Digital Signage could soon be coming to a display screen near you. Imagine Google AdWords tied into a network of Internet-driven kiosk advertisements. Combined with RFID technology it might identify the items you are purchasing and offer coupons through a store display or in a checkout line. The Google patent Allocating Advertising Space In A Network of Displays describes the format in detail. Here is an excerpt… [More…]

If you have been creating HTML 4.1 and CSS web pages for some time you’ve probably noticed that an increasing number of web pages now use XHTML formatting. There are several reasons why XHTML is a better choice for web pages. If you have put off learning to use XHTML, here is a straightforward introduction that may help change your mind. [More…]

The Internet protocol (IP) suite centers on the two most common communication standards called TCP and UDP. TCP/IP and UDP/IP evolved in the 1970s as a means for connecting Local Area Networks. The TCP/IP communication model is viewed as having 4 or 5 layers, and is the predecessor to The OSI Model. This article describes the fundamental concepts of the TCP/IP and UDP/IP model. [More…]

The OSI (Open System Interconnection) Reference Model is a 7 layer communication model for computer networks. Originally created in the early 1980s by the ISO (International Standards Organization), it defines a layered protocol for host to client communications. This article briefly describes the layers of the OSI model. [More…]

If you are not already using Mozilla FireFox, you should try it. It’s the most flexible web browser yet, and the first major competition that Microsoft Internet Explorer has had since NetScape. One of pleasures of FireFox is the large collection of free add-ons that are available. Many of the add-ons are high quality, and tremendously enhance FireFox’s functionality.

Since installing a lot of add-ons that run all the time can slow down FireFox, we have focused on a few choice FireFox add-ons that have a minimal impact on the total system performance. Some are useful to everyone, and others will be more useful to programmers and developers. [More…]