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Everyone in the world of construction should know just how important proper measurements are to a job. This is just as true today as it was in the years past. If you are going to do a job, then you need accurate plans before you start. This is easier than ever though, thanks to the developments made in software. If you want to calculate square feet for a job, then you just need the right program.

Takeoff software has a lot of uses for proper planning. If you are working on an estimate for a project, then it’s indispensable. You can do a running display of it all and just click a few buttons to change the options. It’s that simple. You basically have a running, customizable blueprint that’s read for anything that you need. Since it’s a software program, it’s also able to then compile a square feet estimate as part of normal operations.

The idea should be simple then. If you are planning a job, you will need to be able to calculate square footage easily. Getting takeoff software that has the function is quite simple. If you have it running, then you will be able to have accurate measurement on the fly. This is just what the modern designer needs to stay ahead of the competition.

Swedish security firm Lavasoft pioneered spyware protection with their venerable Ad-Aware utility. On Monday, the company released a new standalone antivirus program, Lavasoft Anti-Virus Helix, priced at $23.95.

Based on technology from Avira, the product cleans up viruses and other malicious software and also includes real-time protection to prevent further infection.

Users can schedule standard or custom scans on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Helix can also schedule a scan for every login, or at any interval. The product’s MailGuard feature scans incoming email and attachments and removes any viruses found. WebGuard prevents downloads of malicious files. According to Lavasoft, Helix protects against the worst threats – viruses, worms, Trojans, rootkits, bots, and more – without putting a drag on system performance.

While the product is too new to have certification from the major independent testing labs, the underlying Avira technology is well-regarded. It received the VB100% award from Virus Bulletin, and ICSA Labs certifies it for virus detection. AV-Comparatives rates it ADVANCED+ (the highest rating) for on-demand virus removal and ADVANCED for proactive non-signature-based detection. AV-Test calls it “very good” (the highest rating) for detection of malware and spyware, for fast scanning, and for fast response to new outbreaks. The product is currently under evaluation by PCMag, with a review to come.

The European Union (EU) Tuesday said that it will spend 55 million euros ($70 million) in a five-year programme to make Internet safer for children.

The programme will co-fund projects to increase public awareness and create a network of contact points that allow reporting on illegal and harmful content and conduct, mainly on child sexual abuse material, grooming and cyber bullying.

Money will also be spent on the establishment of a knowledge base on new trends in the use of online technologies and their consequences to children’s lives by bringing together technical, psychological and sociological expertise.

While 75 percent of children aged between six and 17 years are already online and 50 percent of 10-year-olds have a mobile phone, a new EU-wide survey published Tuesday shows that 60 percent of EU parents are worried that their children might fall victim to online grooming and 54 percent that their children could be bullied online.

The programme will run between 2009 and 2013.