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| Tech News from FlexITechs | Oct. 21, 2010
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 FlexITechs Now in Its
Sixth 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 6th year!
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Greetings!
Thank you for your continued interest in FlexITechs. If you'd prefer not to receive our occasional email newsletters, use the "Unsubscribe" link above. Sincerely, Eric Magill, FlexITechs |
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AVG 2011 Upgrade Breaking Windows
I wanted to alert everyone to a problem with AVG Free 2011, which we and other IT companies have been experiencing.
For those of you have already installed AVG Free 2011 and not experienced any issues, congratulations. For those of you who haven't yet installed AVG 2011, DON'T INSTALL IT YET.
For those of you using AVG Free 2009, you will most likely have seen an offer to upgrade to AVG Free 2011 when you started your computers or opened AVG.
The problem is this update can break Windows, causing it to hang after installation. As far as I can tell, this problem has been exclusive to Windows XP machines.
We were able to fix one computer by uninstalling and reinstalling AVG, but on another, we had to go to a new anti-virus program (see below) after performing a System Restore. In both cases, the customer had to pay for an hour of labor to resolve the issue. On forums we frequent, we have seen numerous similar complaints.
AVG, like all of the other anti-virus companies (Norton, McAfee, etc.), has become more problematic as it tries to increase revenue and keep the virus writers at bay.
Since we first started using it to replace bloated Norton/McAfee installations five years ago, it has steadily become more bloated itself, with Security Toolbars that sometimes break Internet Explorer, ID Protectors, Linkscanner, and the annoying popups you sometimes see when you open your browser asking you to install the Yahoo! toolbar, etc. The 2011 version includes more bloatware in the form of a PC Analyzer.
So, what do we do? What anti-virus will protect us while not breaking our computers?
I have started testing Microsoft Security Essentials. While I haven't been impressed with Microsoft's security attempts in the past (Windows LiveOneCare, Windows Defender, for example), I have read good reviews about MSE from other techs who have started using it.
MSE is also free. We'll provide an update on MSE and whether AVG has fixed its bugs in our next newsletter. In the meantime, you can continue using AVG 2009. |
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With Holidays Approaching, Upgrade or Buy New?
One of most common holiday gifts is new computer equipment, from laptops to flat-screen monitors to wireless printers.
With the holidays approaching and the holiday computer sales season beginning in about a month, it can be tough to decide whether you should upgrade your existing computer or buy a new one.
There is no single answer to this question. It depends on a variety of factors, including:
* The age of your current computer
* The operating condition of your current computer
* The ability to upgrade your current computer
* The prices of new computers
* The ability to transfer old applications, peripherals and data to a new computer with Windows 7
* Your current cash flow.
Generally, the amount of memory in a computer will determine whether you should upgrade it or buy new since the other main factor in a computer's speed -- the Processor (CPU) -- most likely can't be upgraded without also upgrading the motherboard and memory, by which time you'd be half-way to a new computer's cost.
So, if your computer is in decent condition, is less than 5 years old, and the memory (RAM) is 512MB or less, a memory ugprade could be a cost-effective method for speeding the computer up and getting another year or two out of it. If the computer is more than 5 years old, it could still be upgraded but it still may make more sense to buy new since a 5-year-old computer won't have much usable life left in it. As for current computer prices, you can check http://www.newegg.com for the latest prices on non-Dell computers. You can check http://www.dell.com for Dell computer prices.
Again, many variables figure into this decision. For help in making this determination, call Eric Magill at 537-4198.
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BizTech -- Social Networks for Business
Everyone knows how effective social networks like Facebook are for connecting with friends, but they can also be an effective tool for small businesses looking for customers and business partners. If you're looking for small business clients, consider the network LinkedIn ( http://www.linkedin.com). LinkedIn works much like Facebook except your connections won't bug you about feed and livestock for your farm and all of the members are business owners or officials.
You set up your profile and start searching for potential customers/partners and old acquaintenances, though the service is more business-oriented than friendship oriented. You can join groups specific to your industry and send invitations for events, etc. If your customers are consumers rather than businesses, Facebook allows you to set up a page for your business that's connected to your personal account for free. Here is a client of ours that offers a good example of how Facebook can be used to advertise sales, events, etc.
Your friends can also "Like" your business to serve as a referral of sorts. We've established a Facebook page for FlexITechs, as well. Twitter, which allows you to post 140-characther updates of your current status or comments, is another social networking tool used by businesses to keep themselves in front of their customers. As always, it's important to maintain proper decorum on these networks, both for you and your employees. In your Acceptable Use Policy, you should have a section on what's acceptable and unacceptable behavior for employees when they post on the Internet as representatives of your company. For help in developing an Acceptable Use Policy, call Eric Magill at 537-4198 or email ericm@flexitechs.com. |
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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
on new
Acer laptops!
Just $799.95 |
Yes, you can buy Acer laptops less expensively on your own, but look at what our turn-key packages include:
* Windows 7 Home Premium
* Minimum 2.0ghz processor
* 4GB of Ram
* Setting up your new laptop at your location
* Transferring files, applications and printers from old computer
* Setting up your Internet or wireless network
* 1 year service contract for any issue related to the laptop, including tips, advice and minor training.
Call Eric Magill at 537-4198 for more details. | Offer Expires: 11/15/2010
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