IT Consulting Firm Declares Mobile Viruses More Widespread

A Helsinki, Finland-based IT consulting firm announced this week that mobile viruses have become a worldwide problem. According to IT consulting firm F-Secure, the number of existing viruses has doubled since November 2005, and continues to increase at a phenomenal rate. F-Secure stated that there are approximately 200 mobile viruses in cyberspace currently, whereas in November, there were only about 100. Many of these viruses are hybrids of or variations on viruses that have already been found and dealt with. The latest viruses analyzed by the computer consulting firm, entitled StealWar.E is a variation on an older virus. StealWar.E is a SIS file, Trojan virus that drops viruses into mobile devices. The IT consulting company states it expects to see more viruses erupting in the coming...

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Computer Business News: Intel CEO Plans to Completely Restructure Company

On Thursday, Intel Corp. reported it was making definite plans to completely overhaul the computer business. Paul Otellini, chief executive of Intel in Santa Clara, CA said he had created a plan that would impact the way every single part of the company works. The primary areas of focus of course would be those products that had experienced very low sales in the past year, including hardware with brackets. Intel’s core processor business continues to thrive, but its NOR flash unit is in distress. For many quarters, computer business Intel has been losing money on these products, and in the first quarter, lost nearly $108 million. Otellini and other core executives at the computer business have been compiling a detailed review of its business units, and while it will continue to make a serious...

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Computer Consulting 101: Additional Hiring Tips

If your company needs a reliable computer consulting firm, you might not know how to gauge what “reliable” means. Once you determine why it’s so difficult to find the right computer consulting firms and ask basic and important questions of the potential vendor, you need to look at expenses and more carefully at the consultant’s credentials.RESELLERS, PURE CONSULTING COMPANIES AND HYBRIDSYou need to ask your potential computer consulting firm what type of services it provides. Asking the following questions will help you decide how to approach the relationship or if you want to at all:1. “Does your company resell tech products including hardware and software?”2. “Is your company a profit center or can we buy products elsewhere?”3. “If we buy products elsewhere can we still use you for needs...

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Computer Consulting Business Tools for Getting Good Customers

If you want to be financially stable and have a successful and legitimate computer consulting business you have to work on honing your intuition skills and focusing on a specialty. You also need to be good at uncovering the best small business clients.SMALL BUSINESSESThere are almost countless small businesses in the United States and globally, and you can almost be guaranteed that just in your geographical area there are thousands or even tens of thousands of small businesses. Unfortunately, if you choose to work with the wrong small companies in the computer consulting business you could be headed for disaster.OPTIMAL ACCOUNTSThe secret to a successful computer consulting business is finding the very best accounts and knowing how and when it is appropriate to simply say no to people.To...

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Smart Wristbands for Smart Gyms

Gym rats who appreciate a high-tech workout experience will be interested in Casio's development of an RFID wristband that can track members and enhance their workout experience. In addition to allowing seamless check-in and tracking for safety purposes, the wristbands can interact with workout equipment to display customized workout data and an overall fitness profile.Because it is both waterproof and unobtrusive, the smart wristband can be used in any facility where physical activity takes place, such as swimming pools, schools, day care facilities, and spas.Source: RFID in Ja...

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A Database for Your Dog

Dogs don't use PDAs. But they can still benefit from having an "onboard computer" if they ever get lost, thanks to the Dog-e-Tag.Like a traditional dog tag, the Dog-e-Tag lists a dog's name, and the owner's address and phone number. But the Dog-e-Tag can also hold e-mail addresses, alternate phone numbers, veterinarian contacts, vaccination records and even allergy and other health alerts (such as "I am an old dog and can't see very well."). Unlike RFID-based ID chips that are inserted between a dog's shoulder blades, the Dog-e-Tag doesn't require specialized equipment to read. In fact, it can display up to 40 lines of data in multiple languages.The...

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Computer Consultant Skills: Do You Need 20 Certifications?

Some people plan to hold off on becoming a computer consultant until they have their 20 certifications, but that's just crazy. Certifications may be important in some situations, but you don't need them to become a computer consultant.You see, most small business owners don't know the difference between different certifications nor do they care. More often than not, they'll feel that they're being overcharged because you have all those certifications.In reality, you simply need to be able to advise and help update outdated systems that most small businesses use. Most small businesses simply need help with basic things like choosing equipment or setting up a peer-to-peer network.As you go, you can get more certifications when you start working with larger clients that do have an in-house IT...

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Systems Integrator Tasks – Focusing on the Things that Aren’t Changing

When you're working as a systems integrator to bring together software to create an entire system, you are likely to receive some resentment from employees. To make the transition a little smoother, focus on the needs that won't change over time.By saying a simple "please" or "thank you," you can dramatically increase the odds that employees will work with you to implement the new system. Remember respect employees by telling them when new programs will be installed, how they will effect them, and when you will train them. Also emphasize the benefits of the new system for the employees. If they feel that it's just benefitting you, they won't be impressed.Trust and empower your employees for the greatest success during times of transition or normal working days. Everyone wants to feel important,...

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[TIPS] - Worldmapper: The world as you've never seen it before

http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/worldmapper/index.html - - snip - - Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest.Maps will be added, and information modified during 2006. Click on a thumbnail image to view a map.- - And, thanks to Ken H for sharing this one. http://www.zillow.com . What is it? Type in your address and find out. Not school related, perhaps, but interesting, nonethele...

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In Sympathy

Terry Heaton, whose Pomo blog has been a rich source of information and inspiration for this and many other online resources, lost his wife very suddenly the other day. According to the blog, her funeral will be held tomorrow (Friday). Over the coming days, please keep Terry in your prayers and though...

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RFID Finds Space on the Shelf in Libraries, Bookstores

Books, that quaintest of media, are proving themselves to be a good fit for RFID tagging, a technology still on the cutting edge.A bookstore in the Netherlands, Boekhandels Groep Nederland (BGN), is tagging every book on the shelves of its "SmartStore" with RFID tags. Aside from expediting distribution and inventory tracking, the tags will help customers search for titles and their availability in real time using in-store kiosks or BGN's website.Similarly, a new central library in Minneapolis is embracing RFID tagging of its items for real-time inventory and self-service checkout. Other innovations featured in this library include a "learning commons" with Internet access, educational and collaboration resources; a teen lounge featuring downloadable music; electronic "art walls" through...

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The Opt-Out Generation

More evidence that the best and brightest of the young generation are rejecting corporate America and redefining employment:Five years after collecting an Ivy League undergraduate degree, I look around at my crew of brilliant and promising young friends and see only a few of us who are willing to slave away 12 hours a day for the security of a 401(k). It isn't that we're impractical - I'd give my pinkie finger for the comfort of health insurance - or adverse to hard work. It comes down to this: We have watched our parents waste away in drab cubicles and count the days to retirement. We have heard them whine about the work/life balance. And we're not having it. Call me idealistic, but isn't work supposed to be part of life? In other words, a vital, joyful activity? Do I have to accept the idea...

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AT&T and Yahoo! Jointly Offer VoIP

Yesterday, AT&T and Yahoo! officially announced their new joint VoIP service. AT&T has local high-speed Internet service in 13 states and will make the new service available to subscribers for $2.99 per month or $29.90 per year.Either PCs or traditional phones may be used to place and receive calls. Even cell phones are allowed for this service. Over 30 countries can be called for less than 2 cents a minute. Under the new agreement, "AT&T becomes Yahoo's global preferred network termination provider for PC-based calling services in Yahoo Messenger with Voice service." The companies have been working together since 2001, and this may be one of their best moves yet.Learn more about VoIP services through AT&T and Yahoo! by reading the full article (link above).Posted by Computer...

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Ipanema Makes Their Move

Ipanema, a French application traffic management company, announced Wednesday that they were officially launching their North American campaign. The company plans to run their business entirely through channels.All products and services are based on its popular application acceleration and WAN optimization platform for large enterprises, Ipanema System. The system is comprised of two parts: entral management software and distributed hardware devices; these work together ensure the availability of important applications such as ERP and VoIP. According to the company the average reseller has equipment sales of $200,000 per deal.Vargha Moayed, executive vice president of Ipanema, said, "Our system at the end of the day guarantees the performance of critical applications, regardless of what’s...

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[TIPS] - Engrade Online Gradebook

http://www.engrade.com/home-teachers.cgi?s=1   Looking for a way to put your grades online so parents can see them? Check out this service. It's free.   - - - And since I was at the Middle School State Computer Fair yesterday and didn't get to send a tip, here's a bonus for today to make up for it.   http://www.quasimondo.com/clockr.php   Nothing new about a clock, right? What's cool about this one is that the digits are made from pictures at flickr.com. Very clever little idea. - - Oh, and Congratulations to the Harrisburg Academy whose student (Priyanka) took home a First Prize Award for Desktop Publishing at yesterday's State Computer Fair. That talented young lady is also lucky, as she was also the randomly selected winner of an iPod Mini! What a day she had, ...

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Small Business Computer Consultants – Getting Out the Word About Your Business

A positive reputation in your community is invaluable to your business. Getting out the word about you and your business can be most effective when using public measures to provide prospective clients with information about who you are and what you do.Newspaper and Magazine ArticlesAs a computer consultant, you will be considered by most to be an expert. Writing newspaper and magazine articles for local publications will set you up as an expert in your area and will help prospective clients remember to call you when they need help.Professional JournalsSubmitting articles about current trends or new technology can spread your name outside of your local area. You should also make these articles available to your prospects so that they know your reputation.Community Good WillDonating time, goods,...

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Computer Consulting: Balancing Your Portfolio

Balancing your portfolio will allow you to work with many different types of companies. You should have 70% of your portfolio focused on small businesses, 5-15% on large businesses, and a small percentage on home networks and consumer issues.No single client should make up more than 10% of your overall revenue. Since that company would have a lot of control over the amount of money you make per year, this could be detrimental to your long-term success.Firing ClientsI realize that it may sound crazy if you're just starting out, but sometimes you simply have to fire clients. They'll drive you insane if you let them, and working for them simply isn't worth the money. Clients in this category include those who pay late or don't meet their contract commitments. Many management consultants say that...

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"Classic" Diseases Resurface

Everything old may be new again... but unlike bell-bottom jeans and ballroom dancing, not all of it is welcomed back with open arms. Among the blasts from the past we'd rather forget are re-emergent diseases once thought conquered: mumps, whooping cough, rickets, tuberculosis, and even scarlet fever -- the illness that left Helen Keller blind and deaf.Several factors are causing these scourges to make comebacks in the 21st Century:Changes to less potent measles/mumps/rubella vaccines in the '80s have left many of today's college students more vulnerable than their elders to mumps and other contagious diseases, which can spread quickly in crowded dorms and cafeterias."Vaccine fatigue" has made inoculations less effective against newer virus strains.The trends toward breastfeeding and organic...

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Who Will Be the Next MySpace?

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, MySpace is being positively fawned over. And there's little wonder why. After all, MySpace is the classic web startup success story, going from the brainchild of two friends in 2003 to 70 million users and its sale to News Corp. for $580 million in the space of two years.A multitude of startups is now hoping that lightning will strike twice. Sites like TagWorld and VarsityWorld are building on MySpace's social networking model, but are hoping to offer a difference. TagWorld's edge is technology, including shopping and the ability to store documents; similarly, a site called Imeem integrates chat tools. VarsityWorld promises to supervise user activity, seeking to make its bones by exploiting the perception that MySpace can be inappropriate...

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Computer Consulting 101: Resources for Hiring

If your company is in need of a computer consulting firm, you need to be very careful about the company or consultant you choose. Identify your problem and then consider the following Computer Consulting 101 hiring criteria when screening and interviewing local computer consulting vendors.PREVENTING FUTURE ISSUES BY COMPUTER CONSULTING 101Small business owners often find it hard to handle difficult computer consultants. If you can identify potential problems at the beginning of any potential relationship you can completely prevent issues from developing.WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? Small business managers and entrepreneurs typically know what to ask when hiring internal staff, but don’t know the first thing about hiring computer consulting firms. In addition to managing the legal issues involved...

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IT Consultant: Hardware Selection for Customers

As an IT consultant that has been around for a while, you have most likely dealt with thousands of different PC hardware systems, and you have probably formed many strong recommendations for clients regarding the very best PC hardware specs. But in order to truly sell clients on the importance of your opinion as an IT consultant regarding hardware, you have to be able to communicate the benefits well.THE RIGHT CHOICE THE FIRST TIMEChoosing the best PC specs right off the bat can save your clients huge amounts of money on extra installation and support. Although most vendors claim they are compatible with other systems, many are not completely and prove to be challenging for users. Your job as an IT consultant is to help your clients make the appropriate choice the first time.SAVING CUSTOMERS...

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Healthy Boomers

Much has been written on the aging of the Baby Boom generation and their expected impact on healthcare. But a new report from the Census Bureau suggests that Boomers will remain healthy as they age... mitigating the demand placed on hospitals, physicians and nurses. The product of affluence and education, Boomers in general have had the benefit of good nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices throughout their lives. Instead of treating chronic illnesses, healthcare professionals might find themselves serving seniors through wellness and fitness centers, working to prevent the onset of chronic conditions.Source: Hospital Imp...

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Maine Medical Center Uses Active Voice's Kinesis Unified Communications System

With thousands of employees, the Maine Medical Center needed a way to streamline communications among all their employees. In order to solve this problem, the Medical Center had implemented Active Voice's Kinesis Unified Communications System.In a medical center, effective communication can mean the difference between life and death. By using the voice mail system, doctors and nurses can effectively communicate with each other, patients, and other officials to make sure that patients receive the best possible care.According to Timothy Clement, telecommunications analyst for Maine Medical Center: "The challenge was finding a cost-effective messaging solution that could integrate seamlessly with both of our switch platforms and provide flexibility as we migrate users from one PBX to the other....

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New On Demand Solution Helps Solution Providers Ease Into Managed Services

SecureMyCompany, Inc. announced this week that they were releasing their On Demand Computer Management software. Their software is subscription-based and does not require any setup fees, contracts, or cancellation fees.This comprehensive IT management service can help consultants, resellers, and solution providers offer clients the best services in the industry at reasonable prices. Not only can in-house networks be monitored but so can wireless and remote networks.SecureMyCompany will begin providing their state of the art system services in May 2006. To learn more about the new service, read the full article (link above).Blogged by Computer Consulting K...

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Therapy by Chat

Therapists are finding instant messaging to be an effective medium for offering mental health counseling and for supporting their patients. While some office-based therapists use common IM programs to chat with their patients between sessions, other services such as MyTherapyNet.com and eGetGoing.com offer "e-therapy" that's entirely electronic.Some mental health professionals say that the anonymity and physical distance provided by IM actually helps patients, especially those dealing with difficult issues such as sexual abuse. Encrypted chats are also more confidential and private than phone consultations (one could even engage in a session from his or her cubicle at work). Supporters of e-therapy claim that it reaches a population that would not seek help otherwise. "No one can see you,...

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Smart Glasses Automatically Focus, Enhance Hearing

The legions of aging Boomers who suddenly realize that they need bifocals and hearing aids may soon welcome battery-powered "smart glasses" that automatically compensate for distance and amplify sound.While hardly a fashion statement, a prototype developed at the University of Arizona in Tuscon demonstrates the feasability of glasses with lenses that shift focus between long-range and short-range objects. The lenses contain a liquid crystal solution with molecules that, when given a mild electric charge, rotate to change focus. Unlike bifocals, smart glasses provide a full view for the wearer, not just the top or bottom half. A Roanoke, VA-based...

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Shopping in the "Never Normal" Retail Environment

The American shopper shops more frequently but buys less, going out of her way to seek low prices while still valuing service. So says the study "How America Shops 2006" by WSL Strategic Retail.The survey found that many retail categories saw declines in purchases since 2004, with only pharmaceuticals, food and pet supplies (necessities, in other words) seeing an increase in sales. Net spending declined in almost every population category studied, including those with incomes over $100,000. It also found a saturation in the retail space, with little growth in any retail channel over 2004. Regardless of income level, shoppers appear to be seeking out the most for their money, whether by shopping at "big box" retailers or smaller stores that enhance their value by providing unique services....

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Computer Business Apple Releases New Laptop

On Monday, computer business giant Apple released its new MacBook Pro notebook featuring a 17-inch screen. The computer company says this new MacBook is only one-inch in thickness with a weight of 6.8 pounds. The new MacBook is a 2/16 GHz Intel Core Duop processor. It also offers 1 Gbyte of DDR2 SDRAM memory, an iSight Webcam built in and a 68-watt hour lithium battery with 5.5 hours of power.Computer business Apple runs the Mac OS X 10.4.6 “Tiger” and will ship next week, with a retail cost of $2,799. The new notebooks was released a week after Apple stated that its computer sales had been slowed by the transition to Intel processors. This brief pause in the sales of Intel-based computer was due to important third-party software, including Adope Photoshop and its unavailability to those...

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Small Business Server News: Microsoft Fixes Problems with Explorer

Microsoft Announced Monday that it had finally released critical updates that proved to be good news for small business servers everywhere. Five new security updates addressed a previously unpatched bug in the Internet Explorer browser that hackers had been taking advantage of for the past three weeks.The software affected by this Explorer update for small business servers and others is virtually all inclusive and affects the following items:Windows 2000 Advanced Server; Windows 2000 Datacenter Server; Windows 2000 Professional; Windows 2000 Server; Windows XP Home; Windows XP Professional Edition; Windows XP Professional 64-Bit; Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server; the 2003 Windows Server; Datacenter; Windows Server 2003; Enterprise Edition; Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition;...

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[TIPS] - lesson plans that use Google Earth

http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/exploreyourearth/ From scholastic.com, lesson plans that use Google Earth. - - - And on another note, someone recently discovered a picture of a helicopter just moments before it crashed (no serious injuries). What amazing things people are finding on here, yes?   http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2006/04/google_earth_sl_1.html   &nb...

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Computer Consulting 101: Bloggernity Blog

Computer Consulting 101 offers a comprehensive blog for computer consulting professionals at www.bloggernity.com. The blog is one of many resources provided by Computer Consulting 101 to help computer consulting business owners grow and develop their businesses. This professional blog provides information that can help professionals get the best small business computer consulting clients within their community.This blog offers a wealth of tools for computer consultants including articles about relevant skills and training programs along with news stories related to the field to keep them abreast of the latest news, technologies and programs available to them.Added By: Computer Consulting ...

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IT Spending: Teaching Customers About Making the Best Purchases

Many times clients need advice from you as a consultant on their IT spending behavior. There are several ways you can guide your clients towards making wise IT spending decisions.SUGGESTING UPGRADESUpgrades are a good way for clients to use budget surpluses, and they should count on upgrading and replacing PC’s as often as possible. Entry-level PC’s are typically one-half to two-thirds less expensive than the latest and greatest models and can keep them ahead of the curve while controlling their IT spending. Make sure you add in several hours of time for configuring each PC from an older to newer machine.GET THEM THINKING ABOUT INVESTMENTSYou want your clients to think about discussions you have about future IT projects as investment opportunities rather than a chance to purchase something...

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[TIPS] - Welcome to TV Turnoff Network

http://www.tvturnoff.org/   It'll be 13 yrs since I turned mine off, and I've not regretted it since. Yes, I did watch the Steelers in the Superbowl, and I did see two playoff games over the years. But, aside from those couple times when I strayed :-) I've not watched TV in 13 years.   The average American watches over 4 hours of TV every day. Just IMAGINE what could be accomplished if that time was spent on something OTHER than watching TV   Try it for a week. Just one week. With any luck you, too, can one day say, "I've not watched TV in 13 years!" And I PROMISE you that your life will be just as rich WITHOUT those "reality" shows.   Good luck. Oh, and encourage your students to turn it off this week, t...

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Computer Consultant Startup: Identify Your Business Skills

You may have the best technical skills in the business, but if you don't have other important traits, then you are not likely to succeed in this competitive industry. You need to be able to plan ahead, market, network, and bill properly.One other essential, though, is having a good resume. You may not have a recent resume, but take out the one you have now, go through your projects, and write down the skills used for each project.After you know what's on your resume, then you can categorize it. Decide which skills were business related and which were IT related. Show off these skills in your resume so that you can impress prospective clients.To learn more about running your own business, read the complete article (link above).Submitted by Computer Consulting 1...

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Small Business Networking – How To Get Started

Networking is an important part of running a business. Getting started the right way will be key to your future success. By takng just a few steps, you can guarantee your networking success in your community.Join at Least Two Professional OrganizationsFrom the Chamber of Commerce to the Rotary Club, make sure you join at least two professional organizations. However, you should also look for organizations focusing solely on your industry. You can visit most once or twice for free to see if they will help you.Determine Your GoalsDecide what you want from your networking experience since some groups may focus on connections while others may focus on learning or volunteering. Choose a group who shares your objectives.Understand Your BusinessRelationships in any business network should be beneficial...

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Solution Provider and Service Provider OmniTI Joins Coalition

Email solution provider and host OmniTI Computer Consulting declared on Wednesday that it had joined the Email Sender and Provider Coalition (ESPC). The Coalition is a group of industry professionals that help fight spam and problems associated with aspects of email delivery. OmniTI’s association with ESPC is consistent with the solution provider’s history of providing to clients. Its Ecelerity email solutions pioneered the process of adding Internet Service Provider best practices that helped ensure email delivery. Because of this new membership to the ESPC, the solution provider now has even more of a reason to commit to providing clients with services that are of the highest industry caliber. The fact that the company has already proven its ability to stick to email best practices ensured...

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Computer Business Lenovo Plans Growth to U.S. Market

Chinese computer business Lenovo Group, Ltd. Bought IBM’s PC business last year, but is planning not to sell PC’s to U.S. users until it grows more in the U.S. business market. The computer maker is the third largest in the world and by far China’s biggest. According to spokespeople, Lenovo will focus on selling its ThinkPad models to large U.S. commercial customers and trying to expand its sales to small and medium-sized companies. According to the computer company, its first and best area of focus is small and medium-sized companies with slow expansion into single consumers through tele-Web sales or via telephone and the Internet. This expansion to U.S. consumers is set for, at the earliest next year as soon as Lenovo has a chance to gauge its place among U.S. giants Dell and Hewlett-Packard....

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Computer Consulting 101: Ideas for Hiring

As a business in search of a computer consulting firm, you should not rush when choosing the right one to fulfill your complex needs. Computer Consulting 101 offers hiring tips that will help you interview and screen local firms. The first step is identifying the problem of hiring, the second is recognizing the basic criteria needed to help you find the right computer consulting vendors. THE KEY IS PREVENTIONMany small business owners don’t know how to handle a computer consultant that is difficult to work with, but uncovering these types of computer consultants at the start of the relationship or before you hire them at all can help avoid problems.The biggest problem in hiring a computer consulting firm is that it requires very different interviewing techniques than hiring internal employees...

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Becoming a Full Time IT Consultant

If you are spending days at a full-time job and nights working as an IT consultant, there are a couple important rules to keep in mind before you decide on a full-time IT consulting career. These rules will help you avoid common mistakes made by any IT consultant that tries to transition to full-time without establishing a plan.RULE ONE: AVOID ASSUMPTIONSMany part-time IT consultants are at first so excited about the idea of being self-employed that they never stop to think about the full picture and the future of their income. You need to start out planning for how you will sustain yourself and take care of expenses, taxes and other issues in the future.RULE TWO: PLAN FOR THE TRANSITIONAlthough as a part-time IT consultant, you might dream of becoming full-time, you will not get there...

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Web 2.0 = Corporate Intranet 2.0?

How quickly will Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, wikis, social networking tools) penetrate the workplace to consitiute a next-generation intranet? And when they do, what will their impact be?Harvard professor Andrew McAbee thinks that the effect of Web 2.0 in the enteprise could be transformative, and that a lot of non-technical business trends are converging that will accelerate its adoption. His article in MIT's Sloan Management Review offers a blueprint for implementing what he calls SLATES (search, links, authoring, tags, extensions, signals) as a knowledge management system.Not so fast, cautions IT gadfly Nicholas Carr. In a critique of McAfee's suggestion, Carr argues that Web 2.0 technologies remain immature, and that a key variable in such technologies' success is a time investment...

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More US Youth Downloaders Going Legit

The percent of US kids and teens who download music, games and other content illegally has fallen sharply in the past two years, according to a recent survey by Harris Interactive.In the survey, only 32% of young people aged 8-18 surveyed in 2006 say they download music without paying for it, versus 53% in 2004. Similarly, the number of those who download movies, games and software illegally have also declined significantly.Although some of this decline could be attributed to the greater availability of legal downloading sites such as iTunes, the survey found that the largest disincentive for illegal downloading was the risk of viruses and spyware. However, the threat of legal jeopardy, combined with awareness campaigns casting illegal downloading as unethical, appear to be having an effect....

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A Future Internet Where YOU are the Device

Internet pioneer Vint Cerf and futurists Ray Kurzweil and Esther Dyson envision a future Internet in which we are the devices and nodes, thanks to wireless implants. Never mind that such pervasive environments have been prediced for over a decade, but these thinkers profiled in Red Herring believe that such embedded controls will become the norm by 2016, with connection speeds of 100 megabits per second, a loss of distinction between types of media (everything is a mashup), and a blurring of the line between the real world and virtual reality.Of course, with such power comes great responsibility, and future thinkers worry about the ability of government and business monopolies to control an Internet that's infinitely more powerful and influential than the one we have today -- and, by extension,...

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Small Business Network – Form Through Networking

A small business network is essential to your success. If you can't join one already in existence, you can create your own through successful networking. Here are five tips to help you succeed.Clearly Understand Your BusinessYou must know exactly what you do, who you serve, and how you're better than the competition so that you can clearly communicate this to other members of your network.Use Business Cards WiselyBusiness cards give prospective customers an impression of you and your product. You want clean, professional business cards that you or others in your network can hand out often.Use Follow-up on a Routine Basis Make sure you always quickly follow-up with contacts after meeting them. They will be impressed that your remembered them and called or wrote. Don't wait too long to send...

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Starting a Computer Business – How To Be Properly Insured

Insurance is a big deal when starting your business, and you should be familiar with all the types that may affect you. Before choosing, though, make sure you talk to an insurance expert so that they can evaluate your needs. 1. Renter's/Owner's Insurance Consider getting basic insurance on your office based on whether you own or rent the space. If you start out on your own property, you can simply tack many business policies onto your homeowner's policy. 2. Liability Insurance Liability insurance takes care of any accidents that happen to visitors on your property. Premiums are based on the square footage of the office. Customer visits are also taken into account. 3. Automobile Insurance Since employees will be driving as part of the business, you need auto insurance...

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[TIPS] - fun math site - and more

http://www.mathmovesu.com Thanks to Susan S for sharing this fun math site. - - - - And, do you think there's nothing to this blog thing? Think again. Check out these charts and the discussion about blogs: http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000432.html Of course, along with the rise in blogs there is a rise in the danger. Read THIS: http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,70679-0.html?tw=wn_index_6   &nb...

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SyncWeb Data Backup Launches Unmanaged White Label Backup Service

SyncWeb's unmanaged white label backup service is likely to attract numerous VARs and service providers who are seeking to provide data backup service to customers and business clients. With this new system, resellers can use their own e-commerce sites and billing systems to provide backup services to clients.Keith Christoffers, Ph.D., SyncWeb product manager, said this about the program: "Although the fully hosted reseller model meets the needs of a large segment, giving the reseller a dedicated server and control with basic scripting commands creates a lot of opportunities for ISPs and web hosting companies."Functional and flexible, SyncWeb's data backup system meets an important need for VARs and service providers. To learn more about the new program, read the entire article (link above).Posted...

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Microsoft's Fastest Growing Product? The Small Business Server

Windows XP and Microsoft Office aren't Microsoft's best growing product; instead, it is their small business server. For small businesses up to 75 people, this product is one of the best in the industry.Even with lots of options, the server system is still a great price. A server for five users begin at around $500 for all the software needed to make a small business tick. It's not such a bad deal especially when you consider that many businesses have fewer than ten users.Think about your customers or your own company – who could use this type of service? Help your small business clients create a network and system that works perfectly for their needs. Learn more about Microsoft's small business server in the full article (link above).Blogged by Computer Consulting 1...

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Movin' On Out to the Exurbs

Following a consistent pattern of moving from large cities to more rural areas, the American population continues to migrate away from city centers and toward "exurbs" -- rural areas that are within commuting distance of cities.The general migration pattern is from the urbanized areas on the coasts to the largely rural Midwest region, as well as to the South and West. According to the Census Bureau, 18 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the US lost population between 2000 and 2004.The driving force behind most of this exodus is the price of real estate; families are moving away from cities not because they don't like them, but because they...

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Cell Phones for Seniors

Niche operators have attracted much attention in the cell phone space, but most of these have focused on families, children, teens, and adults with special interests. Now comes GreatCall, a cell phone service designed especially for senior citizens who may have been intimidated by such devices in the past.GreatCall offers two phone designs, the Jitterbug Dial (featuring large buttons and a simple, no-nonsense interface) and the OneTouch (with single-button dialing for emergency use, much like the children's Firefly phone). Both presume that the user is interested only in making calls, and not in texting, web access, cameras or other features.The...

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[TIPS] - find cheap(er) gas

 Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the  highest) on gas in your zip code area.  It's updated every evening.  http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx Thanks to Deb T for sharing this one. &nb...

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Through Life's Ups and Downs, the Internet is There

Increasingly, the Internet is playing a large role in major life events, according to a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. The survey found that people rely on the Net to help them make decisions and gather moral support for coping with or helping others cope with a serious illness, training for a new career, making major financial moves, finding a new place to live, choosing a school or college, and buying a car. The number of people who claim the Net has been a major factor in such key decisions has increased markedly since Pew conducted a similar survey in 2002.Longtime observers of the Internet are surely not surprised at these findings, which underscore how the Net is replacing older, smaller networks such as family, neighbors and close friends. To than end, an...

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More Web Users Browsing via Mobile Device

More than ever, those who access the Web are doing so through their mobile devices, according to a study by Ipsos Insight.Although PCs and laptops remain the dominant media for Web browsing in North America, web-enabled phones and handheld devices are becoming more commonplace elsewhere. In Japan, 40% of adults surf the Web via phone; worldwide, 28% of Web users accessed it through a handheld device. Interestingly, the Ipsos survey found that it was users over 35, rather than teens and young adults, who were driving this growth... perhaps because the older demographic is finding mobile Web access to be useful for business. They also likely appreciate the way that the mobile Web can provide quick access to brief yet important snippets of information (news briefs, traffic conditions, weather...

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[TIPS] - Google search tip sheet

http://www.google.com/librariancenter/librarian_download.html   Did you know that if you add the tilde (~) character in front of a search term in Google that you'll also search for synonyms of that word? I didn't either. This handy, printable sheet is a great reference sheet for Google search...

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Computer Consulting 101: PC Trouble-Shooting

Most businesses need to find a local computer consulting business to help them with computer issues, but there are some problems that even the person least knowledgeable about technology can solve. The best advice for most non-technical users is simple: reboot first.Often users are so panicked that they don’t think about simply restarting their systems, and often they will call computer consulting specialists before doing anything instead of stopping to take stock of the situation. Rebooting first will avoid unnecessary charges and time spent making phone calls. Rebooting is easy. First, users should exit out of the files and programs that are active. Then they can simply follow the typical shutdown and restart procedures to reboot. Those that think their computer problem is associated...

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Establishing Criteria for Clients in the Computer Consulting Business

In the computer consulting business there are several ways you can best qualify clients to ensure you get the best accounts to help grow your business.PROXIMITYThe first thing to make sure of when looking for clients for your computer consulting business is that they are close to you, at least within a 30 to 60 minute drive from your location. Having a pool of potential clients nearby will help you make the most impact at networking events or any other marketing-related functions.CLIENT SIZEYour best client targets in the computer consulting business will be those with 10 to 50 PC’s. The customers need to be large enough to require a real server, which means you want to look for companies with 10 to 100 employees. The best company prospects will have $1 million to $10 million in sales per...

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Small Business Computer Consultants – Why Do People Hire You?

To market to your clients effectively, you need to understand why you're being hired, then you can create a marketing campaign around it. Always make sure that after you're hired you follow through with a great service so that you receive referrals and kudos.ObjectivityUnlike a company owner, computer consultants are able to remain objective when evaluating a company's IT needs. Since you're not involved in the political aspects of the workplace, you can provide an unbiased opinion.Fresh IdeasMany businesses do the same thing year after year because that is what they've always done. Eventually they realize that there must be a better way, so they call a consultant like you for fresh ideas and a new viewpoint.KnowledgeMost companies and individuals don't have the knowledge they need to make...

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PC Repair Business Marketing – Where To Begin

The PC repair business is incredibly competitive with all the hobbyists and professionals out there who claim to be able to solve customers' problems. A marketing and advertising plan can effectively carry you to the top of the group when customers remember you as the expert in computer repairs.Press ReleasesSending out press releases can be a great way to get your name out there and let people know what you do. You can write and distribute your release to major media outlets in the area and hopefully one will pick up the story.Print AdvertisingPrint advertising includes an entire world of cool ways to advertise. From ads in newspapers, magazines, and the phone book to direct mail postcards and brochures, there are a variety of ways that you can effectively advertise your company in print.Radio...

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[TIPS] - lotta links to educational games

Thanks to Laurie Z for sharing this one. Here's what she said:- - -Here is a link to many educational websites and games that can also beaccessed from Newport's home page, www.newportsd.org. It was a projectof mine and it is up and running. Many different subjects, sorted bygrade level. http://host52.newportsd.org/webpages/eduweb/ - - -Now we just have to hope that not all games sites are blocked, eh? ...

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SOS OnLine Backup Looks For Small Biz VARs

During the next 12 months, SOS OnLine Backup hopes to recruit 1,000 VARs to their program for bringing online backup services to small businesses. The company is looking to serve an underserved market of companies with fewer than 100 employees.The encryption service is especially impressive as all data transferred within the United States is encrypted at the 256-bit level; for data transferred outside the United States, the data is encrypted at 1,024 bits.According to Ken Shaw, head of U.S. operations, "With Ultra Safe Mode, we don't store the encryption password. Not even our engineers can access the data. If you lose the password, you lose the data."This safe secure service is an ideal new service for VARs to align themselves with in the coming months. Learn more about their program in the...

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IT Consulting International Acquired by Luxoft

Global provider of IT services Luxoft announced on Monday it would be acquiring New York City-based IT consulting firm IT Consulting International (ITCI). The IT consulting firm has provided outsourcing, on-site staffing and project management for Fortune 500 and mid-sized businesses for the past 13 years. Luxoft and IT Consulting International together will have 1,500 worldwide employees and revenue totaling over $45 million. Luxoft’s acquisition, which will occur on May 1 of this IT consulting firm will increase the company’s U.S. presence and allow it to offer greater services and expertise to worldwide clients. Clients of the company include IBM, Boeing, Dell and Deutsche Bank. ITCI’s service offerings will be grouped with Luxoft’s branded outsourcing structure, which includes LUXline™,...

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Solution Provider Arrow Electronics Pairs with McAfee, Inc.

Solution provider Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, the business aspect of Arrow Electronics, Inc. stated yesterday that it is set to pair with McAfee, Inc. to offer two new courses to system engineers in order to provide general enterprise security product training. The two sessions of these new courses will take place in Virginia this week. These courses are designed to help the solution provider augment its security trainings and course offerings to system engineers in response to the many new vulnerabilities and attacks taking place in the business world each year. These courses that were ccrafted by Arrow will be free of charge for all McAfee SecurityAlliance™ solution providers.Both courses will provide both a lecture and lab designed to teach engineers how to be proactive about...

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VARs Laud New SQL Anywhere As Good For Big-Time Database Jobs

SQL Anywhere now has expanded database features that VARs say will make it a great tool for large database projects. Although only the beta version is currently available, VARs are already thrilled with the new system.Instead of trying to create a smaller database from larger programs like their competitors, iAnywhere started small and is working its way up to the top of the ladder. This latest release, made available Monday, may just change the way VARs and the rest of the world view SQL Anywhere.Find out more about the changes to the system in the full article (link above).Submitted by Computer Consulting 101 Professional ...

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[TIPS] - Your Disease Risk

http://www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu/ While not the most pleasant topic on this beautiful day, it's something that every health teacher may want to see. Very well done. - - - And for the rest of us, try this sudoku site: http://www.fiendishsudoku.com/sudoku.html Get RSS feeds from it, too....

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Systems Integrator – How to Use Hourly Billing for Projects

Understanding fee structures is essential to running a successful business as a systems integrator. Your options include pricing for the full project or hourly billing. Since hourly pricing can be a little more difficult, let's talk about that.Billable HoursWith billable hours, you are choosing an hourly rate for your work. You may set up payments at certain milestones in the project or at the end of the project. All these details should be worked out in the contract before you begin the project. Also give a fair estimate of the hours you will need for the project.Additional Hours and TrackingYou should also let the company know how many extra hours can be handled and realize that clients will generally want to approve any overtime hours. Clients should also be informed about what is classified...

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Technology Consultant – Project Management Essentials for Success

By following a few simple tips, you can start a successful career as a technology consultant. By having clear goals, a plan, effective communication, and flexibility. Here's a little on each of these topics.Having a goal as you begin the project can save you a lot of trouble as you progress. Part of making your goals is having an effective planning process. You want to make sure you have a timeline, goals, and milestones. Clearly communicate with clients so that you are all on the same page.Flexibility is key in this business. Anticipate changes in the timeline and look forward to other problems and issues that may occur. Also be sure are prepared for change by keep clear documentation on the project. You never know when your employees or your client's employees may change.Learn more about...

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IT Consultants: Implications of Government Contracts

Many IT consulting firms go after government contracts because they are attached to misperceptions about this type of work being easy money. Most IT consulting terms will end up being frustrated by the amount of work associated with government contracts, and therefore have to consider the various pros and cons before getting involved.PROS OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS FOR IT CONSULTING FIRMSThe biggest advantage to working with a government agency for IT consulting firms is the potential money that can be made. While there are both small and large contracts available in the market, the larger contracts can pay enough to sustain IT consulting firms far into the future with guaranteed paychecks. The government, unlike small businesses or individuals, will not run out of money all of a sudden. ...

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IT Service Agreements Involve Keeping Promises

If you are just starting to offer significant IT service agreements, you might be afraid you won’t be able to deliver the promises involved to your clients. The scariest thing for consultants offering IT service agreements is the thought of not being able to give short-term support to paying clients. PLAN AHEADThe best way to deal with the fear of IT service agreements is to figure out what you can do today by making an inventory skills list, examining what competitors are doing and figure out where you are lacking. You need to figure out which of your services will be most useful to small business clients, what services and solutions competing firms are offering and how you can work on your weaker areas. Then you can determine how to use what you learn in your IT service agreements.CERTIFICATIONSWhen...

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Solution Provider PQI Introduces New "Intelligent Stick"

Taiwan-based solution provider PQI recently introduced its new “Intelligent Stick Combo SD” that complies with both SD and USB 2.0/1/1 specifications. With many capabilities, those in the industry are remarking that this new Intelligent Stick can be called both a USB drive flash card and a flash USB drive/card. The combination interface of the Intelligent Stick is convenient for users because they can use it directly on SD devices as well as PC/notebook computers without having to use a card reader. PQI chose this interface because of the popularity of the SD card in many of today’s handheld devices. The SD card has been revised many times, and has become the most popular flash card for MP3’s, mobile phones, digital cameras, PDA’s and many other new devices. The combination of SD interface...

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Network Consulting Service Onsite Chicago Adds Goodman Packing to Client List

Chicago-based network consulting services firm Onsite Chicago added Goodman Packaging to its list of IT clients. The packaging company will not rely on Onsite Chicago for all its network and computer repair services. Onsite Chicago will help Goodman Packaging by giving advice to the medium-sized business on how to leverage its network infrastructure in a cost-effective way. The network consulting services firm will use expert consultants with expertise in many different computer issues to provide on-going support for the company’s complicated infrastructure. A spokesperson for Onsite Chicago states that they have divided Goodman’s project into three parts: securing the network infrastructure; providing an on-going solution; and implementing a response system that will work onw and in...

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Partnering and the Prospecting List

Creating a partner prospecting list will help you with your partnering goal. A prospecting list can be created quite easily. Simply write down the next 12 months on a piece of paper, starting with the current month. For each month, write down the following:1. The name of a person2. The name of a company3. The type of role the company or person plays.Obviously you probably don’t know 12 people or companies that you’d like to engage in partnering with or you would be already engaged, but you probably know some people to fill in at least a couple slots. If you know three non-competing technology providers, for example, in your area and have spoken with those people at events, trainings or meetings you probably should take the opportunity to talk with them about partnering in the near future....

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