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  • Modem, Router and Access Point: What’s the Difference?

    Modem Router and Access Point: What’s the Difference?

    Modem, Router and Access Point: What’s the Difference? Do you know the difference between, say, a switch and a hub? Keeping straight the devices that help you access the internet is no small feat. This guide explains it all.

    Connecting to the internet seems simple. You hop on your Wi-Fi, load up Facebook, and boom: you’re connected! But when something goes wrong—or it’s time to upgrade your equipment to something faster—you’ll need to understand what all those little black boxes actually do. Here’s a quick rundown of the basic networking gear that keeps your home connected.

    A Modem Connects You to the Internet

    A modem is your gateway to the internet—a cable, fiber optic, or telephone line comes through your neighborhood, to your house, and connects to your modem. The modem translates the digital 1s and 0s from your computer into analog information for the cable or telephone wire to carry out to the world, and translates incoming analog signals in the same way. This is called modulation and demodulation, respectively, and it’s where the “mo-dem” gets its name.
    Typically, your internet service provider (ISP) will provide you with a modem for a small monthly fee. Depending on which ISP you use, however, you may be able to buy your own modem and save some money.

    A Router Connects Your Devices to the Modem (and Each Other)

    If you only had one computer in your house, you could plug it straight into the modem with an Ethernet cable and call it a day—you’d be connected to the internet and watching cat videos instantly.

    But most people have more than one computer in their house, not to mention smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and a host of other devices. Standalone modems aren’t able to send data to multiple devices simultaneously: they usually only have one Ethernet port, and only produce one IP address, which identifies your location to the internet (kind of like your street address does in the real world).
    A router connects all your home’s devices to each other—through Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi—and then connects to the modem. It gives each device its own internal IP address, which it uses to route traffic between them. If your modem’s IP address is like the street address of a building, your router’s internal IP addresses are like apartment numbers. Your modem receives information from the internet, sends it to the router, and the router sends it to the computer that asked for it. (That way, your phone doesn’t receive the cat videos you asked for on your laptop.)
    The network created by your router is known as a local area network, or LAN, and it connects you to a larger wide area network, or WAN. In most home cases, your WAN is, for all intents and purposes, the internet.
    Not all routers include Wi-Fi—some merely connect computers with Ethernet cables. That’s where the next piece of equipment comes in.

    An Access Point Adds Wireless Connectivity

  • How to Protect Your Personal Brand’s Website From a Cyber Attack

    How to Protect Your Personal Brand’s Website From a Cyber

    How to Protect Your Personal Brand’s Website From a Cyber is an important issue to look into as it has become a world problem.
    Your personal brand’s website is your calling card to attract loyal followers, and an unexpected cyber attack can cost you both time and money.
    What types of activity are you currently monitoring from the back end? With the right tools and knowledge, your brand can increase its security levels and help prevent an attack.
    Here are several ways you can effectively protect your website and online reputation.

    1. Find out what your host provider offers.

    It is important that you have access to a long history of logs. Find out what your current provider offers and maybe even pay for an upgrade. If you are running on a shared hosting package then this is especially critical to know.

    2. Don’t forget to do regular full backups.

    Your website may not be automatically backed up by your hosting company. Instead you need to purchase or use free backup tools in order to save your valuable content, images and installations. Do this at least once a month as plugins and themes are upgraded on a regular basis.

    3. Create a plan of action for you and/or your team.

    In the case of any security breaches, it’s good practice to have a well outlined strategy in place with all of the right contacts such as a web developer. This will provide clarity and minimize any mistakes.

    4. Check in daily during the work week.

    Log into your website and keep a lookout for any messages from security plugins, spam activity, updates, ect. If anything is outdated or there are too many spam comments and referrals, this may be a good time to upgrade your security.
    Avoiding an attack by a cyber criminal can be reduced or eliminated with the right checks and balances in place. If your brand finds out that something has been compromised, you should contact your web developer and host provider right away. It’s better to seek expert advice to assess the situation and fix any technical issues that may be opening you up for a breach.

  • How to work with layers in Photoshop?

    How to work with layers in Photoshop?

    Explore the world of Layer Styles in Photoshop, how they can improve your art and how you can arrange them effectively.

    How to work with layers in Photoshop? Layers enable non-destructive editing, where you can make changes to images without having to make them permanently. Think masking on a layer mask rather than erasing parts of your layer forever, or even just duplicating your entire document to another folder while you do something a little risky to it.
    Layer masks fit into this category, too. They’re quick fixes that you can apply to layers to make them stand out from the layers below them. Best of all, anything you apply to your layers – whether it’s a glow, a shadow or even a complete remodel of it via a bevel – doesn’t have to be forever.

    How do you create a new layer in Photoshop?

    There are two ways to create a new layer in Photoshop:

    Now that you know how to create a new layer in Photoshop, we’re going to look at how you can use them, focussing specifically on Layer Styles. Just like other layers, Layer styles can be stacked, and by using the Fill, you can reduce their Opacity without changing the Opacity of the layer that they’re applied to.
    Remember, when you’re finished, if you wish, you can use the Rasterize Layer Style option to set it permanently – destructively, if you like. Let’s dive into how you use layer styles on a simple digital illustration, which is made up of a number of layers of selections, created with the Pen tool.

    01. Make the most of bevel and emboss option

    You can access bevel and emboss options by clicking Layer>Layer Style>Bevel & Emboss. You can also choose other layer styles from this window.
    Bevel and Emboss are shaping tools for giving your objects subtle contour and volume. They apply natural-looking highlight and shade to your selections, and you can even go as far as to pick a specific style and smoothness of the effect.
    Depth determines how dramatic the effect you’re applying is, and creates more or less light and shade. Size will determine how big the effect looks on the object, while then the Soften slider creates a rounded finish to the bevel.
    The Angle option will help you to align the light from a specific direction, and Global Light will enable you to have all objects with layer styles following the same light direction. Use the Contour feature to alter the texture of the bevel itself.
    Highlight and Shadow Mode are two sliders for completely controlling the light and shade, from how severe it is to how it hits the object. Use Overlay for both for subtlety, and use Screen and Multiply respectively for a more severe effect, for example.

    02. Multiple ways of working with overlays

    There are so many ways to fill a selection with colour, but Gradient, Pattern and Color Overlay in Layer styles are three of the most reliable. These colours will fill the object whether you move it or not, and you can even change the Overlay’s Opacity and Blend mode.
    You can alter the direction that you wish for the gradient or pattern to follow, by using the Angle icon. The Gradient box should be used for selections of colour, in a similar way to how you might clip a layer to another layer as a clipping mask. Overlays are capable of altering the Opacity or Blend mode to react in different ways.

    03. Apply a drop shadow to your art

    When working with layers in Photoshop, the Drop Shadow is one of the most versatile Layer Styles that you’ll come across. It’s not only used for the obvious, fuzzy black space  behind objects, but it can be used for an almost unnoticeable way to make an object stand out in a painting.
    Distance can help position your shadow a little further away, and the Spread slider can control the density of your shadow. The size will determine how big it appears; reduce it right down to have a completely hard edge.
    Blend mode and Color are what determine how your drop shadow reacts with the layers below. Choosing a dark colour and Multiply will create a shadow effect, while a light colour and Screen will introduce more of a glow effect.
    And just like with the Bevel & Emboss section, Contour can help you to change the actual texture of the shadow, when combined with Noise. This isn’t commonly used, but is still worth experimenting with nevertheless.

    04. Alter the intensity of light with the Glow layer styles

    The Inner and Outer Glow layer styles are two of the most popular available for controlling light or shine. They’re mostly used just with a bright white colour, but this doesn’t mean you can’t apply them to other colours.
    Pick a colour and gradient with the options available. Using a gradient can be useful if you only want the glow to appear over some of the object.
    Opacity and Noise can help to define exactly how bright and clear the glow itself looks. Change the Blend mode too to alter the way the glow looks against the colours behind it
    The Elements box will help you to set a Choke and Size. This controls the intensity of the glow to a degree; the smaller these numbers are, often the more realistic it looks.

    05. Emphasise an object’s appearance with a Stroke

    Perhaps the simplest layer style of all, the Stroke option is just a basic outline around the inside, outside or centre of your object. Change the colour and blend mode, and use it to make some selections stand out a lot more than others.
    If you choose the inside option for the Position, the stroke will likely have sharper edges; if you choose Outside, the stroke will curl around pointy edges in your selection. Centre is the midpoint of these two styles.
    The Size slider is the most important when it comes to Stroke. Use it to determine whether you want a thick, obvious line around your selection, or a hairline stroke to just subtly highlight a selection.
    The Color and Fill Type options are there to choose the important details. Again, use a gradient if you only want a partial stroke around your object.
    This article originally appeared in ImagineFX magazine issue 161; We got it from creativeblog all to improve your skill on layer using photoshop.

  • You need a website as a business owner

    You need a website as a business owner

    You need a website as a business owner but most business owners especially new businesses, run a lean operation. They focus on necessities and urgent matters, only spending money when they need to. So, it’s easy to see why some business owners might think a website is a luxury item they can afford to live without.
    They might even believe a Facebook page is enough for an online presence, or that a sign with their phone number will generate calls, or that a traditional mailer will help them sell products. But the truth is, the only way to start promoting a business is by building a professional website.

    Your website acts as a portal so customers can learn more about your business, as well as research product information and determine if they want to do business with you. If you’re a small business owner, you need to realize that a website isn’t an expensive luxury or a frivolous endeavor — it’s an affordable, fundamental tool that every company needs.

    A website sells your products/services online.

    Your website acts as a digital brochure, sharing up-to-date information about your offerings. A benefit of web publishing is that you can change the information in real-time — no waiting or paying for new print materials.

    Think of your website as a 24-hour sales staff. It provides answers to frequently asked questions and can even process sales. Websites with e-commerce and purchasing options allow users to make direct purchases online, thus simplifying sales for both your staff and your customers.

    A website helps you connect with new customers.

    While you might already have an established customer base, a website is a surefire way to connect with new customers who might be unfamiliar with your business.
    More often than not, people turn to the internet when they have a problem. Searching for solutions is easy — but is your business a potential problem solver? With a professional website, you position your business as a solution for your customers’ needs. Plus, you can optimize your site with search terms related to your industry. This will expose your business to new customers on the prowl.

    A website has big benefits for local businesses.

    One misconception about websites is that they’re only for national companies or worldwide corporations with audiences around the globe. Actually, websites are just as, if not more, beneficial for small businesses. In fact, it’s a great way to connect with locals.

    Plus, search engines often rank results according to location. In other words, if you’re looking for “shoe stores near me,” Google won’t offer you a name-brand result in New York (unless of course, you live in New York).
    So it’s pretty clear — an online presence has big benefits even for small businesses who deal locally. No matter where you are located, you can get started with an efficient website that draws in customers.

    A website builds credibility.

    Nothing is more important than the ability to be found. If you don’t have an established online identity, then customers can’t find you. Not showing up in the search engines (or on the Internet at all for that matter) is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility as a business. It makes you and your company look dated, out of touch and untrustworthy.
    Even if you’re fantastic at word-of-mouth marketing, you could be missing out on a ton of referrals. Happy customers are quick to share what they think about your business, but what about their friends who haven’t experienced your services yet? They’ll take to the Internet. And when they come up empty-handed, you’ll have missed your chance for brand new customers.

    A website helps you control your online destiny.

    If you think having a Facebook page or an online directory listing (like Yellow Pages) is enough to promote your business, you’re wrong.

    When you publish through or rely on, a third-party platform, you’re at their mercy. If the platform decides to close your account, change their policies or revise their programming, you might lose the ability to connect with your audience. Yet, when you run your own website, you’re in control of both the content you produce and the platform you maintain.

    Websites are simple and affordable to set up.

    Many small business owners rely on using third-party platforms or avoid setting up their own websites because they think it’s complicated or expensive.
    But building and maintaining a website is easier and cheaper than ever before. Even if you aren’t tech-savvy or creative, you can now use simple web publishing tools to build a website in a couple of hours. And the fees for hosting a website start at less than $10 per month — probably one of the cheapest marketing costs out there.
    Take my advice, small business owners — there are no more excuses. If you’re putting off building a website, you’re hurting your business. It’s time to get started!

  • Microsoft’s New Monthly Charge for Windows 10

    Microsoft’s New Monthly Charge for Windows 10

    Microsoft’s New Monthly Charge for Windows 10 has been reviewed but we feel is going to be targeted to business rather than everyone.

    Ever since its creation, Microsoft MSFT -0.6% has described Windows 10 “as a service”. The fear has always been that this meant Microsoft would start charging users a monthly fee to maintain the operating system, and now a new leak has confirmed this is exactly what will happen…

    In a new report, CNet’s well connected Microsoft specialist Mary Jo Foley reports the company will soon launch ‘Microsoft Managed Desktop’ which will charge a monthly fee to configure computers running Windows 10 and keep them running smoothly as new updates are released.
    Foley also notes “Microsoft already has a number of the pieces in place to make this happen” such as a Windows Autopilot automatic device provisioning service, device financing programs like Surface Plus and a ‘Surface as a Service’ leasing program. Microsoft also has a subscription bundle including Windows 10 and Office 365 called Microsoft 365 and Windows 10 Enterprise subscription plans.
    Furthermore, Foley states “One of my contacts said that Bill Karagounis – former Director of the Windows Insider Program & OS Fundamentals team, who last year joined the Enterprise Mobility and Management part of Windows and Devices – is in charge of the coming Microsoft Managed Desktop.”
    With Microsoft also publicly hiring for this new division, managed subscriptions for Windows 10 appear to have the green light.
    So what’s the good news? At this time, Foley believes Microsoft Managed Desktop will be targeted at businesses. But the obvious question, given the clear direction Microsoft is moving becomes: for how long?
    Foley did ask Microsoft to go on the record about Microsoft Managed Desktop, but the company declined to comment.
    All of which means those users who chose to stay on Windows 7 and Windows 8 are probably feeling pretty smug right now. As for everyone who upgraded for ‘free’ to Windows 10, the nagging question must be: will it prove too good to be true?

  • Cost of iPhone X Sales to Increase Prices of other Smartphones

    Cost of iPhone X Sales to Increase Prices of other Smartphones

    Cost of iPhone X Sales to Increase Prices of other Smartphones when Apple rolled out the iPhone X at roughly $1,000 a pop, people balked at first. The smartphone market was entering maturity, are people really so enamored of their Apple devices that they’ll shell out that much, even as competitors get better at making alternatives at lower price points? It seems that increasingly, the answer is yes.

    Indeed, by grooming consumers to spending upwards of $1,000 for a new phone, the iPhone X’s pricing strategy may have cemented these kinds of prices into the wider smartphone industry, Apple analyst Philip Elmer-DeWitt tells Inverse.

    Initially, Elmer-DeWitt said he thought these kinds of prices were outlandish, but paradoxically Apple’s iPhone X strategy may have ended up doing its competitors a solid. Essentially, Apple raised the ceiling for what a luxury smartphone could cost, which allows companies like Samsung and Google to market their phones as somewhat oxymoronic “affordable luxury” devices.

    “By selling configurations for a lot more than $1,000 they’ve done their competitors a favor,” says Elmer-DeWitt. “They’ve created a price umbrella under which their competitors can enter the high end of the market as a cheaper luxury device that’s nearly as good as Apple’s. Or so they’ll say.”

    Many of Apple’s rivals in the smartphone market have raised their prices considerably in the last two years, according to a Monday report from CNET, including Samsung, Huawei, and OnePlus. The biggest jump has been in the cost of the OnePlus, which has soared by almost a third.

    How High Can Smartphone Prices Go?

    During Apple’s second-quarter earnings call, CEO Tim Cook stated that the iPhone X was the “top-selling iPhone since the launch,” putting to rest “notions that” the pricing strategy was too aggressive. The company’s current flagship iPhone was released alongside the 8 and the 8 Plus, which were around $200 cheaper.

    For more evidence that Apple’s smartphone strategy is sticking around, look no further than its rival Samsung.

    The 2016 Galaxy S7 Edge, for example, was initially released for $779.99, while both the Galaxy S8 Plus and S9 Plus have been upped to $850. Rumors regarding the company’s upcoming Galaxy Note 9 allege that the company’s next-generation phone-tablet hybrid could start as high as $1,055.

    However, this doesn’t mean that all Apple and Android phones will cost $1,000 in the future. The majority of iPhone rumors claim that Apple will release three new handsets priced at $699, $899, and $999. This would provide a top-of-the-line option while offering cost-conscious consumers an option that might be cheaper than the current iPhone 8.

    Which is to say that it’s really access to the latest and the best smartphones that’s getting more expensive, as opposed to the actual smartphones themselves. And if you’re thinking of shelling out for a new Apple phone, here’s our guide to the best times of the year to buy.

  • Five Facts You Never Knew About Mobile App Design

    Five Facts You Never Knew About Mobile App Design

    Five Facts You Never Knew About Mobile App Design and we are here to unveil it for your benefits. Not so long ago, mobile apps were a reserve of large corporations and businesses. However, that ace in the hole for the big guys has changed rapidly over the past three years. Today, smaller companies are serving clients better and seeing much greater returns on investment thanks to mobile apps.
    Nobody wants to be secluded from what is happening in the world. The fact that mobile is social cannot be overemphasized. Just like informal chatting and video calling, businesses can push sales through the mobile device. Creating a functional Facebook or Twitter account is great, but it is just not enough.
    The bottom line today is very simple — you need an app. The fear of high priced developers does not need to be a deterrent any longer, so there’s really no need to put it off. With Digitalbes Limited, we could help fix that for you at an affordable price as we need businesses to grow.
    Simply start by describing your objectives and then prioritizing them from the start. Following some serious thinking on your part, you can use any or all of the four main routes towards achieving a highly functional mobile app. These are:

    After you are clear what you want, it will be no time until you discover why you needed to jump on the app bandwagon. Here are five facts you never knew about mobile app design for your business.

    Five Facts You Never Knew About Mobile App Design

    In the world today, the average person spends over two hours on the mobile phone daily. Globally, there are more than a billion smartphones. So, the fact that people these days spend more time on the phone than on PCs is great for businesses — if you adjust your marketing plan to match this shift.
    Evidently, your business will be exposed to numerous eyeballs if you have a mobile presence. Your image, name, and logo needs to be seen when these masses scroll, unlock, and do whatever they do while on the go.
    Humans have their devices either on their fingers, palms or pockets. We like using them when waiting at the bus stop, riding to and from work and even when watching TV in the evening. All these are suitable times to send a notification to prospective clients.
    If you offer internet-based services or products, use a mobile app to make sales. Make it possible for clients to do the same things that they would conventionally do when sitting in their offices. Offer valuable solutions for customers remotely. The more opportunities you offer potential customers to reach you, the better off your business will be.

    Mobile apps bring a lot of information to your business about your customers. Examples are demographics and geographical locations. More importantly, you can give a lot of information to your clients about your products and services.
    Examples are news feeds, product specifications, new features, prices, promotions, and special rates. You can know the preferences of certain customers and meet their individual needs. The fact that you are marketing more directly is a huge advantage.

    Do you have a loyalty program? Why not make it digital using a mobile app? You can move from the traditional reward collection to the smartphone and other mobile devices. As mentioned earlier, more people are glued to their mobile phones than ever before.
    Customers are interested in invaluable products and services. With so many outlets offering the same products, it can be difficult for them to make a decision. A mobile app can nudge clients to your store. For example, use an area-sensitive push message on your app.
    When clients walk near your store’s physical location, they get a notification inviting them to your store. Curious shoppers will flock your store to see what you have to offer. This approach has been effective for brick-and-mortar businesses. In addition, send a thank-you notification to your clients after making a purchase.

    Whether your business is new or rebranding, you can enhance its recognition using a mobile app. Simply create an app with likable features and you will mesmerize your audiences. Instead of putting up an expensive billboard, construct a functional app. After all, not everyone actually pays attention to or heeds the messages displayed on billboards.
    Find a way to get your clients involved in your app regularly. The more often they interact with it, the more they will actually like the products or services it sells. This rule of thumb in advertising is called effective frequency. It states that if customers see the brand more than 20 times, then it is truly noticed.
    These days, mobile apps come with a sharing option where users can share your communication with their friends. It is like a friend telling you about a great service or product he or she bought somewhere. Studies indicate that referrals and third-party sales are among the most valuable marketing strategies.

    All clients need a way to reach the business that sells a product or service that they are interested in. If you are unreachable, you run the risk of losing customers. A mobile app, therefore, comes in handy at enabling this reach. Have a help desk on the mobile platform where customers can post their questions, orders, comments, and complaints.
    If you can reply to all their communication personally, then your customer engagement is great. Make the booking or ordering procedure as simple as possible yet secure. People are discouraged by lengthy procedures. They might even find it easier to click the ‘Back’ button than the ‘Next’ button.

    The fact that a mobile app sets you apart cannot be overemphasized. Take advantage of this effective communication and marketing tool while it is still rare. By the time your competitors are realizing its importance, you will have grabbed almost the entire market share. No matter what you sell, you can take a commanding role among your peers.
    Just by a tap of a button, your clients are able to see your products and services. That mobile apps are fast, easy, and simple to operate is a fact you need to capitalize on. This ease can drive customer engagement and loyalty to an unprecedented level.

    Conclusion

    Having a functional website is the place to start. After attracting new customers, urge them to download your app on their mobile devices. After that, use the app to generate profitable opportunities. Create engagement by encouraging user reviews and interactions. As you build brand loyalty, expand your reach to social circles and deliver personalized shopping experience.

  • The risks associated with global Internationalized Domain Names

    The risks associated with global Internationalized Domain Names

    The risks associated with global internationalized domain names is posing some security challenges as many feels it has a dark side even if some also feel is important for it. But before we move further to see the dark side has it is pointed out by Paul Vixie, CEO of Farsight Security, we need to find answer to the question below;

    What is IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names)?

    This is concept that allow people in different country to access domain names in there own local languages and scripts. IDNs are formed using characters from different scripts, such as Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic or Deuanagari. These are encoded by the unicode standard and used as allowed by the relevant IDN protocols.
    This means that people will now be using domain or access domain in their own local languages.

    This come as a result of people who are born and leaving in their own local communities wanting to have a domain in operated in their own languages of which this is meant to cut down security challenges but in other word, experts feels is a risk . Please watch the interview on “The risks associated with global Internationalized Domain Names” being addressed.

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  • Importance of e-commerce in business

    Importance of e-commerce in business

    The importance of e-commerce in business is a topic that cannot be overlooked following the consumer’s behavior with technology that has taken over the world of today.
    From start-ups to small businesses right through to huge brands, there are a huge number of companies that can benefit from their own e-commerce website, where they can sell their own products or services. In today’s competitive and convenience focused society, no longer do consumers want to venture to the high street in order to buy items, instead, consumers want to shop from their own homes, making e-commerce a flexible solution for both businesses and buyers.

    5 Importance of e-commerce website to businesses

    Are you looking for an e-commerce solution? Why not chat with our team now by click here

  • How can a website help your business

    How can a website help your business

    How can a website help your business is a question most business owners ask themselves. What can a website do that the telephone, Instagram page, facebook page or the yellow pages can’t?
    Being old fashioned, it may seem hard to realize that besides the television, the internet is now the second largest form of advertising. It has become the new yellow pages. (In fact, the Yellow Pages even has a website now) Some businesses may not be able to keep up with more business, being booked solid off of a few calls a month from people who saw them in their local yellow pages. But this shouldn’t matter.
    There are a number of advantages to putting your business online, even if you have no desire to grow as a company. As more and more people look to the internet for their information, the phone calls to your business will dwindle off to an occasional ring.
    Why call a number and a name to fire off ten questions about the business, when you can read one or two pages online and in less time come to a conclusion about the company. As a business owner, do you have the time to sit there answering phones, answering repetitive questions about yourself? Below, We have detailed the six major reasons how having a website can benefit your business, no matter how small your company is.

    If you are interested in owning a business for your business or services, hit the graphic below to learn more about our website design and development packages which also include the cost as well.

    You can as well chat with us live from our website, on WhatsApp using 08177780097 or send an email to support@digitalbes.com.