How To Compress Files - The Complete Guide

File compression lets you decrease the size of your email attachments, make your backups take up less space and make the files you put online download faster. To compress a file you will need to find software that can compress files, and you'll need to learn how to use it. Sounds complicated? Don't worry, in this short article you'll learn everything you need to know about how to compress files!

Choosing The Right Tools

There are lots of applications that can compress files. They are usually called "file archivers" or "archiving software". The speed, efficiency (compression ratio), file formats supported and all the other features vary greatly between various tools. Some archivers are free to use, others are "try before you buy", and some are even integrated in modern operating systems. How do you pick the best archiver for you?

There are several things that you need to consider when looking for a tool to compress files:

Compression ratio. Some archivers will produce smaller files. Many archiving tools will let you choose the level of compression and/or the format of the compressed file. Better compression often comes at the cost of decreased speed. Note that some types of files - e.g. music in the mp3 format and video files - can't be compressed effectively with general purpose archivers.
A good file archiver should offer high compression ratio and the ability to set it manually, so as to give you some control over how long the archiving will take.


Supported file formats. Most people skip over this crucial point when choosing an archiver. While the most popular format is ZIP, you're likely to encounter many different (and sometimes better) file formats if you ever download files from the Internet. For example, the RAR format, which offers good compression, is relatively common on the web and in BitTorrent downloads. BZ2, TAR and GZ are popular among the users of Unix-based systems. And that's just from the top of my head - there are actually dozens more.
A good archiving tool should know how to compress files using some popular formats (like ZIP) and should be able to open all popular file formats.


Cost. Last, but not the least, there's the matter of price. This is something you'll need to decide yourself. File archivers aren't the most expensive kind of software, so you can probably find a good shareware archiver in the $20-$50 range. Alternatively, if all you need is a simple tool that knows how to compress files (and decompress them later, too), you can opt for one of the freeware archivers. Though they may lack the shiny user interface and "extra" functions (which mundane users don't care about anyway), free archivers are often as good as commercial tools at compressing and decompressing files.

Personally, I recommend WinRAR - a shareware archiver. 7-Zip is a nice freeware alternative. As for the ever-so-popular WinZip, I believe it's just not worth the money. ZIP compression is inferior to both RAR and 7-Zip, plus almost any archiver can handle .zip files.

How To Compress Files Using 7-Zip

Yep, we're finally there - the actual step-by-step instructions on how to compress files! They're written for the free 7-Zip tool ( http://www.7-zip.org/ ) because I didn't want to pressure you into buying a commercial application.

Select the file(s) you want to compress and right-click it.
From the popup menu select 7-Zip -> Add to archive...
In the dialog box that will appear you need to set the archive name (the topmost textbox) and choose an archive format. The default is 7z, which offers great compression, but beware - if you're going to send the file to a friend or put it online, you should consider choosing the zip format which is better supported by other archivers.
You can also set the compression level; the default is "Normal" and i's okay in most cases.
Click "Ok" and wait while the file is compressed.
Done!

Now you know how to compress files and can boast to your friends about it. Just kidding.

This article about making how to compress files was brought to you by Janis Elsts, a computer programmer and blogger. If you opt to use an archiver that doesn't support the RAR file format, be sure to get a free RAR extractor from Janis' blog, so you can extract files from this common archive format.

Don't File Taxes Online Unless You Want an Easier Process and a Faster Refund!

The internet has revolutionized so many aspects of our life. We shop, date, look for places to live, sell our stuff, take classes and even buy our prescription drugs online. We do this because it is faster, easier and more convenient for us.

The internet has also made filing our taxes easier and the process much less painful. People have been electronic filing, or e-filing for years and the IRS notes that over 700 million successful tax filings have already occurred. The technology is time tested, the security levels have been proven (no security breaches noted to date) and the rewards for those who e-file are well documented.

I am sure there are still some of you out there that, for one reason or another, still have not decided to e-file. Well, let me assure you, it's time for you to put down that pencil and calculator and realize what millions of satisfied Americans already know; e-filing is the way to go. In fact, a nationwide survey found that 88% of all people who have filed taxes online were happy that they e-filed.

Here are the primary reasons to e-file:

-Faster Tax Refunds - On average if you e-file, you will receive your refund in half the time compared to filing through the mail. In addition, if you opt in for direct deposit into your bank account, you will get it even faster. With e-filing you get your refund usually in 1-2 weeks. When you file via the post office you can get your refund usually in 3 to 6 weeks.


Improved Accuracy - The IRS notes a 20% error rate in paper filed returns. E-filing software greatly reduces your chances for errors. Most e-filing software automatically checks for accuracy. As you are filling out the forms, your math is constantly checked and if you forget to fill out a specific section, the software will not allow you to continue until all information is inputted correctly.


Tax Submittal is Verified - E-filing is free and when it is completed, you are given an electronic receipt code that verifies your submission. As we all know, filing via the post office requires you send certified mail (if you are smart) and you must endure the inconvenience of traveling to the post office, standing in line and dealing with the USPS staff.


Feedback - Within 48 hours you will get an electronic message if your return is acceptable or there are errors that need to be addressed. If there are errors you are allowed to fix them and re-submit without penalty. This option can take weeks if you file offline.


Less hassle - You can prepare and submit your taxes from your home. You do not need to leave your house to go to your tax preparer or go to the post office to stand in line.


Less Costly - The cost of e-filing yourself is substantially less than paying a tax preparation company. Online you pay anywhere from $9.95 to around $100 for more complicated filings. If you use a tax preparation company like H&R Block or a private accountant, it usually runs in the hundreds of dollars.

Please note, filing online still requires you to organize all your documents and paperwork. You will still, you need to have all your pertinent documents on hand so that you are able to answer all of the filing questions. But don't worry, most of the online tax preparation sites allow you to work on your tax filing for as long as you need. You are able to save changes as you go. Then, when you are ready to continue, you can go back to the site, log on using the user name and password you have chosen, finish your paperwork and e-file.

One of the more popular online tax filing websites out there is TaxBrain.com. Similar to their major competitors Turbotax and H&R Block, TaxBrain.com has a filing process that is user-friendly, accuracy is guaranteed, customer service and technical support is free, and they can file both state and federal taxes for you. I had a great experience using TaxBrain.com [http://www.bestonlinetaxprep.info] and highly recommend it.

Happy tax time and may all your filings end in refunds!

Troy AhYo is an entreprenuer and marketer based out of Woodland Hills, CA. He also buys and renovates properties and has a company that imports from China. He writes articles on topics he is passionate about. www.shouldyoubuythat.com [http://shouldyoubuythat.com]

Why Should I Choose A File Compare Software?

The file compare software decrease the effort required to check two files and compare them. Comparing the files can be defined in the computing as the automated comparison of data of different files (two or more) in certain file systems. The comparison results are generally shown to the individuals who have put the task into operation. However, these results are also utilized for accomplishing tasks in file systems, revision control and networks.

Previously, the methodology behind file comparison was very complicated and mostly the results were erroneous. However with the modern era, there has been a significant modification in the comparison method. Now different file compare software are utilized for the purpose. These file compare software are easily available on the web and are comparatively cheaper with the variety of utility that they can provide to their user.

Why should I compare files with file compare software? There are numerous grounds based on which you should always call for comparing two files using a file compare software.

Detection of modifications in documents. There are many cases where because of a slight change in the document the whole meaning of the document has changed. Such flaw can lead to even huge losses. It is a common advice of most experts to be safer in these cases by taking the best available option. The safer option over here is to compare the file with file compare software prior to their submission. By file compare software, you can check for any change in the document.

Quick location of the changes in the document. Apart from the changes in the document, you can also locate the different places where these modifications have been made with file compare software. With such an option, you can change the whole document to look like the original one without much effort.

Auditing different documents. File compare software also is beneficial in the auditing purposes. Auditing is defined as the procedure of comparing two different documents having similar themes and taking the good points of one of them into the other for getting a new one.

With the help of file compare software, all you need to do is insert both the files in and then wait for the results. The results will bring all the differences with their particular locations in the other document. You can easily implement the useful changes in your document to come up with a document that is perfect in almost all senses.

Simple reports for final analysis. The one major advantage of compare file software is the simplicity in the format of reports that comes out as a result of the comparison. These reports are easier to read and you can understand them with little information of the software in consideration. Such self explanatory software is helpful in comparing 2 files at a time and can be useful in comparing .txt files, .doc files, .PDF files, .html files and various other formats.

With these many different utilities, file compare software is beneficial in this present world. It serves the demand of the hour where everything is required to be perfect.

If you are interested in file compare software, check this web-site to learn more about file comparison tools.

The Fundamentals of File Shredder Software

The computer has definitely become quite the household item, both for the house and for the office settings. Oftentimes, we store classified information on our desktops or laptops. Now, the concept of classified information here just may be relative from one person to another. Classified information for a person working for the IRS, for instance, could include the social security numbers certain people, whereas classified information for a youngster could be drafts written for blog sites and other social networking sites. Nonetheless, the existence of classified information begs for the usage of file shredder software.

What exactly is file shredder software? File shredder software is actually an application that has been specially developed and conceptualized geared towards the secure and safe deletion of all sorts of stored computer files that can be found on your hard disk. You may think you do not need this because the usual Windows or Mac operating systems come with delete options for files already. Actually, the "deleted" file may disappear from the folder where it was originally stored, but it's not really deleted. Permanent deletion does not really occur here because enough remnants of the deleted file are retained for its reconstruction and recovery. The contents are not deleted physically. What happens is the space that was once allotted for that file is now marked available for storage of new contents already. The old file is still in existence, just moved to another spot in the system. So, with the help of third party products, the deleted file can actually be undeleted and recovered into existence.

But with file shredder software, you actually go an extra mile. The act of shredding any sort of file actually means that the disk area for that file is overwritten. This means the file is not just deleted, but any traces of it are also removed from the system. There are even applications that do not just do the overwriting process once, but rather three times. With this in mind, you are then assured fewer chances that the shredded file would be recovered.

Beyond that, today's file shredder software actually deletes metadata that comes with the files as well. Metadata is comprised of miscellaneous information about the files that you store, such as the date the file was created, the title of the file, the author of the file, and more. With the deletion of metadata, you actually have even fewer risks of recovery!

These file shredding applications are pretty easy to use. They usually come with interfaces that are very simple to navigate, along with a set of instructions and how-to's for certain steps you have to take in shredding files. All you virtually have to do is select the file you want to delete, choose the options for the deletion of the file, and you're all set to go. The more advanced file shredder software applications come with different algorithms for shredding. Yes, the more advanced application ensures more secure deletion of files. However, along with this more secure feature comes longer running or operating time for the application. Thus, what should really be used for basis in selecting would be your needs and your preferences.

If you are interested in file shredder software, check this web-site to learn more about file wiper.

The Usefulness of The File Shredder

Have you ever deleted important and confidential files from your personal computer and then worry after some time that other people might actually be able to retrieve those files? In these days when privacy and confidentiality in the use of modern equipment and media is a haunting issue, there is a need to use computer programs that would ensure privacy. There are file shredder programs available for people who aim for traceless removal of personal and confidential computer files in the computer memory.

With the use of such programs, you can instantly remove files from the hard drive of your computer without the unnecessary fear that other people, particularly experts, might be able to restore and retrieve such files. There are numerous software tools that are available for retrieving already deleted files in the Windows operating system and elsewhere in the PC. If someone would really aim to spy on you or retrieve your personally deleted computer files, the activity could be easily done with the use of such programs. As an interceptor and a shield against such programs, on your part, you can install a file shredder in your personal computer.

How does the this program work? File shredder is able to permanently erase or remove any computer file so that no other data recovery tool or software could retrieve and restore those files ever. File shredders work by rewriting the computer files at random series using binary data for numerous times. In the file shredding process, actual content of the computer file would be overwritten, making the possibility of retrieving the shredded file very much theoretical, if not totally impossible. Imagine how actual paper documents are shredded using an office physical shredder. That is how file shredders in the computer also work.

The program has been marked as among the fastest, safest and most reliable computer tools that could actually shred and destroy confidential and targeted computer files. The program is so powerful that no other recovery and retrieval program could ever attempt to undo what has been already done by the file shredder. When you are deleting files from your Windows operating system, remember that such files would only appear deleted on the OS. Somewhere in the computer's complex memory drive, the file is still existing and can be easily recovered.

What is more exciting and useful about a file shredder is that there are such programs that are offered for free. A freely downloaded file shredder is functioning as a standard file shredder. You do not need to spend even a dime installing such a computer program into your personal computer. In usual file shredder programs, you can easily choose from five various shredding algorithms. It is like having five levels of file shredding capabilities wherein one level is higher and more powerful than the other. Usefulness and functionality can depend based on your requirements. Download a program shredder now and see and experience for yourself how a file shredder could help maintain your privacy and confidentiality.

If you are interested in file shredder, check this web-site to learn more about file wiping.

File Compare Program - 2007 Market Review

What is File Comparison and what is File Compare Program?

File comparison is the method used to compare two files so that the differences between them can be evaluated. The process of comparison is essential when the programmer is considering which of the two files is better. One file may be better with respect to the other in matters regarding the amount of storage space required, time taken for the concerned files to get executed, security offered by the file with respect to resistance to viruses, tampering and such other things that may be of importance in the context in which the programmer is working. File comparison programmes are those programmes that automatically compare the files in question and provide the result automatically.

Tools for File Comparison

There are many tools available for the process in which files are compared. Some of the tools are GUI based, and will display the differences side by side in a window, or perhaps even highlight the difference while others are command line based (like diff). Some tools support only text files while others may have the ability to compare binary files. Some of the tools employed are:

P4WinMerge - Perforce Visual Merge for Windows

This compares two versions of a file to the original file and produces a merged file. The GUI shows the process of merger and allows the construction of a different merge file using a point and click interface. This includes synchronized scrolling which makes comparing three different files, colour coded text, re selection and re editing of merged changes etc. The program runs on Windows XP, 2000 NT and 95 / 98 and is a part of Perforce SCM package.

ExamDiff

This shows the difference between two ASCII text files by displaying the two files side by side. However Unicode is not supported by this tool. The changes are shown in different colours and configured by the user.

xDelta

xDelta allows the user to make binary diffs of two binary files. According to the web page of xDelta, the tool is much more than that - it is "a complete system for managing delta compressed storage and network transport".

Java xdelta

This is the binary version of xdelta, a program that can make binary diffs of two files.

GNU Diff Utilities

These compare two text files and present a report as to which lines have changed. These utilities show not only the changes, but also the context surrounding the change. While the diff utilities are a standard part of the Unix system, they are useful for operating systems that do not come with a useful file or text comparison utility. The utilities are command line based and come with full source code.

WinMerge

WinMerge is a Windows tool that can perform the twin functions of differencing and merging. It has a Windows frontend over the GNU diff and merge utilities. It includes Visual SourceSafe integration, visual differencing of text files, the ability to diff entire directories, multiple level undos, an integrated editor etc.

If you are interested in file compare program, check this web-site to learn more about file compare.

Purchase File Cabinets For Your Office Based On These Options

Office file cabinets are necessities in the workplace as well as in many home offices. I thought that computers were suppose to cut down on the amount of paper we saved, but it seems like we accumulate even more paper these days. If you haven't shopped for a filing cabinet in recent years, you'll be surprised at the amount of options that are available. Here's an overview of the three kinds of office file cabinets we're going to discuss here: vertical files, lateral files, and fireproof files.

Vertical file cabinets were the original design. If you have limited wall space, they are a good choice as they take up less wall space than lateral files. Vertical office file cabinets do not accommodate both letter and legal size file folders, so you must select either vertical or lateral cabinets. The other necessary decisions are paint color, depth, pulls (if the brand you are considering has more than one pull style), and the number of drawers (2, 3, 4, or 5).

Lateral file cabinets are the most popular these days and also more versatile than verticals. Many workstations use two drawer file cabinets under work surfaces. Laterals will accommodate both letter and legal size file folders, so it's not necessary to make that decision. The folders will be arranged either side-to-side or front-to-back in the drawers. There are many choices for these cabinets. The necessary decisions are paint color, edge detail, choice of pull style, depth of cabinet, width (30, 36, or 42 inches), and the number of drawers (2, 3, 4, or 5).

Custom lateral file cabinets are available from some manufacturers, but they are more expensive. They are custom in the sense that you can "build the file" yourself; in other words, you choose each piece from the base to the top. Since there are so many ready made options, it is rare that you would need to go the custom route.

Lateral File Tips:

A five drawer lateral file is more convenient if the top module is a lift up door rather than a pullout drawer as it's impossible for most people to see inside the top drawer.

For a more finished look you can order laminate or wood tops for lateral files that will match the work surfaces in your cubicle or your desk top.

Fireproof file cabinets are not widely used. However, they do serve a purpose particularly since they double as a safe. The things you need to know about fireproof files is that they are expensive and extremely heavy. If you purchase a large size be prepared to pay a hefty delivery charge.

Purchasing Suggestions For Vertical and Lateral File Cabinets:

Choose high-quality office file cabinets that are made with a thicker grade of steel. This will eliminate warping or bulging cabinets when they are filled to capacity.

Purchase units that allow only one drawer to be open at a time, which will prevent the cabinets from tipping over.

Purchase office file cabinets made by the same manufacturer as the furniture in your office or your workstations/cubicles. There are several reasons why this is important:


The paint color or wood finish will match perfectly.
Choose the same edge details and pulls as your furniture.
All locking drawers can be opened with the same key as long as your furniture dealer orders it that way. It's called "keyed alike" and insist that your private offices as well as your workstations are ordered "keyed alike." If you order additional furniture with locking drawers, request lock cores with the same key numbers.

About the Author: Janet Vogel, who is retired from the office furniture industry, is now the owner of a website dedicated to creating Homemade Theme Gift Basket which she created to supplement her retirement income [http://www.homemade-gift-basket-ideas.com/build-your-own-website.html]

File Shredder (About Computer File Shredder)

A file shredder was developed to perform similar functions as that of a paper file shredder. Not only does it dispose of the file, it also eliminates even the most secure file shredder software, in which anything that has reference to the shredded file is also wiped out in its history and directory securely and permanently. There are so many people who think that the deletion of a file and emptying it right into the recycle bin means that it is already gone for good - it is still actually contained in the hard disk. The only difference is that the file no longer comes with its original name making the process of retrieving it very difficult to do. Yet the point remains that the files are still there and it is still retrievable.

One who knows how to look into computer files could very well detect the location of the data on the hard disk and recover it quite easily. This actually works once the data concerned has other files overwriting it, which may not occur for a longer time period. Even if the data is already overwritten, there is still information that remains underneath the surface layer can. With the usage of specially designed equipment, the data can still be retrieved by any avid computer user.

In essence, a file shredder does the trick of overwriting the file. The file may be written over thrice, even in cases when it is extremely sensitive. The file considered for reference is then taken right from the directory area still by means of overwriting. There are also times when defragmentation takes place on certain areas in the hard disk where sensitive or confidential information was stored, then it will be more difficult to make use of a file shredder, thus recovery of information is impossible.

Whenever confidential or sensitive personal information is saved in a file, it is always necessary to use a file shredder especially if the computer is going to be sold or donated for some purpose. Recent studies also show that a very huge proportion of used and donated computers still have personal files that are very sensitive in nature. This is true in spite of the fact that these files have already been erased or deleted prior to being sold or donated.

The process of file wiping is another name for file shredding, and is primarily used to enforce confidentiality purposes. Because With copyright and trade item piracy present very serious concerns, many trade espionage elements rely on stealing their competitors' trade secrets to garner as much profit from the information that have been gathered. File shredding is just a part of the whole security plan. By taking security measures to prevent the theft of confidential and sensitive information, crimes such as identity theft or computer file theft are stopped. This can be done by making sure that the files that contain these information are all encrypted. Keeping the encryption key security in check is also another important security measure as well.

There are a lot of file shredder applications that you can use. These usually come with user-friendly interfaces with instructions on how to easily shred files. With these file shredder applications, all you need to do is choose the file you like to delete, select the options for deleting the file and that's just about it. In addition, more advanced file shredder applications have varied shredding algorithms as well, which ensure more secure wipeout of files. However, this application may take longer operating time. It is always best to find a file shredder that best suits your preferences and needs.

If you are interested in file shredder, check this web-site to learn more about wipe disk.

How To Make Comparison Of HTM Files Easier

HTML is a widely used markup language for indexing and modifying the content on the web pages. This helps to organize the structure of the text-based information by ordering the whole content as headings, paragraphs, lists, numbered etc. HTML also describes to a large extent the semantics of the text and also has the scope to include embedded scripting language code. HTML terminology also refers to the content of the MIME type text or as XML derived language form.

The process of file comparison comprises of comparing of data between different files that are a part of the file system. The main aim of the file comparison is to assist the user in performing several tasks related to networks, file systems and quality control operations. Programs known as 'diff' and 'cmp' implement this task. The approach used in various file comparison techniques is different depending on the technique adopted by the programmer. HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language is language that is used to write the textual portion of a web page.

The comparison of HTML files can be done as means of ASCII content files. The content text editors like Notepad or Simple Text are used to frame HTML files/documents. The frequent process of modifying the web page content can be achieved by means of file comparison. Some examples of file comparison programs comprise of Microsoft File Compare and FileMerge. Some file comparison utilities utilize the longest common subsequence and some use longest increasing subsequence between the files. The HTML file comparison tool compares the two web pages and highlights the differences in the content with respect to the modifications, deletions and additions. The interface to guide through the process of file comparing is quite user friendly and provides frequent and easily navigable options for the same.

The working of the HTML file comparison is marked by an organized step-by-step methodology. The first step involves selection of the file which has to be compared. Afterwards, depending upon on the size of the HTML file, the comparison process takes the requisite time to operate. The end result involves a summary report of the comparison performed. The original web page is displayed along with the deleted, modified and new files. The command line interface also implements the function of file comparison by executing the HTML compare.

The HTML file comparison works on the same lines as that of word processor's revision tracking feature. The similarity to 'diff' incorporates the features of highlighting any modifications in the existing file compared to other file(s). Some well-designed software utilities also enable viewing visual differences between the HTML files in the actual browser window. The fact that the differences in the files are clearly shown and also marked vividly makes the process of HTML file comparison a powerful tool to regulate and elevate the standard of content on various web pages. The File comparison tools also display the HTML code of each file in a side-by-side layout and highlight the changes in different colors.

If you are interested in compare HTML files, check this web-site to learn more about web page comparison.

Why the Simple File Shredder is Necessary

You may think that the act of deleting a file permanently wipes that certain file out of its existence. This is actually a popular misconception. While the lot of computer users think that files no longer exist when you delete them from your system; in reality, they still very well exist. So, what exactly happens to the file that you deleted? This is how the whole system works: when you create a file, it is actually allotted a certain amount of space in the memory of your system. When you delete that file, you will no longer physically find that file in its original folder or location.

This would give you the idea that it has been deleted from your computer already. What happens here is that the name of that file has been deleted; thus, the file is no longer easily accessed by any user. However, the space that has been originally allotted for that file still exists. And if you are an avid hacker, you can easily retrieve that deleted file from that existing space alone. This is why the simple file shredder is necessary to have.

File shredders do not just delete files. They have been specially designed to delete all possible aspects that refer to the files concerned. The spaces allotted to these files, as well as the history that is related to them are deleted as well.

Let us now go into the concept of overwriting files. This is because overwriting files is what the file shredder does to get rid of the space that has been allotted for the deleted file in the memory of your system. If you do not have one in your system, then you will have to wait for the time that the space previously allotted to a deleted file would be overwritten by another file that you just created. And if you choose to do this, then you just might have to wait for a long, long time! What's more, even if that particular space has been written over by another file, if there is any information from the deleted file that can be found in the top layer, this could already be more than enough to retrieve that deleted file. Of course, specially designed equipment will have to be used for the successful retrieval of the file. Still, the basic premise here is that this can indeed be done.

The usage of the file shredder is very important, especially when you deal with sensitive information in your business. This could include social security numbers, credit card information, banking details, and the like. To protect the interests of your clients and colleagues, as well as that of your very own company, you would be deleting files from your system from time to time. Thus, you would definitely need the simple file shredder installed into your system. There are many methods for you to get hold of this piece of software. In fact, you can even purchase your very own software online. Just make sure to get the one that suits your needs the most. This way, you are sure to have a worthwhile investment in your hands.

If you are interested in simple file shredder, check this web-site to learn more about wipe disk.

Methodology Behind the Comparison of PDF Files

Now compare the PDF files with ease using the file compare software. PDF formats are the most preferred formats for submitting electronic documents on the web. Most websites utilize PDF formats in the data that is available on their website. Most comparing software cannot compare PDF files easily. There are some products that contains supplement feature to compare PDF files for helping people, who desires to compare an electronic document. We need to compare PDF files when we desire to have knowledge of the modification that was made in the text of the file and whether those modifications were correct or not. Word-by-word procedure to compare PDF files is best suited for the job in hand.

Word-by-word procedure to compare PDF files. The obvious and basic capability for comparing files word-by-word was initially developed for the files that had common ancestors. It can be beneficial in cases where you are having two similar versions of a document. Utilizing word-by-word comparison for finding out the total number of modifications allows in analyzing the correctness of the modifications.

Compare PDF files by keywords. This is an important new feature available in most recently designed software that was developed for helping people in comparing documents that are not related to each other. You can never notice certain differences unless you are utilizing the keyword comparison technique to compare PDF files.

Using keyword technique to compare PDF files, you can discover the changes that have been made in general context of both the documents. For an example, you learn the significant difference between the two documents or the primary focus of the files in consideration.

There can be situations where you confront two completely unrelated documents. To compare PDF files in such cases, keywords play a very significant role. The software use to compare PDF files has an aim for finding out the similarity and differences in the considered documents. By carefully analyzing the keywords that have been extracted through keyword search, you can easily learn the area on which the two PDF files have been directed.

Methods to compare PDF files. Most Software used to compare PDF files are not typical comparison tools as they can be utilized for a variety of comparison methods - by words, by keywords and by characters. The primary difference with conventional software is that we are always finding out the different areas in which the files are different and similar.

Comparing folder containing PDF files. Some software can also be helpful in comparing folders containing PDF files. It locates all the dissimilarities between all the different files that are stored in the two compared folders. They also scan for files with similar names in the two folders. The final comparison reports are stored in a different folder that is automatically generated.

Some differences can be too random for the analysis in certain PDF comparing software without the presence of a detailed analysis. These cases allow in the creation of comparative reports and files with complete information of the compared files.

The main benefits that we get when we compare PDF files include locating modifications, correct modification checking and understanding the focus of the document.

If you are interested in compare pdf files, check this web-site to learn more about compare Acrobat files.

General Outlook Of A File Comparing Software

How are these file compare software so efficient? There are many advantages when you compare two files. You can avoid mistakes or come up with perfect and desired results when you compare two files. Apart from comparing two files, file comparing software also allow you to compare logical and physical drives, compound or alternate streams of files.

Steps involved in comparing software. There is a common procedure in most comparison software when you are looking forward to compare two files.

The foremost step that is involved when we compare two files is opening the object file that is referred as the primary one.

The second step that is unique in different software is opening the windows used for comparison using Compare / Search command. After the search is over and a list of file is displayed, you can select an object file from the list for comparing with primary files. We call these object files as secondary. Secondary files can be both physical and logical.

Block comparison while we compare two files. You can easily compare a small part of source file by specifying the exact starting addresses and the requisite block size. In case of active selection, some software pre-fills the required fields.

It is an obvious mode when we compare two files. The striking feature is its interpretation of the empty areas. Empty offset address means lowest address that are usually considered zero. Empty size address means the remaining file.

Result of Comparison. Most software has the results displayed in different colored blocks containing matching, differing and unique data separately. Generally, unique and differing ones are similar containing data absent in the primary file. However, unique blocks contain data that are not available in either of the files.

Window used for editing after we compare two files. The window used for editing is displayed after we compare two files. The primary is displayed in top or the left pane while the secondary is displayed in lower or the right one depending upon the type of arrangement used.

Primary and secondary files are treated in a slight different manner. Secondary is always in a read-only format. The reason for this limitation is that the secondary is not required for editing it is only used for comparison. It might be under application at the time of comparison or it can also be a system file. Attempting to open them for accessing might cause unwanted errors. However, this is considered the only restriction as you are allowed browsing them, defining data fields and bookmarks, copying, dragging, exporting data, and many more.

Comparison Map. There are cases where the software contains comparison maps present left to the editing field showing the layout of the file and correspondence between different blocks in unique graphical forms. They are extremely beneficial especially when blocks of the files being compared are neither too large nor too small. It is an optional scheme for your benefit. You can use it or avoid it according to your needs.

Comparison Pane. Comparison pane is also another option providing complete information relating to the layout of a file. There are two comparison panes present when we compare two files as each of them has a distinct layout.

If you are interested in compare two files, check this web-site to learn more about file comparison.

Comparing Two Files in the File Comparison Utility

Dealing with Data. Data merging and synchronization has become the hot topic in data management. The proper integration of data can at times make or break the performance of an organization. However, it is a big task to know the differences and the changes made between different files and folders. The file comparison tools are especially extremely useful in organizations that require individuals to work on a certain task and each individual has access to the files and can make changes according to their needs. If one cannot make out one file from another, there would certainly be a chaotic situation.

One surely cannot manually do the work manually, but now there are such file comparison tools that can easily rid organizations of this problem. The file comparison utility can display the differences, merge them and thus make the job easier. The tools can compare text files, with detailed changes in paragraphs, image files, and save them according to one's needs. Software programmers have been using the comparison tool to keep track of the changes that are in the source code. Today there are many open source as well as paid software tools that allow comparison between two files as well as directories. The paid software comes with additional functionality for the users than the open source file comparison tools.

Comparing files. Equipped with the file comparison utility data management becomes easy but each tool comes with its own unique way of two files comparison. The Windiff.exe Utility tool enables the user to graphically compare information of two ASCII files as well as the information in the two folders that have ASCII files and check if there is any similarity. One cannot know the difference from the file byte count or date of creation.

The Windiff.exe utility is ideal for knowing the difference between program source codes. The comparison is also done for the entire subfolder trees. The result shown is summary of the comparison of files or a comprehensive line-by-line difference between the files.

In order to enable the function of two file compare the user needs to run the tool then in the file menu click the function Compare File. The dialog box is displayed the user should specify the file name which they wish to compare first and then click open. In the fourth step, the user then has to enter the second file name that is to be compared. In the right pane, the result is displayed. If the user wishes to see the difference, they can click on the first line of the results and subsequently click the Expand menu. User can click on options such as Left File Only, Right File Only, or Both Files. The file differences are highlighted in color for better understanding of the file comparison. Users can as well start Windiff.exe from command line. Users can not only compare two files but also a set of files at a local site. The Fc.exe and Comp.exe commands can be used and they can be run from the command prompt.

If you are interested in compare two file, check this web-site to learn more about document compare.

Understanding File Shredding and the Wipe Disk Process

File shredding, which is also referred to as file wiping or as wipe disk, is a process that involves securely deleting a computer file. Through file shredding, the information that was saved on the file cannot be retrieved by any means.

There are a couple methods you can use to shred a file. One of these methods is to use special file shredder software, while the other method is to write a "secure delete" demand.

If you simply write a "delete" command, the saved information can be retrieved with the right software and computer skills. This is because it is considered a waste of resources to completely delete a file. Therefore, when a file is deleted within an operating system, the space previously occupied by the saved information will simply be marked as a available and the file is removed from the directory. The actual contents, however, remain on the disk. This also makes it possible for files that have been deleted to be restored and recovered. This can easily be accomplished with the "undelete" command.

In order to conduct file shredding, the file must actually be overwritten several times. As such, a file that has undergone defragmentation cannot be completely overwritten. This is because any file that has been moved within the file system cannot be completely removed because it cannot be effectively overwritten multiple times.

If a file has been moved in the file system and you wish to shred it, you can accomplish this by addressing the entire partition. Even with this method, the information may still be retrieved because the hard disk controller might mark sectors as bad, which means the data is not visible to your operating system. In addition, it is unlikely that the desired file is only on the hard disk just once. This is because a file that has been edited will contain several copies, which can be found in any number of sectors and may even be found in a swap file.

When shredding a file for security purposes, it is far safer to shred the entire disk rather than individual files. If the disc has failed and is to be thrown away, however, shredding will be impossible. Therefore, the only option for truly protecting the information is to burn the hard drive or otherwise destroy the disk, such as with acid.

The main reason for wiping a file is to protect confidentiality. For this reason, file shredding is routinely conducted by government agencies such as the United States Department of Defense. According to their specifications, files must be overwritten at least three times. Some researchers, however, believe that this is not a sufficient number of times.

Software used to shred files overwrites the data while also making sure that none of the file information remains in the file system's metadata. This includes removing files under partial file names, which is an issue since the FAT file system only replaces the first character of a file name when removing a file.

If you are interested in wipe file, check this web-site to learn more about file security.

Retrieving Deleted Files - How to Recover a Lost File Quickly

Data is a fickle thing that we sometimes treat with a certain carelessness as we move, copy, email, rename and edit it to mention just a few manipulations we subject files and data to. We do not always realize just how fragile it can be when we suddenly find it gone. Accidental file deletions are commonplace at home and at work and cause untold hours of frustration and panic. However Retrieving deleted files is possible as files are not always lost on a computer once you know how data is stored.

First of all one of the most common mistakes people make is thinking that they have deleted their file when they may have just moved it into another directory accidentally. You can make sure you have not just lost a file by bringing up the search option on a windows system and typing in the file name or part of a file name. If you only know a part of the name put a * at the points you do not know the rest. So if the file was called Administration Duties.doc but you can only remember it had duties in the name somewhere enter *duties* and it will find all files with that test somewhere in the file name; this is also useful in case the name was changed. Also make sure you search from the base drive to search the whole computer so you do not miss any folders to search in.

If this does not show the file on your computer then you have probably deleted it. First check the recycle bin and see if it is there however, if it is you can drag it to the desktop or rich click and hit "restore" and it will place it back where it was deleted from. If it is not in the recycle bin and not lost somewhere in another folder then you have properly deleted it and your operating system will not be able to find it; but don't panic yet!

You see, data stored on a computer is not removed from the hard disk when you delete a file but remains where it was stored with all data intact. The only change once you delete a file is that the computer no longer has a reference to this file anymore. The operating system has no pointer to the data and so it becomes invisible to the user and the system. This means it is theoretically possible to recover a lost file as long as you can restore the reference pointer so the operating system can display the data as a file. However data and files that have lost this pointer are considered to be in the "free space" area of a hard disk and so can be overwritten by the computer when it needs more space for other files and programs so leaving this too long will eventually destroy your file or parts of it.

There are now two ways you can get your file back. The first is by restoring your windows operating system to an earlier version. Windows can rollback changes done to it as it periodically saves versions of itself which you can rewind to in essence. This earlier version may still have your file but it may also lose newer files so that may be just as bad. The second option is to get a commercial file restoring program which has the capability of finding that lost data by scanning the hard disks "free space" and being able to identify the file even without a reference from windows.

In the end only way to really make sure you do not need to worry about retrieving deleted files is to keep regular backups. You may not always recover a lost file this way but most problems can be avoided.

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Wipe Out Files For Good With a File Shredder

A computer file shredder has the same function as with a paper file shredder. It was created to get rid of not just the file - it also erases whatever reference that may be associated to the file in its directory and history as well. A lot of computer users fail to see that a just because a file has been erased does not mean that it has already been completely eliminated. The file is still present on the disc or the hard drive, only that it no longer has a name so it cannot be easily accessed anymore.

Anyone who is knowledgeable in searching computer files can fairly be able to determine where the data is located on the drive and retrieve the information as well. This basically works until the data is overwritten with other files. Remember that this may not happen for a long period of time. Even if the information may have been written over once, more often than not, information found beneath the top layer may still be accessed with the use of sophisticated equipment.

Essentially, a primary function of a file shredder is to overwrite a file. A file can be overwritten up to three times even if it is highly sensitive. Then, file reference is eliminated from the directory still by overwriting.

There are some instances when defragmentation is applied on areas where sensitive information was saved. This means that it is even more complicated to use a file shredder. When this happens, you can no longer retrieve the information.

The use of a file shredder is very helpful when erasing computer files with sensitive information, whether business or personal, especially when the computer is for sale or to be given away. A recent study shows that a huge majority of used donated computers contain sensitive personal files and information, even when these have already been erased prior to donation.

Also called as file wiping, shredding is typically used for purposes of confidentiality. In activities that deal that are hard pressed on trade item piracy and copyright, file shredding is just a part of the big whole. File wiping is also an important part of the security program in trade espionage, which mainly depends on fishing for secrets about competitors to gain profit from these information.

File shredding is also useful in preventing computer file theft, that of which constitutes the illegal retrieval of documents, files and other electronic information. Moreover, to make sure that file security is intact, make sure that highly sensitive and important information is saved in encrypted files and include the security maintenance of the encryption key as well.

If you really want to be completely sure that the information will, by any means, never be retrieved again, you may consider destroying the disc or files with acid or incinerate them. Degaussing is also another method of totally wiping out files in which you decrease or completely eliminate an unnecessary magnetic field using an electromagnetic coil. This method is commonly used to protect military ships from military mines.

In many cases, overwriting three times to wipe out file information can be overkill for a typical computer user. Overwriting a huge file like a 100MB file can eat up a lot of time and is usually not warranted in many instances.

If you are interested in file shredder, check this web-site to learn more about wipe file.

Did You Know That You Can Play Image Files and DVD Files Directly From Your Hard Drive?

Files that are meant to be played from a CD-ROM or a DVD can actually be played directly from your hard drive. You don't need to burn the files to a CD-ROM or a DVD first, you just need to know how the files can be played - it's all very simple and I'll explain here.

Let's start with BIN and CUE files.

What are BIN and CUE files?

These are very popular image file and are meant to be burned onto a CD-ROM. The CUE file is used to store information about the actual data, such as tracks. If you wish, you can view this file using a text editor such as Notepad. The BIN files contains the actual data. When we talk about video the data will be in the form of VCD or SVCD. This format is very good for high quality picture, but uses a lot of MBs.

So how do I play them?

Well, you can either play the BIn file or the CUE file. Using VLC Player you can simply open the CUe file and the video will playback. If you prefer Media Player Classic you will have to select "All files (*.*)" in the browse menu and then select the BIN file. Both methods will work equally well - it's a question of which player you prefer.

Now let's have a look at DVD files (VOP, BUB and IFO).

What are VOP, BUB and IFO files?

The VOP files are the files that contain the actual video - VOP stands for Video OBject. The IFO files contain InFOrmation about the video (VOP files), which enables the viewer to navigate the DVD menu, fast forward, skip chapters and so on. The BUP are basically just BackUP files of the VOP files. that way, if the DVD becomes damaged in some way you might still be able to play it.

So how do I play them?

You can play back VOP files in the same way that you playback BIN files. With Media Player Classic you can simply open a VOP file and MPC will play it for you. However, to open a VOP file, you actually open the IFO file that contains the information about the video. If you want to playback the intire DVD, you should locate the IFO file that is named VIDEO_TS.IFO - this file will playback the whole DVD including the menu. Other IFo files can also be used, but onle VIDEO_TS.IFO will play the whole disc.

It's really very simple!

http://www.mediacodecs.eu has complete guides to playing BIN and CUE files The author of this article is an expert on codecs and video playback The site also offers downloads of codecs, players and tools - all free!

The Importance of Active File Compare

Active File Compare is a piece of software application that is very much needed in the business setting. The software performs a simple function. But as simple as this function may be, many businesses all over the world have to perform this function so many times in a single work day. This is a strong indication that businesses should consider making that worthwhile investment of purchasing Active File Compare software.

But just what exactly does this piece of software do? Before we can answer this, we have to define the activity of file comparison. This is actually the tedious process of comparing a couple of files that can be found on your system. The comparison of such files allows you to evaluate and compare any two files, regardless of their types or formats. These can be binary files, PDF files, or MS documents. With file comparison, it would be easier to do automate revision for control procedures. Most of the time, the software comes with external diff tools.

What does Active File Compare do in particular? Active File goes about the comparison of files with the synchronization of text files in visual mode. This means that the software can evaluate and compare two versions of the same file, with the primary aim of correcting source codes through comparison. One of the many benefits that you can enjoy with this piece of software is consistency. Managing your source codes is very important when you have many independent authors making individual changes of your files. With the use of Active File Compare, you can easily detect these changes that have been made, and you can then perform the necessary changes to make the files consistent with the source codes. It does not matter whether the files contain just a few changes or many changes. The algorithm of the software can detect these changes, no matter how many they can be.

Another great thing about Active File Compare is the fact that its interface is very user-friendly. You do not have to be a computer techie to use the software. It comes with its very own file manager system, which you can conveniently use in the comparison of two sample files. Furthermore, the system can be used in loading files for extensive processing, for copying files and folders, and so many more. You can then open files from the many folders you have in your system easily. All you have to do is allocate commands for these certain files right onto the file menu.

Once these commands are allocated, you can then start enjoying the many features that come with the software. You can even highlight syntax so that the differences as minute as characters can be detected easily. You can even compare your files with timestamps with as much precision as two seconds. You also have the ability to edit the lines that you need to edit after the process of comparison.

If you are starting to feel confident about making that choice of going with Active File Compare, it's actually easy to find the software in your local computer shops and online shops. You just might find the software a worthy investment in the long run.

If you are interested in active file compare, check this web-site to learn more about document comparison.

On the Use of a File Shredder

The term 'file shredder' can now refer to a software utility designed to allow the secure deletion of files from a hard disk. This is in contrast with the "delete" command available in all operating systems, which actually leaves the contents of the "deleted" file on the disk. What seems, on the surface, like a permanent enough deletion actually leaves enough on the disk for the deleted file to be reconstructed and the date therein recovered.

When you tell your operating system to delete a file, it does not actually physically erase the contents of the disk space allocated to that file. Instead, it just marks that disk space as available for storing new data, and at the same time marks the file "deleted" in its directory listing. Hence, it is possible to "undelete" a file (like the MS-DOS command goes), which would simply consist of removing the "deleted" tag and marking the corresponding disk space "under use" again. While this "undelete" command is not always a feature of the operating system itself, there exist third party utilities which make data recovery possible.

These file shredder utilities go further than mere "delete" commands do. Shredding a file consists of overwriting the file's disk area with random data, to remove any traces of the file having been there. Some shredders overwrite files not only once, but up to three times! This greatly decreases the chances of the shredded file ever being recovered. (A chance still remains to be able to recover the file, some say, but in all practicality it has become quite impossible.)

Some of these file shredding utilities even ensure that no metadata about shredded files are left within the file system. This metadata consists of the various pieces of information about the file that are stored in the system, such as date of creation, title, and other such details. Although perhaps not much information could be gleaned from metadata alone, for strictly confidential information the possibility of recovering even just access dates and the title may represent too much risk.

The majority of these file shredding programs are designed to be easy to use, with graphical user interfaces to make them accessible even to casual computer users. The file shredding process has become as easy as just selecting the files to be shredded, choosing the right options, and executing the program.

Some more advanced file shredding programs use various shredding algorithms, with varying degrees of security. The usual trade-off for greater security is a longer running time. In any case, file shredding typically takes longer than mere deletion, since shredders actually write on the disk itself.

These utilities were developed as computer use became more widespread, and the point arrived when they were used for critical or confidential applications, as well. Having the ability to securely delete a file (or even an entire disk) became more and more necessary. So while normal file deletion may be sufficient for ordinary purposes, file shredders are available for when deleting important files beyond the possibility of recovery becomes needed.

If you are interested in file shredder, check this web-site to learn more about file security.

Filing For Bankruptcy - How It's Done

Filing for bankruptcy has become a common thread in the fabric of our nation. Many people find as they go into debt over credit card bills and high mortgage interests rates, their options for getting out of that enormous debt are dwindling. Many find bankruptcy is their only alternative to the constant nagging and threats of debt collectors. While some continue to tough their bad situation out, looking for ways on their own to pull out of debt, others have found that filing is the best alternative they could come up with. If you are one of the people who believe you have reached the end of your debt rope, filing may be right for you. But before you dive in, take the time to learn a little bit more about the process and what it will mean to your life.

Things to Know About Filing for Bankruptcy

Since filing for bankruptcy is the route you've decided to take to manage your overwhelming debt, it is important to educate yourself on some key points related to filing.

Research is Key - Before you ever pick up the phone to call an attorney, do your own extensive research on the topic. Find out what preparatory steps you can take on your own to minimize the work you'll have to do after you speak with an attorney. Also, do research to find the best attorneys in your area who can help you file. Most importantly, research to find alternative ways to manage your debt that can steer you away from filing if possible.

All Debt is Not Eligible - Many people are filing for bankruptcy under the misconception that doing so will eliminate all of their debt. This is not always the case, however, because some debts like student loans (which are almost always federally funded) and tax bills are not covered.

Creditors Can No Longer Contact You - Once you file, one immediate benefit you receive is the lack of debt collectors calling you. This is because filing puts them under an "automatic stay" where they are not allowed to try to collect a debt anymore and must contact the attorney representing you to work out any additional details. The only exception to this rule, however, is when you choose to represent yourself.

Filing Doesn't Ruin Your Life - It is true that your bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years. However, this does not mean your life is over. Many organizations in recent times have come up with credit opportunities for those with subprime credit; so now it is possible to get a credit card, or even buy a car or house after filing for bankruptcy. You just have to get out there and find the right opportunities.

Steps to Filing for Bankruptcy

Get Credit Counseling - Before you can officially begin the process of filing for bankruptcy you must go to a U.S. Trustee-approved counseling organization within 180 days of filing. This way, you are provided with your alternatives to filing.

Learn the Types of Bankruptcy Filings - There are two types that you must consider when filing: chapter 7 and chapter 13. Chapter 7 is the option most people prefer to take because it is a complete liquidation filing that dissolves all eligible debt. A chapter 13 on the other hand is more of a streamlined repayment program that gets the creditors off of your back while you come up with ways to repay them. People are finding it is more difficult to file a chapter 7 bankruptcy because most courts don't want people to use it as a way to get out of debt they could actually pay.

Decide Whether You're Filing Solo or With Assistance - Many people have found that they would prefer to file their case without the assistance of an attorney. You are definitely entitled to undergo this process alone; however, it is never really advised. There is so much paper work and so many laws to consider that it is really not ideal to try to do the work of a person who actually went to school for it. If anything, put your energy into finding a lawyer who is very competent and not so expensive (FYI, the most recommended lawyers are those who will charge you based on the amount of debt you have, rather than a flat fee). Just know that when you file chapter 7, you have the pay the lawyer in full before filing, where with a chapter 13, you don't.

Meet with Your Lawyer - Once you choose your lawyer, you will begin the "meat" of the process, which is determining which route is best for you by going over all of your debt. You will also complete a BAPCPA's means test. After this is done and you come to an agreement with how you both will proceed, you can refer the creditors to your lawyer, and from that point on they will no longer be allowed by law to contact you.

Have Your 341 Meeting - This is also called your meeting with creditors. This is the time that you must legally agree to your bankruptcy in their presence and be recorded stating that your answers regarding the petition you're filing are truthful.

Determinations are Made - In your case, if you filed for chapter 7, the trustee will decide if you have assets that can be liquidated to repay the creditors. If you filed chapter 13, you will be placed on a repayment plan that can extend for up to 5 years.

The Clean Slate - After the 60th day passed your 341 meeting, you will be informed of your discharge of debt (if you filed chapter 7). If you filed for chapter 13, your discharge of credit will occur 30-60 days after you've finished your final payment.

Knowing the process behind filing for bankruptcy before you begin will help you make the right choices. However, find alternatives are always more highly recommended than going through with filing. If you find that filing for bankruptcy is the right choice for you, proceed with caution, as you may have found an alternative way to manage your debt had you researched a little bit more.

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

File Comparison-Things to Look for

Individuals and organizations need to deal with lot of important data and it is indeed a huge and difficult task to wade through loads of data and find the right one at the right time. Handling data in organizations becomes very important and it is here that the file comparison comes to their help. The file comparison allows easy and automatic comparison of data between the files stored on the file system.

There are many advantages of the file comparison tool for the users because the system can show the changes made in the files and thus one does not have to go on data hunting looking for the relevant file. The comparison tools also enable the user to draw attention to the difference between the files and the files can be two or more than that. The comparison is not only shown to the user but also is able to perform tasks in file systems, networks, and revision control. Text editors and Word Processors are generally equipped with the file comparison facility.

File Compare Tools. There exist varieties of software programmes that perform the task of file comparison. Some programmes require license while others are open source programmes and are free to use for the users with their source code made available to the users. The open source file comparison tools are Diff, Diff3, Comm, Ediff, Emacs, Kompare, Meld, Tkdiff, WinMerge and others. Most of the programmes are windows compatible so users can use them on their systems. The other file comparison tools are Microsoft file compare, which is built on the MS-DOS 3.30, FileMerge that is compatible with the Mac operating system. This particular tool features graphic-based file comparison uses. Each of the above tools has its own features and works in a different way to show file comparison for the users.

Features of some of the File Comparison tools. The Diff Doc file comparison software has features such as document comparison; it can compare files of Word, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint, HTM, XML, RTF, and TXT documents and also maintains the changes. The user can easily wade through the differences in files, if there are variations in paragraphs they are displayed in details, and the results can be saved in formats like Txt, Doc, HTML or RTF.

Merge from Araxis is the file comparison and folder synchronization tool. This software can compare and synchronize web pages, source codes, and related text files using the native application performance. This programme lets the user to work with source hierarchies that contain many files. This file comparison tool is ideal for professionals, who deal in legal matters, software and web developments, code reviewers as well as auditors who need to compare files in their jobs. The Merge software supports the Windows OS and is available in languages like English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese. The KDiff3 tool runs irrespective of platform and can show changes in graphic and text files. It also enables individual character analysis and uses the text merging tool and editor.

If you are interested in file compare, check this web-site to learn more about document comparison.

The Abcs Of E-Filing Tax Returns

Filing of tax returns and computing of taxes is a difficult time for most people. Many have to rework their schedules and concentrate on filing returns. The popularity of the internet has led to many US states permitting tax payers to file their state and federal returns online. It is so convenient that even refunds are deposited directly into the tax payer’s bank account.

According to taxation experts, electronically filing your return to the IRS is modern, efficient, and hassle free as well as completely secure. All a tax payer needs to do is:

• Get the help of a tax preparer.

• Use tax software to prepare the returns.

As soon as you e-file you will get a confirmation from the IRS or a rejection notice. This will happen within 24 hours of filing. If you do receive a rejection, there will be clear instructions on how to correct the errors. And e-filed tax returns are processed much faster.

Although e-filing of tax returns is a dream come true for most people one cannot use e-filing if:

• You reside in a community property state.

• You are married and filing a separate return.

• You are claiming on your income tax return as dependant a person who is already dependant on other tax returns.

• You are filing documents like multiple support agreements.

• Filing before or after the tax return filing period ends.

With e-filing there are fewer errors and returns are processed quickly. In the US over 65% of tax returns were filed electronically. It cuts out the rush and standing in long serpentine lines. In depth details on e-filing of tax returns are available on : http://www.e-file-online.com/tax-help.html and [http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0],,id=118986,00.html .

Tips:

• Tax return filing becomes easy if you are organized. Begin early and enter all tax related details systematically into your PC. Create your own workable system or use the many ready –to-use systems.

• Use the previous years return as ready reference. Keep separate files for personal and business taxes and keep abreast of the latest tax deductibles and rules instituted by the IRS.

The IRS has set up a Free File program where you can file tax returns electronically if you are eligible. The IRS website has information as well as instructions. If you do not qualify for free filing you will need to use services like H&R block to file your e-returns. It is best not to wait until April 15th to file tax returns. If you do it well in advance you will not have to face overloading of systems or computer crashes.

Many individuals use available tax filing software to file their own electronic tax returns others take the help of qualified tax professionals. Whatever path you choose you must begin early, be systematic, and file your tax returns well before the last date.

Barry Allen is a freelance writer for http://www.1888tax.com , the premier website to find tax, return tax, tax software, free tax filing, sales tax, services tax, income tax, property tax and many more. He also freelances for the premier Online Banking site http://www.1888onlinebanking.com/

How To Deal With A File Loss Emergency

Have you ever lost an important file on your computer just before you were scheduled to deliver it to a client or to make presentation? We have all accidentally deleted files or had a computer crash and refuse to start back up again. Depending on how you use your computer or the condition of your machine, this could be a regular occurrence. Until recently, a loss of data meant lots of frustration, hours spent trying to find someone to restore your files and a high possibility that you would never see those file again.

The computer professional as well as the every day computer user stores all types of files on their computer. Some of the files that you lose may not be very important. However, other files are extremely important and may not have been backed up at the time that you lost them. When these files disappear or are corrupted it causes huge frustration and stress. You may not have had a solution to this problem before today but now let me introduce you to Joern Lillehagen's Instant File Recovery software.

Joern Lillehagen has invested time and money in coming up with a solution to the one of the most frustrating problems experienced by computer users all over the world, the unexpected loss of data. Instant File Recovery is a computer program that is easy to install on your desktop or your laptop, within minutes of installation, the software will be able to scan your hard drive and find lost, erased files that previously would have been lost forever. Instant File Recovery can even find files that no longer show up in any of your folders or directories any more.

You might ask yourself, how can my files be found if they have already been deleted? Joern Lillehagen's Instant File Recovery software is able to find files that can not be accessed by the every day computer user. This amazing software is able to dig deep into the hidden crevices of your hard drive and ensure that you never have to stay up all night re-typing or doing over research that you had already finished.

Now, when you just have to get that file back, you can! Joern Lillehagen's Instant File Recovery software tool makes sure of that. One of the greatest things about this software is that it can recover files that were accidentally lost or deleted even if it was not installed on your computer at the time that the data loss happens. Yes, that's right! If you go through a data loss crisis without having Instant File Recovery on your computer, you can install it afterwards and still get back the files that you lost. This is quite revolutionary.

Instant File Recovery works whether you use a desktop or a laptop computer. This is a must-have piece of software. Anyone that does research, develops files for clients or does presentations at work should have this software on their computer. You never have to waste time making phone calls, paying large sums of money to computer geeks that may or may not be able to help you or that might not be available? You and Instant File Recovery can solve this problem yourself. Even if you lose your files in the middle of the night and your presentation is for early the next day, with Instant File Recovery you will have the tools that you need right at your disposal.

Joern owns Instant File Recovery which helps people learn about deleted file recovery

Temporary Internet Files - the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

A little bit of time invested into learning about internet security can go a long way in preventing mishaps on your computer. Temporary internet files are not something we should be afraid of, but we should certainly be careful in how much we trust them and how we deal with them.

Temporary internet files are image, text, and formatting files that are stored on your hard drive by the websites that you visit. They are placed there by the websites without your having to do anything. The files are stored on your computer the first time you visit the site so that the next time you go to that webpage you only have to load new information or files that have changed since the last time you visited - files that have not changed are loaded from the temporary internet files folder at a much faster speed than over the internet.

This seems like an incredibly appealing option, especially to those of us still working at home on dial-up connections (my teenage brother-in-law insists I'm "old school" because I don't have DSL - I think he may be right). Storing the temporary internet files on the hard drive significantly cuts down the amount of time it takes to completely load and view a website.

There are a few question areas, however, that need to be considered in any discussion about temporary internet files. First, and arguably the most trivial of the concerns, is that you may miss out on all of the updated information the website has to offer. If your browser loads the files from your temporary internet files folder rather than the updated material from the website, you may miss out on an updated football score, or you may get a different image than the one others are viewing. The system is designed so that things like that don't happen, but the possibility is out there.

Second, storing huge numbers of files can bog down your computer, slowing down its ability to do even the simplest of tasks, such as word processing (a deadly one-two combination if you're working with dial-up!). Fortunately, you can control the number or size of the files that are being stored on your hard drive. Typically under the Tools>Options menu of your browser you'll be able to set the amount of your hard drive you're willing to dedicate to temporary internet files. You may want to set this high or low, depending on your browsing habits and need for speed.

Third, the temporary internet files folder may contain files that contain viruses, inappropriate images or text, and files that could leak personal information to websites. This is obviously a huge concern any time you allow someone virtually unregulated access to your hard drive. Images from an inappropriate website you accidentally stumbled across (it has happened to all of us) may be stored on your hard drive. Corrupted files may be placed there by an unfamiliar website you only visited once. Cookies and other files may potentially spawn popups that cover your screen in a matter of seconds.

Before you grab your pitch fork and storm the beast's castle, let me mention a few things you can do to bring a little control to your temporary internet files folder without destroying it completely.

I already mentioned limiting the amount of your hard drive dedicated to holding files from visited websites. This is the best option for those who may be less concerned about corrupted or inappropriate files being stored and more concerned about the ability of their Jurassic-era computer to perform at a decent speed. Some versions of the popular browsers won't allow you to completely eliminate storing files, but you can limit the resources to 1% of your hard drive or a small number of megabytes.

Some opt to regularly clean out their temporary internet files folder - obviously this will eliminate malignant files and free up some space for your computer; but it will also eliminate files you may want. A quick note about the files that begin with "Cookie:" - cleaning out the folder will not actually delete the cookies. The cookie files in the temporary internet files folder are simple files that point the browser to the actual cookie in the "Cookies" folder on your hard drive. If you are interested in truly purging your system of internet files, you'll need to clean out that folder as well.

In my view, the most judicious option is to utilize available software to manage the content of your temporary internet files. Some files you want because they make your life easier. Some files you don't want because it bogs down your computer and makes your grandmother blush. Software is available that scans your computer and finds all the internet files (including cookies). The software makes recommendations as to whether the file in question is good, bad, or ugly - all you have to do is decide to keep or trash it, then click the appropriate button.

Temporary internet files can make our internet browsing time a quick and convenient experience. Unfortunately, they may also pose a risk to the security of our hard drives. With a little hands-on management we can keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our computers happy, safe, and protected.

Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing [http://www.10xmarketing.com] - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For great software that helps manage temporary internet files, check out ContentWatch, Inc.

Divorce - How to File For Divorce When Your Spouse Lives in a Different State

Introduction

Very rarely does any divorce proceeding conclude without unexpected hurdles and challenges along the way. One of the more common issues faced by couples who divorce is when the spouses live in different states from each other. This can happen quite frequently, especially if the couple is already separated from one another before filing for divorce. It is important to understand the requirements and consequences involved in filing for divorce in such a situation.

Starting the Divorce Process: Filing Requirements

The divorce process begins when either spouse files for divorce in a court of law. Depending on whether the state of filing recognizes no-fault or fault-based divorce, filing may be done even when one spouse does not consent to a divorce.

The first basic requirement in a divorce filing is the residency requirement. The spouse who is filing for divorce must be a resident of the state that the claim is being filed in. This means that if the spouses live in different states, the claim may be filed in either state so long as each individual spouse meets the residency requirement of their particular state. Bear in mind that each state has different requirements as to how long you must live there in order to be considered a resident of the state.

The second requirement for filing is that, regardless of where the claim is filed, the court must have jurisdiction over both parties. The court has jurisdiction over a non-filing spouse who is located out of state if:

?the non-filing spouse has been officially served with divorce papers in person

?the non-filing spouse consents to jurisdiction by:

abiding by court rulings
appearing in a court of that state
signing an affidavit confirming that they have been served

If the spouse who is to be served lives in a different state cannot be located (i.e., cannot be served with papers in person), some courts allow them to be put on notice by publication. This is where one notifies the other spouse that they are filing for divorce by publishing a notification in a newspaper. Finally, a divorce can be filed if the marriage was made in a different country, so long as the filing spouse meets residency requirements.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Filing in a Different States

A couple who is seeking a divorce usually is limited to filing only in the state where each individual spouse resides. However, in the instance that a spouse has multiple options as to which state they should file in, here are some advantages and disadvantages of filing in different locations:

?Lawyer state license requirements- any lawyer who will be hired for a divorce litigation must be licensed to practice in the state where the divorce claim is filed. So, for instance, if the wife lives in Texas, but her husband has filed for divorce where he lives in New York, then the wife must obtain a New York lawyer, or her Texas lawyer who must also be cross-licensed to practice in New York.

?Statute of Limitations (deadlines) - different states have different deadlines for filing divorce papers, so check with the state requirements as to when the claim needs to be filed.

?Fault vs. No-Fault Divorce- Some states require that one spouse show that the other spouse was at fault. No-fault states do not make such requirements and allow spouses to file for divorce simply because of "irreconcilable differences". Also some states require the couple to be separated for a certain amount of time (such as a year) before they can be divorced.

?Distribution of Assets upon Divorce- filing in a different state may, but not always, lead to different consequences in terms of how the property is distributed amongst the spouses upon divorce. This is because some states follow community (shared property) laws while others follow separate property guidelines.

?Child Custody Arrangements- child custody laws also vary from state to state. The choice of state for filing may possibly influence custody arrangements, especially if the child lives in a different state from one of the parents.

Ideally, a couple who is contemplating divorce would want to sit down with each other and discuss the various implications of filing in one state versus another. However, the couple is likely to already be in disagreement (hence, the divorce), so be sure to go over the above points with a lawyer in order to anticipate all the different repercussions of filing in different states.

Other Issues: Concurrent Filings and Travel Expenses

Another issue that might arise is that of concurrent filings; that is, when each spouse has filed a separate claim at the same time or close to the same time. In this regard, the general rule is that the divorce proceedings will be held in the state where suit was filed first, and specifically, for the spouse who was able to serve the notifications first.

This means that if suit has already been filed in one state, but is undergoing delays in the processing, the non-filing spouse really does not have a choice but to wait it out. They will not be able to file an additional suit in their own home state. They would probably be required to ask their lawyer to research what is causing the delay and work with the other court in the other state to expedite the process.

If venue for the proceedings is an anticipated issue, then filing can often become a race between spouses to see who files first. For this reason it is advantageous to contact and retain a lawyer as soon as possible.

Regarding travel expenses, each spouse is responsible only for their own travel expenses if they need to go to a different state to address any divorce claims. Travel can sometimes be avoided altogether if the out-of-state spouse signs an affidavit consenting to the divorce. However, each spouse will probably be required to cover the travel expenses of any attorney who will be traveling to a different state in order to represent them.

Do I need a Lawyer if I Plan to File in a Different State?

As mentioned above, filing in different states can drastically alter the outcome of divorce proceedings. Also, if the other spouse is filing in a different state, the one who files first will prevail in the choice of venue. Thus, you should plan to hire a lawyer at the outset before filing, so they can help you file in a timely and advantageous manner. Some points to go over with your lawyer include:

?Research the laws of each state where you might file for divorce. In particular be sure to cover the following areas of law:

Fault vs. no-fault divorce
Distribution of assets
Child custody implications

?Be sure you have met the residency requirements of the state that you wish to file in

?If the other spouse cannot be located or reached, inquire as to your options regarding notice by publication

Ken LaMance is the Corporate Counsel for LegalMatch.com in South San Francisco, California. LegalMatch (http://www.legalmatch.com/) is fast, free, and confidential. LegalMatch is America's original attorney/client matching service and is not a referral service. When a consumer presents their issue to LegalMatch, our system matches the consumer's case to LegalMatch lawyers in their city or county based on the specifics of the consumer's case, lawyer's location, and area of legal practice. LegalMatch also offers a number of useful resources like an online law library, tips, law blog, and forums on nearly every topic.

Copying Files in Windows XP

Why Would you Want to Copy a File?

There are a number of reasons that you may want to copy a file or have various copies of a file.  You may want to back your files up on another disk. You may want to save an old version of a file for archiving or in case you mess up new changes. You may want to copy a file that has the layout you want so you can use the layout for something else. For example, this web page is a copy of other pages on this site. Only the text area has been changed.

How would you Copy a File?

The reason you copy a file has an affect on how you make the copy.

1. Backup

When you create a backup copy of a file, you want to be sure that the backup is the latest version of the file. You will then have two copies of the file: the working copy and the backup.

Side Effect: The backup situation often causes a problem if you accidentally start working in the backup copy instead of your working copy. Then your working copy doesn't have the latest changes. It's a bad situation when one copy has a little bit of this, and the other copy has a little bit of that. Never open your back up copy unless you are using it for reference or to replace a file that is lost or corrupted.

There is a way to create a backup copy that has less chance of getting into the backup mixup. This way is helpful because the files are not open; so, you can't accidentally mistake an open backup copy for a working copy.

Find the file you want to copy in Windows or in Windows Explorer.
Click the file.
In the panel on the left, click Copy this File.
A window will pop up asking you where you want to copy it too. Choose a new place. It can be another drive, such as a CD drive or a floppy drive; or, it can be another folder on your computer.
Special Note about copying an Access file: you should use this method. Otherwise, you may only get copies of your tables. Close your file before making your copy.

2. Archive old files

You may want to keep a copy of a file you are going to change. This is a very good strategy, if there is any possibility that changes you make will cause errors or make you wish you had the original. For example, if you have a picture that you took with your digital camera, you will want to have a copy archived before you make changes in Photoshop.

Side Effects: 1) The backup situation often causes a problem if you accidentally start working in the backup copy instead of your working copy. For example, if you take a photo and make changes in the backup copy instead of the working copy. Then you Save your work. Then later you open the working copy, but the changes aren't there (because you did them in the backup copy.) So, you redo the changes. Now, you have two files with the changes, but no original. 2) You forget to make the copy.

Make an Archive folder in My Documents.
Inside the Archive folder, make folders that match your working folders.
When you first open a file, go to File -> Save As.
In the dialog box, open the Archive folder and the folder that matches your working folder.
Add a date to the file name. You will have to use - instead of / (2-12-06 instead of 2/12/06) because Windows won't let you use / in a file name. That will tell you the date of your original.
Most programs will have the archived version open instead of your working file; so, close the file. Be sure you know what your program does.
Go to your working folder and reopen the file.

 

3. Use the formatting in a file

Side Effects: When you change the formatting on one page, all the other pages still have the old formatting. To update all the pages with the new formatting, you will have to open all the files and make the changes. If you use template files, all the pages will show the formatting changes, but that is a feature in some programs; it's not a part of Windows.

You may want to use the formatting you have already set up in a file for other files. For example, this page is formatted like most of the other pages on this web site. To use the formatting in this page on another page, I can open this file and save it with a new name. Then I can type in new words and add new graphics to make the new page.

Problems when Copying a File

Bad Disks: If you use either floppy disks or CDs, it's not uncommon to have bad disks in your box or to have a disk go bad later on. One floppy or a CD should not be your only backup.

Copying the Wrong Thing: Be careful what you choose to copy. Know the difference between the item icon and a shortcut icon. A Shortcut is a little file with the address of where something is stored on your computer. If you copy a Shortcut instead of the actual file, you will get a little file with the address of the thing stored on your computer. Then when you take that disk to some other computer, it can't get to your computer to find that item.

Reserved Characters: You can't just use any character on the keyboard in a file name. There are some characters that Windows uses internally. These characters have a special meaning. For example, \ and / mean something special to Windows; so, you can't use them in a file name. This is very inconvenient if you want to add a date to a file name. However, you can use a hyphen instead.

This article began as a handout for the Windows portion of the Gentle Start in Computers workshops at Flathead Valley Community College. This handout is available with screenshots at http://www.thecomputergal.com/Windows/CopyingFiles.htm.

Nora McDougall-Collins
Missoula, MT
nora@thecomputergal.com
Putting the world of computers into plain English.