Technology & Business

Open Source

2010-06-02T04:47:00.000+10:00

I have been thinking about moving my business to open soruce software of late to save money, but as I realised I already get all my Microsoft software as part of my Technet subscription so I don't need to worry, but what about my clients?

They use a range of software, generally Office for day to day tasks. I have used opensource software for years in other areas of my business but have found it very technical or difficult to setup or manage. Not all, dont get me wrong but some of it looks like it was written by a PHD Student studying Microbiology.

To keep it simple for business I suggested running a side by side trial of an alternative office suite to trial the alternative, but then I found people just leant back towards what they are familiar with, Microsoft Office. So with one client I just jumped in head first and installed Open Office onto their server and removed Office.

So far working well. There were a couple of familiarity issues and some troubles saving documents, but overall the results are good. The client saved $4500 in updating their office suite and the staff really don't notice any differences apart from the interface.

The options for opensource software are massive, you really need to research your options though. Opensource does not mean cheal and nasty, for some it is, but for most it means that someone got of their backside and developed a program that suits a specific need, ie Office.

Microsoft Office Alternatives, a FREE alternative you can't go past Open Office - http://www.openoffice.org/

Work Remote From Home or Abroad

2009-11-19T21:24:00.004+10:00

Work remotely from Home or Abroad

As an IT Consultant I spend a lot of time out of my office working with customers. One of my biggest problems is keeping up with e-mail, faxes, invoices, appointments and general documentation that I can only do while sitting in front of my computer.

I do use my Blackberry for e-mail and appointments, but for updating documents and creating invoices and websites the humble mobile phone has a long way to go, so I simply use my laptop and remote into my office computer and work that way as though I was sitting in front of it.

So, now I can check and reply to e-mail, create quotes and invoices, update websites, juggle appointments, read and create newsletters, send & receive faxes and much more. So, how do I do it? The size of your business will determine the best method to use, however for this article I will assume you are like me, a small business, you want it simple and easy and you only want access once computer, yours.

I have used most methods of remote access over the years to connect to my computers and I have found that the easiest and cheapest way is using a FREE on-line service like LogMeIn FREE.

Features:

Remote Desktop - Unattended Access - Session Logging & Auditing - Secure, Encrypted
You have access to all services and peripherals connected to the remote PC

Unless you need to transfer files from your laptop to your computer or print to a printer on your laptop, LogMeIn FREE is the best solution. Did I mention that it’s FREE. I have used it for over two years and have never had an outage, or a problem connecting to my computers.

So, you have the remote access setup and your typing up a proposal from the air conditioned comfort of the Hawaiian Hilton at Waikiki Beach when all of a sudden you remember that you had to call your most valuable client. So you whip out your trusty headset (with mic) and plug it in to your laptop and start up a great little program called Skype.

www.skype.com

Skype is a FREE Internet Phone service that allows you to make and receive phone calls, instant messages and video calls from anywhere in the world. Now the FREE version only allows you to call and talk to others who are also using Skype, which makes it a great incentive to install it at home, at work and on each PC you have in your business as well as your customers.

Skype offers many extra features that you can pay for such as Skype Out for calling landlines and mobiles, they can also offer a local number your customers can call which is switched to your Skype service as well as a business centre for keeping track of all your Skype accounts. Check out their website for more details, or drop me an e-mail.

Now, you’re on this international business call when your most valuable customer tells you he is sending you a huge order by fax. You think, how will I get that here in my comfy chair over looking Waikiki Beach?

Well it just so happens that you subscribed to a Digital Fax service (Fax 2 E-mail) that provides you with a virtual local number that sends all incoming faxes to your mail box for only $11 per month. You get the e-mail with order attached, open it and process the order and send to your suppliers all before finishing your Strawberry Daiquiri . Another successful day in paradise.

Working remotely away from the office is a very powerful way of keeping your office running when you’re not there, please remember that there are so many other options available to you and the ones I have discussed are the simplest, cheapest and easiest to setup.

If you have any questions, or would like help setting up remote access for your business please feel free to contact me, I would be all to happy to help.

Thanks

Troy

Viruses Proof Your Business

2009-10-26T11:29:00.001+10:00

We all know what it's like getting a virus, we either panic and worry about the bank balance, blame the kids and rant and rave about how they should not be downloading music, and we go down the path of denial and never blame ourselves, then spend hours trying to fix it ourselves only to give up at midnight after your wife hits you over the head with a broom and tells you to call a tech in to clean it up, only to find you actually killed it and they have to reinstall everything again. Watch out for the broom.......

But how do we as business owners protect our business from being infected?

I've seen many ways to do this, from having staff sign a computer usage policy, to one business owner who was so paranoid he turned off the modem and only allowed staff to use the internet for 10 minutes each hour to send emails, to employing high end security devices and software.

Well, you don't need to go to these lengths, unless your paranoid, which in that case I can't help you anyway, but I can recommend a good shrink...

The following is a simple list of things you can do to protect your business from Viruses:

a: Use good quality Internet Security Software on each PC

b: If you use contractors or staff who use their own PC's, make it mandatory they use top quality Internet Security Software.

c: Don't rely on FREE Viruses protection. While they stop viruses in most cases they don't offer other features like firewalls and spyware protection. You get what you pay for. Buy Internet Security Software

d: Use an external e-mail filter designed to stop visues and spam before it gets to your inbox

e: Employ Computing Operating Policies. If someone plugs a PC into your business network, make sure they sign a document that explains what they can and cannot do. Makes it all legal, similar to a Confidentiality Agreement but specifies computing practices

f: Keep your Computers up to date. Make sure all your PC's are running Automatic Windows Updates. Also make sure your Internet Security Software Updates as well

g: Have your Tech ensure your ADSL Modem/Router is up to date. Manufactures often releaase software upgrades for these, helps to stop some Worm Viruses

h: Use an Internal Firewall. The Windows firewall and Internet Security software Firewalls are ok for protecting the PC, but you need more than one level of protection on a network. An Internet Security Firewall Device sits between your network and the internet to protect your network from hackers, viruses, spam and other nasties before they hit your network.

i: Keep your programs up to date. If the programs you use offer Internet Updates, use them. This way they are patched and will remain secure.

So, as you can see there are many ways of protecting your business. If you're not sure of where to start please let me know or talk to your local Tech and ask for advice. Don't just accept the easiest and cheapest solution, it will only cause you grief later.

So now for a plug for my business:

Mail Filtering to stop 100% of viruses and 99.7% of SPAM for $2.50 per e-mail address per month

Internet Firewall Appliance runs on a PC and can be configured to stop viruses, SPAM, block websites and more...

Cheers

Troy

Where to now with Windows 7

2009-10-26T10:27:00.003+10:00

It's been an exciting week for techies everywhere this past week, with Windows 7 now available. From all accounts, and even by our testing, this is a much better system than Windows Vista. It's faster, more stable, works with your current hardware and doesn't require any major hardware upgrades like Vista.

Will it run on my PC running XP?

You can check whether your computer is up to speed by running Microsoft's Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor program.

Microsoft Upgrade Advisor Program

You won't have to buy a new PC if you want Windows 7. It will run on older hardware suitable for Windows XP, however make sure that you have at least 1GB or RAM and are running at least a 2Ghz CPU. Obviously if you really want to take advantage of the speed and improvements in 7 get the latest hardware.

Upgrading to 7

The upgrade process from Vista to 7 is quite simple and should not cause any problems. Because 7 is based on the same system as Vista the upgrade will migrate all your existing settings and programs over thto the new version, please remember make a backup of your data before attempting any upgrade.

Upgrading from XP to 7 is not so simple and will not migrate your existing settings, so we suggest this should be done as a clean installation, which means reinstalling all your software again. Make sure you backup first.

Any software you have been using with Vista should also run on 7 without any problems.

Windows XP and Vista came with inbuilt programs for handling email and instant messaging, along with a photo manager and movie-maker programs plus some basic computer security software.

Microsoft has removed these from Windows 7 in favour of promoting its free online versions of the software under the Windows Live brand. So before you can use Windows 7 to fetch email or share your holiday snaps, you'll need to download these programs, most likely as part of the integrated Windows Live Essentials pack.

While online, you should also grab the just-released Windows Security Essentials, which provides a first line of defence against viruses, hackers and malicious software.

What Edition Should I Get?

There are three editions of Windows 7 that will affect your business:

Home Premium

Business Professional

Ultimate

How Much is it?

So how much will you pay for this beast (these prices are indicative only)

Upgrade Editions:
Home Premium    - $199
Professional         - $399
Ultimate                 - $429

Full Versions:
Home Premium    - $299
Professional         - $449
Ultimate - $469

Basically if you have been using Vista you won't notice many changes apart from improved performance and minor tweaks to the user interface. So, unless your really into spending money on things you dont need or don't provide any immediate benefit, stick with Vista or XP.

More information on features checkout Microsofts Windows 7 page:

Windows 7 Features

Cheers

Troy