The Small Business Server Dream – What can a Small Business Server do for your business and how much should it cost?

The main reasons why people choose to buy a small business server are:

1.  Security of their company’s  data
2.  Managing your own Email
3.  Centralised data for users
4.  Needs have outgrown users workstations

The small business server model is great for workers who are constantly out of the office, as well as having a centralised data store for the office workers.

It can run your own websites, host your own mail domain, look after your faxing to email options, lets operators use remote desktops and web mail from outside the office and much more.

For the lowest grade server and setup of your network, programs, mail and other such things, you can expect to pay around $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the servers speed and backup options.

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Rogue Traders – How do you choose the right computer technician for your repairs

Choosing the right computer technician is difficult these days due there being too many inexperienced technicians out there especially when it comes to servers.

The easiest way to spot them is to ask them specific questions about their experience with the programs that you are having issues with.

Basically, if they scratch their heads a lot during the first hour of trying to fix an issue for you, get rid of them. 

Not every technician knows everything, so there might well be a technician that’s more suited to your business structure, and program groups.

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The lure of wireless – Why wireless systems are not always as great as they seem.

Wireless is a tricky sport, but I will try and explain the rules.

Sometimes wireless technologies will work day in and day out for years and sometimes it seems like no matter what you buy in the store, it just never works right. This is true for both wireless internet and wireless networks in general.

Wireless is great for users who are closer to the where the signal originates. It’s just that simple.

People who live too far away from a tower or live in a gully or valley will experience minor to major issues constantly from their wireless internet.

The issue is that ISP sales teams do not care where you live or work, so long as you can pay their bills.

Wireless Internet should only be used when:

1.  You cannot get an ADSL connection normally
2.  You are on the move with your internet constantly

 Wireless local networks should only be used when:

1.  No business or personal data is passed through
2.  The signal is not interrupted by too many walls or other obstructions

Using a cable may be unsightly, but they always work better than wireless. In business situations, I would rather do anything else but use wireless technologies.

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Shop Tech Smart – What to look for when you are shopping for a new pc.

There are only 4 things to remember when purchasing a computer.

1.   Machine
2.  Antivirus subscription (1 or more years)
3.  Extended warranty (usually 3 years)
4.  Office package (word, excel, outlook etc)

Pick a budget and stick to it. I believe that you should spend $1200 and upward for a good desktop or laptop with the items listed above.

I do realise that you can buy a new laptop for $399, but these machines have inferior components inside, that will inevitably break before their time and be missing important software.  Every manufacturer has low-range, mid-range and high-range products to sell, ensuring that they get rid of all of the components they purchase.

The cost and stress of having to change computers too often is much higher than buying a more expensive model to start.


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How to keep your windows clean- What it takes to keep windows fresh

Windows operating systems grow over time, not just because of the data you fill it with such as music and photos, but the operating system (OS) will grow over time to try and remember all user’s settings, profiles, installation lists and Windows histories. This data will never get smaller, and hence, the OS slows down over time.

Added to this problem, program manufacturers tend to write a larger version of every program every time a new version is released. This is especially true of Microsoft Office. 

Some of these issues are fixable.  Having a good technician look at your machine every 6 months will make a marked difference to your system speed, stability and longevity, and hard drive check never goes astray either.

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Laptops Vs Desktops- The right and wrong of the laptop craze

Laptops (known also as notebooks) are handy for people on the go. If you are not on the go with your computer, then buy a desktop (also known as a tower and a PC).

If you are sometimes on the go, you could opt for a tablet device that synchronises data with your home or work  desktop computer. For some people, the tablet and smart phone options are replacing the need for a laptop altogether.

Laptops can be very powerful machines, but this costs extra, whereas for the same grunt in a desktop should cost you less. The desktop machine can nearly always be cost effectively repaired while some laptops cannot, due to lack of parts or sheer cost. 

If you really need a laptop then buy one, but most physical applications done by these machines can be achieved with a smart phone or tablet now days so I feel that the laptop craze is ebbing somewhat.

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Backup or backout- Everyone needs a backup

Backups for a personal computer differ greatly from the corporate computer market in terms of scale and price from around $50 to $50.000.

Every computer in use today should and must have a backup in place for a disaster recovery situation.

For a home scale backup, and I do urge EVERYONE to do this, all you need to do if running Windows7 or Windows Vista, is plug in an USB external hard Drive and go to:

Start menu/All Programs/Accessories/Maintenance

And click on the “Backup and restore Centre”

Create a new backup which will automatically choose the external hard drive as a destination for the data.

There! Now no one has a viable excuse for not having a backup in place.

P.S.

If you have a business work computer I do not recommend using this method, as it may upset your I.T administrator and the network.

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