Tracking Software

The term tracking software may automatically bring up the negative idea of spyware. It is an automatic assumption among the general public that tracking software is something used to express distrust between two or more parties. This is simply not the case. There are many different types of tracking software, and each has its own unique benefit when used in the proper way.

Recovering Stolen Laptops

Tracking software can be used to recover stolen laptops. If your computer is stolen and tracking software is installed on its system, it is possible that it can be recovered. The software allows the computer to be tracked no matter where it is in the world. The software is hidden within the system so that a thief would not be able to find it unless he knew exactly what he was looking for. This allows for the activation of the software from another computer, leading to the effective recovery of your laptop.

Monitor Your Children Effectively

Some tracking software can record everything from keystrokes to instant messaging conversations, and everything in between. This type of software is often used in schools, libraries and private homes.

With the increasing danger of predators on the Internet, tracking software like this is a good thing for parents. Monitoring who your children talk to online can only lead to their safety. This isn't the same as spying on your children, nor does installing this software tell them you don't trust them. But new websites pop up daily that are inappropriate for children, and stumbling across them is as easy as clicking on an ad that advertises something else. In the case of public places, like libraries, this type of software offers protection to the internal network.

Reduce Costs for Your Business

There is another type of tracking software that employers use to track their employees' time. It saves time and money, since this type of software requires actually logging into the system on individual computers to begin a work shift. From then on, employers can monitor where their resources are going, how much time is being spent on which projects and anything else that is being done on their computers. Having this information can help employers effectively cut costs and save money in the long run.

Application software is what allows users to store information, create content and media, access information and communicate. Because most of the processes of the world now run on computers, there are many types of software to handle all the functions that are required. All software applications have specific hardware requirements.

Benefits

Application software designed for the end user has made life much easier, and continues to change the dynamic of the world and the economic system. Some software programs are packaged into a suite. Examples of this are Microsoft Office, which gives users Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (or Entourage for Macintosh users) and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Acrobat).

History of

Early developments in commercial software were created to simplify existing tasks. For example, word processing software replaced typing on physical paper, spreadsheets were designed to replace actual physical ledgers, and database programs replaced hard copy-filing processes, address books, for example. Later developments of software were to further the computer-based world, including media players, web browsers and electronic publishing tools.

Features

Documentation software allows users to document their work. Examples of this would be Word and PowerPoint. Media Development software allows users to create various types of media, including visual (Photoshop, Flash), audio (ProTools) and hard copy (Quark). Data Management software enables the manipulation of data (FileMaker Pro, Excel, Quicken), while content access software (iTunes, Real Player) gives users the ability to uniformly access content created by others.

Type

Word processing software makes the creation (along with the presentation and sharing) of words much easier, while programs designed for the Internet (browsers and email software) give the ability to email information and instantly access products and services, while media creation now shortens the "publication lag" that dogged users in the past. In addition to the commercial software packages (most of what has been mentioned), there is shareware (a method that allows users to try software before paying with the honor system) and freeware (software that designers create as a hobby).

The Facts

Where there is a litany of different software packages and programs designed for the home user, there is a far larger (and more complex) set of software programs that run most of the world. These include enterprisewide software, testing and simulation software, business workflow software, database management software and programming software, among others.

x Purpose

Ensuring that the product or application meets the needs of the user with minimal problems is the purpose of software testing. Software testing, also called quality assurance, maintains congruity with the original business requirement and design specifications. Software testers also validate the software to ensure a lack of design flaws or development errors. This form of testing guarantees the software works in different circumstances. Software designers outline these circumstances during the design phase in the form of use cases and test cases.

Bugs

Software development generates bugs. Problems in the requirements document or the existence of development errors both contribute to bugs within software. When a tester finds a bug, he logs a defect, which a developer corrects. The bug then goes through another phase of testing. Bugs can cost companies money if not caught during software development. Testers or developers find bugs. Companies often utilize bug-seeking software to communicate bugs to the testers and developers working on them. This software often identifies not only the bug but also the functional component the bug affects.

Methods

Validation testing of the requirements uses the original specifications to test the functionality of the product. Testers conduct this form of testing by comparing the software to a requirements document. Testers enter actions into software to mimic the specification and validate the result of the action. Testers create test cases to conduct a different method of software testing. The test cases contain scenarios for the tester to use when validating the software. Another method, which tests how well the software performs under different levels of usage or data loading, provides testers with an overview of how well the software will perform for various users.

Automation

When companies experience a shortage of testers, some implement an automation process. This process reduces test time and labor requirements. Automation processes can generate testing scripts through analyzing the software requirements documentation. Due to the need for information gathering, software automation still requires a live tester to operate properly. Each automation test contains multiple test scripts for different components within the software. The automation program communicates bugs or defects found during the automation process.

User Acceptance Testing

When developing software for a set of users, companies utilize user acceptance testing. This form of testing allows users to test the software's functionality. This testing process allows users to identify bugs and communicate them to the development team or a software product manager. The product manager usually outlines the testing process for the users that serves as instructions during the testing phase. If bugs exists, the development team corrects the bugs and notifies the users who reported them to the product manager. The notification completes the user acceptance testing cycle.

Trade Trakker

Trade Trakker is designed for novices and experts alike, allowing the user to monitor and analyze stock and mutual fund positions in multiple portfolios with just a few clicks (see References). In addition, if the program is used with NotePager Pro, alerts can easily be sent to cell phones and pagers letting the user know if certain parameters or conditions occur. All major European, Asian and North American exchanges are supported, auto-updating all data in user-specified intervals and providing real time quotes on just about any publicly traded stock. Other attributes include a transaction history with optional indicators for capital gains tracking, customizable links to stock news sites, and the ability to export all data to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The software has generated numerous five-star reviews from respected sources such as Ivertech, PC World, Shareware Plaza and Maxx Download.

High Growth Stock Investor

High Growth Stock Investor is a powerful investment tracking program typically used by more experienced traders (see References). Its main focus is to rank and analyze large groups of stocks, allowing the savvy investor to quickly organize and narrow down a small number of them that have high growth potential. All stocks, commodities, mutual funds and market indexes are organized into groups, either provided by the software or designed by the user, offering a summarized look at the price, volume and fundamentals of the stocks in the list. The user can search the database for stocks that meet specific requirements based on over 400 data fields of information, provide weighted combination rankings to stocks, get real-time quotes, and use an advanced charting tool for analysis. In addition, stock data can be exported as ASCII while a COM interface allows for use with Microsoft Excel, Access and Visual Basic.

Stock Market Eye

Stock Market Eye is a simple, user-friendly program that can track numerous portfolios with multiple currencies, create unlimited watch lists, and display easy-to-view historical price charts in a single window interface. Users can track hundreds or even thousands of stocks, mutual funds and exchange traded funds on most of the world's major stock exchanges, allowing for automatic quote streaming or updated quotes on demand. In addition, a "Symbol Search" function quickly allows the user to locate the trading symbol of any publicly traded company. In order to help traders analyze their stock movements and gain market perspective, the program also allows the user to convert data into line, mountain, candlestick or OHLC charts depending on preference. A 30-day free trial is available via download on the company's website while a support team is available via email (see References).

Antares Auto-Tune EVO

Anatares’ Auto-Tune software was the first pitch-correction unit able to shift pitches in real time, and reached the market in 1997. It's been under constant redevelopment ever since and Auto-Tune Evo is the latest version, as of 2010. Widely used in professional studios, it’s known for its ability to shift intonation without digital artifacting in the modified track.This plug-in now provides tools to change the timbre and throat of singers’ voices in addition to pitch-shifting proper.

Celemony Melodyne

Professional sound engineers use the professional-grade pitch-correction application Celemony Melodyne because it offers state-of-the-art pitch correction tools and the ability to modify single notes in polyphonic chord structures or vocal melodies. The software includes additional note-editing tools that allow producers to extend or shorten a note’s length and modify the volume of a single note when recorded in a polyphonic cluster.

Wave Tunes

A pitch-correction suite comes as part of the Wave Tunes bundle, intended for producers with high-quality demands in a slightly more relaxed format than a professional studio. It not only corrects single notes but Wave Tunes offers fine-tuning controls for producers who want rougher transitions or want to add an edge to vocals by dropping a few pitchy notes into a vocal performance. Audio sources must be imported in advance, so real-time pitch shifting is not available as it is with other software.

GVST GSnap

A freeware program that gives home producers the ability to modulate vocal pitches, GSnap is best geared for single-singer, monophonic recordings. Designed to fix vocalists’ tracks, GSnap doesn’t offer pitch-bending effects for instruments outside of an experimental level. Even its manufacturers concede that it’s best suited to simple performances rather than complicated fixes.

I Am T-Pain

Trading his highly visible use of pitch correction software in the studio into a novelty mobile phone application, rapper T-Pain has unveiled a low-tech pitch-correction program, I Am T-Pain. You can apply the heavy-handed auto tune his recordings are known for to your own voice. Designed for novelty value instead of recording, the app. gives an amusing, if not very applicable, hands-on introduction to real-time pitch-correction software.

Shape.com Virtual Trainer

This Virtual Trainer software found on Shape.com has lots of features and is especially appropriate for people trying to lose weight. Their meal log has many brand-name options with the nutritional information already figured out, so all you need to do is fill in the amount eaten. A tracker helps to determine if you're in the "weight loss zone" or if you need to eat more or less. A library of hundreds of exercises make determining your calorie burn fast and easy. One drawback is that you must be connected to the Internet to use this software, which is only accessible from the website. However, the stocked library of restaurant options makes this software ideal for someone who eats out a lot, since you won't need to take the time to find nutrition facts on every meal.

FitDay

FitDay software is offered as a free or paid version. The free option is accessible online, while the paid version can be downloaded and used locally on your own computer without an Internet connection. FitDay is highly customizable, allowing you to build meals using separate ingredients. If you eat at home more than you eat out, it's helpful to be able to log only the ingredients used. The food log will also break down your nutrients by percentage, letting you know where your calories are coming from. FitDay also has a wide variety of exercises available to log. The downloadable software is perfect for someone who might travel or otherwise be without Internet access for long periods of time.

My Fitness Pal

My Fitness Pal software is only accessible online, and helps you to track your food intake and exercise. It focuses mainly on weight loss, but would also work for keeping track of diet and exercise without trying to lose weight. Unlike other software, a user community is a large part of using My Fitness Pal. People can input their own foods and exercises and share them with others. Members are encouraged to communicate and cheer each other on. My Fitness Pal even generates forum signatures and blog badges that let others see your progress.

Organizing Bugs

Good bug-tracking software will allow someone to categorize their bug extensively prior to submitting the bug so that it goes to the right people for fixing. Larger software open-source projects such as Mozilla Firefox (Mozilla uses and invented Bugzilla, which is a popular bug-tracking program) tend to have a lot of people working on them and so correct categorization of bugs up front is important.

Patch Attachment

Bug tracking software allows users to attach potential patches to bugs, each of which have their own site within the bug tracking system. In this way, users can attach a patch and have it reviewed by others before it's actually put into the software.

Accountability

By allowing categorization of bugs, certain people can be made responsible for certain types of bugs, which allows users to anticipate who they need to talk to if certain bugs are not being fixed in a timely manner. You can also customize teams of people to be accountable for certain bug types.

Planning

A good plan is the foundation to any project. Set clear attainable goals, identify the right people to involve and set a reasonable time line.

Cross-Functional Teams

The key to long-term success with ERP is that all functional areas participate in the implementation even if only certain applications are deployed first. Because ERP shares data between applications, everyone should have input to how it is configured.

Focus on Business Processes

Before reviewing how the new system performs business functions, organizations should not only review their current processes but define their ideal process. Current business processes may have been designed to fit a particular system; you may support the system but do nothing for your business needs. Once you have your future processes defined you can perform a fit/gap with the new software measuring against where you want to be rather than where you have been.

Data Conversion

The most overlooked component of an ERP project is conversion of information from multiple legacy systems into a single format that will be shared across the organization. Older systems tend to have fewer constraints that often lead to bad data. The clean up and transformation process should start early and go through multiple iterations and validations.

Change Management

Changing software means changing processes, procedures and even policy. Organizations willing to change are most successful with ERP implementations. Change must be accepted and communicated from the top of the organization to the bottom.

People

Technology projects most often fail because of people rather than technology. Strong project sponsorship that clearly defines objectives and provides continuous oversight is as important as any technician on the team. Also of vital importance is a core team that owns the project and is empowered by management to make decisions and change the way the organization will do business.

Information technology streamlines nearly every aspect of operations in the hospitality industry, from managing hotel reservations to facilitating communication between restaurant servers and chefs in the kitchen. Computer software also assists management with back-end operations, from completing payroll to tracking inventory.

Types

According to O*Net OnLine, food service managers typically use point of sale software, calendar and scheduling software, accounting software, inventory management software, and analytical or scientific software. Hotel managers use these same programs, but also use facilities management software and customer relationship software.

Significance

Information technology in the hospitality field enables managers to digitally track every aspect of business operations and identify areas for improvement. For example, customer relationship software enables front desk employees to check guests in and acknowledge frequent guests, while point of sale software enables restaurant managers to run detailed sales reports to gauge the popularity of specials or other menu items.

Considerations

It's easy to rely on software, but power outages, database failures and network interruptions still plague any information technology system. Hospitality managers must have a contingency plan with department-specific "emergency kits" to use when a system goes offline.

Rental property software assists landlords and rental companies by streamlining their properties and tenant information. Software versions range for small rental properties to large apartment complexes.

Rent Payment Tracking

Rental property software can track who has and hasn't paid rent for the current month. The layout of this information can vary from product to product, but this feature usually works by adding tenants' information upon signing of a lease agreement and placing their payment information within the program as you receive it.

Financial Analysis

Rental property software calculates and provides analysis reports regarding financial matters. Such reports may include rate-of-return, debt-coverage ratio, net operating income, cash-on-cash return as well as tax return forms.

Management

This type of software can help organize the number of tenants you currently have, their contact information, payment history and notes regarding each tenant. Property rental software can also streamline work orders for repairs and maintenance for your properties.

Cost

The price of a rental property software suite will vary according to the configuration of the software. As of 2010, rental property software can range from $100 for the Landlords Cash Flow Analyzer Pro by Real Estate Investment Software to $149 for the Rental Property Manager 2010 Version by Quicken.

Expense tracking software can be a very useful tool for budgeting and keeping track of where money is going. Programs have different features based on individual needs, from simple to complex.

Types

People's expenses are not "one size fits all." A good software package should have many expense categories to choose from. Software packages such as Quicken and Ace Money offer many categories so that expenses can be properly entered and categorized. In addition, both offer the ability to generate reports to better track expenses in specific categories.

Account integration

To better track expenses, many programs can connect to banking facilities such as a checking, savings or money market account. For example, Quicken can connect to many financial institutions in order to download information. This eliminates the need to visit multiple websites to check accounts and transactions.

Other Features

Other features of expense tracking software include the ability to set payment reminders, integrate with tax preparation software and a loan calculator that helps determine payments for large debts such as a home or car loan. In addition, more robust software packages allow a user to track and manage business expenses.

Some cookies allow you to have a better Internet browsing experience by remembering your preferred settings or log-on information. However, tracking cookies often store personal information about you without your knowledge.

Function

According to World Privacy Forum, "tracking cookies are frequently used by advertising or marketing companies, and they can last for years or decades." Tracking cookies create a profile of your online habits, possibly allowing the company to learn your name, what you buy, where you work, your medical condition and how much money you make.

Anti-Spyware

Downloading anti-spyware software can help prevent tracking cookies and remove those on your computer. Most commercial antivirus programs such as Norton or McAfee come with spyware protection, but you can also download try tools such as Spyware Doctor or Spybot Search & Destroy for free.

Browser Setting

One of the easiest ways to protect your privacy from tracking cookies is to change your browser settings to not allow third-party cookies. The steps to change your settings will vary depending on your Internet browser, but generally you can click on "Tools," then "Options" and go to the "Privacy" tab to adjust what cookies you want to allow.