Developing Wellsite Geology Software

Over the years I have been able to work on many different software projects. Some of these were stand-alone applications, others were client server applications that made good use of the local networks. A lot of Web development and working with Web technologies also played a part. All of these projects were challenging but not nearly as complex as the software industry with its myriad languages, technologies - its crazy jargon and seemingly endless acronyms. That was until now.

You see, now I have been immersed into the giant world of the oil and gas industry. They have their own languages and enough acronyms to make even a hardened software guy shudder. When you come across terms like datum, TVD (True Vertical Depth), mudlogging, RT (Rotary Table Elevation), MSL (Mean Sea Level), MDRT (Measured Depth from the Rotary Table), KB (Kelly Bushing), AHD (Australian Height Datum), plus many, many more - you have to stop and scratch your head.

Although being a specialist within the software industry with many years of experience and qualifications, it is much easier dealing with database tables with fields like FirstName, LastName, StreetAddress and Phone than it is with fields like Calcimetry_mg, AGSO_Id, iC4, LagDepthMD and Dolomite. If you are a geologist or work in the oil and gas industry then these terms may already be familiar to you. However, most people are absolutely flabbergasted when confronted by such terms. I know that I am.

When doing database mappings from one format into another, it is much simpler to look at FirstName and LastName fields in the source database and then see that they have to be concatenated in order to fit the single CustomerName field belonging to the destination database. This is not so easy when you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt understand the geological meanings of terms and what they signify.

To some extent, you can still apply knowledge that you have from the software industry that does not have an immediate impact from any outside source. So, for example, you know how to setup Apache config files or modify IIS to configure the geology website and this requires no knowledge of wellsite geology terminology whatsoever. The knowledge of how to create a class and reference it does not change. There are many other aspects where your software, database and system skills are not impeded by the complexity of the field that you are working in.

All said and done, I am finding my introduction to the oil and gas industry not without incident and its fair share of activity. There is nothing sleepy about this industry as it seems to be a 24/7 worldwide operation and they donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt stop for weekends.

About The Author
Rob Francis is a senior developer working with a team on R-WEB - a wellsite geology software package. Visit http://www.r-web.com for more details.

Pocket PC Software

Below are some of the top-rated and most popular Pocket PC software available for download or purchase on the Internet.

FlashAssist for Pocket PC is a product from Ant Mobile Software (www.antmobile.com). You can view Macromedia Flash content on your Pocket PC device with this Macromedia Flash Player enhancement for Pocket PC, which allows you to open SWF files directly without the need of the scroll bars. You can also create shortcuts to open your favorite Flash content in three different window sizes. The software costs $14.95.

Odigo Messenger Force, developed by Ruksun Software Technologies (www.ruksun.com),is Pocket PC instant messaging software that enables users to connect to popular IM networks such as ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, and Odigo, all integrated and interoperable into one application. The software is available for $25.

ASV - American Standard Version for Pocket PC 351e015 is a completely free American Standard Version Bible for the Pocket PC, brought to you by Olive Tree Bible Software (www.olivetree.com). This BibleReader supports bookmarks, personal highlighting, eBook hyper-linking, etc. Thereรขโ�ฌโ�ขs another version for Blackberry devices that is also free.

Mobile Administrator (Client-side Pocket PC) is from Software River Solutions (softwareriver.com); it lets you control your computers from anywhere, using almost any Internet-connected Pocket PC device. You can complete tasks such as monitoring the amount of free memory, rebooting, and monitoring start/stop services on remote machines. The Mobile Administrator is free for download.

Cresotech Convert-It is available for download at www.cresotech.com; this standalone application for the Pocket PC allows you to convert different measuring system units into each other, and "almost anything into anything" (according to the developers). In order to continue using the 30-day free trail version, you have to register it for $15.

Pocket PC provides detailed information on Pocket PC, Pocket PC Software, PDA Pocket PCs, Pocket PC Games and more. Pocket PC is affiliated with Tablet PC Software.

Project Management Software

Project management software is a computer program that serves to streamline the process of running a project from conception to completion, taking out many of the detailed steps that are usually required. Project management, as the name suggests, is meant to deal with the proper management services and scrutiny of various projects, starting from web projects to construction projects. Nonetheless, project management is a particular discipline of defining and achieving targets. At the same time, its primary purpose is to optimize the varied utilizations of resource based facilities including the resources such as energy, space, time, people, technology and many others.

But for every project management, time constraint plays a major part in the whole process. For every project management, work is conducted under the supervision of an individual project manager. It is the responsibility of the project manager to head the whole project without even participating in the whole work. This is due to the software designed specifically for project management.

Present day projects include the engineering and construction of various public or consumer products, including buildings, vehicles and electronic devices. They are modeled through project management software. All the project works are primarily planned through the application of software. They not only give the virtual image of the whole project, but also the errorless measurements, the cost factors, the management planning, etc.

Although the best project management professionals are hired for the projects, computer software gives the detailed analysis of the plan including the calculations and statistical implications. There is even web-based software to manage and facilitate projects.

Project Management Software provides detailed information on Project Management Software, Construction Project Management Software, Free Project Management Software, Web Based Project Management Software and more. Project Management Software is affiliated with Inventory Asset Management Software.

Software Makes Processing Possible

Computers have become an important part of our life and used for day-to-day working. In every field whether it is a school, college, business, home or hospitals, we use computers. A computer system consists of various parts, procedures and operations, which are known as computer hardware and software.

Both hardware and software have equal importance. In absence on one a computer cannot work. The components that can be seen or touched are known as hardware. The term software is used for all applications and operating systems used in computer. Computer perform its working on basis of such software.

The computer software is loaded into RAM, which is a computer memory and CPU can execute it. The computer can understand only machine language but it is not possible for humans to perform working in this language so it is written in high-level language that are compiled or interpreted into machine language.

There are different types of computer software i.e. system software, application software and programming software. System software supports the different functions of a computer system. Some examples of system software are operating systems, window systems, Linux, device drivers, servers etc.

Application software is designed achieve specific jobs like computer games, office sets, software for business or education etc. Private companies or large business firms are major users of this software. Programming software mainly consist of different tools that are used while writing computer programs. Some of the tools are connectors, interpreters debuggers etc.

Author presents a website on computer software. This website provides information about meaning of and importance of computer software, its types. You can visit his site about software tips.

7 Things to Consider Before Buying Small Business Accounting Software

The world of small business accounting software can be a minefield for any business owner. However choosing the right package is one of the most critical business decisions you will make.

Here are the seven things you must consider before making a purchase that will help you achieve your businesses goals.

1. Scalability

Businesses change over time so it's critical that the small business accounting software you choose can change too. Some things that often change are the number of products and services offered and the number of employees. When you choose your package try and imaging the business in 5 years or 10 years time and how different it will be. Use this information to guide your purchase decision. It may well be better to pay a little more now for the software knowing that it can be easily upgraded when needed with minimum disruption and cost to your business.

2. Support

It is important that any software has great support for when something goes wrong (and it always does). Most major companies offer support but you also need to think about support in your local area. It's often much easier to have someone locally come in and do things you need done with your software than have someone trying to help you over the phone. Make some enquiries with other businesses about the package they use and who helps them.

3. Accountant Interface

It's most unlikely you will handle every aspect of your businesses accounting. Your accountant is an important factor in making the right decision. What software are they used to working with and what do they prefer? Can you easily supply them data and reports from your package without the need for any extra work (which you'll have to pay for). Don't be afraid to ask their opinion as they live and breathe this stuff.

4. Best Value For Money

Once you have selected the right package for your business you may as well get the best value. Shop around as the price can vary greatly and the product is exactly the same. Online merchants such as Amazon may offer better pricing because of the sheer volume of products they sell. However price is only one part of the equation so if their is great merchant locally with support or installation assistance this may be far more valuable.

5. Major Brands

There are two major players in the small business accounting software market. They are QuickBooks and Peachtree. Microsoft is expected to enter the market soon. I recommend choosing a major brand so that you can get regular updates and you know the company will be around as long as your business needs them.

6. Ease of Use

Ease of use is a personal thing but it is worth trying the software before you buy it if you can. Remember to get the person who will be the main user to test the software as well. Also consider how well the package can interact with other software you use. This is an advantage the Microsoft package may have when it's available.

7. Features Needed

I touched on this earlier when talking about thinking ahead as to where you business will be in 5 or 10 years time. Most accounting software packages come in several different versions. If you don't need certain features now and can't see a need for them in the future then don't buy them. The major differences are usually - number of users allowed, inventory management capability and number of reports available.

To sum up think ahead when planning your purchase of small business accounting software. You will make a much smarter business decision that will save you plenty of trouble and money in the future.

Please visit us for more information and a feature by feature comparison of: Small Business Accounting Software

Free Software for Newbies and Web Developers

Here is some free software tools to help you build your own websites and create web products.

Learning new skills is not difficult. It just takes a bit of willingness to give it a go. You will feel great satisfaction knowing that you can do this stuff.

Zip Utility

HTML Editor

FTP Software

Screen Shot Software

Zip Utility

You just gotta have a zip utility if you intend to spend time on the Internet. I use Winzip for all my zipping and unzipping needs. It is fast and easy to use. If you would like to check out other zip utilities, go to download.com and do a search.

HTML Editor

To build web pages and eBooks, you'll need some kind of HTML editor. I use 1st Page 2000 for all my HTML editing. It is 100% Free for ever with all features working. This page and web site is being built with this editor.

After the editor is installed, you'll need some web pages to study. Search Google with the key words "free web page template". Don't worry, I just did it. Here is the search results.

Quick Lesson:

All I did to begin learning was to simply open up these templates and study the code from within the editor and try to relate it to what I could see on the actual web page. For example, here is a shot of code from within the HTML editor:

This is a screenshot of some code from this web page. Study the code and relate it to what you see on this page. The red and blue codes are commands which create a hyperlink and cause the link to open in a new browser window.

Take it easy. Learn one command at a time. It won't be long before you get some web pages happening.

When you are ready to learn some more commands, go to HTML Goodies for a good range of Free tutorials.

FTP Software

To transfer your web site to the Internet, you'll need an FTP program. Go to download.com to find several Free FTP programs available for download. I like WS_FTP because it is fast to learn and easy to use. Another popular program is CuteFTP.

Screen Shot Software

To capture images from your computer screen, you'll need a program that will cut the image quickly and easily. I use a freeware program called SRip32. No installation is required and it is very user friendly.

You can also do a search at Google for even more free screen capture software programs.

About The Author

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