has mobile phone support. Scalability is another thing to keep in mind. If you’re company is growing (which we hope it is), you need to think ahead to when  your team multiplies by two, three or four times its size. Will your solution grow with you? If not, it’s better to dump it now. After you’ve purchased your solution, you’re going to need to implement it across your company and get everyone on board in the most efficient and timely way. Good Sharepoint Alternatives offer an Implementation Specialist who can guide you through your company’s transition over from Sharepoint.

To learn more about the pricing of Sharepoint Alternatives, check out Sharepoint-Alternative.com, or the Central Desktop blog.

Beware of Fake Designer Clothing and Fashion Accessories



The selling of fake or counterfeit designer clothing and fashion accessories online is a booming business and more and more people are finding out the hard way that that it is easy to get riped off when trying to save some money when buying designer clothes and fashion accessories online. To start with, if the deal seems just too good to be real then it most likely is.

Fake designer goods are virtually without exception inferior products, so if you intentionaly buy knock off designer products then you have no right to complain when you finally see what you get. Cheap fabrics, crooked stitching, glue blobs on sneakers and buttons that quickly fall off are standard on fake designer products.

The real tragedy of course, is when someone pays good money for a designer product and an inferior counterfeit product arrives at their door step. They so many times have no recourse either, because it was shipped from some obscure Asian country where counterfeiting is a crime that is only winked at.

This is why you should always check your source before you hand over your money. Many Asian countries are literally flooded with counterfeit products, so you should always avoid buying high end designer products that are shipped from them. Also, it is now a legal requirement that all websites have full contact information listed on them.

If they don’t have all of the required contact information listed then there is an obvious reason why. A legitimate dealer will always have contact information listed, so clients can easily get in touch with them. An unscrupulous dealer on the other hand, won’t list it, because when a client contacts them it is always to complain and to try to get a refund.

How to Become a Certified Graphic Designer in Adobe Software Products



Are you looking to launch your graphic design career and smash your competition? If so, distinguish yourself from the competition and accentuate your design skills by becoming a certified expert in Adobe ™ software products. Adobe manufactures the most widely-used and most accessible graphic design software programs — no matter what kind of graphic design work you do; you will probably find yourself using one of Adobe’s many software products. Here is information you need to learn more about becoming certified in using Adobe graphic design software.

I. Why should you get certified in Adobe?

You can find many reasons why you should credit yourself as a certified Adobe expert. Becoming certified as an Adobe expert will make you stand out from the competition. Adobe certification is an industry standard certification that represents excellence in your field. It is the best way to demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe software to prospective clients and employers.

II. Adobe certification impresses your clients and competition.

An Adobe certification allows you to enhance your image and skills in many ways. You can emphasize this certification on your resume as a way to distinguish yourself from the competition. If you are a freelance graphic designer, you can show clients you are qualified to handle the most challenging projects. You can use your Adobe certification to attract new business and clients. You can use the Adobe certification to gain more recognition from your employer and increase your chances of a promotion or a raise. Since the Adobe brand is so well known, Adobe certification will get you noticed.

III. An Adobe certification attracts like-minded creative designers.

Even if you are not interested in becoming Adobe certified, it can still be a great standard to run your design business. If you are a freelance graphic designer or run your own graphic design business and are looking for associates, you can use the Adobe certified credential to find the right person for the open position. The Adobe certification is an easy way to assess the skill level of all of your candidates. You can invest and promote your employees according to the Adobe certification.

IV. Get ready to become an ACE graphic designer.

What does it mean to be an ACE graphic designer? Becoming an ACE means an Adobe Certified Expert. Being an Adobe Certified Expert proves that you are proficient in one or more Adobe software products. To become an Adobe Certified Expert, you will need to study for and pass one or more proficiency exams. The proficiency exams are product-specific; depending on which product(s) in which you choose to become proficient.

V. Why should you choose to become an ACP?

Another important credential in graphic design is the Adobe Certified Professionals label. This is a label that helps graphic designers separate themselves from other IT professionals. These professionals have the amazing talent to work with the latest Adobe platforms and products.

VI. Becoming an Adobe Certified Associate (ACA).

Adobe also offers a third important credential — this is the title of Adobe Certified Associate. This credential ensures that certain graphic designers or media professionals possess the right skills to plan, build, and design, and allows the user to communicate effectively between different platforms and digital media. This certification validates that you have latest skills to move fluidly between different popular Adobe software products.