Scheduling Software Empire Time WSG

One software tool all companies need is scheduling software. There are a lot of different scheduling software options out there. During the time I worked at a large defense company, several different scheduling software tools were used. Back then, I just had dial up for my internet connection. It made it very painful to load a couple of the different systems. There was one system that loaded great. Unfortunately, towards the end, they reverted back to the slowest loading system they had ever used. It wasn't a very good idea. I always worried on time sheet submittal days whether or not I would be able to get in and submit the timesheet.
Scheduling software can be complex. Items it needs to keep track of include total number of hours worked, support for multiple projects, expense reports, vacation/time off hours used & available totals, and time sheet editing.
A company called WSG offers several different scheduling software tools. One tool is called Empire Time. It offers a simple user interface for project financial management with the ability to export reporting to an Excel spreadsheet or a PDF file. Using Empire Time allows for faster billing, financial period closures, and revenue recognition. It also allows for time and expense tracking, overtime and personal time off reporting. It has a high satisfaction rate among users. It supports multiple platforms, including a web based client for remote workers. Project assignments and holidays are automatically populated. It can also automatically import American Express expenses and automate expenses to payroll, so the employee can be quickly reimbursed. A special console is included for managers to use in approving timesheets.
If the Empire Time scheduling software sounds like it might be a good fit for your company, a demo is available at the WSG website, so you can try before you buy.

Engineering Software ZWSOFT ZWCAD ZW3D

There is a company called ZWSOFT that produces and sells engineering software. They have 19 years of experience in the CAD industry with over 180,000 users worldwide and 150 research and design engineers.
One of their engineering software products is called ZWCAD. It is a DWG file format compatible CAD tool designed to create and edit 2D objects. It is also used for dimensioning, 3D modeling, plotting and file sharing. Customizable features include a design center, tools and API customization. The user interface is simple, allowing users to quickly learn how to use it. ZWCAD has over 180,000 users in over 80 countries.
ZW3D is another engineering software product available from ZWSOFT. It helps create a product from start to finish in an integrated, collaborative environment. It allows for reuse and design sharing through data exchange. A one of a kind Overdrive kernel provides for hybrid modeling. Cavity preparation tools and libraries allow for mold and die design. ZW3D also allows for 2-axis to 5-axis CNC machining. The ZW3D software is used in many different industries, including the automotive, consumer products, machine design, mold and die, and medical industries. It is available in 12 different languages.
Forums are available for users of the ZWSOFT engineering software. API resources are also available for developers. An extensive knowledge base, tutorials and tips and tricks are offered for the ZWCAD and ZW3D engineering software on the ZWSOFT website. Online training is also available.
ZWSOFT has locations in China and the United States. They can be followed via social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Natural Health Nutrition vs. Medical Industry

Since being laid off back in February, I've had time to reflect on my career choice of software developer and whether I should stay on that path, or choose something else. I came to the conclusion that I want to continue on this path.
One area I have become interested in though is the natural health and nutrition field. It's an area I prefer to keep as a hobby, rather than a career choice. I started learning about nutrition when my oldest son was born nine weeks early seven years ago and have continued learning even more as the boys have gotten older. Two years ago I was diagnosed as being on the verge of diabetes, even though I wasn't overweight and didn't really have any risk factors. It forced me to apply my natural health and nutrition knowledge to myself though. There is a lot of information out there on the internet. Some useful, some not, but it all basically says the same thing: eat fresh, local, organic fruits and vegetables, a couple servings per day of whole grains, a little dairy and lean meats, exercise, get enough rest and cut out high fructose corn syrup and all other artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Focusing on low glycemic foods is also important for stabilizing the blood sugar. My point of view is that I would much rather spend money on healthy food, vitamins and feel better, than spend money on junk food, medication and feel like crap.
Since my low glycemic, mediterranean diet change, my cholesterol and blood sugar numbers are much lower. I have way more energy, my head is clearer and I feel much better. The advice all the health gurus give, actually works. Imagine that.
I hate doctors and hospitals. Spending a week in the hospital when my water broke ten weeks early when I was pregnant with my oldest son, and constantly being poked and prodded by doctors in their http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/ and nurses in uniform was enough for me.
Medications are also full of weird chemicals, have side effects and often lead to other illnesses that will require yet another type of medication, which in turn will lead to another illness and more medication. So far, I haven't had any weird side effects from eating fruits and vegetables.
If there's something I can do to avoid the medical industry, then I'm more than willing to give it a try.

Center Stage

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

During the summer when all of my shows were just reruns, I would always check out www.direct.tv to see which movies were available. I had debated adding the movie channels to my cable package when I had it installed, but knew that I would need them during this time of the year. Not only was I able to watch newer movies without leaving my house to rent DVDs, but I would often times catch old movies that brought back so many memories. One of my favorite movies in college was Centerstage. My best friend and I would put this in our sophomore year when we needed a break from the studying and stress of our classes. It was a total chick flick, but we never seemed to get tired of seeing it. It was on TV the other day, so I left it on while I got some things done around my house. I definitely watched more of the movie than I had planned. Needless to say, some of the things on my to do list didn’t get done as quickly as I had hoped.

Test

The suspicious exercise trails.

Dennis Ritchie Founder of C Unix Passes Away Steve Jobs

The world has lost two geniuses in the past week:
Last week, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple died of pancreatic cancer on Wednesday (October 5, 2011).
Over the weekend another lower key technology genius passed away, Dennis Ritchie, aka dmr. He was 70 and passed away after a long illness, reportedly of prostate cancer and heart disease, on Saturday (October 8, 2011).
Steve was the guy who brought the world Apple computers, iPod - 2001, iTunes - 2003, iPhone - 2007, App Store - 2008, and iPad - 2010.
However, none of that would have been possible without Dennis Ritchie. He was the founder of the C programming language along with being a key developer of Unix. Unix is the operating system that all of Steve Job's creations are built upon. Without Unix, there would be no Apple.
C is the programming language used to create Unix. It's also the language the majority of the web is based on. C++, Java, PHP are all based on C. Without C, programmers wouldn't have a job, the web, smartphones wouldn't exist. C is the founding father of programming languages.
C was the first language I learned when fate turned me from a math major into a programmer. Without it, I wouldn't be able to work at home.
Kernighan & Ritchie - The C Programming Language is the C bible Dennis Ritchie helped write and is a standard in a programmer's library.
It's too bad Dennis Ritchie won't be mourned by the millions mourning Steve Jobs. A Google search for Steve Jobs turns up 46,900,000 results. A Google search for Dennis Ritchie turns up 61,200 results. Truly sad. Steve Jobs was the face everyone knew, but Dennis Ritchie was the unseen guy in the back office making it all possible. RIP Dennis Ritchie...

#include "stdafx.h"

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
printf("Goodbye World!\n");
return 0;
}


More Dennis Ritchie

Offshore Software Development Metrics BlueOptima

A lot of companies outsource work overseas. It's cheap labor. If companies brought the work back here, it might help the economy a little. That will probably never happen though. It's much easier to pay someone $1.00 than $20.00 for the same work. The question is, is it really more efficient or does it just seem like it is?
There is a company call BlueOptima that helps companies determine if offshore software development is really worthwhile. They analyze data taken from the systems that developers use to manage the software development process. Metrics for offshore software development, which include analytics and graphs, enable companies to determine which teams deliver software at a higher cost per unit of effort and how to reduce that cost. Offshore software development metrics also enable companies to find key spots to work on in the software, so that they can improve the development schedule and make better design decisions. The quality of the software is also improved because the analysis allows companies to have a better understanding of the effort involved in producing the software. Problem areas and bug fixes can be addressed in order of importance, so that the software can be brought to a stable level for release.
To get started, BlueOptima offers a full set of training courses for users, administrators and developers. Courses are available in a class room or online in a webinar. Separate classes are available for managers, developers and administrators. There is also implementation support to quickly and easily deploy BlueOptima and understand the current status of your software development process.
BlueOptima is a good place to start if your company outsources work overseas and you want to verify that it really is cost effective.