Gus: My Tech Blog

Spanish:

Amigos les tengo que avisar que me moví a una nueva direccion de Internet. Esté blog ha estado activo por casi un año y he decidido rediseñar el sitio y moverme. Eventualmente moveré la información en la medida de lo posible a mi nueva casa.

http://www.gusxi.com

English:

I have to tell you guys that this is the last post I do in this blog. It’s been active now since almost a year, but I decided to move my blog to another domain and eventually I will move the information and comments. Effective today my new home is:

http://www.gusxi.com

admin Uncategorized

I wrote about this Free IT Management tool on another post. Read all about it at my archive posts. Today… SpiceWorks 3.0 is here – speedier than ever & full of cool stuff to simplify your job!

5 new things you can do with SpiceWorks 3:

1. Zip through a brand new interface up to 40% faster, & run network scans 20-40% quicker than before!
2. Get a more accurate network scan – with more devices detected & fewer devices classified as “unknown.”
3. Monitor and view details about your Microsoft Exchange server.
4. Centralize all your web-based tools in Spiceworks’ new customizable navigation bar.
5. Organize assets your way, with Active Directory computer groups already pre-loaded.

Enjoy life!

admin ToolKit Box ToolKit Box

“Whether you’re a beginning, intermediate or advanced user, these shortcuts and suggestions will help you get the most out of Firefox 3″

I just downloaded the new FireFox version 3. I participate with a small part, but I helped to make the mark of almost 8.3 millions users downloading it on a 24 hours period.

Please, if you want to know some good Tips and tricks, shortcuts and some cool stuff that will make your browser experience more enjoyable go to this website:

Mozilla Products | Tips & Tricks

admin Blogging, Internet Browsers, FireFox, New Toys

“Focus your marketing resources on campaigns and initiatives that deliver ROI. Improve your site to convert more visitors.”

As a Business Analyst and Sr. Programmer, I’m always looking for ways to give a real value to technology as a tool for key business decisions. Google Analytics is definitely on of the tools you want to keep in your toolbox, especially y you have a Website, Blog, eCommerce store, etc. In my case I’m looking forward to use the data collected as a market research.

Giving a meaning to the information and statistics is one of the key, if not the most important step to succeed in business. Technology should be the tool to collect, translate, and present in an easy format, that would be very intuitive for the executive to digest, and make decisions.

See this introduction screen cast tutorial to Google Analyst here.

admin ToolKit Box Business Intelligence, eCommerce, Google

Magento is a new professional open-source eCommerce solution offering unprecedented flexibility and control.

Just recently I have a phone call from a friend who wants to start his eCommerce business, his budget is modest, and I don’t want to re-invent the wheel again. There is not a good reason for me do months of developing just for one customer, and he is in a hurry to get the website up and going ASAP.

So, I started to look around, I knew from my past experiences that they are many Open Source options out there, like OsCommerce, Zen Cart, etc. I was not totally pleased with them, years ago when I did similar implementations.

I could also choose just set up an eBay Store, which I prefer not to do it, unless the customer choose to. It’s nice to have all the infrastructure ready to go from eBay, but I’m concern about performance, management issues and eBay’s business model.

Then the light just turn on!. I found out about a very good eCommerce solution (MAGENTO). It does everything I want, with a big community that supports you, high quality user interfaces, usability and web standards. It is Open Source and runs on the kind of server (Linux, PHP5) that I already have in place. I don’t have to invest a lot of money to do it, and I’m sure my friend will be happy with it, such it uses PayPal integration to process payments as an optional feature.

I like to keep things fair, If you want to read a impartial unofficial valid opinion check the blog from this ecommerce consultant.

On the other hand check the oficial website, they have nice screencasts at the support area (very nice done), and a demo store to see it live before I do the real installation. High quality stuff!

admin Open Source, PHP eCommerce, Open Source, Screencast

WordPress is a state-of-the-art publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability. WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

Hoy instale la nueva versión de WordPress 2.5 (Stable Realease), si quieres saber mas información aqui esta un link que describe cuales mejoras se han hecho en los últimos 6 meses.

Tengo mucho respeto por Matt de Auttomatic, y toda la comunidad WordPress que hace posible su desarrollo. Pero algo que si me hace sentir muy motivado es que: por los últimos 6 meses el equipo de HappyCog Studios, un grupo de diseñadores y evangelistas de estándares web, creadores de la revista A List Apart y de An event Apart, asi como autores de varios libros, han comenzado a trabajar en “rediseñar” el proyecto de WordPress.

Me gusta mucho la nueva interface de usuario.

admin Blogging Blog, WordPress

Hi guys, I found some tutorials about how to do those Web 2.0 special effects that are pretty much every where recently. There are hundreds of tutorials… I will list just a couple of sites to pick on your curiosity. I would suggest, if you want to find more information do a Google search with the words “web 2.0 effects”.

I’ll start with 3 articles from Corrie Haffly…

Corrie is the lead designer and developer for PixelMill and their in-house brand, jgtemplates. This would-be triathlete has a mathematics degree but wishes she had double-majored in computer science and art instead. Maybe next time…

• Creating Web 2.0 Effects With Photoshop, Part 1
• Creating Web 2.0 Effects With Photoshop, Part 2
• The Photoshop Anthology: 101 Web Design Tips, Tricks & Techniques – PDF Only

Also, make sure to visit a blog called Photoshop Lab It is full of tutorials.

• Peeling Sticker Effect
• Web 2.0 Design Kit
• Web 2.0 Design Kit, Part 2

Have fun!!! See ya.

Goosie Adobe, ToolKit Box, Web Design, Web Standards

I’m really impressed with the new OS from Apple. Go ahead and watch the guided tour you will love it.

I’ve been a PC guy since 1993 but I have always been expose in one way of another to Apple computers. I’m thinking in buying one pretty soon. My brother in-law Oscar will be very happy with this new OS.

Guided Tour : http://www.apple.com/macosx/guidedtour/

admin Apple Inc.

I was reading a post on David from 37Signals.com blog, and found some comments that I don’t agree at all. That’s why I decided to write again about the MackBook Air.

It is primarily going to be purchased by people with too much time / money to do a little independent thinking (read: Starbucks junkies, college students with allowances from the parents, fashionistas, etc.).

I think that Apple has revolutionized the market for non-technical users with all the good UI’s, and easy to use applications and OS. Some people would say:

This seems to be an incredibly useless laptop that really only has a market among the yuppies and Mac sycophants with cash to waste on an underpowered, 1-USB port, overpriced toy that in the end just looks pretty and nothing else

mmm… I pay more money for a Sony VAIO TX Series, with less processing (Pentium M) power and smaller screen. But I guess that because is for Business people, then is justificable… Don’t get me wrong! It’s a great product and I’m happy with it. But I’ve been thinking for a long time to buy a Apple computer and really think that this new MacBook Air is the perfect fit for my needs. It is time for a new toy.

See the ad here… (Requires QuickTime)

Goosie Apple Inc.

At its annual MacWorld, Apple unveiled a new web movie rental service, along with a super slim laptop computer.Apple CEO Steve Jobs presented the new products at the company’s annual MacWorld convention in San Francisco.

MacBook Air is ultrathin, ultraportable, and ultra unlike anything else. But you don’t lose inches and pounds overnight. It’s the result of rethinking conventions. Of multiple wireless innovations. And of breakthrough design. With MacBook Air, mobile computing suddenly has a new standard.

See the Guided Tour from apple’s website here.

Goosie Apple Inc., ToolKit Box, Web Design Apple, Cool stuff., Mac, Notebook