What is Spyware?

Spyware is a malicious attack on your computer where, rather than trying to damage your computer, hackers attempt to get information from your computer.

Anti-Spyware software will protect you 99% of the time if you have it installed on your computer and if you keep the definitions updated regularity. However, Anti-Spyware software can't protect you if you "invite" the Spyware in. You invite Spyware in if you download it thinking you are getting that MP3 that you just have to have, and when your firewall warns you, you tell it to ignore the threat.

Once in, the nastier Spyware can disable your firewall and let more garbage in.

  Why Use Web Templates?

When developing a web site normally, depending on the size of the site, anywhere from 30 to 60 percent of the time expended is developing the initial "look" for the site. If you are on a budget, these costs will add up quickly.

A new business has emerged on the internet. That is where companies will develop "web templates", and sell them. The consumer searches all the templates and locates a template the like and their web site is built around these.

The advantages are first of all the cost savings when using templates. Second is that the user gets to see their site prior to development beginning. And finally, you get more a more sophisticated and professional looking site than you normally would.

  Should I Upgrade to Vista?

Now I have some pretty strong opinions when it comes to Windows Vista. Technically, other than some pretty screen and (perhaps) some added security, Windows Vista will provide you with only very subtle enhancements over your current operating system.

So why did Microsoft release Windows Vista? Over the next few years you will begin to see a change in Microsoft's products. It is their intention to eliminate software that comes on a CD. In the future, if you want to run Microsoft Word or Excel, you will connect to the internet and run it off their servers. Once a year you will have to supply them with a credit card number to renew your subscription or none of your applications will work and you're dead in the water. Microsoft Vista is the first step in that direction.

The problem is that all new computers come with Windows Vista. So why is this a bad thing? You just got a whale of a deal on that computer at Circuit City. You got it for a song at $350 plus monitor. You get your new computer back to the office, and start to load your current software on it.

Oops, we have a problem here. The version of MS Office you have is not at least Office 2003, kaching - another $200 to upgrade that. You have QuickBooks 2006, kaching - another $150 to upgrade to 2007. You have Quicken 2006, kaching - another $50 to upgrade. You use pcAnywhere 11.0 to communicate with your computer at home, kachicg - another $125 to upgrade to 12.1. And this doesn't include this like CD burning software, backup software, and you anti-virus software.

That $350 "deal" you just got has now cost you over $1000, and for what. To line Microsoft's pockets some time in the future.

Computer Installation/Repair

Setting up a New Computer/Transferring Data

Here is the approach I use when setting up a computer.

In today's world where people are so dependent on their computers, when a problem occurs it at times seems like the end of the word. "Have I lost all my information?". "How long before I get my computer back?". "Do I need to buy a new computer?". "How much is this going to cost?". In all the years we've been working with computers, and given the thousands of computers, networks, and software we've serviced, I'm happy to say that the number of times any of our customers has lost any important data can be counted on one hand. Our approach is there is always a solution to any and all problems, and in almost all cases, there is more than one solution.

Once we determine what the problem is we immediately start to tally all the possible solutions to the problem. Then from all those solutions we decide which one would be most appropriate for each customer's situation. Things we consider is the cost of each solution, the time it takes to accomplish the task, what the long term results will be, and the skills of the user and what they can do in facilitating the fix.

BACKUP, BACKUPS, BACKUPS. Almost always ignored or forgotten about, but regardless of the problems, and there will be some from time to time, by having a backup of your computers, the cost of any repair will drop significantly.

Let's Keep Those Machines Running!!

I am familiar with the approach used by some of our competitors. To keep costs down they hire service technicians that in many cases are fresh out of technical school or have so little experience that they will only consider one solution to a particular problem. These companies rely on business generated from follow-up calls. Now consider that the customer is paying $120 to $150 per hour for these people to repair what in many cases is the result of bad decisions made on their part in the first place.

Over the years, the number of times we've had to go back and work on a computer that was setup by us has been almost nonexistent. The vast majority of the calls we receive from our existing customers is for new software they wish to install, upgrades to their computers, or adding new features or equipment.

Here's an example to our approach. We develop a new web site for your company. We COULD keep our mouth shut and from now on, whenever you wish to make changes to that site, you can call us and we make those changes charging you our full rate. Or we could teach you how you can very simply make the changes yourself such that 90% of those things you may wish to change in the future are done by you. If you feel that there will be monthly changes to your site, and those changes may take a couple hours to accomplish, why not spend an hour or so up front training you to do them and save you thousands of dollars throughout the year.

Now let's say you have us load software on a new machine or repair an existing machine. It may be surprising to learn how little time it takes to train you on how you can maintain that new equipment so that it is less likely for problems to occur in the future. We always make sure that when we work on a machine that ALL the most current updates are installed before that machine leaves our shop. When we can we show the user how to make sure updates are download regularity and backups are being performed. We always make sure nothing is done halfway.

If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It.

I am constantly asked by customers if I feel its time they upgrade their old equipment or their outdated software. IF the have a need to do more than what they are currently doing, or if they are looking for better performance and they can afford the upgrade, that's one thing. But if there are no problems and the equipment and software is doing what they need it to do, why upgrade? You might put some money in my pocket or that of Bill Gates, but where is the ROI (Return on Investment) for you?

The customer may have a need for what they see is custom software to perform a particular task. Frankly, I would have no problems with writing a piece of custom software to accomplish that task. But why not first search the internet to see if software already exists that will do that which you wish to do?

My first consideration in every decision I'm asked to make for our customers is, is this what I would do if I were in their position? Not solely from a technical point of view as is with our competitors, but rather as a business owner. A business owner that is not excited about throwing money away if its not absolutely necessary.

Services Offered

The primary advantage we offer over our customers is not just the solutions based approach we use when making decisions for our customers, but the fact that our experience ranges across the computer industry. Most times you get a computer technician out to work on your computers or network, they've been taught to do that and that only. I've spent years developing software and I know how most software works. I started repairing computer hardware over thirty years ago and have worked on literally hundreds of different types of computers and peripherals. I develop web sites, e-Commerce sites, and develop sites that use databases. Twenty years ago I working as a high priced consultant setting up computer systems in large manufacturing and retail companies. To be able to make quality decisions for my customers, I've had in the past, relied on a combination of all these skills. Can I tell you the exact syntax in Java to preload images on a web site? No, I probably can't. But I know where to go for the answers.

For those technical amongst you, here is a partial list of some of the skills I bring to the table. All the systems listed are those I've actually installed, repaired, did development on, or operated. All items listed i now have or at one time was at least proficient with:

• Hardware (Mainframes): Burroughs 3500/4700, IBM 360/370/AS400, Univac, DEC 750/3000 Series/4000 Series, Wang, Quantel, ComputerVision, Vector Automation, Gerber, HP (2000 Series).

• Hardware (PC's): Nearly every make and model of PC's ever made. (Remember the old Wang PC?).

• Software Languages: Fortran/Fortran 77, Basic, Dibol, Cobol, QBasic, C++, Visual C++, Visual Basic, PHP, Java, Flash.

• Applications: MRP/MRP II, Mapics, Manmin, EMS, Numerous CAD Applications, Thousands of Various PC Applications.