Hello there,
We are very embarrassed at not having updated this web newsletter for two years. But having reread it, not that much has changed. If anything, all the points we made then are even more acute today.  I have kept the headings as they were and merely amended the content where applicable. (Lazy B you will say, but a truth is always true).

Of viruses and banking
More and more people are using the internet to do their banking and although they find it more convenient and safer than the conventional ways, it is important to ensure your computer is not a security risk. That means keep an anti-virus program containing a firewall and spybot checker, like Norton 2005, updated every week. Do a download (live update) on a Thursday and scan the machine thereafter. If you have any worries, call us.

Octekom - four years on.
Our early Octekom users have had their systems for a year longer than the warranties and so far all are still functioning. We are still generally satisfied with the reliability and performance and we still recommend it for most users’ needs. Of the small number of teething snags encountered, nearly all have been software and installation related and easily (eventually) fixed.

IBM, HP, Acer and others
It would be much easier if there was a clear difference between the different manufacturers’ products, but as always ‘it’s the singer not the song’ that determines the best product for you. We have preached for years that the best deal for you is to trust your dealer (that’s us) to choose for you. Products and specs come and go and today’s best buy is tomorrows Cinderella.  Although at the moment we (still) favour Acer laptops, IBM servers, and Octekom workstations, you need to call us in good time so that we can ensure that you get  best option. 

www.myowncompany.co.za
Some people mistakenly think that having an internet website is expensive and un-necessary. On the contrary, it is becoming essential to identify your e-mail address with your organisation and extend your company brand through an internet presence. Whether you need a full market driving web site or merely a single page with your logo, contact details and address, you will be able to use your web address to project your company identity to all your clients, customers, prospects and suppliers. For reference, a simple site created from scratch costs about R3000 including the first years hosting and two POP mailboxes. If you don’t know what that means, call us!

911 Client Support Plan
Everyone we know now understands that  support services are more important than  products. That’s why we promote our 911 Client Support Plan to help you get real value from your system. If you are dependent on your computer system (and who isn’t), it is prudent to have a relationship with an organisation that not only can react quickly to your needs, but also pre-empt problem areas through preventative action. Our very wide knowledge base, from DOS to Windows XP, via OS/2, Windows 2000 and Novell, is built from 25 years of experience in satisfying customers’ needs. The Computer Solutions 911 Client Support Plan enables you tap that knowledge base and have all your IT issues resolved quickly and more cost effectively than in-house or contract staff, so that you can get on with what you do best. Phone us or check it out on this web site.

Microsoft Small Business Server
This year we have installed more Small Business Server systems than the total for all the years before.  Although we are still running Server2000 version (to easily support most users) the current installations are based on Server 2003. As well as improved security and being easier to operate, it is stable and needs little attention.   The basic functions are still the same: you can send and receive faxes directly from your desktop, e-mail other users in the office instead of scribbling notes, e-mail the outside world,  share internet connections (using one modem and one ISP account only), and store data centrally where it can be secured with password access and secure backup. It also gives you shared printer resources and facility for an intranet of information which is shared within your organisation. We have installed it for offices of 2 or 3 users only, as well as bigger companies.   If you like the idea but not ready for the blow to the wallet, talk to Mike about low cost options.

Microsoft Windows v Linux
We all know how expensive Microsoft products can be, sometimes costing as much as 45% of the total system! However good these products may be, there are circumstances where there is a need for lower cost alternatives. We have worked with Linux as an alternative to Windows and have to admit that for most of our clients it just won’t do. Despite many similarities in look and feel, it isn’t Windows, and although it is very stable, it’s easy to mess it up. We reckon that in 2 years Linux and Open Office will be robust enough for general use. That paragraph was written in 2003 and Linux is still not mainstream. Although we do not see Linux on desktops for some time, OpenOffice is going well and as long as it is set up correctly, it is a suitable alternative and substitute for MS Office.

Backup revisited, revisited
We have found a number of tape based systems failing, as the technology of the ‘60s hits the demands of the ‘00s. The only new idea which seems to be a practical alternative is the REV drive. Made by Iomega, the Zip Drive people, it has the convenience of a tape cartridge with the more robust construction of a hard disk. With a capacity of 30 to 90 GB compressed, it is suitable for most shared or server based systems. 

Best wishes from
The Solutions Team

Mike Baum          mike@byte.co.za
Janet Longman    janet@byte.co.za
Heinrich Kalp  heinrich@byte.co.za
Doris Buckham