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| Tech News from FlexITechs |
March 12, 2010
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FlexITechs
Celebrating
5th Anniversary!
FlexITechs is celebrating its 5th Anniversary this year.
After two years as the computer services arm of our sister company, Sussex County Online, FlexITechs was formed in 2004 to better define the computer services offered by owner Eric Magill.
We thank all of our customers who have made it possible for us to reach our 5th anniversary! |
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Greetings!
Thank you for your continued interest in FlexITechs. If you'd like to continue receiving this newsletter or prefer not to receive it, use the "Please Confirm" or "Unsubscribe" links above to let us know your preference.
Sincerely,
Eric Magill, FlexITechs |
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Windows Home Server -- Great for Businesses, too
We often speak to small businesses with fewer than 10 computers who would benefit from a server-based network but can't justify the $3,000 to $5,000 cost of a Windows Server system.
In developing Windows Home Server -- originally designed for home users with more than one computer and priceless files (i.e., photos, family histories, home movies, etc.) -- Microsoft also created a server system that can give the Small Office/Home Office the benefits of a server-based network without the costs.
Windows Home Server can be purchased and professionally installed on a Small Office/Home Office network for as little as $995 with the following benefits to small offices with fewer than 10 computers (and some home users, too):
* Centralized file storage with built-in search capabilities that makes it easier to find and share files than if they are stored on multiple computers;
* Automated, full-image backups (see Backup Plan article below in BizTechTalk) that allow quick restoration of not only files, but an entire computer whose operating system has become damaged beyond repair;
* Remote access that allows you to easily access your files from any computer in the world with a high-speed Internet connection;
* Health monitoring to warn of problems with any computer connected to the network.
For a free consultation on whether Windows Home Server can enhance your small office or home computing needs, contact Eric Magill at 537-4198.
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Are Macs Virus-Proof?
We're often asked by customers, particularly those who have been hit by a virus or malware, whether they should move to Apple Macintosh computers because they've heard they never get viruses. Without getting too technical, while Macs rarely get viruses, they are not immune to other types of malware infections, particularly those from web sites and emails that have caused the bulk of infections on Windows machines the past two years. I've been a fan of Macs for two decades, mainly because Apple's graphical user interface with clickable icons made computing easy back when Microsoft still required codes. My first computer was a Mac
SE in 1990. This was a small box with a 9-inch black-and-white
screen, a whopping 4MB of Ram, and a 20MB hard drive. It cost me $3,000. As one of the only computer services in Sussex County that works on Macs, before I would recommend a Mac instead of a
Windows machine, I would need to know what the intended use would be.
Macs are great for graphic designers, for instance. Windows long ago closed the gap in ease of use and has always offered far more software. With the increased security in Windows 7, I would only recommend a Mac if you have a specialized need that would justify the much higher price (often double what a comparable Windows computer costs). For general computing purposes, I would still recommend Windows. |
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BizTech Talk -- A Backup Plan
Many small business owners believe that if they perform regular backups of their data, that they will be fine in the event of a disaster that causes the loss of data from their primary computer systems.
Performing backups, though, is only part of the equation. The other part is testing backups to ensure that the backups are actually working.
Studies (and our own experiences) have determined that about 30 percent of all backups fail in either the backup or restoration stage. Anecdotally, we often find small business owners who set up an automated backup system and forget about it until we point out it's not working properly.
If backups fail, the result is either a time-consuming chore to re-enter lost data or a costly procedure to restore the data with specialized data restoration software.
To avoid either fate, you should develop a Backup Plan, or better yet, a Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan.
I'll focus on the Backup Plan here. The Backup Plan will detail how backups will be performed and tested.
The best plan will include multiple backup methods to protect against failure in a single backup, how many backups are stored in case the most recent backup is corrupted, notification of failed backups, and a testing schedule that performs a restoration of the backed up data to ensure that backups can be restored successfully.
For help with developing a Backup Plan or a Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan, contact Eric Magill at 302-537-4198.
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We thank you for your past business and hope we can continue to fulfill your technology needs in the future. If you have any questions about current technology issues, feel free to contact us at 537-4198. |
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Sincerely,
Eric Magill
FlexITechs
Microsoft Small Business Specialist |
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| Save 10% |
Through April 15, 2010, you can save 10% off the installation of any new computer product (computer, printer, camera, etc.). Call FlexITechs at 537-4198 to set up an appointment.
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Offer Expires: April 15, 2010
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