PC tips
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Buy more RAM than you think you will
need - for example Windows XP really needs 256Mb
of RAM just to manage it's own overheads. So go
for as much RAM as your PC can handle - when you
buy it - 1Gb or more.
Don't run your hard disk more than 75% full -
Windows needs disk space as well as RAM.
Defragment your disk weekly - even if Windows
says you don't really need to.
Run a full hard disk check monthly.
Back up your data onto CD(650Mb) or better DVD (4.5Gb
or 9 Gb) at a frequency that means you don't have
to spend to much time re-creating lost data due
to a disk crash - they do happen at the most
inconvenient time!
Don't let you home PC become clogged up with
downloaded junk (ie. restrict the kids ability to
download from the 'net - with XP you can set up
restricted logon accounts for them - but keep
your logon on as "administrator").
Purchase accredited Anti-Virus and Firewall
Software with updates - (the firwall included in
Windows is not as good).
Thinking of buying a DVD burner then look at the
IOMEGA "Super DVD" external drive - you
can install it yourself - just needs a USB2 port
(price around AUD$249).
Next time you're looking at buying a new desktop
printer look at the Epson R210 - high quality
photo printing plus you can print directly onto
CD/DVD's (price around AUD$249).
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Anti-Virus care -
the basic rules
Do not open any files attached to
an email from an unknown, suspicious or
untrustworthy source.
Do not open any files attached to
an email unless you know what it is, even
if it appears to come from a dear friend
or someone you know. Some viruses can
replicate themselves and spread through
email. Better be safe than sorry and
confirm that they really sent it.
Do not open any files attached to
an email if the subject line is
questionable or unexpected. If the need
to do so is there always save the file to
your hard drive before doing so.
Delete chain emails and junk email.
Do not forward or reply to any to them.
These types of email are considered spam,
which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that
clogs up the network.
Do not download any files from
strangers.
Exercise caution when downloading
files from the Internet. Ensure that the
source is a legitimate and reputable one.
Verify that an anti-virus program checks
the files on the download site. If you're
uncertain, don't download the file at all
or download the file to a floppy and test
it with your own anti-virus software.
Update your anti-virus software
regularly. Over 500 viruses are
discovered each month, so you'll want to
be protected. These updates should be at
the least the products virus signature
files. You may also need to update the
product's scanning engine as well.
Back up your files on a regular basis.
If a virus destroys your files, at least
you can replace them with your back-up
copy. You should store your backup copy
in a separate location from your work
files, one that is preferably not on your
computer.
When in doubt, always err on the side
of caution and do not open, download,
or execute any files or email attachments.
Not executing is the more important of
these caveats. Check with your product
vendors for updates which include those
for your operating system web browser,
and email. One example is the security
site section of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security.
Most "virus warnings"
are a hoax. BEFORE sending a "warning"
onto everyone in your address book check
the following web site:- http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=hoaxes
If it's in the hoax list DELETE
the email - DON'T pass it on - as this is
how virus hoaxes propogate...
If it is not in the hoax list then
check the following web site for real
viruses :- http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=recentlyDiscovered
Devious Tricks to "con"
you - even going to a web site can
download a "Backdoor" trojan.
For example "You've just been sent
money with Infra-Pay" and explains
how to collect it and to go to the "infra-pay.com"
web site. If you click on their web site
link it looks a professional web site BUT
just going there loads the Backdoor-AXJ
trojan virus onto your PC.
Another one is an email which
looks as if it comes from your bank and
asks you to confirm account details - it
may even ask you to go to a web site to
do it, which look just like your banks
web site. This is how they can get your
PIN and other details to empty your
account.
Another one is You have a "VoiceMessage"
= click on link to hear it - It sounds
intriguing - new technology to send
messages ? NO - if you click the link you
get infected.
Buy a
recognised anti-virus software and set it
up to check all system files, emails,
attachments, etc and to run automatically
when you start your PC.
Purchase automatic updates for your anti-virus
software.
Purchase firewall software with updates.
If a virus file cannot be deleted by your
anti-virus software then open up Windows
Explorer and navigate to the directory
where the virus is and (with the option
set to see hidden files) right click on
the 'virus file' and select properties,
un-tick any ticked boxes and then your
anti-visur software should be able to
delete it.
If you
have a broadband and have a permanent IP
address with your ISP then you must have
anti-virus sofware and firewall because
not all viruses come as email attachments
- some "nasties" toll the net
looking for open ports and will infect
your PC. So if you're not using the net
don't leave it logged on for hours.
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Virus and Spy-ware
Symantec
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Norton AntiVirus updates
- latest Virus information and Advisories. |
| McAfee |
McAfee virus scan
updates - latest Virus information and Advisories
- from Network Associates |
| ..and ..check for
Windows updates |
| Microsoft |
Microsoft
security updates and virus fixes.
If you install XP service pack 2 ( about 80 Mb)
this has its own firewall. If you have Norton's/or
McAffee up-to-date Firewalls then don't have both
running at the same time. - Current
recommendations seem to favour using the non-Microsoft
firewall.
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Looking for a top
end notebook?
| Look in the 'business' section of
notebook manufacturers - right ? - wrong !. |
The 'business' market is aimed at
light weight notebooks for mainly "office"
products such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Access
and little graphics....
The 'home' market is aimed at games, digital
images, scanning, etc and hence have bigger hard
disks, faster processors, more memory - DDRII (the
'II' means dual access - hence faster ) RAM,
added graphics card with it's own memory and
faster FSB (front side bus - this is the data
highway which feeds the CPU and other items.).
The mining industry is known for large data
volumes, big images and the need for 'crunching'
lots of data. - Mining may not be a 'game' but
typically needs similar computer facilities. |
click on image to visit. |
Look at the
options from all manufacturers which may meet
your requirements.
But take time to check out the HP Pavilion range
, which has all the 'fruit' . With a full
complement of RAM (2GB) it can run most
applications and view large images - such as a
450MB high resolution image of an A0 scanned
geology map.
With a 17" widescreen, full size keyboard it
is really a 'desk top replacement'.
- Next month there may be something a bit faster/better
- that's the way technology goes - but it is well
worth looking at.
A good tip is to buy a cordless optical mouse
like the Logitech LX7 to go with it.
- and get the 3 year 'pick up and return'
warranty....
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Home Office setup
suggestions
| One phone line gives
you all you need. |
Office Diagram
click above to download a pdf. |
How?
One physical 'telstra' line of broadband quality/connection.
- A 'Fax Duet' option which gives a second (fax)
number where a received fax is automatically
diverted to telstra fax bank, converted to a TIF
image and then emailed to your selected email
address.
- A QOS router for broadband internet connection
to your desktop/notebook (suggest 512k/128k
option or better).
- A filter to connect a normal phone to for
incoming voice calls.
- The same filter can be used to send out
electronic faxes via the normal modem on your pc/notebook
(a good fax software is Winfax Pro).
- You can even connect a bank FPOS machine for
using credit cards via this same filter.
- Connect a VOIP adaptor and phone to give you
cheap outgoing phone calls. (see the VOIP section
below).
- A pdf format diagram you can download (see the
link on the left) shows the setup which does work.
So you get only one line rental cost - few
outgoing call costs (because you use VOIP), a fax
which is never busy, and broadband internet for
email browsing, etc..
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VOIP - Voice Over
Internet Protocol
With a Broadband
internet connection you can get very cheap phone
calls
- eg 10c untimed
local and national calls in Australia,
international calls from 2.5c/minute |
VOIP
providers
Mynetfone
Engin
Mytel
FaktorTel
click on name to visit. |
You need a
boradband connection , a QOS router and an analog
telephone adaptor plus a normal phone (or
portable wireless phone)...
You select a supplier with the plan you want and
sign up.
For example pay $20 dollars a month, get a normal
phone number allocated, get 250 local/national
calls included, after that local/national calls
10c untimed. International from 2.5c, mobile
calls from 15c/minute
Check out some options from the suppliers list on
the left.
Disadvantages :-
VOIP works well normally but occasionally you may
get a poor connection which may cause echo's and
delays - if you re-dial you could get a better
connection.
Advantages :-
Free calls to other VOIP users with the same
supplier.
Cheap phone calls for outgoing - keep your normal
phone for incoming calls at the start and see how
it goes for you.
Get a 'softphone' software for your laptop (about
$10) and phone home for nothing when you're on
the road and have an internet connection (It will
work even with a 56K connection).
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Internet Free Skype
phone calls
| Yes you can talk for
free to anywhere in the world to other logged on
Skype users |
click on image to visit. |
It is FREE - if the person
you want to talk to is on-line.
Plus you can get cheap calls to landlines in 'OZ,
China, Europe & North America.
The cost is Euro 0.017 (AUD$0.027) per minute -
not bad - but calls to mobiles are near normal -
eg a call to a mobile in the UK costs AUD $0.30/minute...
You need a microphone/headset and internet
connected (broadband).
Disadvantages :-
You can get a short delay in response - but
generally not really noticeable.
It uses a fair amount of your download quota of
MB's
Advantages :-
Free internet calls and cheap phone calls for
interstate/international connections to land
lines.
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On-Line presentation
and support tool
| On line meetings/presentations
and support tool - anywhere in the world. |
click on image to visit. |
You can trial it for free
but after that the "host/presenter"
pays an annual fee (approx US$350) - but the
recipients/attendees can join a meeting or
support session for free.
Your meeting attendees need broadband/ADSL - dial
up is too slow.
Disadvantages :-
Uses up your download MB quota.
Advantages :-
Present your service/product on-line anywhere in
the world without leaving your office.
If you have queries/questions with your clients
you can show them the problem from your screen,
on-line on their computer screen.
If you provide support to clients you can see
their screen, even take control of their keyboard/mouse
to resolve difficulties.
It also works with Skype so you can both 'talk
and see' at the same time.
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3D maps from Google
| Find your own home,
minesite, places of interest anywhere on earth |
click on image to visit. |
It is FREE - just download
from Google.
Needs broadband/ADSL to be effective.
Disadvantages :-
Really need a good processor with 32 million
colours and ActiveX installed for best
performance. Uses up a fair amount of your
download quota of MB's
Advantages :-
Free and Fun - also feed in an address (in North
America) and it will find it - doesn't work for
most other places.
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