Algebra is a branch of pure mathematics and forms an interesting curriculum of education in almost all schools, all over the world. In this article, I have presented some algebra tricks and algebra tips, that would be helpful to students and the rest alike. Browse through the algebra tips given below...

The algebra we study in schools is called elementary algebra, that aims to impart the basic meaning to variables and constants. I still remember my first algebra class, when the arithmetic numbers were replaced by alphabets and I was dumbfounded looking at my teacher (duh!). Algebra is broadly classified into many branches. Some other branches of algebra, which are a part of mathematics and are studied at higher levels, are linear algebra, abstract algebra, vector spaces and ring and field theories etc. In elementary algebra, numbers are replaced by letters and symbols and with the help of these letters we solve the problems. For example, if we are asked to find the area of a rectangle (A), given its length (l) and breath (b), we all know its area will be:

Area of rectangle (A)= Length (l) X Breadth (b)

Now, if you know the value of either of the two quantities, among the three variables, we can substitute the value of the two known variables and get the third one! One of the simple algebra tips! Isn't it? We need algebra because it drastically reduces the space for problem solving and lengthy problems can be solved in a few lines. Algebra finds many applications in fields of engineering, finance, economics and architecture!

The mathematical problems in algebra are expressed through algebraic equations. Algebraic equations are a combination of variables and constants. For instance, consider the equation, 3X= 9. This is a simple algebraic equation in one variable. Dividing both sides by 3, we get the solution of this equation as, X=3. Similarly, 3X + 2Y = 8, is an algebraic equation in two variables. Now, since this equation has two variables, we will require another equation with the same variables, to find the solution of this equation. Now consider,

3X + 1Y - 7Z= 8

This is an example of a linear equation in three variables. X,Y and Z are the three variables in this equation. Let's check out some other simple algebra tips! Here in this equation. X, Y and Z are the three variables, whose values can change with the constraint that the left hand side (L.H.S) of the equation must always be equal to the right hand side (R.H.S) of the equation. The numbers 3, 1 and -7 are called the coefficients of X, Y and Z respectively. The respective values of X, Y and Z, which make the L.H.S=R.H.S are called solutions of the given algebraic expression. This is so, because if we take X=3, Y= -1 and Z=0 and put in the above equation, we would get L.H.S=R.H.S.! Try it! You will get 8=8. Its as simple as that! Here, we got the solution with the help of hit and trial method. Suppose, we had to find the solution of this equation algebraically, then we would require two other linear equations in three variables.

Some important algebra tips that are the basics of algebra are as follows

• We can add the same number on both sides of an equation. e.g., 5X - 8 = 7 is the same as 5X - 8 + 8 = 7 + 8.
• We can subtract the same number on both sides of an equation. e.g. 2a + 4 - 5 = 6 – 5.
• We can multiply both sides of an equation by the same (non-zero) number. e.g. (5/6)x = 7 is the same as 6 X (5/6)x = 7 X 6.
• We can divide both sides of an equation by the same (non-zero) number. e.g. 2r = 10 is the same as (2r/2) = (10/2).

Order Of Operations- The PEDMAS Rule

There is a famous and important rule of PEDMAS, that is crucial in solving algebra problems. An important algebra tip is to understand the order of operations, that means, the series of steps you need to take while solving a mathematics problem involving squares, brackets, addition, subtraction and others. So, what is BODMAS? While working out arithmetic calculations, follow the order of operations mentioned below.

P stands for parenthesis/brackets.
E stands for exponential (squares, exponents, cubes, square roots etc.)
DM stands for division and multiplication (performed left to right)
AS stands for addition and subtraction (performed left to right)

Let's understand the rule of PEMDAS through an example,

Example - Evaluate 9 - 4 ÷ (8 - 4) x 2 + 6 using the order of operations.

Solution
Step1. 9 - 4 ÷ (8 - 4) x 2 + 6 = 9 - 4 ÷ 4 x 2 + 6 (parenthesis)
Step2. 9 - 4 ÷ 4 x 2 + 6 = 9 – 1 x 2 + 6 (Division)
Step3. 9 – 1 x 2 + 6 = 9 – 2 + 6 (Multiplication)
Step4. 9 – (-2) + 6 = 9 +4 (Addition)
Step5. 9+4 = 13

Important Algebra Formulas or Algebra Tips

Some important formulas and algebraic tips are mentioned below:

Serial Number	Algebraic Formula
1	(a+b)2 = a2 + b2 + 2ab
2	(a - b)2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab
3	(a + b)3 = a3 + b3 + 3ab2 + 3a2b
4	a3 + b3 = (a + b)3 - 3a2b - 3ab2
5	(a-b)3 = a3- b3 - 3a2b + 3ab2
6	a3- b3 = (a - b)3 + 3ab(a+b)
7	(a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(ab + bc + ca)
8	(a + b)2 + (a - b)2 = 2(a2 + b2)
9	(a2- b2) = (a - b)(a + b)
10	(a3 + b3) = (a + b)(a2 - ab+ b2)
11	(a3 - b3) = (a - b)(a2 + b2 + ab)

Learning algebra involves the understanding of the vital role of exponents and radicals. There are some major algebra tips, that can help solve various problems. Some of them are mentioned below:

Serial Number	Exponential Formula
1	anam = an+m
2	(a.b)n = an. bn
3	a0 = 1
4	(am)n = amn
5	am/n = n√am
6	a-m = 1/a-m
7	(am/an )= a(m-n)

Some Interesting Algebra Tricks

Algebra is a fantastic field that can present some interesting fallacies. Read one such trick,

Algebra Trick Question#1
Take some random number. Add 3 to this number and then multiply by 2. Again add 4 to the result and divide by 2. Now, subtract the number you started with from the result. What's the answer? Whoa! It's the same number!!Now, start with any other number and apply the same trick again, you will always get the number you started with. Let's see the proof of this trick using algebra tips. Here, I have taken my original number to be 'x'. It's fun!

Select a Number	Say x
Add 3	x+3
Multiply by 2	2(x+3) or 2x+6
Add 4	2x+10
Divide By 2	x+5
Subtract the original number	x

Likewise, there are many other algebra tricks that you can think on your own! All it takes is some interest to play with numbers and some knowledge of algebra. So, have fun studying algebra tips and algebra tricks!

Fun with math? Sounds totally unfathomable to me. However, thanks to middle school math games, the idea of studies has been revolutionized completely.

Math is a subject which I have always been disinterested in. The reason might be 'grapes are sour' or because they took too much time and the outcome was usually unconvincing (read 'disgusting' cause they were always wrong!). Whatever be the reason, I can assure you that in our times, we never had interesting middle school math games and the monotony of solving long (I mean LOOONG!) and complicated (here too, I mean TOOO COMPLICATED!) equations, which did not have any meaning, was highly unwelcome. Let's try and make some efforts so that your and my kids do not undergo the same 'traumatic' phase and enjoy doing mathematics instead.

Classroom Conversions
Lets get started with some middle school math challenges. There are a number of games that can be played in the class, not only for learning, but also to develop a sense of competition and the desire for improvement among the students.

1. Divide the class into three. Each team can be given a math theorem and asked to make a mini project on it. They can include the history of the theorem, some nice pictures, some interesting facts related to it and finally a few sums based on the theorem.
2. Divide the class into three teams. One member of each team comes to the board. The teacher asks a simple sum and the first one to complete, with the correct solution, earns 2 points for his team.
3. All the students are made to stand in their places. The teacher asks questions and the students can answer randomly. Whoever gives the correct solution first, can sit. At the end, the person who remains standing gives a treat.

While the main focus of the games must be on interactive learning through problem solving, the teacher must remember that kids are not fools and the games must be really interesting to hold their attention. More on elementary math games.

Indoor Indices
Your daughter spends her evening in the kitchen with you, instead of completing her homework. You wonder if it's 'mommy love' or is it 'algebra allergy'. Well, get her to bake a batch of binomials (Alliteration intended!). Get all the ingredients and ask her to calculate the quantity and therefore the ratio. You can ask her to calculate the price of each ingredient and in turn, the cost of making the cookies. Once you are done with it, get started with the baking. Find out if she wants to sell some of them and she can keep the profit (if she makes any) in case all her calculations are correct. Ask her to make a rough draft and get going. She learns to earn her pocket money and your job is done! Read more on fun indoor games for groups.

Online Ordinates
There are innumerable online sites which have again, innumerable middle school math activities, games and puzzles. Games which are highly popular are listed below.

• Comets
• Mancala
• Five dollar bill scrambler
• Cows and bulls
• Bread winner

Log on to one of them and see your son glued to the computer like a bee to its honeycomb. Though a child must be encouraged to socialize instead of living in seclusion, there must be no compromise when it comes to learning. Learn more on free online games for kids.

External Equations
The knowledge of basic mathematics is essential for using money properly. If a child is given an opportunity, he would be amused to know the relevance of math in his day-to-day activities. Tell him to calculate the expenses of a fun night out. First, he needs to make a list of all the activities he wants to enjoy during his fun evening. Then, he needs to find out the prices. Starting from movie ticket expenses and popcorn to joyrides and traveling, he has to find out all expenses including the sales tax. Check the list and hand him over the exact amount. Your child would not only learn calculations, but also the importance of calculated expenditure. However, play safe as a revolution at home is not very pleasing after all. More on solving math word problems.

A competitive atmosphere converts an otherwise mundane afternoon into a live ground full of activities. Math riddles and puzzles, memory builders and other games can activate the minds of the little geniuses in no time. The numbers they dread the most can open a whole new world of surprises for them and believe me, kids love surprises. Kudos to the makers of these exciting middle school math games!

Having a tough time in learning the procedures of factor by grouping? Here are some simple steps you can follow and practice.

Factor by grouping, in layman language, is simply defined as the grouping of terms with common factors before factoring a polynomial. A polynomial is a mathematical expression that is formed by variables and constants. The construction of such variables and constants is done by using operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and non-negative whole number exponents (constants). Before we get down to factor by grouping methods, lets see some simple examples of polynomials.

Examples of Polynomials

• 1 – 4x
• 5x³ - 8
• -2.16x + 7x³ - 7/2
• 4.7x³ + 3.1x³ + 9x
• (x - 3)² + 6x + 1 = x² - 6x + 9 + 6x + 1 = (x² + 10)
• x² − 4x + 7

So what is not a polynomial?
x² − 4/x + 7xx^3/2 is an example of a term which is not a polynomial. The reason behind this being that the second term (4/x) incorporates division i.e., 4x^-1 and the third term (7x^3/2) has a fractional index. These two conditions fail to meet one of the criteria for an expression to be a polynomial. As I have mentioned earlier, a polynomial must have 'Non-negative whole number exponents'.

Factoring Polynomials By Grouping
Here are some examples you can refer to.

Example 1:
9a³ – 15a² + 3ba – 5b

Solution:
9a³ – 15a² + 3ba – 5b

(Step: 1)
= (9a³ – 15a²) + (3ba – 5b)

(Step: 2)
= 3a²(3a – 5) + b(3a – 5)

(Step: 3)
= (3a – 5)(3a² + b)

Steps:

• In the first step, terms with common factors have been grouped
• In the second, the greatest common factor (GCF) is removed
• Finally, in the third step, the distributive law [ a(b + c) = ab + ac ] has been used

In the above sum, the important point to consider is that (2a – 3) is the common factor.

Example 2:
pq + 4q – 2p – 8

Solution:
pq + 4q – 2p – 8

(Step: 1)
= pq – 2p + 4q – 8

(Step: 2)
= p(q – 2) + 4(q – 2)

(Step: 3)
= (p + 4) + (q – 2)

Steps:

• The first step was rearranging the terms of the polynomial so that two consecutive have a common factor [such as p]
• In the second step, common factors were derived from each of the two consecutive terms
• In the third step, the polynomial was factored by grouping the common factors

Example 3
a³ – ab² – a² + b³

Solution:
a³ – ab² – a²b + b³

(Step: 1)
= a³ – a²b – ab² + b³

(Step: 2)
= a²(a – b) – b²(a – b)

(Step: 3)
= (a²– b²) (a – b)

(Step: 4)
= (a – b) (a + b) (a – b)

(Step: 5)
= {(a + b) (a – b)²}

Steps:

• Here, from step 1 to step 3, same procedures have been followed as those in problem 2
• In step 4, (a²– b²) has been simplified to (a – b) (a + b)
• In step 5, (a – b) was the common factor, so it was grouped together for the final solution.

Factoring Trinomials By Grouping
In 'factor by grouping' in a trinomial, the 'split method is used'. Here's how it goes.

All trinomials of the form (ax² + bx + c) ['c' being a constant], whose leading co-efficient is not 1, can be simplified by factoring through the split method. First, find the product of a and c (a . c). Now, the factors of (a . c) must be added to get the center term 'b'. Put the factors with their appropriate signs (+ or –) in place of the center term. Finally, follow the method of grouping of common factors. Follow the example, to understand it better.

Example 4

4x² + 13x + 10 [ ax² + bx + c]

Solution:
4x² + 13x + 10

(Step: 1)
= 4x² + 8x + 5x + 10

(Step: 2)
= 4x(x + 2) + 5(x + 2)

(Step: 3)
= (4x + 5 ) (x + 2)

Steps:

• In the expression, a = 4 and c = 10. So, a .c = 40. Now, factors of 40 which add up to 'b' (= 13) are 8 and 5. Thus, 8 + 5 = 13
• The factors with their appropriate signs are put in the first step
• In the second step, common factors were found out of each of the two consecutive terms
• Finally in the third step, common binomial (terms) were paired.

Example 5

8x² + 11x – 7 [ ax² + bx + c]

Solution:
8x² + 11x – 7

(Step: 1)
= 8x² + 14x + (- 4x) – 7

(Step: 2)
= 8x² + 14x – 4x – 7

(Step: 3)
= 2x(4x + 7) – 1(4x + 7)

(Step: 4)
= (4x + 7) (2x – 1)

Steps:

• Similar to example 5, a = 8 & c = (- 7), So, a . c = (- 56). Factors of (- 56) which can add up to 11 (= b) are 14 and (- 4). So likewise, these factors were put with their respective signs
• In the second step, the expression was further simplified [14x + (- 4x) = 14x – 4x]
• In the third step, common factors from consecutive terms were derived
• In the last step, the trinomial expression was factored.

Likewise, there are several examples of factoring by grouping method. Books are the best source for study tips on problem solving and also for the basic and in-depth knowledge about this subject of factor by grouping. Regular practice with different kinds of polynomials will enhance your skills and help you to master this mathematical art of simplification. This should help with your homework and in enhancing your knowledge. Always remember that in a subject like 'Mathematics', nothing works better than 'loads' of practice!

The term standard deviation is used rarely and hence, not many of us know about it. Mentioned below is information about standard deviation in brief along with the methods of calculating standard deviation. Read on...

Standard deviation or SD, which is also referred to as root mean square, is the 'mean of the mean'. It is used to measure variation or dispersion. In simple words, it is a measure about how the statistical data is spread. Standard deviation was first implemented by Karl Pearson in 1894. Standard deviation can be of two types, namely; low standard deviation and high standard deviation. The low standard deviation indicates that the data points are close to the mean point, while the high standard deviation indicates that the data points are spread out and away from the mean point. As we have different calculators like loan calculator, mortgage calculator, etc., there are free standard deviation calculators available online which can help you in calculating standard deviation.

Calculation of Standard Deviation

Standard deviation is represented with the symbol lower case sigma. In standard deviation (Sn), average is represented by x bar and sum is represented by upper case symbol of sigma. Let's take a look at the formula for standard deviation calculation.

S_n = √ 1 / (N - 1) ∑ ( x _i - x̄ ) ²
(where ∑ ranges from i = 1 to N)

Steps on Calculating Standard Deviation

Method 1: This is a manual method for calculating standard deviation.

Step 1: The first step is to calculate the mean or the average of the numbers.

Step 2: The next step is to get the deviations. In order to get the deviations, subtract the mean obtained from step 1 from all the numbers.

Step 3: Now, square the numbers (or multiply the number by itself), which are obtained as results from step 2.

Step 4: Now, add all the numbers.

Step 5: The next step is to divide this number by 1 less than the total numbers.

Step 6: The last step requires you to take the square root of this number.

Example

Consider the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Step 1
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15

Step 2
1 – 15 = -14
2 – 15 = -13
3 – 15 = -12
4 – 15 = -11
5 – 15 = -10

Step 3
14 * 14 = 196
13 * 13 = 169
12 * 12 = 144
11 * 11 = 121
10 * 10 = 100

Step 4
196 + 169 + 144 + 121 + 100 = 730

Step 5
730 / 4 = 182.5

Step 6
Square root of 182.5 = 13.5092561

In order to calculate population standard deviation, follow the same procedure as mentioned above except for a bit of change in step 5. Instead of dividing the number by one less than the total numbers, divide the number by the number which is the same as the total numbers used. So, the formula in this case is:

S_n = √ 1 / N ∑ ( x _i - x̄ ) ²
(where ∑ ranges from i = 1 to N)

Method 2: In this method, you will have to calculate the standard deviation with the help of an excel spreadsheet.

Step 1
The first step is to open the excel spreadsheet and enter, say 10 numbers, in different cells. Make sure you start from the first cell and enter the numbers one below the other.

Step 2
Now, place the cursor on the 11th cell. From the menu bar, select the insert tab and then the function tab. After doing this, a function dialog box will appear on the screen.

Step 3
From this function category dialog box, click on statistical and then select average and press the enter button.

Step 4
After pressing the enter button, a dialog box will appear on the screen asking for the confirmation of the range. It will ask if you want to perform operation on the numbers present in the cells 1, 2,...10. For confirmation, press enter. After pressing enter, the average of the numbers will appear in the 11th cell.

Step 5
Now, place the cursor in the 12th cell. Again follow the same procedure as mentioned above and from menu bar select insert and then function.

Step 6
In the select function window, scroll down and select STDEV.

Step 7
Pressing the enter button, will open a dialog box. This dialog box will ask you to select the range. According to the calculations, you will have to select the range. After you select the range, press the enter tab. Pressing the enter button will give the standard deviation. This result will appear in the 12th cell.

Hope you must have understood how the methods mentioned above will help you in calculating standard deviation. These methods are simple to do, if you have proper inputs handy. With these formulas, you can calculate standard deviation from various data including population surveys.

Understanding the basic difference between simple interest vs compound interest is of prime importance, in order to calculate the amount you have to pay or deposit in a bank. The examples provided here will help you gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of the simple interest formula and the compound interest formula. Read on, to know more about simple interest vs compound interest.

Suppose you have borrowed a certain sum of money or an amount from a bank as a loan, then you must be interested to know what premium you have to pay as part of the loan repayment. The amount you need to pay as a repayment is generally calculated on the basis of compound interest. Mathematics has a lot of applications of simple vs compound interest. Let's discuss the concepts of simple interest and compound interest and find out the basic differences between simple interest vs compound interest.

Simple Interest
When some amount of money is borrowed, the interest is charged for the use of that money for a certain fixed period of time. When the time comes to pay the money back, the amount that was borrowed (called as the principal) and the interest are paid back. The amount on which the interest will be incurred, depends on various factors like interest rate, the principal and the time period for which the money was borrowed. Simple interest is generally used for a shorter duration of time, that means for a period of less than a year, like 40 days or 60 days.

Simple Interest Formula
The formula for calculating simple interest is as follows.

Simple Interest (S.I) = (P * R * T)/100, where,
P = principal amount (the amount that was borrowed)
R = rate of interest (for one period)
T = time duration for which the money is borrowed (number of periods)

Let us understand this formula with the help of an example.

Example: John borrows a sum of $20, 000 for a period of 4 years at 8% simple, yearly interest. Find the interest and total amount due at the end of 4 years, that John is liable to pay.

Solution: We know that, S.I = (P * R * T)/100
Now, in this case , P = $20, 000, R= 8% = (8/100) = 0.08, T = 4 years,

Putting these in the formula, we get, S.I. = (20, 000 X 0.08 X 4) = $6400

Therefore, Simple Interest = $6400 and the Total Amount Due = Principal + S.I. = $20, 000 + $6400 = $26, 400.

So, John needs to pay $26, 400 at the end of 4 years.

Compound Interest
Compound interest is calculated on the original principal plus all the interest that has been accumulated for that period. Compound interest is just like a series of simple interests, where the interest occurred is added to the original principal, which is then considered as a principal for the next month or year. The striking difference between simple interest and compound interest is that in simple interest the principal amount is always fixed but in compound interest the principal changes as the interest for subsequent months is added to it. Generally, compound interest is used to calculate the interests and rates for large period of times. In simple words, compound interest incorporates an interest on the interest of all the prior periods.

Compound Interest Formula
The formula to compute compound interest is as follows
Compound Interest (C.I) = P(1+r/n)^nt, where,
P = principal amount, (either borrowed or deposited)
r = rate of interest (annual/quarterly/half yearly)
n = numbers of times the interest is compounded every year
t = number of years (period) the amount is deposited for

To understand compound interest more clearly, let's see an example.

Example: Meredith borrows an amount of $10,000 from a bank and the bank charges an interest rate of 6%, compounded quarterly. Calculate the balance after 2 years.

Solution: Using the compound interest formula, we get,
P = $1000, R= 6% = (6/100) = 0.06, n = 4 (Remember, interest is compounded quarterly) and t = 2 years.

A = 1000(1 + 0.06/4)⁽⁴⁾⁽²⁾
A= $1126.492 or $1126 (approximately)

So, the amount Meredith has to pay to the bank is $1610 and the compound interest incurred is,
Compound Interest = Amount (A) – Principal (P)
C.I= $1126.492 - $1000 = $126 (approximately)

You may read more on, calculating compound interest. If we compare simple interest and compound interest we will find that for the same some of money deposited at the same rate for a fixed number of time, compound interest is always greater than simple interest (except in the first year, where they are equal if the frequency of compounding is annual). This was all about simple interest vs compound interest and the basic methods to calculate both of them.

IGOS Summit 2 menganugerahkan penghargaan khusus kepada mereka-mereka yang ikut serta mensosialisasikan Open Source Software (OSS). Penghargaan diberikan langsung oleh Menkominfo Mohammad Nuh dan Menristek Kusmayanto Kadiman.

Ada tiga kategori yang diberikan panitia untuk penerima penghargaan ini, yakni individu, institusi serta pemimpin yang punya komitmen dalam pengembangan dan sosialisasi Open Source.

Rupanya software atau piranti lunak karya berbasis open source karya anak bangsa mendapat sambutan cukup baik di masyarakat. Agar tak terhenti dan merasa puas dengan hasil tersebut para pengembangannya terus melakukan inovasi-inovasi demi mengimbangi software lainnya.

Setelah lama ditunggu, tak lama lagi IGOS (Indonesia Go Open Source) versi lanjutan segera diluncurkan. Versi ini lebih kompatibel di luar format Linux dibanding pendahulunya yang hanya mampu menyokong format berbasis FAT 32.

Tigor Nauli , Kepala Pusat Penelitian Informatika LIPI mengatakan, IGOS Nusantara terbaru sudah kompatibel dengan format NTFS (New Technology File System) yang menyokong Windows Vista dan Windows XP. Sedangkan IGOS terdahulu yang diluncurkan tahun 2006 hanya mampu membaca Windows 98 yang berbasis FAT 32.

Menurutnya, layaknya software lain yang berlisensi, IGOS Nusantara 2008 mudah terkoneksi dengan berbagai perangkat semacam hardisk eksternal dan menginstalasi software devices lainnya. IGOS yang akan segera diluncurkan pun mampu menyokong perangkat tambahan dan menginstal software pendukungnya.

Tampilan IGOS yang berlatar biru dengan logo benders Merah Putih ini, telah dikembangkan cukup baik dalam mengoperasikan berbagai peralatan multimedia seperti DVD, MP4, dan lain-lain. Sistem Office-nya pun memiliki banyak fitur, fungsi serta tampilan yang lebih menggairahkan dengan lebih banyak sentuhan warna, sehingga IGOS Nusantara 2008 dijanjikan tak banyak berbeda dengan Microsoft Office.

Selain itu, open source software yang dikembangkan LIPI ini jugs melengkapi kebutuhan penggunanya dengan menambah sistem file back up dan restore, sehingga untuk meng-upgrade versi lama ke versi baru tak akan ada file yang terhapus.

IGOS Nusantara 2008 ini baru akan diluncurkan pads Mei mendatang Keterlambatan ini, menurut Tigor, disebabkan proses konfirmasi tentang adanya software yang masih dipertanyakan apakah berbasis opensource atau tidak.

"IGOS harus seluruhnya berbasis open source, sedangkan dalam IGOS 2008 ini ada software Codec, yang menstreaming video agar bisa dijalankan dalam format kecil," paparnya. Dengan adanya IGOS 2008 secara gratis diharapkan masyarakat akan tertarik dan berpikir ulang untuk menggunakan software bajakan.

Apa yang dialami IGOS pendahulu nasibnya memang sama dengan open source lain seperti Ubuntu. Walau mendapat sambutan yang cukup baik, namun kurang popular sehingga banyak kalangan yang lebih memilih software bajakan dibanding IGOS meski banyak aplikasinya yang tak kalah dengan Microsoft Windows.

Pada tanggal 27 Juni 2009, telah diadakan syuting acara Laptop Si Unyil di P2I LIPI. Materi yang diangkat adalah pembuatan robot dari bahan bekas. Syuting dimulai dari jam 13.30 sampai jam 17.45. Narasumber (Oka Mahendra ) dan robot ”OTO” yang disiapkan sejak 4 hari sebelumnya telah siap sejak pukul 13.00. Hasil syuting ini akan ditayangkan pada hari Selasa, 30 Juni 2009, pukul 13.00 di TRANS7 .

Kru Trans7 datang pada pukul 13.15, yaitu Marliyana Fitriyah (reporter), dibantu Aris sebagai Camera Person, dan Indah. Kru datang dengan 4 orang anak perempuan yang ikut sebagai pemeran dalam acara tersebut.

Skenario yang pertama dilaksanakan adalah keempat anak perempuan bermain balapan mobil-mobilan dari bahan kertas dan kotak mie instant. Selanjutnya mereka beristirahat dan menemukan kue dan minuman di meja. Karena kecapekan, mereka kemudian mengambil makanan tersebut. Mereka tidak menyadari bahwa apa yang mereka lakukan terlihat oleh sebuah mobil-mobilan kecil yang berkamera. Seseorang (Oka Mahendra ) sedang mengamati mereka menikmati makanan dari jarak jauh melalui laptopnya, anak-anak pun ditegur oleh Oka dan ditunjukkan bahwa mobil-mobilan kecil berkamera tersebut dapat melihat mereka makan dan mobil itu dinamakan robot ”OTO”.

Anak-anak bersama Oka kemudian mencoba memainkan robot ”OTO” dan syuting kemudian dilanjutkan dengan membahas cara pembuatan mobil berkamera tersebut.

Pembuatan mobil berkamera tersebut adalah cukup unik, karena menggunakan beberapa komponen bekas dari mobil mainan yang sudah rusak. Mobil mainan remote yang sudah rusak dan lepas rodanya tetapi komponen elektronikanya masih bagus, dapat digabungkan dengan mobil mainan lain yang komponen elektronikanya rusak, tetapi secara mekanik masih bagus.

Getting paid to play video games sounds like a dream job, but the reality of being a games tester means long hours and demanding deadlines. Find out what working as a games tester is really like, and how to break into the industry.

Margaret Fuller says "If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it." Knowledge management is a strategic shift in paradigm to enlighten sight of organization as a whole.

William H. Gates is chairperson and chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation, the worldwide leader in software services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing.

Minds are limited.
Minds hate confusion.
Minds are insecure.
Minds don't change.
Minds lose focus.

- Jack Trout

Information and communication technologies are one set of major forces that has moved knowledge management front and center. Nonaka and Takeuchi introduced different forms of knowledge first time expanded in The Knowledge – Creating Company article in Harvard Business Review in 1995.

Basically there are two forms of knowledge – Tacit and Explicit knowledge. If individual can express fairly using language and forms of communication then it forms explicit knowledge. If individual is unable to articulate and thereby convert into information is considered as tacit knowledge. Transfer of tacit knowledge can be achieved either by converting it into explicit knowledge ant later sharing it or by using approaches in which it is never made explicit.

Knowledge is an intellectual property or asset. Knowledge, knowledge management and innovation are major issues for which companies are taking serious steps. Some of the major themes in knowledge management are:

1. The use of GroupWare
2. Intranets
3. Organizational learning
4. Knowledge organizations
5. Leveraging intellectual capital

Rather than talking much on technologies part, let’s wonder about how to facilitate knowledge source in organization.

"Knowledge Management is the broad process of locating, organizing, transferring, and using the information and expertise within an organization. The overall knowledge management process is supported by four key enablers: leadership, culture, technology, and measurement." - American Productivity and Quality Center

Factors facilitating Knowledge Foundation

Curiosity
Interest in knowing or practicing anything. Find out level of employee’s curiosity about the external environment in contrast to the internal environment. Both learning are necessary. Even establish curiosity level high among intra and inter department.

Scanning Essential
Information gathering about conditions and practices outside the unit. Be aware of environment. As earlier said, grow up with curiosity levels.

Learning
Performance comes from learning. Till you accept errors and learn from mistakes, it will be difficult to stop mistake happening again. Guidance and training should be continuous forces to be applied. Even apply Quality circles and group meetings techniques to spread learning in organization. Learning portals sound great and meaningful to spread knowledge. Spend on it, its worthwhile to spend on learning.

Measure
Spent time on defining and measuring key factors when venturing into new areas. Quantify every new idea to get clear picture. Discuss on metrics as a learning activity.

Never shy to experiment
Make environment free to experiment. Motivate people to do so. Repeating again same words – support for trying new things; cultivate curiosity about how things work in staff.

For innovation, ability to play with things is required. Lets accept failure. Failure is key to success. Agreed. Don’t punish for loss or failure.

Change policies (if you have any rigid and old one) or structures. Cultivate learning opportunities and culture.

Open up everything
Open communication within organization. Access to information or knowledge should be easy. Share problems or errors. Every debate or conflict should be discussed.

Diversity
Don’t stick to one theory. Variety of methods and systems should be put into practices.

N – Advocates
KM is not for one level employee. New ideas and methods should be advances by all employees from any level. Let ideas flow from bottom level too.

Leadership
For every team a great leader is required. Leaders coherent vision and implement it in right way. Leader should frequently interact with members.

Knowledge management (Karl M. Wiig) in organizations must be considered from three perspectives with different horizons and purposes:

1. Business Perspective -- focusing on why, where, and to what extent the organization must invest in or exploit knowledge. Strategies, products and services, alliances, acquisitions, or divestments should be considered from knowledge-related points of view.

2. Management Perspective -- focusing on determining, organizing, directing, facilitating, and monitoring knowledge-related practices and activities required to achieve the desired business strategies and objectives.

3. Hands-on Operational Perspective -- focusing on applying the expertise to conduct explicit knowledge-related work and tasks.

Implementing KM in organization is 20 % of technology and 80 % management tasks. Transformation of knowledge is not with technology but human itself. Handy has a similar concept in his ‘wheel of learning.’ The wheel consists of four quadrants: questions, ideas, tests, and reflection. In other simple terms, KM should be running on wheel of learning.

Technology can not control mind. While talking on Knowledge Management, Managing minds of organization is key subject. Organizational learning is base of KM. Other aspect is team learning - the process of aligning and developing the capacity of a team to create the results its members truly desire. It builds on the discipline of developing shared vision. It also builds on personal mastery, for talented teams are made up of talented individuals.

Finally – Jump Out of Frame!

Picasso had a collection of masterpieces in his home. They were hung slightly crooked, and visitors couldn't resist the temptation to straighten them. But Picasso felt that when a painting was straight, the observer focused on the frame around it. When the frame was crooked, the beauty of the image jumped out. It's the same with knowledge. Instead of trying to put boundaries around it, we should be letting it jump out of its frame.
By Jay C

To streamline business management, you need the right tools. Oracle’s NetLedger helps make managing a small business easier and stress-free.

By Linda Orlando

Managing Small Businesses, One Byte At a Time
The Internet has become a complex marketplace of ideas, products, and services. If you don’t know the detailed ins and outs of integral online business processes such as accounting, e-commerce, reporting, order processing, and customer support, you may want to check out NetLedger, a powerful small business software application from Oracle, the industry leader in business database technology.

A Powerful, Popular Web-Based Solution
Many websites devoted to business management seem to be clusters of various third-party services slapped together into one package. Others are simply well disguised portals to more expensive, sometimes esoteric services. But one popular business management service used widely today was clearly built from the ground up with the primary objective of providing businesses with tools to leverage the Web for business success, and it just keeps getting better.

The Oracle Small Business Suite, powered by NetLedger, is a Web-based application that provides multi-user capability, online collaborations, access to your accounting system from any location via the Internet, and seamless connections to employees, customers, and suppliers. Because the suite is Internet-based, it is automatically compatible with different operating systems. You don’t need to pay for hardware or software, and upgrades and backups are managed for you. It integrates complete front-office and back-office application functionality, thereby allowing companies to run their entire enterprise on a single hosted service. Although it is simple to learn, it is secure, reliable, and scalable to grow as your business grows.

NetLedger Makes Their Small Business Service Sweeter
Because of its Oracle Small Business Suite, NetLedger reigns as the leading provider of integrated customer relationship management (CRM) application services, and now the company has boldly entered an even more impressive frontier. In September 2004, NetLedger announced the launch of NetCRM, built on the CRM functionality found in the Oracle Small Business Suite. NetCRM is the first online CRM application that automates the entire sales process, from marketing to lead generation, to prospect management, to sales orders and support.

In addition, NetCRM adds important new features not found in any other online CRM solution. Customizable "Dashboards," unique to NetCRM, highlight key information related to the roles of individual users within an enterprise. Graphical snapshots provide sales personnel and management with performance comparisons, and saved searches highlight the latest results of marketing campaigns. Shortcuts and quick searches keep customer information readily available, and reminders within a Dashboard make it easy to keep track of problems that must be solved and tasks that must be completed.

Selling is made easier and forecasting more accurate by NetCRM’s integrated lead capturing and order processing capabilities, which allow businesses to track sales as they actually occur. An online form captures each lead, sends a personalized e-mail auto reply, and then routes the lead to the correct person for follow-up within your sales pipeline according to customizable territory assignment rules.

Sales representatives create sales quotes or orders within NetCRM by selecting from product or service catalogs, and then sales managers receive notification on their Dashboards when sales orders require approval before closing. This close monitoring of sales transactions helps provide managers and executives with a complete and accurate view of current and future forecasts.

Because NetCRM seamlessly integrates purchase history, you can create tailored campaigns to target specific customer segments of your market. End-to-end campaign management includes system-provided templates, e-mail campaign creation and distribution, and results measurement and analysis—all in one application. With this terrific customer intelligence built in, NetCRM allows businesses to deliver the right message in marketing campaigns much more effectively, since marketing efforts are personalized with customers’ names and information they have proven their interest in. After the campaign is executed, NetCRM tracks the results and provides accurate cost-of-acquisition statistics for the entire sales cycle.

NetCRM’s knowledge management technology, NetAnswers, can provide huge cost savings and increase service capabilities by allowing customers to search an online database for answers to their questions without calling customer support. Companies can track frequently asked questions, standard problem resolutions, and known issues, and organize information into different levels of topics and solutions based on individual experience as well as collective knowledge.

NetCRM also provides a complete compliment of task management tools, partner relationship management features, XML server-to-server integration capabilities, various configurable user security levels, complete document management functionality, and intranet content publishing capabilities. Its numerous powerful features far outperform those provided by competing CRM products.

For more information about NetLedger and NetCRM, visit www.oracle.com. If you have been searching for a solution to automate processes from presale to post-sale support and everything in between, NetCRM may just be the most versatile and economical match for your needs.

An article on keylogger programs.

A short article on stealth computer monitoring.

Offshore Product Development needs a bright business thoughts, strong approach, inventive practices and in-depth market information. Various product development companies and ISVs vendors also start-ups the smartest outsourced product development approach that free their precious resources which in turn can be intended towards the more crucial business activities in product innovation marketplace.

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) are always looking for advanced technology plans and new product initiatives to tackle client problems and target appropriate business of their broad range. Most of the vendors allow companies to hold managed control and dramatically reduce product development and maintenance cost associated with offshore product development project by incorporating with expert professional’s.

Offshore product development project must have the following:

-Dedicated product development team with both communicational abilities and high motivation, able to understand the customer business objective.
-Complete testing team- both automated and manual.
-Proven product development proficiency across a broad range of sectors & technologies
-Capability to respond to solve customer needs & technical faults in a very short time
-Competitive cost structure which enables customers to attain better ROI.
-Customers can choose particular skill sets for their offshore product development project.
-Highly managed and careful project management model of every customers

To maintain pace with the competitors in product development, the software product development company must to be well prepared with technology, software’s and highly skilled professionals. It is not sufficient to be strong in the development of a software product application.

Ampere Software Private Limited is an expert offshore product development company with development center in India. They provide offshore dedicated team for software product development, web development, custom application development, and software product engineering services. Team that under control and passionate to achieve their clients goal. Please call at US/Canada Toll Free: +1-800-315-0433 or Mobile: +91-9811905564.

For more information on outsourcing software product development, custom software development services, and Software testing services.
By nitin chauhan

An article about keylogger software and how it needs to be invincible.

A short article about computer monitoring spy software (keyloggers).

An article about monitoring employee activities.