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Significance

People who use spreadsheets regularly tend to use the software to perform the same tasks, be it for tracking inventory or for creating mailing lists. By taking the time to set up the cells used or the fields needed and saving the sheet as a template, those cells and fields are available anytime a new spreadsheet needs to be made.

Considerations

Spreadsheet templates can be set up for a variety of uses. Not only can they be used to calculate complicated equations or tally invoices, many users have begun using a template as a home inventory program for books, CDs and DVDs. Fiction and screenplay writers often set up a spreadsheet template as a storyboard to track characters, acts and story beats in their creative works.

Misconceptions

Although the grid may be hidden from view, all spreadsheet templates are based on rows and columns. The height and width of each row or column is determined when setting up the template and whether they are visible depends on the options chosen by the user.

Benefits

Once the template is set up, the user no longer has to repeatedly enter the mathematical equations needed for the work they are doing. Since spreadsheets allow for both text and numerical fields, it is easy to set up a template for a company invoice, expenses or income tracking. Individuals can use a template to track books they loan out, calculate APR or amortization on a loan, or even tabulate how many miles they get on a gallon of gas.

Prevention/Solution

Spreadsheet software includes basic lessons for template set up in their help files. Many programs also include the most popular templates as part of the package. To find the templates already installed, the user should look in the 'template' directory, which is usually found under the program name in 'Program files' on the computer. Microsoft, as well as other spreadsheet program companies, has many downloadable templates on their website.

Significance

People who use spreadsheets regularly tend to use the software to perform the same tasks, be it for tracking inventory or for creating mailing lists. By taking the time to set up the cells used or the fields needed and saving the sheet as a template, those cells and fields are available anytime a new spreadsheet needs to be made.

Considerations

Spreadsheet templates can be set up for a variety of uses. Not only can they be used to calculate complicated equations or tally invoices, many users have begun using a template as a home inventory program for books, CDs and DVDs. Fiction and screenplay writers often set up a spreadsheet template as a storyboard to track characters, acts and story beats in their creative works.

Misconceptions

Although the grid may be hidden from view, all spreadsheet templates are based on rows and columns. The height and width of each row or column is determined when setting up the template and whether they are visible depends on the options chosen by the user.

Benefits

Once the template is set up, the user no longer has to repeatedly enter the mathematical equations needed for the work they are doing. Since spreadsheets allow for both text and numerical fields, it is easy to set up a template for a company invoice, expenses or income tracking. Individuals can use a template to track books they loan out, calculate APR or amortization on a loan, or even tabulate how many miles they get on a gallon of gas.

Prevention/Solution

Spreadsheet software includes basic lessons for template set up in their help files. Many programs also include the most popular templates as part of the package. To find the templates already installed, the user should look in the 'template' directory, which is usually found under the program name in 'Program files' on the computer. Microsoft, as well as other spreadsheet program companies, has many downloadable templates on their website.

Significance

People who use spreadsheets regularly tend to use the software to perform the same tasks, be it for tracking inventory or for creating mailing lists. By taking the time to set up the cells used or the fields needed and saving the sheet as a template, those cells and fields are available anytime a new spreadsheet needs to be made.

Considerations

Spreadsheet templates can be set up for a variety of uses. Not only can they be used to calculate complicated equations or tally invoices, many users have begun using a template as a home inventory program for books, CDs and DVDs. Fiction and screenplay writers often set up a spreadsheet template as a storyboard to track characters, acts and story beats in their creative works.

Misconceptions

Although the grid may be hidden from view, all spreadsheet templates are based on rows and columns. The height and width of each row or column is determined when setting up the template and whether they are visible depends on the options chosen by the user.

Benefits

Once the template is set up, the user no longer has to repeatedly enter the mathematical equations needed for the work they are doing. Since spreadsheets allow for both text and numerical fields, it is easy to set up a template for a company invoice, expenses or income tracking. Individuals can use a template to track books they loan out, calculate APR or amortization on a loan, or even tabulate how many miles they get on a gallon of gas.

Prevention/Solution

Spreadsheet software includes basic lessons for template set up in their help files. Many programs also include the most popular templates as part of the package. To find the templates already installed, the user should look in the 'template' directory, which is usually found under the program name in 'Program files' on the computer. Microsoft, as well as other spreadsheet program companies, has many downloadable templates on their website.

Getting Started

Your computer can teach you how to play guitar. It's a virtual guitar teacher with the right software, and in some ways it's better than a live teacher because you can repeat the lesson or parts of the lesson as many times as needed. To do it, set up your guitar (and amp if you're using an electric guitar) so you can play facing the computer. Start the software and begin. You can do this whether you're a complete novice or already know how to play. Virtual guitar teachers generally let you start where you need to.

Virtual Teachers

In general, computer guitar lessons are taught through a virtual teacher, someone filmed playing. He will walk you through each step of the lesson, showing string fingering--which finger goes on which string at which fret--and picking or strumming techniques. You can stop and start the lesson anywhere so you can concentrate on getting each part right. The virtual teacher also plays the music, so you can hear how it is supposed to sound versus how you are playing it.

Techniques

Using a combination of video, text and graphics, guitar lesson software focuses the student and provides learning at your own pace. Some software packages, such as iLife 09 from Apple, are inexpensive solutions. Others are more expensive but provide more extensive training. Using a recorder, you can play your playing next to that of the teacher and compare to judge your progress.

Getting Started

Your computer can teach you how to play guitar. It's a virtual guitar teacher with the right software, and in some ways it's better than a live teacher because you can repeat the lesson or parts of the lesson as many times as needed. To do it, set up your guitar (and amp if you're using an electric guitar) so you can play facing the computer. Start the software and begin. You can do this whether you're a complete novice or already know how to play. Virtual guitar teachers generally let you start where you need to.

Virtual Teachers

In general, computer guitar lessons are taught through a virtual teacher, someone filmed playing. He will walk you through each step of the lesson, showing string fingering--which finger goes on which string at which fret--and picking or strumming techniques. You can stop and start the lesson anywhere so you can concentrate on getting each part right. The virtual teacher also plays the music, so you can hear how it is supposed to sound versus how you are playing it.

Techniques

Using a combination of video, text and graphics, guitar lesson software focuses the student and provides learning at your own pace. Some software packages, such as iLife 09 from Apple, are inexpensive solutions. Others are more expensive but provide more extensive training. Using a recorder, you can play your playing next to that of the teacher and compare to judge your progress.

Starting the Typing Tutor

Starting with the first lesson, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing assesses the user's typing skills and personalizes the successive lessons to work on the skills that need improving. Each lesson is based on past performances and is adapted to help the student build a complete knowledge of the keyboard. Each person who uses the software has his own user account, which allows the software to learn about each student's skills and to restructure the lessons to suit each user. To set up your account, simply type in your name on the first page. You will be asked to state your typing speed goal as well--just adjust the sliding scale to choose the typing speed that you are hoping to achieve.

Adjust Your Settings

If you want to adjust any settings such as what music you want to hear or whether the lessons will be in Spanish or English you can do this in the "Settings" menu. Simply make your selections and return to the main menu. When you are ready, click on the lesson plan to begin your lessons. The program will walk you through each lesson and tell you how to complete them. It will also give you progress report at the end of each lesson to let you know how you are doing. This will include your base typing speed (words per minute), your accuracy and adjusted speed. Each successive lesson will be based on your performance in the preceding lessons, adjusting the tutorial based on the skills that you have mastered and what you need more work on.

Typing Games

Within the lesson plan there are a variety of typing games to help break up the lessons and add some enjoyment to the course. Each game is a little different, focusing on accuracy or speed or rhythm, depending on the needs of the student and is placed into the lesson plan at appropriate times. Before each game, Mavis will explain how to play each and what is expected, for instance in the balloon game--which is considered to be the hardest by many students--you are asked to type in rhythm. You can set your own pace for this, but you must try to type accurately in a steady rhythm. The games can also be accessed through the "Games" menu without following the lesson plan if you just want to have a little fun or try out something new. Games include Chameleon Picnic, Space Junk, Road Race, Pirate Race, Shark Attack and Penguin Crossing among others.

Confirming Two Drives Are Mirrored

Regardless of whether you are using software programs to set up the mirrored drives or you are using hardware only, when a file is changed on the one drive, it will also be changed on the other. The easiest way of making sure your drives are mirrored is to make a small change in a file on one drive and save it. Check the same file on the second drive, and the change should be there. If it isn't, the drives are not mirroring properly.

There are some drives that are "Mirrored Editions" which means they are actually two drives that are stored in a single drive housing. The two drives in the housing are supposed to be automatically mirroring each other and you can click on the drive icons on your computer to verify the two are actually connected to each other and mirroring properly.

Another easy way to make sure your computer is mirroring is to do it manually. Mirroring doesn't have to be an automatic process, and if you only want to backup files periodically, you manually duplicate your files or drive onto an external drive or other storage unit. Doing an automatic mirror is recommended if you backup files frequently so you know you always have your current files in a secondary location but manual mirroring is easy and you know immediately if it was or was not effective.

If you are using software to mirror the drives, the software should be checking both drives frequently to make sure they match. If they don't, it should send you a notification that there is a problem with one of the two drives. SureSync File Replication and FolderClone are two examples of mirroring programs that can help you keep track of the mirroring process.

COA

One way to tell if the software you are using has been pirated or if it is authentic is if it has a Certificate of Authenticity (or COA). A COA is not a software license, rather it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine. Without it, you legally cannot run the software you are using. However, if there is no COA, it should not be purchased without direct application to a particular type or unit of software, as these can be easily forged. Make sure your COA comes with the new software you are using.

No Warranty and Upgrades

Warranties and upgrades are not available for pirated software. These warranties and upgrades only come with all legally downloaded or purchased software in order to protect the users of the software, keep the software up to date as it has kinks or problems fixed over time, and give those who purchase software legally one more reason to do so. Pirated software will have no warranty, which means if it becomes corrupted or stops working, the company who made it won't cover it or help you recover the files you created or ran through it, which means there is a good chance you may lose them. Upgrades are also often not available for pirated software, as companies limit these automatic upgrades to customers who have a valid, legal customer number.

Acceptable Software Copying

According to Onlineehtics.org, downloading software without a licensing agreement or purchasing may be acceptable in certain situations. These situations are very specific and apply to people who have actually purchased the software originally but need to put it on other computers in their homes or business. Some licensing agreements on certain software allow you to install the software on another computer without uninstalling it on the first one.

Eggplant Software

With Eggplant Automated Software, users can set up quality assurance standards and then run tests to determine whether or not software programs meet those standards. The program uses a graphical unit interface, or GUI, which allows users to efficiently manipulate items even if they are beginners. The GUI uses both text- and image-based control features. It is compatible with Windows, Windows Mobile, Mac, Linux, Blackberry, Solaris, Symbian and KVM switches--keyboard, video or visual display unit--and it tests air traffic control, command/control, standard screens, smartphones, point of sale and mobile device interfaces. A free trial download is available for this program, but users must first sign up for an account.

Froglogic Squish

There are eight Squish editions: Qt, a cross-platform tool; Web; Java; Windows; iPhone; Mac; Tk, an open source framework; and Four J's Genero Desktop, which is a Microsoft Web client. Features common to all of these editions include that the system will automatically make a record of test scripts, and it can create code in JavaScript; Python; Tcl, open source script; and Perl. Squish also allows users to set benchmarks within the test script and to generate verification information via the Spy and Object Inspector tools, which are included in the software package. Users can also authenticate data information, external files and Structured Query Language, or SQL, databases. Users can generate reports in extensible markup language, or XML; Excel file format, or XLS; hypertext markup language, or HTML, and American Standard Code for Information Interchange, or ASCII , format. Squish also uses a GUI interface, which is customizable. Users can request a demonstration from the company.

TestComplete 8

TestComplete 8 allows users to test applications in Windows, Web and Rich Client, as well as allowing users to test servers and software programs. The program can verify whether or not business logics are correct, and it also can run keyword tests. Users can set up the tests so they run automatically, and they can also automatically generate reports on what errors were discovered during the tests. TestComplete 8 is compatible with Windows 2000, Server 2003, Server 2008, XP, Vista and 7, and on both 32- and 64-bit systems. The program supports JavaFX; Flash; Java; Flex; .Net; Silverlight; Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, or AJAX; and Windows Presentation Foundation, or WPF, which allows users to generate user interfaces. A free trial download is available.

Adopted E-reporting

This involves the XBRL's function of permitting global real-time connections between companies and their clients. Transactions and new data entries can be tracked quickly and easily and all companies running the program have a real-time credit rating, letting them evaluate the performance of their rivals.

U.S. GAAP Vs IAS Debate

XBRL makes generating reports (even those generated under alternate accounting means) easier for companies. Under normal circumstances, an individual (either someone tasked with analyzing a firm or someone who wishes to invest in a firm) from outside of the firm would never be able to decipher a financial document between two different rival companies; this ceases to be a problem under XBRL.

Nonfinancial Information

This details the accounting departments of companies moving from attestation of financial presentation to both transparent financial assurances as well as nonfinancial information i.e. workforce retention and customer satisfaction.

Business Reporting Like Digital Media

This concerns changing a company's paper documentation into online (digital) documentation. These businesses can have certain degrees of control over their online documents, such as who can use them and their intended purpose.

Redefined Intermediaries Roles

With the increased use of XBRL, the traditional roles of aggregators and intermediaries (both of which can be described as middle men) can either be altered or eliminated. When information can be accessed quickly and easily, such roles become redundant.

Accountable Government Performance

This effect is concerned with reducing the level of bureaucracy, corruption and fraud by making reporting processes more transparent. XBRL is able to ensure the effective and proper management of large financial transaction-important in an era of growing international trade.

Policy in Digital Code

This concerns the transformation of reporting standard code into internet standard code, sanctioning the use of the information in business logic software.

Democratized Capital Markets

Through the increased exposure the XBRL provides, all companies can attract an investor that its size and reputation merits-it does this by allowing easy access to large, open markets of targets, consumers and shareholders.

E-reporting Comparing to E-commerce

This concerns the increased use of real-time events with the XBRL such as pricing, reporting operations and management. Large databases holding all kinds of financial records are also replaced with more user-friendly and efficient virtual documentation, permitting quick online transactions.

Knowledge of Economic Performance

This concerns knowing the economic environment (or in this case providing accurate forecasts) in order to make good decisions in times of economic downturns. This is achieved by companies provided precise business performance in order to create a larger picture of the state of the economy.

E-reporting Comparing to E-commerce

• This concerns the increased use of real-time events with the XBRL such as pricing, reporting operations and management. Large databases holding all kinds of financial records are also replaced with more user-friendly and efficient virtual documentation, permitting quick online transactions.

Knowledge of Economic Performance

• This concerns knowing the economic environment (or in this case providing accurate forecasts) in order to make good decisions in times of economic downturns. This is achieved by companies provided precise business performance in order to create a larger picture of the state of the economy.

Features

Automated attendant software can route incoming calls to the right people. It can also reroute calls to an answering service company after your business has closed for the day. You can use the automated attendant software to set up multiple voicemail boxes. As a result, customers can leave messages on your employees' voicemail systems.

Applications

Automated attendant software can be used to automatically take customer orders of your products or services. It can also automatically conduct telephone surveys, in which your database captures the caller's answers. You can also rely on the automated attendant software to process credit card payments.

Benefits

Automated attendant software reduces your call center costs. It frees up time so your customer service staff can work on other tasks, such as helping customers who have complaints about your products or services.

Features

Automated attendant software can route incoming calls to the right people. It can also reroute calls to an answering service company after your business has closed for the day. You can use the automated attendant software to set up multiple voicemail boxes. As a result, customers can leave messages on your employees' voicemail systems.

Applications

Automated attendant software can be used to automatically take customer orders of your products or services. It can also automatically conduct telephone surveys, in which your database captures the caller's answers. You can also rely on the automated attendant software to process credit card payments.

Benefits

Automated attendant software reduces your call center costs. It frees up time so your customer service staff can work on other tasks, such as helping customers who have complaints about your products or services.

Background

Before computers, pharmacy technicians kept logs and paper records to ensure accurate filling and dispensing of prescribed drugs. The manual work was tedious, time-consuming and open to error. Singular sets of paper records were subject to loss and damage by time or the elements.

Computerized Pharmacy Records

Software developers recognized the need for programs to help pharmacy technicians effectively manage a pharmaceutical operation. Early software systems required heavy input by the technician.

Pharmacy Software

As pharmacy management software has developed, it has become more accurate and interactive, reducing errors and speeding up prescription dispensing. Multiple user programs handle insurance billing, label printing, integral inventory control, ordering and a full range of accounting functions. Records are stored and backed up remotely with patient information, patient summaries and patient detail.