Three Must-have Features for Backup Software
The right backup software caters to a business’ disaster recovery plan. A disaster recovery plan is used to quickly restore data and servers when hardware fails on the network. Part of an efficient disaster recovery plan is backup software that stores, secures and archives documents to external media such as tape, DVDs and network hard drives. However, not all backup software has the features necessary for large networks. These three features ensure your disaster recovery plan can handle quick recovery and storage requirements.
Verification Mode
One of the worst positions for a network administrator is being in charge of data restoration when the backups are corrupted. A good backup application has a checksum process that verifies the backups are copied without errors. A checksum is an error-checking process that checks the bits… Continue reading...
Sneak Peek at Microsoft Office 2010
What’s new and different about Office 2010?
Here are just a few features to get excited about at-a-glance.
Many are new … some are improved … All are WAY COOL!
Co-Authoring
Breakthrough technology that connects team members on a single project. Allows multiple people to update and share a notebook simultaneously. Each person on the team can see who is working on the document online and start a conversation with that person in real time. And edits are highlighted, so you can see what’s been changed.
Conversation View
Get control of your e-mail. Improves the tracking and managing of related e-mails while saving valuable inbox space, letting you manage large amounts of e-mail with ease. It also hides entire conversations you don’t care about and condenses them with just a few clicks.
Broadcast Slide Show
Instantly… Continue reading...
Windows 7 Hot Tips Series: 16 through 20
Tip #16: Right-Click Mania
In Windows 7, right-clicking may just be your secret friend. There are many ways the right-click can simplify your computing experience. Here are just a few:
Right-click any empty spot in your desktop, and you have the control to change the screen resolution.
Right-click any of the icons in the Taskbar to “Unpin this program from the Taskbar.”
Right-click the Taskbar Explorer icon to access your most frequently used folders.
Tip #17: Unveil Your Hidden Drives
See the drives that aren’t currently in use when you open My Computer.
Click Computer → Alt to see the toolbar → Tools → Folder Options → View (tab) →
Uncheck “Hide empty drives in the Computer folder.”
And they magically appear!
Tip #18: Find a File or a Song You Want – Instantly
Find just about anything on your PC… Continue reading...
MS Outlook Calendar Tips: Dealing with missing invitations
No longer just for sending and receiving emails, MS Outlook has evolved into a powerful program, capable of organizing your emails as well as your contacts, appointments, and To-Do lists. MS Outlook also allows you to sync information across multiple handheld devices like Blackberrys and other smartphones, so you are always up to date.
However, with increasing functions come increasing complexities. The Outlook calendar, in particular, is often known to mysteriously lose appointments. These problems typically arise when multiple actions are taken on the same invitation, whether it is because both you and your assistant have replied to an invitation, or because you have responded to the invite via multiple devices. Moving or deleting invitations can also cause your appointments to go missing. Following these seven simple tips will allow you… Continue reading...
Shopping Tips for a Multifunction Printer
Whether it is for business or personal use, a quality multifunction laser printer can be a great choice. While a traditional laser printer can be an excellent tool, a multifunction machine adds some additional benefits, including the ability to scan documents, make copies and even send and receive faxes. That means that both individuals and businesses may be able to replace three or four machines with a single unit. A multifunction laser printer can be an excellent choice for home or business use, but only if you know what to look for.
Cost of the Unit
When evaluating a multifunction laser printer be sure to do a cost benefit analysis. In order to determine if a multifunction printer is really the best choice it is important to… Continue reading...
Troubleshooting Common CPU Problems
In a computer, the central processing unit (CPU) can be likened to the brain. The processor performs all the calculations necessary for programs to run on the computer, and if the processor has a problem, it will affect the entire operation of the computer. Thankfully, processor problems are rare. Problems that appear to be caused by the processor are generally actually caused by the configuration of the processor, which means that they can be corrected easily with the proper knowledge.
Incorrect Processor Speed
The speed of a processor is determined by the speed of the system bus (the “highway” that all data within a computer travels on) and a multiplier. For example, one processor configuration might combine a 100-MHz system bus with a multiplier of 8x, giving you an 800-MHz processor. Most… Continue reading...
The Importance of Keeping Your Computer Drivers Updated
Keeping your drivers up to date is one of the most vital parts of maintaining your computer. Fortunately, it is also very simple to do, and in many cases is completely automatic. Drivers are the software used by your computer to control your hardware, like an instruction manual for keeping all of the components of your PC communicating clearly and efficiently. This article covers some key points for driver maintenance.
Whenever you update your hardware, either by replacing a particular component, adding a new piece, or modify your configuration, you should update your drivers. You should also update drivers regularly, even if you have made no modifications to your system. Driver updates can change anything from power management, hardware efficiency, or component communication. As an example, drivers for peripheral device may… Continue reading...
The 6 VOIP security risks you should know about
Implementing a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) system in your home or business can
seem very attractive given the cheap rates and bandwidth efficiency, but many users
are unaware of the security risk posed by unsecured Internet telephony. If you intend
to communicate sensitive information over VOIP, securing your connection is vital,
although it is still important take precautions even if you only plan on using your
VOIP for domestic calls to friends and family, and here’s why.
Not all VoIP solutions are created equal. Cisco VoIP Business Solutions are all highly secure environments.
1. VOIP packet sniffing
Packet sniffing describes the process of analyzing the traffic passing through a
connection and, although all types of data transferal are vulnerable to packet
sniffing, it poses a particular privacy threat to VOIP as VOIP calls can be identified
and potentially accessed by… Continue reading...
Bluetooth 101: The Magic Of Wireless Technology
Bluetooth technology got its name from the Viking King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark, who was famous during his time for his excellent mediation skills. He connected with a lot of people and was admired by his men for this talent. Hence, when the technology was invented, the name stuck.
This wire free technology enables a broad selection of devices to be able to exchange information with the help of 2.4 GHz short-wave radio signals within a range of up to 120 feet. Devices like video game consoles, mobile phones, PCs, laptops, PDAs, MP3 players, stereo headsets and printers all can be connected to each other through Bluetooth.
Technology has made our lives so much easier and Bluetooth is one such invention. The best thing about Bluetooth is that you can connect any… Continue reading...
VoIP Technology and Business Mobility
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which is a technology that allows voice communication to be transmitted through the same cabling and network as the Internet. For business communication infrastructure, this is the initial step in integrating phone systems with the computer network. VoIP streamlines systems and lowers some costs, but the real advantage comes from the mobility the integrated system brings to the people who use it.
Mobile Access
With underlying VoIP technology, what was formerly just a phone can become part of the data network, which completes the picture for a mobile office. Mobile phones and laptops converge with internal office phone systems on the online network. Staff can now literally take their office with them and collaborate in real-time, accessing shared network files and office phone networks from… Continue reading...
