Newsletter 3 – May 2003

I’m confident that you will find tidbits of value in the contents. Please note that I have not created active links to the sites referred to here. If you like, you may copy the URL and paste it into your web browser!

There have been quite a few updates from Microsoft since our last newsletter. If you have downloaded the previous updates, one of them is an “agent” that alerts you to the latest “critical” updates. This is identified in the “system tray”… these are the items located at the bottom right hand side of the screen. The one that alerts you to the critical updates is a coloured globe.

This alert does unfortunately, not advise you of other “non critical” though valuable and important additional updates. We would recommend that you connect to the Microsoft Updates web site…

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp and scan for, and install the other updates available.

We can’t stress often enough the need to practice “safe computing”. We recommend that you keep your virus definitions up to date. If you’re using Norton AntiVirus 2003 (our recommended antivirus program), “Live Update” downloads new definitions (mostly) weekly. You can ensure that you have the latest definitions any time, by connecting to…
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html

Save the file to you local hard disk, then execute it to update your definitions. Keep an eye on…
http://www.sarc.com for information on the latest virus activity.

Summer is approaching (at long last, we might add)! This may lead to the occasional power disruption, if we are to believe what we read in the papers. You might want to consider purchasing a UPS (uninterrupted power source). This is a “gadget” that servers as a battery backup and power conditioner. There are now affordable units available for home or office use.

For the average desktop computer and monitor, we recommend a 500VA unit. This unit connects to a USB port and with the monitoring software supplied, will automatically shut your computer down safely should there be a power disruption.

See http://www.apc.com for more information on UPS’s. They are very affordable and may save your data from corruption… worthwhile considering.

Routine maintenance on your computer?
Scandisk will check your hard disk for errors and bad sectors. Execute this utility once a month for improved system performance. Disk Cleanup will free up space from your disk by removing unused files. Disk Defragmenter will put contiguous sectors in order on your disk. This too, will improve overall system performance.

New Referral Program.
For every referral you make to us, that results in a new client, we will offer you a free hour of consulting or service time on your next call. It’s that easy! We feel that referrals are a vote of your confidence in us and this is our way of saying “thank you” for your support.

If you find this newsletter of value, please feel free to forward my web site on to your friends and associates.

Until the next time, safe and trouble-free computing.