A Practical Guide to SharePoint 2013

A Practical Guide to SharePoint 2013
A Practical Guide to SharePoint 2013 - Book by Saifullah Shafiq

Sunday, April 30, 2023

International Workers Day

A debt of honor

The International Workers Day is a day to laud the countless achievements of our working class who play a prime role in our society. Each year Labor Day is commemorated on May 1, with a public holiday. All around the globe, workers have been positively contributing towards the welfare of their country. It is their unwavering hard work that has paved the path towards continual prosperity. Therefore, they definitely deserve a break to free themselves from exhaustion and worries of work.

Let’s pay homage

All the workers belonging to different professions or occupations whether they are skilled or unskilled, plodders or doctors, engineers or office boys, sweepers or teachers, pilots or miners, soldiers or janitors, mechanics or lawyers deserve the same level of respect. The effort that they put in their work whether it is manual or intellectual cannot be undermined on the basis of their qualification, status or level of hierarchy. At the same time this day condemns the escalating issue of child labor which is mostly prevalent in third world countries. Such unlawful acts have shattered the dreams of thousands of talented gems. Labor Day also sheds light on the difficulties that many workers face such as long working hours, poor working conditions and low salaries. Many on site workers or those working at the manufacturing plants have expressed such grievances. On the very opposite end, some tech workers continue to enjoy the privileges of high salaries and fringe benefits.

The tech side

From a technological perspective, labor’s day holds much significance. The sky rocketing advancement in technology has resulted in the automation of many tasks which has both a good side and a bad side as this has impacted the labor market in several ways. Machines, especially in the manufacturing and transportation sector have replaced the workforce. According to an estimation, nearly 400 million jobs will be lost by 2030 as a result of automation and 800 million will be automated. There has been a huge reduction in jobs, so manual labor is no longer needed. However, the demand for skilled workers in the field of cyber security, quality assurance, data analytics, network engineering, and software development has increased. This has also revealed that workers are getting more technologically savvy and diverse in terms of skills. 

Every soul matters, so make them smile!

All those who have sweated under the sun or racked their brains in their workspace to earn a living will always be revered today and forever. The efforts of every individual worker will never go in vain. On this labor’s day, don’t forget to speak up for those who are being underpaid and are demanding fair and equitable working conditions. Be the first one to present a bouquet of flowers to those who really deserve it.

 

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Pros and Cons of Data Visualization

Data and technology go hand in hand. We are exposed to a lot of data on a daily basis so viewing and interpreting it has become more important than ever. Companies and business owners are demanding employees that have a data skill set so that they can understand and know the impact of the data and come up with solutions. It is at this moment when data visualization comes into play. The purpose of data visualization is to analyze and make the data accessible as well as comprehensible enough. There are a number of different tools and techniques that are used for data visualization. One such tool is the digital dashboard on which many businesses depend. Let’s find more about data visualization through this blog.

What is Data Visualization?

Data visualization, as the name suggests is the visual or the graphical depiction of different forms of data and information. In order to derive meaning out of the data, businesses usually use visual tools or interactive elements such as maps, plots, charts, graphs as well as animations. By summarizing and translating large amounts of information in a visual form, a company can easily and efficiently comprehend trends, patterns or the outliers within the data. This is essential in order to make data driven decisions and put it before their untechnical audience who cannot understand the raw data. Sometimes data visualization can be troublesome if the data is misinterpreted or misrepresented. Thus, it is important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages when going through the process of data visualization.

Pros 

Humans are quickly attracted to colors or patterns. We are able to discern one color from another or one shape from another such as a circle from a square. Visual elements are everywhere such as in movies, advertisements, art etc. Data visualization is also a kind of attention grabbing visual art that helps us to focus on the message. Through graphs and charts we can effortlessly tell the outliers and the trends. On the other hand, if it’s a long spreadsheet of data we cannot interpret it that easily. We can quickly visualize the associations and patterns and internalize what we see. With data visualization, information sharing becomes convenient and you can search for different opportunities in an interactive way.

Cons 

At times, data visualization can lead to confusion and biases because the visualization is done or designed in a wrong manner. Also, sometimes there are a number of data points so there are chances of having erroneous assumptions and sharing of inaccurate information. If there is correlation between variables that does not always depict that there will be causation too. Moreover, the actual messages might get lost as it is translated.

The benefits of data visualization are more as compared to the trivial disadvantages but with the use of good quality tools, software and through skilled employees the desired outcome can be achieved and errors can be minimized.


Technology and Green Funerals

It's not as spooky as you are thinking!

It seems like the technology would not spare even the dead ones. You might be feeling uneasy after reading the topic but calm down that does not mean any harm will be done to your body after you die. We all know that death is inevitable but there is no need to worry at all. Sustainable living has been a major concern of scientists and environmental experts and now they have come up with ways to ensure eco-friendly burial and disposal of dead bodies. 

New and sustainable burial ways

From ecological perspective, those religious groups who cremate the dead bodies of their deceased ones contribute to the carbon footprint. It is reported that the average act of cremation adds 400kg of carbon dioxide which is very alarming and harmful for our atmosphere. Instead of that some countries such as the United States have started practicing composting, a natural way to decompose the bodies without fussing with the environment. In this process bodies are covered in soil, tree trimmings, straws, papers and other organic materials that boost natural decomposition. Just in 30 days the body decays and disappears in the soil which is then used as a fertilizer to grow plants in gardens or woodlands. As a result of that, very less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere as compared to cremation. This initiative has been first taken by the company known as Recompose. 

Another start up called Coeio used alternative technology with slight changes in the aforementioned process. They used fungi and made suits out of mushrooms and some other microorganisms to cover the body. This promotes decomposition and toxins which are released when the body starts to decay also get neutralized. One interesting chemical process is alkaline hydrolysis in which the body is placed in a pressurized chamber in order to dispose it through heating and there is very less emission. The entire process takes almost four to six hours and finally the body of a dead human or animal is broken down into simpler substances or chemical components. This method has been legalized in the US and is being adopted by many pet and animal companies. Green burials are not just cost effective but also saves resources such as wood, concrete, bricks, steel or copper used for graves. You do not have to spend so much on concrete vaults or the caskets. It also reduces the need for hazardous chemicals that are used in embalming process. 

Green burial is being welcomed by many individuals in the western countries because of the lower cost as well as to protect the environment from harmful chemicals and gases that are released in the atmosphere.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Best Cryptos for Gaming

A significant change has occurred in the gaming industry in the past few years and cryptocurrencies have made it more exciting and interesting. Gaming has become a lucrative market, especially with the rise of block chain technology. Cryptocurrencies offer gamers a number of options to purchase and sell or even exchange the in game objects such as collectibles, accessories and NFTs. It provides them with security in terms of transactions and trading of digital goods and everything is done in a decentralized manner. So let’s see which are the best cryptos keeping in mind their transaction speed, reliability, popularity and security.

1. CHILIZ (CHZ)

This gaming platform relies on block chain technology and helps gaming enthusiasts to purchase the branded fan tokens. With these tokens you can be a part of different games, club activities and sport teams. It is considered the best crypto since it has partnered with some international sport teams, one of those is FC Barcelona. CHZ is a versatile currency to purchase because it is a defi token. There is more transparency and security, you can take part in yield farming and it even has the feature of liquidity. Chiliz has become popular in 40 countries and has more than 20 million users. 

2. Theta (THETA)

This platform is also backed by decentralized block chain technology. It was introduced to fulfill the needs of gaming and streaming industries and also enhance users’ viewing experience by offering them better quality. With a peer to peer network they can view any type of content such as videos or even play games. It also lessens your dependency on a centralized server. It is considered the best crypto and a solid option for investment because of its Theta fuel (TFUEL) token which powers this platform. Networks are supported through the users’ bandwidth or their computing power. As the number of users who participate in the network increases, TFUEL’s demand also surges. 

3. ENJIN (ENJ)

Another cryptocurrency that has been popular these days for gaming is ENJIN (ENJ). It is liked by many investors and gamers. A decentralized marketplace for virtual valuables is created through the ENJIN ecosystem. With the addition of block chain, developers are able to create and deal with the buying, selling and exchange of items in a game. The unique token model has monetary benefits for users since they can redeem that certain amount of Enjin Coin for real world use. 

In conclusion, block chain and cryptocurrencies have brought a positive change in the gaming industry. Investment in gaming cryptos seems an exciting and viable option for the experienced investors as well as the beginners. 

 

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Most in demand tech roles for 2023


Companies all over the world are putting in efforts to attract the top tech talent, since it is becoming increasingly challenging to find highly skilled professionals belonging to software and application development. Though the average salary depends on the experience of every individual there are several other factors that impact their salaries such as budget, location, roles they are performing, corporate culture, and budget. Let’s have a look at the most in demand jobs in 2023 related to the IT sector.

1. Software developers

Software developers also known as the software engineers have to perform many tasks and duties such as to build applications, software programs and networks. When it comes to coding, they have to keep in mind their client’s needs, go through the process of testing and documentation etc. They also have to pay attention to the front end or back end applications. If someone is looking for a job as a software developer, he must have knowledge and experience related to coding and programming languages such as Python, HTML, Java, C++, Ruby, JavaScript etc. His concepts of software development and computer science must be clear, communication skills and critical thinking skills are a must. Studies have shown that there will be a 25% increase in software development jobs between the years 2021 to 2031. 

2. Data Scientists

The role of data scientists is to gather, process, analyze and interpret massive amounts of data using the latest analytics technologies. These technologies include artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive modeling. Technical skills, soft skills and critical thinking is needed in order to interpret the data, on that basis companies can devise business strategies and this helps them to better understand consumer behavior. They must be well aware of statistics, data visualization, model deployment and predictive modeling etc. There are tremendous job opportunities for data scientists and the demand for them will rise to 36% between the years 2021 to 2031.

3. Artificial Intelligence Specialists

AI Specialists are also called machine learning engineers. They have to develop and work on AI and ML tools and technologies which a company needs for the computer programs. For this role, expertise in AI, ML and DL is must. They should have in-depth knowledge and understanding of TensorFlow, NLP, Python and algorithms. These are some specific skills that a business intelligence developer or AI engineer should have. Overall, there is high demand for these professionals in the IT, communication and automotive industries.

4. Information security analyst

The storage of sensitive data is crucial for companies. Information security analysts have a major role in safeguarding and protecting a company's data, computer systems, confidential information and network from hackers, cyber-attacks and malware. The duties that they must perform include formulation and execution of cybersecurity measures, keep a check on network breaches, analyze and report about breaches and perform penetration testing etc. The skills needed for these professions include clear knowledge of computer networks and systems. Since their main purpose is to provide system security, they should be well aware of cyber threats, attacks and defense strategies. Research has revealed that only in the United States, 56, 500 new jobs in this field will be created in a decade i.e. 2021 to 2031.

5. IT managers and directors

IT managers have to fulfill both the short term and long term technological requirements of a company. For this, meetings have to be arranged with the executives and they have to collaborate with the top management to discuss technological matters. These include discussions on the upgrading of hardware and software, security, purchase decisions and handling IT tasks. A number of skills are needed for this role such as strategic thinking, communication and technical skills, project management and they should have the ability to handle pressure. They must also possess leadership qualities, should be aware of the latest technologies and have knowledge of computer science. With the digital transformation, it is expected that more than 82000 new jobs in this field will be created between 2021 to 2031.

All those who are seeking a job must know these highly demanded and promising positions in the market.

 

All about ChatSonic

We have been hearing a lot about ChatGPT lately and how it has flabbergasted people with its amazing features and benefits. There is no doubt that the technology is highly versatile but there are many other amazing options that users can consider for business and personal purposes. One such latest and incredibly powerful chatbot is named ChatSonic which is trending these days. 

It’s invaluable!

Writesonic’s ChatSonic is a cutting edge conversational AI chatbot that has been creating ripples worldwide with its GPT-4 capabilities and covers the limitations of ChatGPT. This tool is powered and trained by Google Search and allows you to create content that is ten times faster and efficient as compared to other AI chatbots. It can chat with you on latest occurrences, hot topics and events in real time and help you to write factual content. 

A perfect partner for conversation

ChatSonic is a unique chat platform that makes use of both Adaptive Learning Technology and Natural Language Processing to deliver up to date responses through Google Search. One thing to note is that ChatSonic is user friendly and has easy to navigate software, so you can quickly produce high quality professional documents. It can also easily produce phenomenal AI generated digital artwork that you might need for your marketing campaigns or social media posts to better engage with your target audience. 

Chatsonic gives an artistic touch to your digital images which you can generate in different styles. If you are stuck on an assignment question or a math problem, want help for the preparation of an interview or need tips for physical well-being, a personal assistant does everything for you. ChatSonic has the ability to understand voice commands which saves your time and gives responses just like Alexa or Siri, though you can still write commands. Since it utilizes the power of AI, companies can provide a compelling and personalized experience to their customers in a human-like fashion. What gives ChatSonic an edge over its competitor is that it is trained on large datasets of human written text and conversation. Though it offers a free trial to users, it has a limit of only 2500 words. Its interface is simple and more than 1 million marketing agencies and freelancers are making use of it.

In simple words, ChatSonic is considered the next best alternative to ChatGPT. It is preferred and loved by millions of people all around the world.

 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Future of IT Industry in Pakistan

The prestigious beginning of Information Technology and Computer Science in Pakistan dates back to the 1980s. Some say that the country is a late bloomer in this regard, but it is way ahead as compared to hundred other countries around the globe. In terms of performance it comes under the shed of top IT services providers. In 2021, the Global Innovation Index reported that Pakistan IT sector greatly improved and got a strong grip globally (bagged a position of 99th from among 132 countries).It is competing with many countries such as Malaysia, India, China, Indonesia and several others.

More and more people are getting computer literate and the number of technophiles is continuously increasing. This is an achievement on our behalf, since Pakistan is considered a third world country. Five lac laptops and computers are bought each year by Pakistanis and since the outbreak of the pandemic the demand significantly surged as it gave rise to work from home jobs. Since people are getting more knowledge and awareness related to information technology you can have an idea what the future will be like.

Pakistan has a wide base of information technology users. Side by side, it is also a producer and provides a number of different services such as programming, development, consultancy, network and security, computer training and many others. Even high quality information technology gadgets and devices are being manufactured here that are later exported to other countries at a low cost. This not only helps the country in revenue generation but also increases foreign reserves. A decade ago, in 2014 the foreign exchange was more than $ 525 million (twice as that in 2002). Government has planned to invest more in IT so that there can be an influx of foreign income. This will also give rise to technological advancement and more jobs will be created for those who are ardently choosing it as a field for career. With government support, the country will look up and come closer to the developed countries such as China.

Many professionals and experts are taking advantage of the internet by making a hefty sum of money in website design and development, computer programming, information management and other areas. While many top notch IT companies are outsourcing jobs so that they can get things done faster. It’s hard to believe it might be, Pakistan has a string of phenomenal hackers and bug detectors, many of them have worked for reputable companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Dropbox etc. and hunted bugs for them. In the late 90's and early 2000, internet was available only in a handful of cities, but now almost every part of the country has access to the internet.

In future, if the government extends support and facilitates the IT sector with full alacrity then surely it will leave behind many developing countries and will inch closer to the domineering IT countries. As hinted earlier, if this is done then the IT industry can bring more revenues than other sectors such as agriculture, textile or construction etc. However, with limited resources Pakistan still has a long way to go and wait for the fruitful outcome. There is a worldwide demand for tech talented individuals. Government is taking initiatives to attract and promote this sector which is a great source for foreign investment. The most promising areas are software development, e-commerce and digital services. Backed by internet and mobile services the sector seems to break all the previous barriers that hindered it to achieve some tech goals. However, much progress depends on the political situation and well planned infrastructure. A lack of skilled professionals can create obstacles in the path of growth of this sector.