PlanningForce Express Premium

Even though a project manager is a great asset to a small business, in theory, the truth is most small businesses can’t afford them. This weakness usually leads to not keeping project plans up-to-date and they quickly become useless. Businesses need a way to automate project management so that it becomes less time consuming and it has to be done successfully by someone that also has other responsibilities.

This is where PlanningForce comes in. It is like other project management programs, it combines a task list with a Gantt chart that shows you what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and by whom the task is to be completed. You can automatically update your Gantt chart using Excel.

Before starting a project you can create a list of resources, you can create different calendars that are linked to your resources, you can also create a shared calendar for the whole staff.

When starting your task list you allocate every task with a resource. You can create group task lists, individual task lists, give them descriptive names, set milestones, and specify dates it is all quite simple to do.

Once all of your variables are added to the program all you have to do is click “Run Schedule” and the program automatically creates a complete project plan. It automatically updates linked projects and successor tasks.

Even though you still have to manually enter all the variables of your project and it is a bit time consuming. On the other hand it is quite easy to use and when used effectively can simply managing projects.

Ergo4u ergoCloud Review

One of the many problems of sitting at your computer all day is that not every desk is designed to give your arms the support they need. Narrow desks, especially, don’t support your forearms at all, which causes pain and numbness in your arms, hands and wrists.

Ergo4u has been working on solving that problem by creating the ergoCloud. This is basically a padded board that will clip to the front of your desk and support your arms. The curved interior is designed to fit to your body comfortably, at the same time supporting your arms.

It has U-shaped arms designed to fit on most desks, while the ergoCloud sits on top of your desk. Make sure, before you buy the ergoCloud, you measure the position and depth of the bar on your desk, incase it has to be custom built for the same amount of money.

The comfort is very impressive, with the padded top you get all the support you need and it doesn’t get uncomfortable as the day goes on. Not only does it support your forearms but it will also help improve your posture.

A minor set back is that the material it is made of collects dust that doesn’t come off too easily, and eating at your desk is definitely a no unless you are super careful because the product will get quite dirty over time.

This product is perfect for people with big comfortable desks, that let you have enough room on them to push your keyboard and mouse back far enough for the product to be attached.

Audials AudialsOne4 Review

There is so many different music and audio programs available today on Internet radio that it is a little overwhelming. AudialsOne is a program that can record songs and programs right off of Internet radio so you can listen to them later. It also includes features like helping you discover new content and artists.

All you have to do is select a genre and AudialsOne records several tracks from different stations belonging to that genre simultaneously. Various stations can be recorded at the same time, but a draw back is that only one genre can be recorded at a time. If you prefer a particular station it can be added to your favorites and can be recorded all the time. The same goes for a station if you dislike it, it can be banned and never recorded again.

If your favorite station isn’t listed, AudialsOne will use a web browser or try to find it off iTunes to intercept and record audio stream from another program. Audio is not the only thing this program records, AudialsOne can even record videos off of YouTube and podcasts.

You can also be specific for artists instead of genres. The program will monitor the huge database and search for your favorite artist and record only those tracks. This Wishlist system for artists is different from the genre lists, here you can have as many Wishlists as you want. The program automatically gives you all of the artists and album information and will format tracks to your choice of AAC or MP4.

A fallback is its cluttered interface, you’ll have to get used to some of the icons and buttons and some are poorly labeled.

This is quite a useful program for discovering new music.

Draytek Vigor2710Vn Review

This SME business router has a lot more to offer than the competition. It has an easy to use VoIP handling over SIP this allows you to route up to four simultaneous calls to VoIP phones on your network. It also comes with a VPN configuration option, DDNS, and QoS.

You can block just about anything using this router, based on URL or keyword, P2P and internet messaging for specific clients and protocols. Your MSN messenger can be allowed to work while blocking others like, video messaging or games.

Configuration has to be done your self and the setup is not so quick. Menus are laid out clearly but the little documentation provided for explaining the setup might be unclear to less capable users. Wireless networking is available but unsecured by default.

The Wireless LAN offers some interesting features like, allowing you to configure up to four SSIDs (visible wireless connections), each one with a different security and web filtering configuration. Setting up guest networks is a snap with this option.

Changing the router’s channel-bonding settings from the default two channels to a more stable single-channel system becomes a bit tricky because Daytek has removed the advance settings menu from the routers web interface.

When you disable the channel bonding you can get better results over distance, about 10m. You can also connect a USB disk or printer to the router’s USB port. The router reads a 1GB portable flash drive but it is a little slow if you attach 120GB portable hard disk.