Companies developing document management software, information management software, content management software, asset management software, virtual drives, and database browsers and front-ends are always looking for ways to improve the usability of their product. Adding Windows Explorer integration is one of the ways of achieving this. Windows Explorer integration allows users to interact with the software right from Windows Explorer or File Open/Save dialogs. For example, consider document management software. Every time a user needs to retrieve documents from the repository or add new documents to it, he/she has to first open the software and then interact with the software to achieve the desired goal. On the other hand, suppose the same product was integrated within Windows Explorer, the user can access documents and browse through the document repository right from the comfort and convenience of Windows Explorer. Then, to retrieve a document, he/she could simply drag-drop the document from the repository to his hard-drive. Similarly, to add a new document, he/she would simply drag-drop the document from his hard-disk to a folder within the repository. Of course, all this occurs in Windows Explorer!
And now, EZNamespaceExtensions offers to make the process of adding Windows Explorer integration (via namespace extensions) fast and painless!

Adding Windows Explorer Integration is now a breeze!

EZNamespaceExtensions is a framework library for fast, painless and easy development of Windows Explorer namespace extensions. Namespace extension development is notorious for its difficulty, subtleties and for the sheer amount of work and time that is required. With EZNamespaceExtensions, developers can concentrate on writing the functionality of the namespace extension and not worry about the hundred things that are necessary to integrate the namespace extension seamlessly into Windows Explorer and File Open/Save Dialogs. EZNamespaceExtensions can reduce the time required to develop this functionality by as much as 80%.

Fast-track namespace extension development with project wizards

One of the best features of EZNamespaceExtensions is its Visual Studio integrated project wizard. Create a new namespace extension project using this wizard generates skeletal code for a read-to-build-and-view namespace extension. With the scaffolding in place, it’s a matter of adding functionality specific to your namespace extension. Each functionality is exposed as one or more well-designed API and adding functionality is as simple as overriding methods and writing product-specific code.

Loaded with features

Feature support in EZNamespaceExtensions is quite comprehensive with full support for folders and non-folders, automatic sub-folder navigation, multi-level sub folders, context menus, background context menus, drag-drop, cut-copy-paste, details/report view, tile view, thumbnail view, group view, icons, overlay icons and lots of other things.

Choose your flavor

EZNamespaceExtensions comes in two editions: EZNamespaceExtensions.Net allows developing namespace extensions in .Net languages such as VB.Net or C#. EZNamespaceExtensionsMFC supports developing namespace extensions in MFC, ATL or C++. All versions of Visual Studio including Visual Studio 2008 are supported and all Windows OS including Windows Vista are supported.

Conclusion

Adding Windows Explorer Integration to products such as document management software has never been so easy. EZNamespaceExtensions makes it a breeze to do so. Make your product easy-to-use and stand out from the crowd and shine!

Original Article: http://www.ssware.com/articles/add-windows-explorer-integration-to-document-management-software-content-management-software-and-virtual-drives-using-namespace-extensions.htm

To better decide, it is beneficial to talk about what a firewall does. The firewall is a computing device whose sole purpose is to monitor and filter traffic. Internet communication is a process not unlike a major highway system. When you enter a address into your browser, your computer sends a signal along a network route (numbered by a port number) to another computer (described by an IP address). The port number can be between 1 and 65535, while the IP address is four numbers each between 0 and 255. The firewall will note the port and IP of each request, and based upon a set of rules the firewall will either allow or block the request. At the minimum, it will record the numbers of traffic going either way, giving a log of traffic for later review.

The difference between a hardware and software firewall arises from where the firewall sits and the mechanism it works with. A hardware firewall is a separate computing device which sits between the computer and the outside world. When the computer sends a request and the outside world replies, the firewall will review and log the request before it passes the firewall. A software firewall sits on the computer being protected reviewing all requests on the software level. Both work to protect the computer from threats entering the computer, and an infection sending data into the outside world.

The hardware firewall has the benefit of separating your computer from the process. It will review the traffic before it reaches the computer. This extends a protection that the software does not possess. The hardware firewall also has the benefit of its own resources. The firewall can also hold intelligence, filtering packets by not only where it said they came from, but where they actually came from, and their contents to an extent. The hardware firewall can also protect a number of computers on the network, as multiple computers can be on the computer side.

The shortcoming of the hardware firewall is that it does not look as hard at outgoing traffic. This can be a big problem, as some malicious programs could transmit data or launch attacks from your computer. Also, if too many computers are on the network, then the firewall will get bogged down with traffic requests, slowing the entire network down.

Software firewalls work on the individual computer. The user can choose specific programs to allow sending traffic to the outside world, and the protocol for other programs. It can be configured to deny everything but what is listed on a safe list, or it can prompt you to decide of you want to keep the site on the safe list. The big problem with the software filter is that it will only protect the computer it is on. As a result, if there are a number of computers on the network, each will need its own firewall, making it more complex to setup the network.

The question of which is better is a challenging one. Each has its own strengths. The hardware firewall is good at blocking direct intrusions and any incoming malicious code. The software firewall is better at identifying Trojans and email viruses trying to turn your computer into a zombie terminal (one that launches denial of service attacks or spam messages).

The minimum amount of protection that should be had is a hardware firewall. Upgrades and additions to your computer and its network will not affect your network security and firewall. To boost the protection, supplanting the hardware firewall with the addition of a software firewall will give a near complete protection passage. No protection is perfect; so long as there is an internet connection, then there is a possibility for someone who is highly skilled getting into your computer. The addition of firewalls will deter most attackers and block automatic, malicious scripts.

Today’s “shrink-wrapped” CD software, isn’t shrink-wrapped, and isn’t even a CD anymore; now it is a digital “image” of the software package on the hard drive that is activated with a click of the mouse which starts the trial period. Usually, the software manufacturer does not even disclose that there is only a digital image of the software and there are no physical CDs available. All PCs come with the necessary operating system installed, but often the hard drive has several other different applications such as office suites, business accounting software, multimedia applications, and various internet programs in different partitions. It is up to the hardware purchaser to figure out how to un-install the pre-loaded software in order to free up hardware space and boost computer performance.

On the plus side, pre-installed versions of desktop software can give the user a chance to try out the programs, albeit without much choice or other options. However, most of the trial software can be downloaded for free anyway; having it pre-loaded on a hardware purchase is usually the result of an alliance between the hardware and software manufacturers, and not necessarily the best choice for the needs of the particular user. Additionally, unused software residing on the hard drive can disrupt other applications due to registry issues and other software code conflicts.

More and more small businesses and freelancers are deciding to forego desktop software altogether in favour of web-based online business applications. These hardware purchasers have found it advantageous to completely remove from their hard drives any unused and underused software. Online applications do not reside on the hard drive, do not use up system memory by auto-loading on start up, and can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection.

Small business owners and freelancers often also operate as the “purchasing department” and the “IT guy”, so the decisions about software should take into account the needs of the end user, not the marketing efforts of the software manufacturer.

There are many subtypes of application software:
• Enterprise software addresses the needs of organization processes and data flow, often in a large distributed ecosystem. (Examples include Financial, Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain Management). Note that Departmental Software is a sub-type of Enterprise Software with a focus on smaller organizations or groups within a large organization. (Examples include Travel Expense Management, and IT Helpdesk)
• Enterprise infrastructure software provides common capabilities needed to create Enterprise Software systems. (Examples include Databases, Email servers, and Network and Security Management)
• Information worker software addresses the needs of individuals to create and manage information, often for individual projects within a department, in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource management, documentation tools, analytical, and collaborative. Word processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal information system, and individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks.
• Content access software is software used primarily to access content without editing, but may include software that allows for content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to consume digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include Media Players, Web Browsers, Help browsers, and Games)
• Educational software is related to Media and Entertainment Software, but has distinct requirements for delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress through material. It is also related to collaboration software in that many Educational Software systems include collaborative capabilities.
• Simulation software are computer software for simulation of physical or abstract systems for either research, training or entertainment purposes.
• Media development software addresses the needs of individuals who generate print and electronic media for others to consume, most often in a commercial or educational setting. This includes Graphic Art software, Desktop Publishing software, Multimedia Development software, HTML editors, Digital Animation editors, Digital Audio and Video composition, and many others.
• Product engineering software is used in developing hardware and software products. This includes computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), computer language editing and compiling tools, Integrated Development Environments, and Application Programmer Interfaces.
Sehelsoft professional team offers Cost effective Software Programming with Visual basic programming through Access and SQL database, ASP.Net Programming, C# Programming, PHP Programming and desktop Software Solutions.

www.SehelSoft.com