Technically Easy

Category: Reviews

  • Actiontec 500Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Kit (PWR511K01) Review

    Actiontec 500Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Kit (PWR511K01) Review

    If you are like me and have weak spots in your wireless network coverage, there are a few options that you can try to increase your network coverage. The first is to add repeaters or signal boosters in various locations in your home to increase your wireless coverage. Second, you can run Ethernet cables throughout your house. The third is to use powerline adapters to send network data through your house over your home’s electrical wires.

    For me, I chose the third option. To carry out the task I bought a Actiontec Powerline Network Adapter kit that would give network connection to an area of my home that had a weak wireless signal. I have used the powerline adapter kit for the past several months and have tested out the device mostly with streaming content from the Internet.

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  • Secure the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Using Packts New Book and eBook

    Secure the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Using Packts New Book and eBook

    Packt is pleased to announce the publication of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Security Cookbook, a new book that helps to secure SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) and Reporting Services (SSRS). Readers will learn to master techniques for data and code encryption, user authentication and authorization, denial-of-service attacks and SQL Injection.

    Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Security Cookbook

    About the Author

    Rudi Bruchez: Rudi Bruchez is an Independent Consultant and Trainer based in Paris, France. He has 15 years of experience with SQL Server. Since 2006, he has been providing consulting and audits as well as SQL Server training. He has co-authored one of the best-selling books about the SQL language in French, which was published in 2008 and is the only French book about SQL Server optimization.

    The book starts with installing and securing the SQL Server with recipes such as managing service SIDs, configuring a firewall for SQL Server access and encrypting the session by SSL. Using cipher algorithms, SQL developers will learn about symmetric keys, asymmetric keys and certificates, which can be used to encrypt data or sign data and modules.

    The Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Security Cookbook addresses internal security such as creating logins to connect to SQL Server and grant privileges to secure objects on the server or inside the database. Developers will learn to monitor SQL Server logs and use DML and DDL trigger for auditing. They will be able to use a SQL or Web Application Firewall, and manage object ownership and protect data through views and stored procedures.

    Essential chapters covered in this book are:

    • Chapter 1: Securing Server and Network
    • Chapter 2: Authentication and User Privilege
    • Chapter 3: Protecting the data
    • Chapter 4: Data and code encryption, and securing code
    • Chapter 5: Fighting Attacks and Injection
    • Chapter 6: Securing tools and high availability
    • Chapter 7: Auditing and Compliance
    • Chapter 8: Securing Business Intelligence

    Packt has also published other Microsoft SQL server related titles:

    1. Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Performance Tuning Cookbook (July 2012).
    2. Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Integration Services: An Expert Cookbook (May 2012).
    3. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Master Data Services (July 2011).

    About Packt Enterprise

    All Microsoft books are Published by Packt Enterprise. Packt Enterprise is a publishing division of Packt Publishing designed to serve the information needs of IT Professionals in the Enterprise space. Packt Enterprise publishes books on Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Citrix, Java, Amazon, and SAP among other technologies.

  • Bitdefender Total Security 2013 Review

    Bitdefender Total Security 2013 Review

    I enjoyed using and reviewing Bitdefender Internet Security 2012 earlier this year, and a few months later I had the same opportunity at reviewing Bitdefender Total Security 2013. I was excited to be given the chance at looking at the newest version since I enjoyed using the previous one, and haven’t had any issues with it running on my computer.

    After about a month of using the software I did notice that it was still a great security suite for a computer, and not just for desktops, but for notebooks and laptops as well. For those that are interesting in installing Bitdefender Total Security 2013 on a laptop, there is a nice new feature you may be interested in.

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  • Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT Review – Great GPS Device with Lifetime Maps

    Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT Review – Great GPS Device with Lifetime Maps

    Every single Garmin Nuvi GPS has its own charm and appeal and this 1490LMT is no different, especially considering how low the price is. Garmin are the world leader when it comes to GPS devices, and it’s easy to see why when you look at this new unit. It manages to combines some very powerful features with superb routing accuracy and a sleek modern-looking design that sets it apart from the competition.

    The Nuvi 1490LMT is even more compelling as a purchase when you see how easy the user interface is to use. Read the full Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT review below, as well as details on how you can save money with a Garmin Discount Code for 2012.

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  • EViews Review

    EViews Review

    Econometric Views, or as it is more commonly known as, EViews, is a statistical analysis software package for Windows systems. Having gained a presence in economics class rooms around the world, its primary use as been for econometric analysis for time series, forecasting for models, and testing for correlation between variables.

    Eviews was originally developed by Quantitative Micro Software or QMS in 1994, but has been updated over its run with Eviews 7.2 being released in November of last year.

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  • Sennheiser RS120 Wireless Headphones Review

    Sennheiser RS120 Wireless Headphones Review

    I recently bought the Sennheiser RS120 wireless headphones so I could sleep next to my wife when she watches TV late a night. I was looking for a set of wireless headphones that weren’t too expensive, but still had decent sound quality. After performing some quick research, I eventually decided on the Sennheiser RS120 wireless headphones.

    While wireless headphones have been available for years, I hadn’t owned any before purchasing these headphones. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of quality so I couldn’t compare the Sennheiser RS120 to other headphones. Because of this the review is based solely on what I think about the Sennheiser RS120 without any comparison to a previous product.

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  • Maha Powerex MH-C9000 Battery Charger Review

    Maha Powerex MH-C9000 Battery Charger Review

    A few months ago I purchased the Maha Powerex MH-C9000 battery charger becaue I had just bought some Eneloop rechargeable batteries and wanted a good charger to use with them. I had always just used a charger that came with rechargeable batteries in the past, and they worked fine. However, I wanted a charger that as proven to work well with different batteries, and so I began researching various chargers.

    The research led me to purchasing the Maha Powerex MH-C9000 battery charger, and I quickly discovered that it was much more than just a charger. There is quite a bit of intelligence built into this charger, that can really help out when it comes to rechargeable batteries.

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  • Samsung SH-B123 Blu-Ray Drive Review

    Samsung SH-B123 Blu-Ray Drive Review

    I recently decided to upgrade my DVD-ROM drive for the Samsung SH-B123 blu-ray drive. While I was looking at blu-ray writers as well, I found that I wasn’t going to burn many blu-ray discs in the future, and didn’t want to pay more for a drive that I wouldn’t need. The Samsung SH-B123 drive, however does burn both CD and DVD optical discs, so I still have the ability to burn discs, although I won’t be using it to backup my data.

    After performing some research, as well as having a specific price point, I settled on the Samsung SH-B123 blu-ray drive to play blu-ray movies. After spending some time using the drive I was impressed with the drive, but it did come with a minor issue.

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