Auto-generate Flow Chart from Java/C++ Codes:

Raptor Flowchart Tutorial For Beginners

Saturday, November 03, 2012

What is... Three Horse Race?

Apakah itu Perlumbaan Tiga Kuda?

Dari segi bahasa, tentu sahaja maksudnya perlumbaan yang disertai oleh tiga ekor kuda.

Dalam konteks ICT, ia adalah ungkapan kata-kata CEO Nokia, Stephen Elop dalam satu majlis persefahaman antara syarikat Nokia dan Microsoft.

Rujuk: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/365212/nokia-ceo-this-is-a-now-a-three-horse-race


Nokia CEO: Kini ia adalah perlumbaan tiga kuda

Stephen Elop dan Steve Ballmer
Oleh Barry Collins
Posted on 11 Feb 2011 pada 10:45
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Nokia telah mengisytiharkan kini ia adalah perlumbaan tiga kuda bagi pasaran telefon pintar tiga di antara Google Android, Apple IOS dan Telefon Windows 7.
Pada satu sidang akhbar di London untuk mengumumkan peralihan Nokia ke Telefon Windows 7 sebagai "platform utama telefon pintar" syarikat, CEO Stephen Elop berkata syarikat beliau terpaksa menyesuaikan diri untuk terus hidup.
Bagi seseorang untuk bersaing dengan efektif dan menang menentang Android dan Apple, ia memerlukan otot yang ketara
"Bagi seseorang untuk bersaing dengan efektif dan menang menentang Android dan Apple, ia memerlukan otot yang ketara," kata Elop, duduk bersama bos Microsoft Steve Ballmer.
"[Mobile] pengendali memerlukan alternatif yang boleh dipercayai. Ini adalah kini satu perlumbaan tiga kuda," dia menyatakan, seolah-olah melupakan BlackBerry RIM. Elop berkata Nokia telah dipertimbangkan dan ditolak membangunkan peranti Android.
Pengguna korporat digambarkan dengan sangat rasional Nokia untuk memilih Telefon Windows 7. "Telefon Windows 7 mempunyai pelaksanaan yang terbaik perisian produktiviti perniagaan di planet ini," Elop dituntut.
Layu Symbian dan MeeGo?
Elop - bekas eksekutif Microsoft - menolak dua sistem lain, Symbian dan MeeGo (usahasama dengan Intel).
Elop berkata pasukan pembangunan Symbian akan beralih ke OS Microsoft, walaupun dia dijangka untuk menjual 150,000,000 lebih peranti Symbian manakala peralihan berlaku. "Ini adalah jelas peralihan daripada Symbian Telefon Windows 7," katanya.
Bos Nokia adalah lebih kurang bersemangat mengenai MeeGo, menyifatkannya semata-mata sebagai "peluang untuk belajar".
"Kami akan meminta bahawa pasukan tersebut[MeeGo] menukar fokusnya ke dalam peranti masa depan, pengalaman pengguna masa depan ... untuk mengetahui apa gangguan seterusnya dalam platform mudah alih," kata Elop.
Ditanya mengapa Nokia kekal komited untuk melancarkan peranti MeeGo lewat tahun ini, Elop menjawab: "Jika  sesuatu itu mati, ia adalah yang terbaik untuk tidak dipasarkan," sebelum menambah bahawa Nokia akan menyokong mana-mana peranti yang dapat disumbat ke pasaran.


Read more: Nokia CEO: this is a now a three-horse race | News | PC Pro http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/365212/nokia-ceo-this-is-a-now-a-three-horse-race#ixzz2BCkI8Y8x

Friday, November 02, 2012

Simple Way To... Get Rid of TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 Completely – Remove TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 Manually

Cara Mudah Untuk... Nyahkan virus TR/ATRAPS.Gen2

Selepas terkena Smart HDD Virus, laptop saya terkena jangkitan TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 pula.

Saya terjumpa artikel di bawah. Tapi saya belum ikut lagi langkah2nya kerana saya mahu mencuba dengan SuperAntiSpyWare terlebih dahulu.



Setelah SuperAntiSpyWare menjalankan kerja-kerja nyah-virus dan laptop dihidupkan semula, Avira tetap mengeluarkan mesej tanda virus gagal dinyahkan seperti berikut:

Maknanya SuperAntiSpyWare pun tak mampu nak menentang TR/ATRAPS.Gen2

Seterusnya, saya cuba combofix pula (http://www.combofix.org/)



Lama juga Combofix bekerja. Laptop reboot dan Combofix terus bekerja dan memaparkan mesej melalui Tetingkap Konsol (Console Window). Akhirnya laptop reboot lagi sekali. Saya menunggu kalau-kalau Avira mengeluarkan mesej virus dikesan seperti di atas. Buat masa ini belum keluar.

Maka rumusannya, COMBOFIX adalah cara mudah untuk menyahkan TR/ATRAPS.Gen2!!


-------------------------------------------------------------------


How to Get Rid of TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 Completely – Remove TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 Manually

Avira keeps reporting TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 inside your computer? This virus always comes bundled with TR/Sirefef.AG.35 virus. Both of these Trojans are able to allow a remote attacker to gain control on the compromised computer. Remove it as quickly as you can once upon detection.

TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 Description

TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 is classified as a nasty Trojan infection that can penetrate into the corrupted PC without the computer user’s consent and awareness. After accessing the target computer, it disguises itself in Windows directory folder named System32 or System64 based on the type of the OS so that it is difficult for user to detect or remove this pesky Trojan by the current security tools. Most of time, users can discover this trojan by running Avira Antivirus, however, it can’t help to delete TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 completely as the virus always comes back again and again after each time rebooting the machine. Without a doubt, this trojan is a disaster for all the computers.
Once inside, it can deliver other malicious programs onto the infected computer system. Besides, it allows attackers to gain remote access and control to a victim’s PC, enabling them to steal any sensitive information such as passwords, usernames and login details found. Thus, your computer will be at risk and damaged easily. While you are surfing the web, it displays annoying ads and from that time, computer is slower and slower. That includes starting up, shutting down, playing games, and surfing the web. Therefore, you must remove such dangerous Trojan as soon as possible once found on your computer.

Trojan infected symptoms:

It can bypass the legit security tools and destroy your computer secretly.
It prevents you from opening some application because the files are corrupted.
It can make your browser redirected to all kinds of malicious websites.
It is able to allow remote hacker access the compromised system for illicit purpose.
Note: TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 is a highly dangerous Trojan created by the internet hackers and infects your computer through vulnerability or security program exploits. Once found, an immediate removal is needed. You can chat with an expert now to further know about this virus.

Cause:

TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 can infect via many ways:
From malicious drive-by-download scripts from corrupted porn and shareware / freeware websites.
Through spam email attachments, media downloads and social networks.
When clicking suspicious popups or malicious links.
Open unknown email or download media files that contain the activation code of the virus.
Note: No matter how does the virus access your PC, users should know that there are no tools can remove this virus automatically at this moment, it is suggested users not spend much time in downloading or paying any security software which claims can delete this stubborn virus. It is totally useless. To completely get rid of this pest, professional manual guide is needed.

Manual Removal Guides:

1. Reboot your computer to safe mode with networking. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, tap “F8″ key constantly.

2. Show hidden files and folders.
Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK.

3. Open Registry entries. Find out the malicious files and entries and then delete all.
Attention: Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.
a. Press the “Start” button and then choose the option “Run”. In the “Open” field, type “regedit” and click the “OK” button.


b. All malicious files and registry entries that should be deleted:
%System%\drivers\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].sys
%Temp%\[random]
C:\WINDOWS\system32\[random name].dll
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer “NoDesktop” = ’1?
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System “DisableTaskMgr” = ’1?
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “[random].exe”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “[random]”
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system “DisableTaskMgr” = ’1?
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download “CheckExeSignatures” = ‘no’

Video Shows You How to Safely Modify Windows Registry Editor:


Manual removal of TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 requires Expertise, Please take care before performing the steps.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Simple Way To... Uninstall Smart HDD Virus/Malware

Cara Mudah Untuk... Membuang Virus/Malware Smart HDD

Semasa memuatturun dokumen dari multiply akibat penutupan servisnya, laptop saya tiba-tiba berkelakuan ganjil. Muncul Tingkap Dialog Amaran mengatakan ada masalah dengan Hard Disk. Cuak juga rasanya. Laptop ini baru lima bulan dibeli. Takkanlah kualiti perkakasannya seteruk ini. Kemudiannya, Pak Cik Google memberithu ia adalah Smart HDD. Lega, at least I know that laptop is physically OK.

Virus ini menukarkan atribut bagi setiap fail direktori kepada hidden hingga akhirnya saya tak dapat lagi melihat nama-namanya di dalam Tingkap Windows Explorer. Lebih buruk lagi ia memadam kandungan Start Button. Lalu kosong dan tak dapat hendak mencapai apa-apa perisian ataupun fail.

Saya tahu fail/direktori sebenarnya tidak hilang tetapi cuma tersorok sahaja. Maka saya gunakan Perisian Portable 7Zip untuk meninjau fail/direktori ini (Saya hidupkan Windows melalui Safe Mode). Melalui tinjaun ini, semuanya didapati masih wujud. Dengan menggunakan 7Zip saya tukarkan buang atribut  hidden. Tapi simptom tidak akan selesai hinggalah Smart HDD dibuang sepenuhnya.

Saya dapati http://malwaretips.com/blogs/smart-hdd-removal-steps/ menyediakan panduan yang agak menyeluruh juga. Walaubagaimanapun, saya malas nak spend masa buat kerja-kerja ini. Saya pindahkan semua fail/direktori penting keluar, dan saya gunakan Recovery Software laptop saya untuk kembalikan laptop ke status asal ketika keluar dari kilang (Ini lagi mudah, tinggalkan aje buat sejam dua dan pergi diner dulu, balik nanti laptop dah ready :-P).

----------


Smart HDD Uninstall Instructions


Smart HDD is a malicious software that will display fake alerts, claiming that several hard drive errors were detected on your computer.The alerts are professional looking pop-ups and when you click on them, you’re advised to buy Smart HDD in order to fix this errors.
In reality, none of the reported issues are real, and are only used to scare you into buying Smart HDD and stealing your personal financial information.
If you’ve got a Smart HDD infection , you’ll be seeing this screens :
[Image: Smart-HDD.png]
Smart HDD will generate the following error messages:
Hard drive boot sector reading error
During I/O system initialization, the boot device driver might have failed to initialize the boot device. File system initialization might have failed because it did not recognize the data on the boot device.
System blocks were not found
This has most likely occurred because of hard disk failure.
This may also lead to a potential loss of data.
Error 0×00000024 – NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
The Stop 0×24 message indicates that a problems occurred within Ntfs.sys, the driver file that allows the system to read and write to NTFS file system drives. It is most often related to hard drive errors.
Error 0×00000078 – INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
The Stop 0×78 message indicates that Windows has lost access to the system partition or boot volume during the startup process. During I/O system initialization, the boot device driver might have failed to initialize the boot device (typically a hard disk). Repartitioning the system partition or installing a new SATA/RAID adapter or disk controller might also induce this error.
The DRM attribute value is too small before disk scan
Drive Reliability Monitor (a system or monitoring the reliability of disc drive functioning). The malfunction counter built into the disk drive shows excessive number of malfunctions. The storage device needs to be replaced.
Error 0×00000050 – PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
The Stop 0×50 message indicates that requested data was not in memory. The system generates an exception error when using a reference to an invalid system memory address.
Error 0x0000002E – DATA_BUS_ERROR
The Stop 0x2E message is typically caused by failed or defective RAM (including motherboard, Level 2 cache, or video memory), incompatible or mismatched memory hardware, or when a device driver attempts to access an address in the 0x8xxxxxxx range that does not exist (does not map to a physical address).

Registration codes for Smart HDD

As an optional step,you can use the following license key to register Smart HDD and stop the fake alerts.
15801587234612645205224631045976
Please keep in mind that entering the above registration code will NOT remove Smart HDD from your computer , instead it will just stop the fake alerts so that you’ll be able to complete our removal guide more easily.
We strongly advise you to follow our Smart HDD removal guide and ignore any alerts that this malicious software might generate.Under no circumstance should you buy this rogue security software as this could lead to identity theft.

Removal guide for Smart HDD

STEP 1 : Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking

  1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
  2. Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.Please keep in mind that you need to press the F8 key before the Windows  start-up logo appears.
  3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press ENTER.
    [Image: Safemode.jpg]
  4. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights

STEP 2: Remove Smart HDD malicious proxy server

Smart HDD may add a proxy server which prevents the user from accessing the internet,follow the below instructions to remove the proxy.
  1. Start Internet Explorer [Image: Smart HDD- IE] and if you are using Internet Explorer 9 ,click on the gear icon   [Image: IE gear icon] (Tools for Internet Explorer 8 users) ,then select Internet Options.
    [Image: Internet-options-IE.png]
  2. Go to the tab Connections.At the bottom, click on LAN settings.
    [Image: Remove-proxy-server2.png]
  3. Uncheck the option Use a proxy server for your LAN. This should remove the malicious proxy server and allow you to use the internet again.
    [Image: Remove-proxy-server3.png]
If you are a Firefox users, go to Firefox(upper left corner) → Options → Advanced tab → Network → Settings → Select No Proxy

STEP 3: Run RKill to terminate known malware processes associated with Smart HDD.

RKill is a program that attempts to terminate any malicious processes associated with Smart HDD ,so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections.
As RKill only terminates a program’s running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.
  1. While your computer is in Safe Mode with Networking ,please download the latest official version of RKill.
    [Image: download-rkill.png
  2. Double-click on the RKill iconin order to automatically attempt to stop any processes associated with Smart HDD.
    [Image: run-rkill-1.png]
  3. RKill will now start working in the background, please be patient while the program looks for various malware programs and tries to terminate them.
    [Image: run-rkill-2.png]
    IF you receive a message that RKill is an infection, that is a fake warning given by the rogue. As a possible solution we advise you to leave the warning on the screen and then try to run RKill again.Run RKill until the fake program is not visible but not more than ten times.
    IF you continue having problems running RKill, you can download the other renamed versions of RKill from here.
  4. When Rkill has completed its task, it will generate a log. You can thenproceed with the rest of the guide.
    [Image: Smart HDD rkill3.jpg]
WARNING: Do not reboot your computer after running RKill as the malware process will start again , preventing you from properly performing the next step.

STEP 4: Remove Smart HDD malicious files withMalwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE

  1. Please download the latest official version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE.
    download Malwarebytes
  2. Install Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware by double clicking on mbam-setup.
    [Image: malwarebytes-installer.png]
  3. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the installation process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware checked. Then click on the Finishbutton. If Malwarebytes’ prompts you to reboot, please do not do so.
    [Image: install-malwarebytes.png]
  4. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start and you’ll be prompted to start a trial period , please select ‘Decline‘ as we just want to use the on-demand scanner.
    [Image: decline-trial-malwarebytes.png]
  5. On the Scanner tab,please select Perform full scan and then click on theScan button to start scanning your computer for any possible infections.
    [Image: malwarebytes-full-system-scan.png]
  6. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for Smart HDD malicious files as shown below.
    [Image: malwarebytes-scanning.png]
  7. When the scan is finished a message box will appear, click OK to continue.
    [Image: malwarebytes-scan-finish.png]
  8. You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and click on the Remove Selected button.
    [Image: malwarebytes-scan-results.png]
  9. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start removing the malicious files.If during the removal process Malwarebytes will display a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow this request.
    [Image: malwarebytes-reboot-prompt.png]

STEP 5: Double check your system for any left over infections with HitmanPro

  1. This step can be performed in Normal Mode ,so please download the latest official version of HitmanPro.
    [Image: Download Hitman Pro]
  2. Double click on the previously downloaded file to start the HitmanPro installation.
    [Image: hitmanpro-icon.png]
    NOTE : If you have problems starting HitmanPro, use the “Force Breach” mode. Hold down the left CTRL-key when you start HitmanPro and all non-essential processes are terminated, including the malware process. (How to start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode – Video)
  3. Click on Next to install HitmanPro on your system.
    [Image: installing-hitmanpro.png]
  4. The setup screen is displayed, from which you can decide whether you wish to install HitmanPro on your machine or just perform a one-time scan, select a option then click on Next to start a system scan.
    [Image: hitmanpro-setup-options.png]
  5. HitmanPro will start scanning your system for malicious files. Depending on the the size of your hard drive, and the performance of your computer, this step will take several minutes.
    [Image: hitmanpro-scanning.png]
  6. Once the scan is complete,a screen displaying all the malicious files that the program found will be shown as seen in the image below.After reviewing each malicious object click Next.
    [Image: hitmanpro-scan-results.png]
  7. Click Activate free license to start the free 30 days trial and remove the malicious files.
    [Image: hitmanpro-activation.png]
  8. HitmanPro will now start removing the infected objects, and in some instances, may suggest a reboot in order to completely remove the malware from your system. In this scenario, always confirm the reboot action to be on the safe side.

STEP 6: Unhide your files and folders

Smart HDD modifies your file system in such a way that all files and folders become hidden, to restore the default settings , you’ll need to run the below program.
  1. Please download Tweaking.com-UnhideNonSystemFiles.exe to unhide your files and folders.
    [Image: download-unhide.png]
  2. Double click on Tweaking.com-UnhideNonSystemFiles.exe and when the utility starts click on the ‘Start’ button to unhide your files.
    [Image: unhide-icon.png]

STEP 7 : Restore your shortcuts and remove any left over malicious registry keys

Smart HDD has moved your shortcuts files in the Temporary Internet folder and added some malicious registry keys to your Windows installation , to restore your files we will need to perform a scan with RogueKiller.
  1. Please download the latest official version of RogueKiller.
    download RogueKiller
  2. Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you canclick the Start button to perform a system scan.
    [Image: roguekiller-1.png]
  3. After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.
    [Image: roguekiller-2.png]
  4. Next we will need to restore your shortcuts, so click on the ShortcutsFix button and allow the program to run.
    [Image: roguekiller-1.png]

STEP 8: Get your desktop look back!

Smart HDD changes your desktop background to a solid black color,to change it back to default one follow the below instruction.
    • Windows XP : Click on the Start button and then select Control Panel. When the Control Panel opens, please click on the Display icon. From this screen you can now change your Theme and desktop background.
    • Windows 7 and Vista : Click on the Start button and then select Control Panel. When the Control Panel opens, please click on the Appearance and Personalization category. Then select Change the Theme or Change Desktop Background to revert back to your original Theme and colors.

STEP 9: Restore your pinned task bar shortcuts , star menu items and other missing icons.

Smart HDD has moved your saved pinned task bar items and other shortcuts into the temporary internet folder, so now we will have to copy them back to their original location.
1. Enable on your system the ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’ option.
  • If you are using Windows 7 or Vista,go to Computer → Click on theOrganize tab → select Folder and search options.
  • If you are using Windows XP,go to My Computer → Tools tab → selectFolder Options.
    [Image: viewhiddenfiles.png]
In the new window that appeared select the View tab and choose the option Show hidden files, folders, and drives then click Apply and OK.
[Image: Show hidden files, folders, and drives.png]
2.This rogue software has moved your shorcuts in a folder in the Temporary Internet files called smtmp, so now we will need to copy them back to their original locations.
  • Windows 7 and Vista users can find the smtmp folder in C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Temp
  • Windows XP users can find smtmp folder the in : C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\[Your Username]\LOCAL SETTINGS\Temp
[Image: Show hidden files, folders, and drives.png]
The smtmp folder will contain 4 folders and you’ll need to copy the content of this folders back to their original locations.
  • Copy the content from %Temp%\smtmp\1\ to:
    Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
    Windows Vista and Windows 7: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
  • Copy the content from %Temp%\smtmp\2\ to:
    Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\[your username]\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
    Windows Vista and Windows 7: C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\
  • Copy the content from %Temp%\smtmp\3\ to:
    Windows XP: It does not exist on Windows  XP.
    Windows Vista and Windows 7 C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar
  • Copy the content from %Temp%\smtmp\4\ to:
    Windows XP : C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
    Windows Vista and Windows 7: C:\Users\Public\Desktop
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove Smart HDD from your machine, please start a new thread in our Malware Removal Assistance forum.

Apakah itu Perisian Alpha Five



What is Alpha Five Software?

Alpha Five adalah Sistem Pengurusan Pangkalan Data Relational (Relational Database Management System) dan Sistem Pembangun Perisian Pantas (Rapid Application Development) untuk membina Aplikasi Windows dan Web (termasuk teknologi AJAX). Ia adalah saingan kepada Microsoft Access tetapi ia menyokong pembangunan Web yang lebih mudah berbanding Microsoft Access.

Alpha Five V8





Versi terkini adalah Alpha Five V11 yang dikeluarkan pada Oktober 2011.

Pada tahun 2010, Alpha Five dinobatkan di tangga pertama dalam kategori Pembangun Pantas Untuk Aplikasi Web oleh InfoWorld.

Alpha Five dibangunkan oleh Alpha Software semenjak tahun 1982. Ia mula menjadi perhatian apabila Alpha Five Version 8 mendapat anugerah Dr. Dobb's Jolt Award bagi kategori Persekitaran Pembangun Perisian Terbaik.

Aplikasi menggunakan enjin DBF-terbina (built-in DBF) dan dapat dihubungkan kepada MySQL, Oracle, MS SQL Server, DB2, EnterpriseDB, PostGreSQL dan Perisian Database SQL yang lain melalui sumber ODBC. Versi terbaru memuatkan Portable SQL, satu ciri yang membolehkan pengguna menukar database tanpa perlu menulis query semula.


Alpha Five menyediakan panduan Getting Started pada pautan http://wiki.alphasoftware.com/tiki-index.php. Di samping itu Alpha Five turut mempunyai komuniti pembangun perisian seperti http://www.alphadevnet.com/whyalphafive.a5w yang menyediakan sumber rujukan bagi ahli komunitinya.

Simple Way To... Understand Differences Between Visual Studio Express and SharpDevelop

Cara Mudah Untuk... Memahami Perbezaan Antara Visual Studio Express dan SharpDevelop

Tidak dinafikan, perisian pembangun keluaran Microsoft selalunya lebih ramah pengguna berbanding keluaran syarikat lain. Cuma faktor harganya sahaja yang mungkin menyebabkan timbulnya perisian alternatif  lain seperti SharpDevelop. Sebelum berpindah kepada alternatif percuma, perhatian perlu diberikan kepada perbandingan ciri-ciri setiap perisian supaya pengaturcara cara tahu kelebihan dan kekurangan setiap perisian yang mahu digunakannya,

FeatureSharpDevelop 4.1SharpDevelop 4.0Visual Studio 2010 Express Editions
Code Auto-CompletionYesYesYes
Code Syntax HighlightingYesYesYes
Windows Forms DesignerYesYesYes
Web Forms DesignerNoNoProvided with Visual Web Developer
WPF DesignerYesYesYes
Code CoverageYesYesNo
Unit TestingYesYesNo
Languages SupportedC#, C++, VB.NET, Boo, F#, IronPython, IronRubyC#, C++, VB.NET, Boo, F#, IronPython, IronRubyC#, C++, VB.NET, JavaScript (IronPython and IronRuby support is available with Visual Studio 2010 Shell)
Window Phone Development SupportNoNoYes
Cloud Application Development (Windows Azure)NoNoYes
ProfilingYesYesNo
Help DocumentationNoNoYes
Plug-in SupportYesYesNo
Insert PInvoke SignaturesYesYesNo
Testing Regular ExpressionsYesYesNo
Class ViewYesYesYes
Solution ExplorerYesYesYes
Project and Solution File FormatMSBuildMSBuildMSBuild
Web ReferencesYesYesYes
RefactoringsRename, Extract Method, Remove unused importsRename, Extract Method, Remove unused importsRename, Extract Method
Go To DefinitionYesYesYes
Find ReferencesYesYesYes
Code GenerationYes. Not as powerful as Visual Studio's Code Snippet Manager.Yes. Not as powerful as Visual Studio's Code Snippet Manager.Yes
Object BrowserNoNoYes
Database ExplorerYesYesYes
PublishingNoNoYes
Data Sources ViewNoNoYes
Add Data Source WizardNoNoYes
Document Outline ViewNoNoYes
ResourcesLocal and projectLocal and projectLocal and project
ActiveX Toolbox ItemsPartial - need to generate .NET interop libraryPartial - need to generate .NET interop libraryYes
Integrated DebuggerYesYesYes
Targeting Different .NET FrameworksYesYesYes
ReportingYesYesNo
Task ListYesYesYes
Error ListYesYesYes
Database Designer ToolsNoNoYes
Code ConversionYesYesNo
Integrated WiX SupportYesYesNo
Integrated FxCop SupportYesYesNo
Integrated StyleCop SupportYesYesNo
Navigation HistoryYesYesYes
XPath QueriesYesYesNo
Incremental SearchYesYesYes
Attach to ProcessYesYesNo
Navigate ToYes (called Go To in SharpDevelop)Yes (called Go To in SharpDevelop)No
Version Control SupportGit, SubversionGit, SubversionNo
XML Documentation Preview and GenerationNo preview supportNo preview supportNo
NuGetYesNoAvailable in Visual Web Developer Express
T4 TemplatesYesNo preview supportYes