Archive for the ‘Free Software’ Category

9 Cheapest Website Builders In 2023 Forbes Advisor Canada – Forbes

As we chose website builders for this list, we focused on ease of use, affordability, functionality, extra features and customer support. We preferred builders with free forever plans. Here is a closer look at how we assessed website builders for inclusion on this list.

We included website builders that offer a free plan. We prioritized the inclusion of website builders with robustly featured free plans. We also included builders with first-tier plans that are $20 CAD or less per month but preferred first-tier plans at $7 CAD or less per month. This accounted for 20% of our weighted scoring.

For this list, we looked for website builders with ample free tools to help businesses meet their goals around website design, publishing and management. Key among these is offering a drag-and-drop builder. The website builders on this list offer a drag-and-drop design process exclusively or optionally and we rated them accordingly. We put specific emphasis on web builders that offer unlimited storage and bandwidth, social media and email marketing tools and provide mobile responsive sites, Other general features we looked for include SEO tools, form builders, landing pages, SSL certificates, free domains and analytics. We weighted features at 30% of our total score.

We turned to third-party review websites, including G2 and Trustpilot, to gauge real users experiences using the website builders. Those who fared well in reviews often scored high in customer support, such as those with live user support options, preferably those with 24/7 support. These accounted for 15% of the total score.

For our final analysis, our experts looked at four specific categories: popularity, value for the money, standout or detailed features and ease of use. For example, for ease of use, we looked for website builders that do not require coding skills to design a website. We also looked for other features that make website design easy, including a wide selection of website templates, image galleries, logo creators and automatic mobile-responsiveness sites. Altogether, these criteria make up 35% of the total score.

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9 Cheapest Website Builders In 2023 Forbes Advisor Canada - Forbes

Best Cloud ERP Software (May 2023) Forbes Advisor – Forbes

When youre ready to choose cloud ERP software for your business, its important to take into consideration what your business needs. There are essential features, such as inventory and financial management, but there are also bonuses that may make or break your decision, such as ease of use or integrations available.

Consider the features of each cloud ERP software youre looking into, but also look at what each one specializes in and how it can help your business. Some cloud ERP software are better for manufacturers, while others may offer tools vital for e-commerce businesses. Below are what Forbes Advisor suggests as must-have features and the key factors you should consider before signing on any dotted line.

You can find some cloud ERP software that offers features for every vertical in your company, but not all do. Some are better suited for manufacturers and dont include features needed by retailers or e-commerce businesses, for example. Be sure to consider the departments you have in your company and what features are most important to each.

Generally, ERP software is complex because theres so much you can do with it. You should consider how easy it is to use for all users. Cloud ERP software can come with a steep learning curve, especially for those who are less tech-savvy. Look for software thats customizable with zero or low code, that has easy-to-understand guides and training for users.

Implementation is something thats usually considered for traditional ERP software because it requires more help. Cloud ERP software is far easier, but you may want to consider asking your provider for help in setting up workflow automations, custom reports and settings you need for your business.

Implementation is just one part of overall support. Most cloud ERP software offer 24/7 support via one or more common channels, including phone, email, live chat or a ticketing system. Look for help documentation that can be accessed via the platform and paid training for your staff.

Cloud ERP software is more affordable than on-premises solutions, but its still fairly expensive. Most providers charge a monthly per-user fee. You can find some that offer a flat fee for unlimited users, but its rare to see this pricing structure. Keep in mind that you may need to pay for support, implementation and customization help. There could also be hidden maintenance fees or resource fees, given that your provider will be hosting the platform on its servers.

If you have software that you want to keep using for your business, its important that you note which ones are must-haves to cross-reference with a cloud ERP softwares list of integrations. Alternatively, you may have access to an open API, which would allow you to connect any software you have to your cloud ERP software, but this may require some dev help.

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Best Cloud ERP Software (May 2023) Forbes Advisor - Forbes

Apple, Google partner to combat creepy tracking tactics – Chattanooga Times Free Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Apple and Google are teaming up to thwart unwanted tracking through Bluetooth devices that were created to help people find lost keys, keep tabs on luggage or to locate other things that have a tendency to be misplaced or lost.

The two companies behind the iPhone and the software that powers Android phones on Tuesday submitteda proposalto set standards for combatting secret surveillance on Apple's AirTag trackers and similar gadgets. The concept also has the backing of Samsung, which sells the most Android smartphones worldwide, as well as tracking products similar to the AirTag such as Tile, Chipolo, and Pebblebee.

The $30 AirTag has become a popular item since its 2021 release, helping users pinpoint the locations of a wide variety of lost property. But stalkers have also deployed AirTags and similar products to shadow former love interests and other people who dont realize they are being tracked.

Bluetooth trackers have created tremendous user benefits, but they also bring the potential of unwanted tracking, which requires industrywide action to solve, said Dave Burke, Googles vice president of Engineering for Android.

Apple and AirTag hope to have a plan in place by the end of this year to thwart stealth tracking. The solution would be distributed through software updates to iPhones and Android phones.

Erica Olsen, the senior director of National Network to End Domestic Violences Safety Net Project, applauded the effort to set an industry standard that she believes will help protect survivors of abusive relationships and other people that have been targets of stealth technology. These new standards will minimize opportunities for abuse of this technology and decrease the burden on survivors in detecting unwanted trackers, Olsen said.

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Apple, Google partner to combat creepy tracking tactics - Chattanooga Times Free Press

When he woke up he gave me a free watermelon: Saiful Islams best phone picture – The Guardian

Smart shot

A software engineer who takes photographs as a hobby spotted this early one morning and stood on the boats railing to get the shot

Around 10pm the night before this photo was taken, Samsul, a watermelon farmer, had boarded his boat in Barishal, a district of Bangladesh. Hed sailed through the night to Dhaka, mooring in the capitals Sadarghat port, on the Buriganga River.

Around 5am, his trawler had taken its spot alongside another, selling pumpkins, and the farmer turned sailor transformed once again this time into an auctioneer, selling off his produce at wholesale prices to local market sellers.

By the time Saiful Islam wandered by, at around 7.30am, many of Samsuls watermelons had already been sold and enjoyed across the capital, and much of the farmers long shift was over.

Islam, a software engineer who takes photographs as a hobby, had the day off work and had headed to the port with his younger brother to shoot whatever he might come across. He describes the area as a hubbub of activity: shouting, bartering, cameraderie.

I saw him from a distance, and stood on the railing of the boat to get the shot. I didnt disturb him, as I knew how tired he must be, but he woke up a few minutes later. We chatted and I showed him the photo. Oh my God! he said.

It was already a very hot day, so he gave us each a free watermelon and went back to his boat, smiling.

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When he woke up he gave me a free watermelon: Saiful Islams best phone picture - The Guardian

Siemens provides automation and building technology for Middle … – Siemens press release

Technology from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio has beenintegrated throughout the farm to ensure efficient production, reduce waste,and increase the farms overall sustainability. Siemens Smart Infrastructuresbuilding management system Desigo CC controls and monitors air-conditioning andventilation, while Siemens Digital Industries SIMATIC automation and controlsystems deliver optimal growing conditions by controlling the lights and COlevels required by the plants. SINAMIC series variable frequency drives alongwith automation stations make sure plants receive the right nutrients and watersupply. SENTRON electrical components distribute power to the grow racks.

Siemens SCALANCE components create a communicationnetwork connecting these automation technologies while protecting the facilitywith Siemens cyber security solutions. Siemens Xcelerator is an open digitalbusiness platform that enables customers to accelerate their digitaltransformation easier, faster, and at scale.At its core is a curatedportfolio of connected hardware and software, a powerful ecosystem of partners,and an extensive marketplace.

Bustanicassystem is designed to circulate water to the crops to maximize water usageefficiency. When the water vaporizes, its recovered and recycled into thesystem, saving 250 million liters of water per year compared to traditionaloutdoor farming for the same output. The 330,000 sq. ft. facility requires 95%less water than conventional agriculture, and provides an output of 1 millionkgs of produce per year that are free of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals.

Weare proud to work with Emirates Crop One on a project that will transformagriculture and will allow people to eat fresher foods while reducing waterconsumption and transportation costs, said Franco Atassi, CEO of Siemens SmartInfrastructure in the Middle East. Bustanica uses smart infrastructure in its vertical farmthat will allow it to sustainably scale operations and become a model for othervertical farms around the world. The infrastructure installed today will allowfor the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in future.

Bustanicasproduce will initially be provided to airline passengers flying to and fromDubai. The company plans to sell leafy greens and other produce in localsupermarkets, and because the greens are grown in a controlled environment,consumers can eat them straight out of the bag.

EmiratesFlight Catering constantly invests in the latest technologies to delightcustomers, optimize operations, and minimize our environmental footprint.Bustanica helps secure our supply chain, and ensures our customers can enjoy locallysourced, nutritious produce, said Kieran Dowd, General Manager of Emirates Crop One and VicePresident, Sourcing Solutions, at Emirates Flight Catering. The technologyprovided by Siemens enables the facility to bring food production closer toconsumers, making our operations more efficient and sustainable.

Verticalfarming facilities are up to 100 times more productive than outdoor farms becausethey consume 95% less water and dont require any use of pesticides orchemicals. This method allows farmers to control light, temperature, water, andcarbon dioxide levels maximizing output and efficiency so they can growcrops year-round and near consumers. The industry is expanding to mitigatechallenges like food insecurity, limited arable land, labor shortages and tomeet growing demand for pesticide-free produce.

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Siemens provides automation and building technology for Middle ... - Siemens press release