What is an Unlocked Phone?
This is an article from wisegeek.com.
An unlocked phone is essentially a phone that can be used with any SIM card from any network. Most cell phone companies install special “locking” software on their phones that prevents the phones from being used with any other network’s SIM card. However, there are ways to unlock a cell phone so that it can be used with any network.
One of the ways that cell phone companies attract new customers is to offer free or inexpensive phones when the customer signs a contract. In addition to charging a high termination fee if the customer cancels their phone line before the contract is up, cell phone companies protect themselves by locking all of the phones they sell to their network. This keeps them from losing money on customers who would buy a phone for a good deal from their company, then activate it with another network for a better rate.
Cell phone companies are able to do this because every modern cell phone has a tiny card in it called a SIM card. The SIM card is what identifies a cell phone as a certain phone number. In other words, a cell phone user can move their SIM card from one phone to another and still keep the same number. In addition, the SIM card is coded with the network’s identification information.
A locked phone essentially has software that prevents it from working with a SIM card that has any other carrier’s information coded into it. Unlocking a cell phone therefore enables the phone’s owner to leave one cell phone company for another. With an unlocked phone, a person can use whichever cell phone company is offering the best rate or the highest quality services.
Another advantage is that an unlocked phone is worth more money. Many sellers on eBay and elsewhere sell cellular phones. Since an unlocked phone appeals to a wider audience, instead of only those with a certain carrier, it is often worth the minimal expense to unlock the phone.
Unlocking a phone can be done online for very little money, usually under twenty U.S. dollars. Some phones require a special code to unlock them, which can be purchased online. Other phones can be unlocked by downloading software online and hooking the phone up to the computer. Unlocking a phone is generally not difficult, and since an unlocked phone gives users more options, the time and money it takes is usually considered worthwhile.
Posted on August 29th, 2009 by Binil
Filed under Electronics | 1 Comment »
Custom software (Bespoke software)
This is an article from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Custom software (also known as Bespoke software) is a type of software that is developed either for a specific organization or function that differs from or is opposite of other already available software (also called off-the-shelf or COTSsoftware). It is generally not targeted to the mass market, but usually created for companies, business entities, and organizations. Custom software is also when companies or governments pay for customized software for budget or project managing.
Examples of bespoke software include commercial products such as commercial websites, business databases and software for governments. Non-commercial custom software development is common in academic and open source circles.
Complex custom software can be developed on an increasingly small scale through the rise of rapid application development frameworks. This means that smaller companies, charities or even individuals are able to benefit from complex software based on pre-built building blocks which are then customized to suit.
For those wishing to outsource or undertake a software project, the typical steps involved include:
* Initial Meeting – requirements are discussed in detail.
* Proposal – a detailed proposal is produced, based on the initial meeting.
* Detailed Design – for most projects, there is usually more design work to clarify exactly how the system should work.
* Agree Contract – to achieve the best balance between cost and system functionality.
* Development – work starts on the proposed system.
* Delivery of System – at the end of development, a “functionally complete” system is delivered, which requires end-user testing.
* System Completed – testing is complete, and the system is ready for deployment.
According to Blueberry Consultants, the most important questions to ask of a developer before embarking on a software project include:
* Who has copyright?
* Will the system be built on top of any other platform or system?
* Will the system use or depend on third-party libraries or systems?
* Who has source code control?
* Who collects requirements from the customer?
* Will they assist with system deployment and firewall configuration?
* How long have they been in business?
* How many developers are employed?
* What programming languages are used?
* Will any form of logging be incorporated into the software to report bugs?
Posted on August 29th, 2009 by Binil
Filed under Computers | 1 Comment »