Usually when one thinks of UPS, they’re thinking about sending or receiving mail.  However, a different kind of UPS, an uninterruptable power source, can provide you with as much of a benefit as the postal service. 

            Consider this scenario: you’ve been working for days on a important project that a client of yours has set a deadline for.  Unexpectedly, the power in your building goes out, and since most Windows auto-save features stop working when the power is shut off, you lose everything you have been working on.  Not a nice picture to paint.  Additionally, your file could still be there upon rebooting the computer, but it could be so severely corrupted that you would no longer be able to edit or save it.  Of course, there is the off-chance that you get extremely lucky and the file does not delete or become corrupt, but at the expense of losing everything you were working on, is it really worth it?

            With the average business experiencing 15 power outages a year, the odds are severely stacked against you.  Protect yourself by purchasing a UPS device for your company’s network servers.  A UPS device will keep your servers powered on long enough for you to save any type of work that you may be working on.  To be sure you are 100% protected, be sure to purchase a UPS device for each workstation in your building as well.  If there is a power outage, your tired eyes and fingers will thank you they don’t have to start all over!

Doesn’t it seem as though the entire world is working through the internet now-a-days?  With the increased pressure on businesses to be more efficient and the “go green” effort spreading from home to home, it is almost a necessity for people to own a computer.  So, you decide that you’re going to buy a computer and join everyone else in cyber-space.  You get in your car to drive to the store to buy a computer, but you then realize you have no idea where to go or what to do!  Buying a computer is an expensive and important investment.  Let’s dive into what steps you should be taking as you contemplate what to do next…

(If you are a Fixed IT customer, just let us know that you are looking for a new computer and we will do the rest.)

Step 1:  You need to decide where you are going to buy your computer. 

To many people, this may seem like an obvious answer.  Go to the nearest electronics store!  However, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing a store to buy the computer from.  For example, if you go to a warehouse of some sort, you are most likely going to get a better price on the computer, but you will not get anywhere near the customer support that you will get if you were to buy it from a major retail chain.  You have to decide if that extra couple hundred dollars off is going to be beneficial to you in the long term if you ever need help.

Step 2:  You need to decide what type of computer to get.

Mac or PC?  PC or Mac?  Should you get a portable computer (laptop) or a home computer (desktop)?  People always seem to get lost when trying to decide between these choices and that is because they are not the most obvious of choices to make.  As far as both the debates go, you must evaluate what you’re going to use the computer for.  If you’re going to be traveling a lot, roaming around your house, or going to school, a laptop is going to be the way to go.  If you’re going to be sitting in an office or other stationary place, a desktop is definitely the way to go. 

When it comes to PC vs. Mac, it is very much about personal preference.  It used to be that Mac’s could not support much of the software that only Windows could.  However, Mac’s can actually run windows, in some cases better than a DELL!  Mac’s also offer software that is generally thought as far superior to PC’s when it comes to things like videos and photos.  PC’s, however, are made by many different companies and because of this they are much more cost efficient and the features can vary greatly from computer to computer.  It would be wise to inquire with the company or people you will be working with about which software they use, as this may make your decision a no-brainer.

Step 3: Set yourself a budget…and stick to it!

Every company that makes computers sells all different models that come with various bells and whistles that may appear necessary, but rarely are.  Make sure you go into your search knowing what exactly it is you’re looking for in a computer.  You always want to get as much Random Access Memory (RAM) as possible.  When you are starting to get low on RAM your computer tends to slow down and be less efficient; something you were trying to avoid when you bought the computer in the first place!  Be sure to speak to the consultant who is helping you and be candid about what it is you are looking to do with your computer and the budget you are working with.  Many times sales reps will try and get you to buy the more expensive version because it includes so many more enhancements than the others.  But if you’re not going to use them, what is the point in spending the extra money!

Step 4: Take your time and make the informed decision!

When making a purchase like this, do not rush it!  You should never walk into the first store that sells computers and walk out with one.  Once you narrow it down to what you want, shop around!  Every store sells almost the exact same models of computers so find the one with the best price or deal.  Many stores offer bundle packages with the purchase of your computer that may include things like software, a printer, a briefcase, etc.  Find the best deal you can and get many people’s opinions!

Follow these steps and you will be well on your way to owning a computer that will make your life much easier and efficient. 

Don’t have time for these steps, give us a call and we will help you out.

            Ever dropped your phone in the water?  Maybe you spilled a refreshing drink on your iPod while sitting out on the patio on a hot summer day?  However it happened, you know that not only does liquid ruin your electronic device, unless you have the replacement plan, liquid damage is not covered under the products warranty.  This means that any damages that occur to your product must be paid out of your own pocket; and many times these damages cost more to get fixed than to purchase a new product.

Well, those days may finally be coming to a close with the innovative new BHEESTIE bag.  The BHEESTIE bag is essentially a bag that you deposit any small electronic items you have gotten wet (iPods, cell phones, cameras, etc.) into and it dries them out.  The name, derived from the definition that means “a servant who draws and carries water,” is meant to imply exactly that.  BHEESTIE uses tiny blue beads that are super absorbent when they come in contact with a device that has come in contact with water.  While the BHEESTIE will not fix anything that has been ruined from prolonged water damage, if you insert your device into the bag after coming in contact with a liquid right away, it should remove all of the liquid within 24-72 hours.  When the blue beads inside the bag turn white, you know that it is time to replace the bag.  However, this should not happen for a year or more with proper care.

             If you’re tired of having your personal electronic devices ruined and shelling out the big bucks for repairs or a new one, the BHEESTIE bag may be the right option for you.  For individuals who are active around the water, the BHEESTIE bag would make a great companion to your usual beach belongings.  And oh yeah, it makes a great gift!

As a busy business owner, nothing is more frustrating than being made to wait; especially when that waiting seems unnecessary. And when it comes to waiting for your computer to start up, most business owners are all too familiar with the frustration of impatiently watching as their computer goes through the slow and agonizing process of getting ready for you to actually use it. Most Microsoft Windows computers take between 3-4 minutes to completely rev up, not including opening any programs outside of the start-up menu. Multiply that time over a year, and you’ve got yourself 17 hours of staring at the screen, drumming your fingers on the desk and trying to figure out how to be productive while your computer boots up. Now, you have you two options for dealing with this problem: 1) Take up knitting to fill those extra minutes, or 2) Follow our easy suggestions for speeding up your computer!

What can YOU do to make your computers run faster?

Here are some tips on how you can speed up your computer’s start-up process so you can get right to business:

Rid your computer of auto-loading software. If you have any programs that start up when you power your computer on, you are significantly adding to the time it takes for your computer to be ready for use. Take these programs off the start menu or, if you don’t use them, simply delete them off the machine.

Hibernate! Let your computer hibernate as frequently as possible. This tells the computer to start up again in the state where you left it last. Plus it has the added benefit of using very little electricity – about the same amount a computer uses when plugged in but shut off.

Get thin! Consider switching to a thin client. Thin clients are “dumb” computers that connect to a server which houses all the software, programs, and even processing power. Because nothing is loaded up onto these thin client machines, they can be ready to go in as little as 5 seconds after pressing the power button. Thin clients do require your network to be set up a certain way though, so be sure to check that before you install one.

Remove any “trial-ware”. Some computers come with software already loaded on them, like photo software or other utility programs. These programs, most of which don’t even show up in the list of available software you can remove, are called “trial-ware” because they came with the machine. Typically, they run processes in the background while you boot up your computer, delaying the start-up process of your computer.

Make sure your anti-virus and firewall protection are up to date. Malware and other malicious software can also slow down start times. These programs can embed themselves into the start-up menu and keep you waiting longer than necessary as your computer boots up. They also wreak havoc on your general use of the computer. So, it is important to protect your system from these kinds of attacks.

Upgrade your computer. Older versions of Windows will look for a CD or floppy to boot from before the computer actually begins the process of starting up. Lower amounts of memory installed on a computer can also impact its ability to start quickly. And, of course, simply having a fresh, clean and fast computer eliminates any miscellaneous software programs you may have installed that can bog down a machine.

Interested in help with any of these items, or you just need computer support? Call the office and speak to the Instant Support Team. Want to find out where your network issues are? Call Debra to schedule a problem prevention network audit: (888)530-9596.

Imagine not being able to send or receive e-mail for days, possibly weeks. Terrifying, right? Don’t think this could happen because you have a reputable anti-virus software installed? If so, you’re operating on a false sense of security and hackers are praying that you keep thinking that way. Here’s why…

Most business owners think that because they have anti-virus software installed and a software firewall, that their network is “secure.” NOT SO. One of the most common stunts hackers pull is breaking through a software firewall to hijack a server. Once they’re in, they use YOUR server to relay spam and other viruses to millions of users in a matter of seconds.

What happens next ain’t pretty…

1. In no time flat, your company’s server and email gets “blacklisted”, which means the big email delivery hubs (like Comcast, Google, Verizon, etc.) flag ALL e-mails coming from your server as “dangerous” and won’t let them through; and on the net, you’re guilty until proven innocent, which means it could take days or weeks to get your name cleared. During that time, you are completely without e-mail.

2. Your clients, prospects and vendors start getting Viagra ads and invitations to XXX-rated web sites from your company. Not good.

The absolute best way to make sure this never happens is to invest $98 a month for a top-grade managed firewall. This tiny investment is worth twenty times the cost in peace of mind and saved time. Software firewalls that come with most servers or Internet providers are better than nothing, but they’re a weak lock that any hacker can easily pick.

I just finished up a very upsetting phone call with a business owner. She brought us her home computer after her current computer support company said they couldn’t help her this week. She assured me all of her files were backed up when she gave me the computer and said it was set up by the same people that do her business’ computers. (She brought it to us because they told her that they are a small company and would be on vacation; they were not available until after the holidays.)

After reviewing the backups she provided we discovered, she ONLY had backups of her email! I know that all computer companies are not created equal, but come on folks, just her email? Really?

Based on this information, we decided to do a problem prevention network audit for her business. Guess what? Their server is backing up to itself (rather than an external hard drive), they are missing more than 5 security patches on 8 of their workstations, and most of the computers are not up-to-date with antivirus.

I spent an hour and a half trying to help her find other copies of her photos.  Even though her current computer company is charging her to “maintain” her servers and computers, there aren’t any backups of her critical data.
One way that you can make sure this is not happening to you is to get a Problem Prevention Network Audit.

With a whole new generation of Bluetooth headsets out, it may be time to upgrade. I have two favorites in the over $100 professional talker category, the Jawbone Prime, and the Plantronics Voyager Pro.

When looking for style, noise reduction, and good sound quality even on the walk from the car to the office the Jawbone Prime is my tool of choice. It is easy to slip on, initiate a call and start talking. The biggest issue with it is battery life, they box reports 3.5 hours, and I get about 2.5 hours of talk time using it. The Jawbone Prime shares the same standard USB charger as the iPhone, so if you have a car charger for your iPhone you are in luck, and it can be “Quick Charged” in about 25 minutes. A “Quick Charge” lasts for about an hour of talk time.

When I want a long battery life, am going to be inside, and feel comfortable wearing a headset around, the Plantronics Voyager Pro is my choice. The biggest issue with the Voyager Pro is the difficulty to put it on and take it off, especially if you wear glasses. One suggestion was to put it on when you get up and wear it all day! (Take it off before you shower!) With this headset we were able to get over 5 hours of talk time in the car and the office. The noise cancelation worked great to get rid of background noise in the car and around the office. Walking outside on the other hand created a lot of wind noise. Get this product if you are looking to be able to spend hours on the phone without charging up. Word of caution, the announcement on the airplane telling you to put away all electronic devices is NOT SUPPRESSED AT ALL by the noise cancelation.

All of the testing I did was with an iPhone, I am sure your mileage with vary depending on your cell phone type. Having Bluetooth enabled on an iPhone decreased my iPhone battery life a bit.

Stay tuned for more gift updates!

Is it time to jump from still images to video? You can start recording the holiday emotion and more important the holiday follies. (You may be thinking to yourself, I have been doing video for years! Read on.) Recently I added a Flip Video to my toolkit. Not only is it great for recording stories about saving servers, it is great for putting together those holiday moments.

I prefer a Flip over a tape based device because it is so easy to use and allows me to quickly record even just a few seconds of video. I carry mine around with me in my coat pocket, so it is always ready to go. Instead of having a camera stuck to my eye, I shoot little 20 to 30 second clips. I then take these clips and edit them together using some simple video editing software. The Flip comes with some to get you started. I prefer iMovie on a Macintosh. (Yeah, I use a Mac to do my personal stuff.) Here’s a link to a video I put together over Thanksgiving.

I really like the minoHD, it is small, has a great battery life and is super easy to use. Recording video is as simple as clicking the red button. Also, there are no cables (just flip out the usb connector!) You can also customize the look of your camera on Flip Video’s website. Finally, posting to YouTube is as simple as clicking on share inside the Flip software. 

 Stay tuned for more Gift Ideas!

We will be posting a number of reviews over the next week discussing our favorite products and why we love them:

Day 1: Get YouTubed.

Day 2: Get Your Talk On.

A number of folks asked me at my recent workshop on the Biggest Business Pitfalls of Technology: “How should we back up our data?” This is a tough question a pretty long answer. Let me give you some DOs and DON’Ts to help you decide:

DO backup your data everyday and test that backup!

DO encrypt your data on every backup!

DON’T backup to a CD / DVD / or tape device. CDs / DVDs do not have a very long shelf life, and we have seen way too many companies / people lose their backup data on these. Tapes also have a short life (you should plan on replacing them at least once a year), but here’s the real kicker – often you can’t find the proprietary tape drive you need to restore the data during a full on disaster. Sometimes you find the drive, but you can’t restore to it, because your drive has a misaligned head making it so your original drive was the only one that can read it! (You know the drive that burnt up on the fire or was stolen or whatever caused you to need to get your data from backup!)

DO take a look at the following hard drive solutions – they will allow you to get your data off site and keep it safe. They also can be plugged into any computer to start the restore process:

• Western Digital 1TB Elements External HD – costs about $110 per drive, and you should have at least 3 of them to backup your company’s critical data off site.
• Dell PowerVault RD1000 – a little more expensive, but the drives are much smaller and easier to carry than the Western Digital Solution. This is important if you want to fit the drive in your purse.

DON’T backup all of your critical data to an offline storage facility like Mozy – it will take days for you to get it back in the case of a real emergency! If you are interested in storing your data on the internet, contact us and we will point you to a solution that gets you immediate access t to all of your data in the case of an emergency.

DO consider using a fireproof / waterproof / coffee spill proof solution like ioSafe Solo data vault here’s a link to read more. This thing can withstand a just about anything, bolt one to the floor under your desk tomorrow!

DON’T just backup your server’s data – we find that 90% of the people that tell us they never store information on their desktops, in fact have critical information, report templates, account information, and software they cannot recover on their desktops. Get complete images of all of your computers!

DO consider Fixed IT, our service that takes care of all of these critical backup issues for you as eliminates all of your computer problems in one step!

DO attend the webinar – The Nine Biggest Pitfalls of Technology and Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Business on December 2 at 4:00 PM – Contact Debra to register at 1.888.530.9596