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Nova Backup Review

I've been looking for an easy to use backup solution, so I thought I'd try out Nova Backup. The software installs easy enough, and I was able to kick off a backup to my NAS drive of the 'My Documents' folder. The backup was running across my wireless network which I admit can sometimes drop out. Unfotunately half way through the backup, an outage occured and straight away the backup software popped up a message saying 'Completed with Errors'. After reading that oximoron I rate Nova Backup a fail and would never recommend it. With most houses utilising wireless links, a backup program should at least be able to recognise a drop out and offer a 'continue button' to click once the connection has resumed. Or better yet, detect the connection has resumed and finish the backup on its own.

Nova backup fail

Last Updated on Tuesday, 03 May 2011 19:29
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Linguamatics Launches I2E OnDemand

Linguamatics now has I2E OnDemand in a cloud version of its successful I2E text mining platform. I2E OnDemand offers smaller companies the advanced, high performance text mining capabilities that big pharma companies have been using for years. It works differently to google and other online search engines in that text mining searches for the meaning of words rather than just key words. Research companies often have millions of digital documents and by searching for a meaning rather than just a keyword or phrase, the results tend to be more relevant.

The online system will be provided with a range of different vocabularies, ontologies and a library of tested “off the shelf” NLP based queries, enabling customers to produce relevant, high quality results from day one.

Following successful beta testing prior to the launch, Linguamatics has already signed up new customers to the platform and anticipates significant demand for the new service. Potential users can register for a free 2-week trial of the I2E OnDemand software by visiting the Linguamatics website.

Last Updated on Friday, 21 January 2011 22:34
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Automated Accounting with Xero

The problem with traditional accounting software is that it's tied to a single PC. You need to install it and thats the only place it can accessed on. Xero is a cloud based accounting solution that does away with much of the double handling that used to occur with stand alone application like MYOB and Quickbooks. Xero is accessed via their website and all your data is kept securely online.

Because it's accessible from anywhere via the internet, it means you can use any of the new smartphones or iPad tablet style devices to issue invoices on the spot, rather than have to go home and do data entry at the end of the day. This also lets you track hours more accurately because you don't have to remeber all the details for as long. A great time saver for tradesman and other service professionals who visit multiple sites.

As you issue the invoices, the bookkeeping is automatically done. Xero can also import bank statements exported from your online banking account. So you won't need to manually enter every transaction there either. 

The easiest way to migrate to a new accounting system it to wait until your accountant does your tax at the end of the year or end of quarter, because thats when you have the closing balances for all your ledger accounts. It's also a great opportunity to get rid of all those accounts you don't use anymore.

You can try Xero for free without a time limit. So while waiting until the end of a quarter you can have time to get familiar with it.

Once you're ready, Xero has a setup wizard that steps you through the process, whether you use MYOB, Sage, Quickbooks, Excel or something else. Simply enter your basic company details, bank balances and the balance of your receivables and payables. Then enter your unpaid invoices. From then on you can keep up to date as you go.

Last Updated on Sunday, 02 January 2011 22:25
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