By Lindsay
PC-TECH.BIZ has merged with Kiss IT Ltd
www.kissit.co.nz
Monday, October 1, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Behind the scenes of NZ Mobile plans
By Lindsay,
It's time to look at my mobile phone plan, as the 2 year anniversary is up. Lets go and look at the plans available from the 3 main mobile carriers. Hmmm...
What do I get for $60/month (my current Smartphone Plan)
Telecom - 100 mins, 300 txt, 1Gbyte data, up to $250 off a mobile when signed up to a 24 month term.
Vodafone - 100mins, 2500 txt, 1Gbyte Data, up to $300 off a mobile, plus 1 NZ Best mate (1000mins)
2 Degrees - 210 minutes, 2500 txt, 150 Mbytes data, plus 100 minutes per month for life.
My current plan with Vodafone has been called 'retired'. It's similar to the Vodafone plan above, except I get free PXT's, and 3 Gbyte Data/month.
My analysis of the above plans is as follows:
1. Bear in mind I looked at only 1 plan per telco that was closest to what I already had. Each telco had many many plans, including pre-paid, and some with additional add-on packs etc. Also there were special offers based on handsets. The situation is very very confusing for someone thinking of moving or renewing. Also the churning of old plans to be replaced with new plans also adds to the confusion. Confused?
2. Vodafone seem to offer the best deal, especially with the best mate add-on giving you an extra 1,000 minutes per month.
3. There really isn't any competition amongst the telco's. I suspect that they are all happy to extract maximum return from their customers.
4. What happened to the data plans? I think that the mobile networks are hitting bandwidth overload, and that alternatives such as Skype and Viber, were seriously affecting the normal call minutes. And PXT's have dissapeared as a free option (I currently have 1000 pxts/month).
I will remain with my current 'retired' plan in the meantime.
It's time to look at my mobile phone plan, as the 2 year anniversary is up. Lets go and look at the plans available from the 3 main mobile carriers. Hmmm...
What do I get for $60/month (my current Smartphone Plan)
Telecom - 100 mins, 300 txt, 1Gbyte data, up to $250 off a mobile when signed up to a 24 month term.
Vodafone - 100mins, 2500 txt, 1Gbyte Data, up to $300 off a mobile, plus 1 NZ Best mate (1000mins)
2 Degrees - 210 minutes, 2500 txt, 150 Mbytes data, plus 100 minutes per month for life.
My current plan with Vodafone has been called 'retired'. It's similar to the Vodafone plan above, except I get free PXT's, and 3 Gbyte Data/month.
My analysis of the above plans is as follows:
1. Bear in mind I looked at only 1 plan per telco that was closest to what I already had. Each telco had many many plans, including pre-paid, and some with additional add-on packs etc. Also there were special offers based on handsets. The situation is very very confusing for someone thinking of moving or renewing. Also the churning of old plans to be replaced with new plans also adds to the confusion. Confused?
2. Vodafone seem to offer the best deal, especially with the best mate add-on giving you an extra 1,000 minutes per month.
3. There really isn't any competition amongst the telco's. I suspect that they are all happy to extract maximum return from their customers.
4. What happened to the data plans? I think that the mobile networks are hitting bandwidth overload, and that alternatives such as Skype and Viber, were seriously affecting the normal call minutes. And PXT's have dissapeared as a free option (I currently have 1000 pxts/month).
I will remain with my current 'retired' plan in the meantime.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
How to Protect your notebook data
By Lindsay,
Notebooks are very popular
amongst thieves. You may think that becuase you have a user password to log
onto your notebook that your data is safe. Not so. 20 minutes and a cup of
coffee and your notebook hard drive is an open book to a 13 year old with just a
small amount of IT knowledge. The key concept is that even though your notebook
has a log on, by taking out the hard drive and connecting it to another computer
access to the data on that hard drive is just a click away.
The answer is to have a
program that encrypts the hard drive. You will typically have an added pass
phrase to start the computer, then your normal log on is required. But the
encrypted hard drive cant be read by any other computer, and the encryption
can't be cracked by anyone - ever. I use Truecrypt myself (www.truecrypt.org) although versions of
Windows come with BitLocker (which does the same thing), or utilities in
notebooks that also do the same thing.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Coming up in the September newsletter
By Lindsay
In this issue - Security and Privacy
In this issue - Security and Privacy
- How to protect your notebook data.
- How to email encrypted files.
- How to have a conversation without being bugged.
- How to browse the web anonomously.
- How to keep a secure copy of important data off premises.
- Employee tracking.
- Cheap web cam monitoring.
- Dealing with the USA/UK with privacy issues.
Only available in the newsletter, due out 3 September. Sign up now.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Setting Out of Office replies for Outlook 2010
By Lindsay,
Out of office replies for Outlook 2010 is a great feature for informing customers and co-workers that you are away for a period of time.
First off in Outlook 2010 go to the File tab, then Info, then click on the Automatic Replies (Out of Office) button;
You are then presented with the following window;
So your options are:
Date and time range - pretty obvious.
Separation of people inside and outside the organisation - Great, you can have separate messages.
Lets look at the Outside my organisation settings, as these are the most important.
Out of office replies for Outlook 2010 is a great feature for informing customers and co-workers that you are away for a period of time.
First off in Outlook 2010 go to the File tab, then Info, then click on the Automatic Replies (Out of Office) button;
You are then presented with the following window;
Date and time range - pretty obvious.
Separation of people inside and outside the organisation - Great, you can have separate messages.
Lets look at the Outside my organisation settings, as these are the most important.
Now this is the most important part. For reasons of security I would not tick the Anyone outside my organisation. Alternatively a pretty generic reply such as away for a few days may cover it.
Have an alternative contact point in the message. Do not specify exactly when you are away.
There are other options as well, look at the Rules button bottom left. There's not a lot you can't do with rules.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Simple and low cost web cam solution
By Lindsay,
I've been playing around with the D-link DCS-930L webcam. For about $150 it allows you to set up an unattended webcam (i.e. doesn't require a PC to use), that you can use to monitor a location, and be able to monitor the camera from anywhere in the world, either on your computer or Iphone.
A great feature is the ability to define areas for motion detection. It will then email you with some still images (usually 3 before the motion was detected, and 3 after).
It doesnt try to be a high end video surveillance system, but if you need to watch something, and want notifications if something moves, then this is a very good and ultra low cost start.
I've been playing around with the D-link DCS-930L webcam. For about $150 it allows you to set up an unattended webcam (i.e. doesn't require a PC to use), that you can use to monitor a location, and be able to monitor the camera from anywhere in the world, either on your computer or Iphone.
A great feature is the ability to define areas for motion detection. It will then email you with some still images (usually 3 before the motion was detected, and 3 after).
It doesnt try to be a high end video surveillance system, but if you need to watch something, and want notifications if something moves, then this is a very good and ultra low cost start.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
In this months newsletter
By Lindsay,
Case studies, and a special offer to newsletter subscribers only.
Case studies, and a special offer to newsletter subscribers only.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Case Study 3 - Cloud based services
By Lindsay,
A small company wih 3 employees. Work can be performed 24 hrs per day by whomever is on duty. Reports and documents need to be accessed and sent to clients as requested. Using a Micrsoft Server centralised everything, but information could only be accessed in the office. Rather than drive to the office to complete the reports, time would be saved by having the data available at home, in the office, or on the road, 24 hours per day.
Solution. Email was changed to hosted exchange. Now it was available on work computers, home computers, and Iphone and Windows mobile phones. The data was changed from the server to a paid subscription to dropbox (50 Gbytes). Now the data is available in the office, at home (via notebook or via the web), and also on the smartphones.
Trips to the office after hours have now ceased.
A small company wih 3 employees. Work can be performed 24 hrs per day by whomever is on duty. Reports and documents need to be accessed and sent to clients as requested. Using a Micrsoft Server centralised everything, but information could only be accessed in the office. Rather than drive to the office to complete the reports, time would be saved by having the data available at home, in the office, or on the road, 24 hours per day.
Solution. Email was changed to hosted exchange. Now it was available on work computers, home computers, and Iphone and Windows mobile phones. The data was changed from the server to a paid subscription to dropbox (50 Gbytes). Now the data is available in the office, at home (via notebook or via the web), and also on the smartphones.
Trips to the office after hours have now ceased.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Take some initiative
By Lindsay,
Sometimes being the owner of a small business I forget what it's like to be an employee. Still I would expect my staff to take the initiative when it comes to making their jobs easier. However here's some real life examples of employees who should have taken the initiative.
1. Sales Manager for multi million dollar company. Distributed sales team. A team member leaves, but not before deleting all emails and contacts and other documents relating to customers in their territory. I had mentioned that using a simple cloud based CRM system such as Solve360 (www.norada.com) could have tied the team together, centralised data, and eased the reporting problem (I mean what sort of sales manager requests weekly customer visit reports anymore........). Now the process of getting the expenditure of approx $50/month approved by 'management' would have taken a long time. I did expect the Sales Manager to have paid for it himself - taking the initiative. End result - years of data lost....
2. Receptionist has a small monitor on her computer. She stares at it 8 hours per day and it's really annoying. I suggest buying a second hand monitor (say 19 inch) for $100. Not going to spend her money. End result - productivity is reduced, and stress levels rise.
3. Worker would like a printer connected to her machine so she can print out documents without going upstairs. I suggest a sub $100 laser printer. That capital expenditure won't be approved I'm told. So I lend her a $99 printer. 4 toner replacements later (operational not capital expenditure) It's still there. End result - I'm happy with the margins from the toner replacement. And it's still my printer.
Sometimes being the owner of a small business I forget what it's like to be an employee. Still I would expect my staff to take the initiative when it comes to making their jobs easier. However here's some real life examples of employees who should have taken the initiative.
1. Sales Manager for multi million dollar company. Distributed sales team. A team member leaves, but not before deleting all emails and contacts and other documents relating to customers in their territory. I had mentioned that using a simple cloud based CRM system such as Solve360 (www.norada.com) could have tied the team together, centralised data, and eased the reporting problem (I mean what sort of sales manager requests weekly customer visit reports anymore........). Now the process of getting the expenditure of approx $50/month approved by 'management' would have taken a long time. I did expect the Sales Manager to have paid for it himself - taking the initiative. End result - years of data lost....
2. Receptionist has a small monitor on her computer. She stares at it 8 hours per day and it's really annoying. I suggest buying a second hand monitor (say 19 inch) for $100. Not going to spend her money. End result - productivity is reduced, and stress levels rise.
3. Worker would like a printer connected to her machine so she can print out documents without going upstairs. I suggest a sub $100 laser printer. That capital expenditure won't be approved I'm told. So I lend her a $99 printer. 4 toner replacements later (operational not capital expenditure) It's still there. End result - I'm happy with the margins from the toner replacement. And it's still my printer.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Case Study 2 - moving to cloud services
By Lindsay,
This next case study involves a company of larger size (initially 30 people). The issues could be summarised as follows:
Initial scoping of a server replacement, combined with a CRM upgrade saw a project well within the $80,000 range. There had to be another way. And with cloud based solutions there was. The path taken was as follows:
The net result:
This next case study involves a company of larger size (initially 30 people). The issues could be summarised as follows:
- The main server running out of capacity.
- The mail system running out of storage capacity, and unable to support remote use without some form of virual private network access.
- A branch office that needed to have access to central data.
- A CRM system that had run out of licences.
- Potential growth that could see the size of the company double in 2 years,and branch offices expand to 5 or 6.
Initial scoping of a server replacement, combined with a CRM upgrade saw a project well within the $80,000 range. There had to be another way. And with cloud based solutions there was. The path taken was as follows:
- The printers were removed off the server. Rather than purchase extra licences for each user to use this resource, network based printers were used.
- The data storage was moved off the server to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device initially. This was far cheaper than trying to add extra space to the server.
- The accounting system moved to Xero (www.xero.co.nz). One small monthly payment, as many users as you want, including accountant access. Internet access only needed.
- Hosted exchange was bought onboard and all users transfered to it. This took a lot of workload off the server, and allowed expansion based on a per user per month fee. It also allowed each user to store 25 Gbytes of emails rather than the 1 Gbyte when held on the server. Hosted exchange also allowed access to email via any web browser as well as on smartphones.
- Dropbox was used to store changeable and critical data.
- A custom built Cloud based CRM system replaced the server based CRM system.
The net result:
- User numbers went to 60, and email is now a per user per month expense.
- The old server continues to hold legacy information, but will be switched off soon.
- Users are able to access email and data from anywhere.
- IT support costs halved
- $80,000 saved.
This months Newsletter
By Lindsay,
In this months newsletter I mention the PC-TECH.BIZ move to cloud based services, some trends that we've noticed, and a web site that lists the applications that are useful in tracking smartphones (especially for your children).
Go on - sign up for the newsletter....
In this months newsletter I mention the PC-TECH.BIZ move to cloud based services, some trends that we've noticed, and a web site that lists the applications that are useful in tracking smartphones (especially for your children).
Go on - sign up for the newsletter....
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Old DOS applications can still be used
By Cameron,
DosBox is completely open source, it helps
emulate programs that may not run on today’s newer systems, It is very light
and easy to use, Here a Pc-Tech.biz we have recently used it to run a very old data
basing software called “Prism”
This software had trouble running on newer systems as it was designed for a Windows 98 machine, we had the option of creating a virtual machine on which we would run Windows 98. But this was more expensive than working with a emulator exclusively for the target program.
This software had trouble running on newer systems as it was designed for a Windows 98 machine, we had the option of creating a virtual machine on which we would run Windows 98. But this was more expensive than working with a emulator exclusively for the target program.
It worked without a hitch and went though
no worries! If anyone is looking for an awesome (And free!) open source
emulator that is very easy to use please take a look at: http://www.dosbox.com/
Monday, April 30, 2012
Case Study - Moving to cloud based services
By Lindsay,
The first case study will be PC-TECH.BIZ itself. In 2010 it was decided that cloud based services would be the future of IT, and as such PC-TECH.BIZ had to move to show the way.
The main systems that had to be changed were (in order):
Email
Email moved from standard POP accounts to Hosted Exchange. The benefits that came with the move included anywhere access (computers/mobile devices), synchronisation between all devices, sharing of email inboxes and calendars. For the primary computer email could be sent/received as long as there was an internet connection.
Accounting
A cashbook application was changed to Xero (www.xero.co.nz). Web based, no application to load, and available from any device. No per user fees, and Accountants could access the data without having to send files to them. The bank feed component when linked to the main bank account meant that reconciliation could take place every day, online, in seconds.
Xero also integrates with other applications. Xero data is held in NZ, so current law requirements were met.
CRM
A large installed CRM package was replaced with Solve360 (www.norada.com). The CRM search was the hardest of all the applications to find. Having had 10 years with the previous CRM package meant that certain features had to be retained. Operation had to be simple, and so a lot of other cloud based CRM solutions were discounted because they were overly complicated.
Job Management
A multi user cloud based job management system was required to enable the capture of all work. WorkflowMax was chosen (www.workflowmax.com) as it was able to integrate with Xero, and provided a key performance indicator - that of hours worked per month. The job management system also insulates the operation of the business from the accounting side.
Remote Management
Managed services with remote monitoring and management was also required. A remote management tool that was cloud based was sourced from NZ - Naverisk (www.naverisk.com).
Remote Access
At the time of transitioning to all these cloud based applications, having these features available when mobile became important. At the time only the iPhone was able to fit the bill. Since then Android based phones have also the capability to work with all of the above applications.
Conclusion
Moving from programs dedicated to one computer, with very little remote access, to cloud based services has increased efficiency, reduced impact of computer loss or physical disasters, and evened out expense peaks and troughes. PC-TECH.BIZ is also set up for expansion without having to invest in any more user licences.
The first case study will be PC-TECH.BIZ itself. In 2010 it was decided that cloud based services would be the future of IT, and as such PC-TECH.BIZ had to move to show the way.
The main systems that had to be changed were (in order):
- Accounting
- CRM
- Job Management
- Remote Management
Email moved from standard POP accounts to Hosted Exchange. The benefits that came with the move included anywhere access (computers/mobile devices), synchronisation between all devices, sharing of email inboxes and calendars. For the primary computer email could be sent/received as long as there was an internet connection.
Accounting
A cashbook application was changed to Xero (www.xero.co.nz). Web based, no application to load, and available from any device. No per user fees, and Accountants could access the data without having to send files to them. The bank feed component when linked to the main bank account meant that reconciliation could take place every day, online, in seconds.
Xero also integrates with other applications. Xero data is held in NZ, so current law requirements were met.
CRM
A large installed CRM package was replaced with Solve360 (www.norada.com). The CRM search was the hardest of all the applications to find. Having had 10 years with the previous CRM package meant that certain features had to be retained. Operation had to be simple, and so a lot of other cloud based CRM solutions were discounted because they were overly complicated.
Job Management
A multi user cloud based job management system was required to enable the capture of all work. WorkflowMax was chosen (www.workflowmax.com) as it was able to integrate with Xero, and provided a key performance indicator - that of hours worked per month. The job management system also insulates the operation of the business from the accounting side.
Remote Management
Managed services with remote monitoring and management was also required. A remote management tool that was cloud based was sourced from NZ - Naverisk (www.naverisk.com).
Remote Access
At the time of transitioning to all these cloud based applications, having these features available when mobile became important. At the time only the iPhone was able to fit the bill. Since then Android based phones have also the capability to work with all of the above applications.
Conclusion
Moving from programs dedicated to one computer, with very little remote access, to cloud based services has increased efficiency, reduced impact of computer loss or physical disasters, and evened out expense peaks and troughes. PC-TECH.BIZ is also set up for expansion without having to invest in any more user licences.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Google Apps for Business - first impressions
By Lindsay,
Google Apps for business (free edition), are a series of appications that allow you, the small business owner to run email, documents, calendars from a web browser. The free edition allows you to have up to 10 email addresses.
The main products are:
Gmail. Rather than a @gmail.com address you can set up a @yourbusiness.co.nz email address. Same look and feel and storage limits as normal Gmail (typically 7 Gbytes of email storage). Able to be accessed via any web browser, and smartphones.
Calendar. Nice calendar, able to share the calendar with other people in your team.
Google Docs. A place to store your documents, and the ability to create documents. Since everything is web based, the features are lmited, especially in the spreadsheet program. Douments can be shared amongst team members.
Initial impressions - It's ok for free. There are better free Office applications available. And the email user interface is...well...clunky. However in saying this, having something that works via a web browser, has some integration with smartphones, and is built around collaboration with fellow team members is pretty good.
Next I'll be invetigating the Google Apps marketplace for free business related applications that integrate with Google apps
Google Apps for business (free edition), are a series of appications that allow you, the small business owner to run email, documents, calendars from a web browser. The free edition allows you to have up to 10 email addresses.
The main products are:
Gmail. Rather than a @gmail.com address you can set up a @yourbusiness.co.nz email address. Same look and feel and storage limits as normal Gmail (typically 7 Gbytes of email storage). Able to be accessed via any web browser, and smartphones.
Calendar. Nice calendar, able to share the calendar with other people in your team.
Google Docs. A place to store your documents, and the ability to create documents. Since everything is web based, the features are lmited, especially in the spreadsheet program. Douments can be shared amongst team members.
Initial impressions - It's ok for free. There are better free Office applications available. And the email user interface is...well...clunky. However in saying this, having something that works via a web browser, has some integration with smartphones, and is built around collaboration with fellow team members is pretty good.
Next I'll be invetigating the Google Apps marketplace for free business related applications that integrate with Google apps
Why are notebook computers slower than desktops?
By Lindsay,
Even though you have bought a notebook with the same specifications as a desktop, it seems to be slower. Why is that?
1. Disk Drive - generally the notebook computers disk drives are smaller and slower.
2. Applications - all notebook manufacturers add applications to the notebook to make your 'experience' with it much much easier. These tend to use more resources, so slowing the computer down.
3. Power saving. Notebooks have power saving modes which deliberatley slow down the speed of the computer when running on battery.
Even though you have bought a notebook with the same specifications as a desktop, it seems to be slower. Why is that?
1. Disk Drive - generally the notebook computers disk drives are smaller and slower.
2. Applications - all notebook manufacturers add applications to the notebook to make your 'experience' with it much much easier. These tend to use more resources, so slowing the computer down.
3. Power saving. Notebooks have power saving modes which deliberatley slow down the speed of the computer when running on battery.
Firewalls - fact versus fiction
By Lindsay,
There's a lot of speculation over firewalls for internet protection. In a previous company the standard practice was to ensure that we sold a 'hardware' firewall to ensure maximum protection. But was it really necessary?
Well no. For small businesses today, connectd to the internet, and running Windows 7 as the operating system, no additonal 'hardware' firewall is necessary. The ADSL router has a firewall built-in, and the workstations also have a software firewall (Windows Firewall) running all the time. Some anti-virus products also provide their own software firewall that replaces Windows Firewall as well.
What's the difference between a hardware firewall and a software firewall? About $400. You see there is no such thing as a hardware firewall. Rather there is a box - an appliance if you will - that runs firewall software. It might run a special version of a cut down operating system such as Linux, dedicated to firewall duties.
So by default you have 2 firewalls in place. No need for a third. However in sales the extra dollars for the device, plus configuring helped improve my bottom line even if it didn't help yours....
Some hadware firewalls have additonal functions - such as providing Virtual private Network (VPN) services to users outside the local area network. However today with Clud based services and applications, we see the use of VPN's declining, in fact not needed at all.
There's a lot of speculation over firewalls for internet protection. In a previous company the standard practice was to ensure that we sold a 'hardware' firewall to ensure maximum protection. But was it really necessary?
Well no. For small businesses today, connectd to the internet, and running Windows 7 as the operating system, no additonal 'hardware' firewall is necessary. The ADSL router has a firewall built-in, and the workstations also have a software firewall (Windows Firewall) running all the time. Some anti-virus products also provide their own software firewall that replaces Windows Firewall as well.
What's the difference between a hardware firewall and a software firewall? About $400. You see there is no such thing as a hardware firewall. Rather there is a box - an appliance if you will - that runs firewall software. It might run a special version of a cut down operating system such as Linux, dedicated to firewall duties.
So by default you have 2 firewalls in place. No need for a third. However in sales the extra dollars for the device, plus configuring helped improve my bottom line even if it didn't help yours....
Some hadware firewalls have additonal functions - such as providing Virtual private Network (VPN) services to users outside the local area network. However today with Clud based services and applications, we see the use of VPN's declining, in fact not needed at all.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Remote Monitoring - Now Free!
By Lindsay,
It's not usual to get something for free these days. However I can annouince that PC-TECH.BIZ will be oferring free remote monitoring to all customers. A small software agent is installed on your computer. If something major occurs, our cloud based monitoring system will tell us. We can then get back to you in the quickest possible time. Remote control is also built-in so suppport can be given without waiting for a technician to travel to your site.
Call 0800 PCTECH now to take advantage of this offer.
It's not usual to get something for free these days. However I can annouince that PC-TECH.BIZ will be oferring free remote monitoring to all customers. A small software agent is installed on your computer. If something major occurs, our cloud based monitoring system will tell us. We can then get back to you in the quickest possible time. Remote control is also built-in so suppport can be given without waiting for a technician to travel to your site.
Call 0800 PCTECH now to take advantage of this offer.
Monday, April 2, 2012
In This months newsletter
By Lindsay,
In this months newsletter a number of topics were covered.
Management productivity
Hard drive crashes (again)
And a special deal on a personal colour laser printer only available to newsletter readers.
In this months newsletter a number of topics were covered.
Management productivity
Hard drive crashes (again)
And a special deal on a personal colour laser printer only available to newsletter readers.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The future of mobile phones
By Lindsay,
With more and more smartphones being sold, and third party applications being developed for all platforms, the future of mobile telephones is becoming increasingly clear.
I have mentioned that only 3 platforms will make it into the future. These being, Android powered, iPhones, and Windows Mobile. With the preliferation of applications being developed for all these platforms, then we are likely to see the following:
The cellphone becomes a data terminal. Cellphones do two things. These are make calls over the cellular network, and use data over the cellular network. Third party applications such as Viber/Skype allow for voice and video calls using data over cellular. The iPhone Facetime application allows video calls as long a both devices are connected via WiFi to the internet. This type of calling is bypassing the telecommunications company. What to look for in a smartphone plan is a data component that is in the Gbytes per month area.
Pushback against the technology. Smartphones, whilst simple to use, can be also complicated to use for a certain demographic. Expect people to want to buy a basic cellphone that only makes calls. These types of phones will be small, light, and low cost.
In New Zealand with our telecommunication company's being a bit tight on capital spending, expect to see a degradation of service as more smartphones come on line. 3G data performance is quite good as long as there is very little traffic.
Location services will be pushed, many applications will come on line to assist you in finding places, people etc that are nearby to you. There will also be 'official' demand for permanent location tracking for public safety reasons. Expect to have your movements tracked 24 hours of the day. I would expect to see sales of low powered GPS jammers to increase for the paranoid. However if concerned, the cheapest method is to take the battery out (if you can, can't do that with an iPhone), or wrap it in tin foil.
With more and more smartphones being sold, and third party applications being developed for all platforms, the future of mobile telephones is becoming increasingly clear.
I have mentioned that only 3 platforms will make it into the future. These being, Android powered, iPhones, and Windows Mobile. With the preliferation of applications being developed for all these platforms, then we are likely to see the following:
The cellphone becomes a data terminal. Cellphones do two things. These are make calls over the cellular network, and use data over the cellular network. Third party applications such as Viber/Skype allow for voice and video calls using data over cellular. The iPhone Facetime application allows video calls as long a both devices are connected via WiFi to the internet. This type of calling is bypassing the telecommunications company. What to look for in a smartphone plan is a data component that is in the Gbytes per month area.
Pushback against the technology. Smartphones, whilst simple to use, can be also complicated to use for a certain demographic. Expect people to want to buy a basic cellphone that only makes calls. These types of phones will be small, light, and low cost.
In New Zealand with our telecommunication company's being a bit tight on capital spending, expect to see a degradation of service as more smartphones come on line. 3G data performance is quite good as long as there is very little traffic.
Location services will be pushed, many applications will come on line to assist you in finding places, people etc that are nearby to you. There will also be 'official' demand for permanent location tracking for public safety reasons. Expect to have your movements tracked 24 hours of the day. I would expect to see sales of low powered GPS jammers to increase for the paranoid. However if concerned, the cheapest method is to take the battery out (if you can, can't do that with an iPhone), or wrap it in tin foil.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Why So Grumpy?
By Lindsay,
I was on a call when a customer asked "are you feeling grumpy?" Hmm I wonder what my tone of voice was for him to ask that question. Here's my best answer to that:
First I was concentrating hard on a problem, so my mind wasn't on the conversation.
Second I was on my cellphone - and I try to keep my cellphone conversations to the bare minimum because of the danger of cellphone radiation.
I was on a call when a customer asked "are you feeling grumpy?" Hmm I wonder what my tone of voice was for him to ask that question. Here's my best answer to that:
First I was concentrating hard on a problem, so my mind wasn't on the conversation.
Second I was on my cellphone - and I try to keep my cellphone conversations to the bare minimum because of the danger of cellphone radiation.
Friday, February 17, 2012
What's with all these 'know how to operate a computer posts'?
By Lindsay,
I've been asked - why do I have all these 'What you need to know to operate your computer' posts. They seem very trivial.
The answer - each of the posts reflects a situation (that happened that same day) where I had to guide someone through that process. Yes even turning a computer off. If I gather enough posts I may turn it into a training program....
I've been asked - why do I have all these 'What you need to know to operate your computer' posts. They seem very trivial.
The answer - each of the posts reflects a situation (that happened that same day) where I had to guide someone through that process. Yes even turning a computer off. If I gather enough posts I may turn it into a training program....
Email Settings - and why sometimes sending doesn't work
By Lindsay,
Simple POP/SMTP email is great when you are at home or at work, and your home/work computer doesn't move around. If you are a Xtra customer, your email settings will have you using Xtra settings. i.e pop3.xtra.co.nz, smtp.xtra.co.nz can be found in the accounts property box of your email account.
Email was designed (remeber in the 1970's) to allow for a concept called relaying. Email was after all built around the dual concept of:
1. Email can be passed to someone else to pass on if I can't get through (relaying), and
2. Email isn't critical because, well, if it was critical you would phone or fax....
Let's not deal here with concept 2. We now use hosted exchange email delivered to multiple devices in real time to solve that little issue.
But concept 1 - relaying - whilst a good design concept, was quickly seized on by spammers as a means of sending email to people, pretending to be someone else. So the ability for email to be relayed has been turned off. Internet service providers still needed to send email so the basic concept is that if you are using an ISP for broadband, then that ISP will accept your email for sending because it knows who you are.
So in the real world, say, you use Xtra, and have an address@xtra.co.nz. At home you use Xtra as your ISP, and you want to send an email. Xtra will accept the request because you are using their broadband circuit, and so it know you are a valid Xtra customer. You then take your computer to someone elses place. They use TelstraClear to provide broadband. You go to send an email (via Xtra). It is stopped by TelstraClear because they don't know if you are a real Xtra customer, or a spammer.
There are slight variences to this scenario, and in fact Xtra use other techniques to allow emails to be sent/received no matter which ISP is used. (Good on you Xtra, I wish TelstraClear would adopt the same trivial to set up technique!). But protecting us from spammers is the reason why you can sometimes send emails from location A, and not from location B, if you use an @Xtra or @clear.net.nz or @eol.co.nz email address.
Simple POP/SMTP email is great when you are at home or at work, and your home/work computer doesn't move around. If you are a Xtra customer, your email settings will have you using Xtra settings. i.e pop3.xtra.co.nz, smtp.xtra.co.nz can be found in the accounts property box of your email account.
Email was designed (remeber in the 1970's) to allow for a concept called relaying. Email was after all built around the dual concept of:
1. Email can be passed to someone else to pass on if I can't get through (relaying), and
2. Email isn't critical because, well, if it was critical you would phone or fax....
Let's not deal here with concept 2. We now use hosted exchange email delivered to multiple devices in real time to solve that little issue.
But concept 1 - relaying - whilst a good design concept, was quickly seized on by spammers as a means of sending email to people, pretending to be someone else. So the ability for email to be relayed has been turned off. Internet service providers still needed to send email so the basic concept is that if you are using an ISP for broadband, then that ISP will accept your email for sending because it knows who you are.
So in the real world, say, you use Xtra, and have an address@xtra.co.nz. At home you use Xtra as your ISP, and you want to send an email. Xtra will accept the request because you are using their broadband circuit, and so it know you are a valid Xtra customer. You then take your computer to someone elses place. They use TelstraClear to provide broadband. You go to send an email (via Xtra). It is stopped by TelstraClear because they don't know if you are a real Xtra customer, or a spammer.
There are slight variences to this scenario, and in fact Xtra use other techniques to allow emails to be sent/received no matter which ISP is used. (Good on you Xtra, I wish TelstraClear would adopt the same trivial to set up technique!). But protecting us from spammers is the reason why you can sometimes send emails from location A, and not from location B, if you use an @Xtra or @clear.net.nz or @eol.co.nz email address.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Email addresses (again!)
By Lindsay
In a previous post I mentioned that email addresses should NOT be name based. Instead they should be positioned based. In organisations where staff move regularly then you are saving the extra cost of mailbox retention/sharing/diverting. What do I mean? Ok rather than use myname@mycompany, or firstname.lastname@mycompany, or firstinitial.lastname@mycompany use:
md@
admin1@
production@
sales@
The display name (what people see when you send an email) can be changed to anything to make it user friendly.
In a previous post I mentioned that email addresses should NOT be name based. Instead they should be positioned based. In organisations where staff move regularly then you are saving the extra cost of mailbox retention/sharing/diverting. What do I mean? Ok rather than use myname@mycompany, or firstname.lastname@mycompany, or firstinitial.lastname@mycompany use:
md@
admin1@
production@
sales@
The display name (what people see when you send an email) can be changed to anything to make it user friendly.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
What you need to know to operate your computer - Part 4
By Lindsay,
Know how to select the printer you want from any application and how to set the default printer.
Know how to select the printer you want from any application and how to set the default printer.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
When an employee leaves
By Lindsay,
What's your process for dealing with an employee that is leaving? Best practices should include coverage of the following:
1. What do you do with their emails, both old ones and those that will be received in the future?
2. What access to corporate systems need to be shut off?
3. If the employee is a contractor, and supplied their own computer, what corporate data will be removed from the computer?
4. How do you manage malicious removal of corporate data if the parting isn't amicable?
What's your process for dealing with an employee that is leaving? Best practices should include coverage of the following:
1. What do you do with their emails, both old ones and those that will be received in the future?
2. What access to corporate systems need to be shut off?
3. If the employee is a contractor, and supplied their own computer, what corporate data will be removed from the computer?
4. How do you manage malicious removal of corporate data if the parting isn't amicable?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Having a backup computer
By Lindsay,
A bit close to home for me, my primary notebook has failed. However I have a back up notebook which is working well while the spare parts for my primary notebook take 10 working days to arrive.
Are you that prepared?
A bit close to home for me, my primary notebook has failed. However I have a back up notebook which is working well while the spare parts for my primary notebook take 10 working days to arrive.
Are you that prepared?
What you Need to know to operate your computer - part 3
By Lindsay,
If you use Outlook know how to change the reading pane views and create your own signature block.
If you use Outlook know how to change the reading pane views and create your own signature block.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
What you need to know to operate your computer - Part 2
By Lindsay
Know what web browser you are using, how to select Microsoft Internet Explorer, and how to enter an address in the addrrss bar.
Know what web browser you are using, how to select Microsoft Internet Explorer, and how to enter an address in the addrrss bar.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
What you need to know to operate your computer Part 1
By Lindsay,
Basic skills for operating your computer in a business environment. (Part 1)
Know how to:
Turn your computer on and off.
Basic skills for operating your computer in a business environment. (Part 1)
Know how to:
Turn your computer on and off.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Learning from customers
By Lindsay
Todays learning moment - a customer commented that my invoice does not have a phone contact number. So I've added it. Everything that goes out to customers should have at least two methods of contact, usually a phone number and an email address.
Todays learning moment - a customer commented that my invoice does not have a phone contact number. So I've added it. Everything that goes out to customers should have at least two methods of contact, usually a phone number and an email address.
Monday, January 9, 2012
When time matters
By Lindsay
Here is the text of an email sent to me by one of my customers. The main point is this - when time matters, you need to be responsive to sales enquiries. Your IT systems need to be set up so that you are available 24 hours per day, to answer sales enquiries, and to make the sale.
__________________________________
Here is the text of an email sent to me by one of my customers. The main point is this - when time matters, you need to be responsive to sales enquiries. Your IT systems need to be set up so that you are available 24 hours per day, to answer sales enquiries, and to make the sale.
__________________________________
I recently asked 4 print companies for a quote to do an urgent print job. I had little expectation of price and quality, as it was an urgent throw away print document, It just needed to be done.
My minimal expectations were to be shocked, of the four printers I asked to quote one failed to quote at all, even a follow up call.
One was three time the price as the other three! Three failed to reply in the same day period. So my question to you is do you know a good printer, are any of your clients competent printers??
Needless to say this time I took the quote from the company that replied the same day, and all four knew it was urgent.
As a side note I called all four to tell them the problems I had and the company that didn't respond at all said their quoting computer was down for about 5 mins during the day and my quote got lost, ops they said sorry about that, I said don't be sorry my $200k of printing will be well looked after by the company that replied in the first 5 mins. Who would have thought 5 mins could be worth that much!!
The iPad Phenomena
By Marc,
What is it and how will it help us. Essentially its a stripped down computer, think laptop, in behind a screen, think laptops screen.
So the iPad phenomena is a giant rolling ball of technology.
The screen has a touch sensitive layer, and all typing and mouse like gestures are done with fingers on the touch sensitive screen, the industry label for this device is a tablet.
"its a computer Jim, but not as we know it", yes it is a computer, however so is your modern fridge. The tablet in most senses runs a cut down version of a standard computer system. Most tablets require you to down load apps, to do anything other than web browse or collect email, which we are used to doing anyway. The essence of Apple again is found throughout the iPad2, so if you have any Apple computer, (or iPhone) then there will be no learning curve when you pick up this device
Apple has chosen to protect its system and the end users, and only allow apps, that have been downloaded from their iTunes Store, other manufactures suggest this is crippling the iPad, a suggestion not measured in unit sales. Other manufactures have opened their tablets to many apps available anywhere on the internet, and as a result have spawned a new product for Nortons and other virus detection software, Nortons reported recently that "Nortons Mobile" is their fastest selling product for Android and Windows mobile devices, however it does not work with the iPad or iPhone, and frankly is not required, while Apple keeps a good control on the quality of apps available for their mobile devices.
So is this tablet of any use to us, phew is the guide dog any use to a blind person, there will be the knockers and they will say nope, recently I holidayed in Taupo and we both took our laptops with us for facebook and web and email, (funny how facebook was before email and web browsing). The bag that carried the two laptops was essentially very heavy, however had we had two ipads, the weight difference would have been pleasantly refreshing.
I am now the proud owner of an iPad2 and its is great for the time I am away from the house and when in a part of the house where I have left my computer behind. It is smaller lighter, easier to us than my laptop, has my Skytv app, so I can see whats on tv and search in advance and book shows in advance, no more paying for TV guides. I have the Accuweather so I can plan days ahead, I have flight Board, so I can check on flight times etc. I can also watch boats around the world and were they have been. Of course I can check my email, browse the web, I have a New Zealand herald app so the news is easy to digest now :)
Do we need an iPad? To all the knockers there IS an app for spreadsheets and word documents!
Should I buy an iPad? I answer this as yes if you have a computer already and are looking to be mobile, as these units are simply better than the laptop at web.
The Apple mobile devices have even coined a new phrase .. " I have an app for that"
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