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Spam - Gift Wrapped computers - Newsletters - Cost of old technology - Hackers 61 - Abbott & Costello (21st century)

NEW - Security alerts from Symantec!

For the do-it-yourselfers and the curious folks, the WEB version of our newsletter now has information from Symantec about the latest viruses and security advisories. Click here to see.

Spam, spam, spam

Our #1 customer issue this month is once again SPAM. There are two methods of fighting spam, either at your mail server (web site) or at the pc level (outlook).

We offer two options for fighting spam at the server level - one comes with our hosting packages, and the other is a premium service priced per user.

We also have two options for fighting spam at the local level. Many Anti-virus packages have a SPAM filter which can be enabled, or we have a list of spam addresses which can be loaded into your outlook.

If SPAM is eating you, give us a call and we can discuss your options.

Gift wrapped computers

The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming. Believe it or not, the holidays are only WEEKS away. Right now we are receiving Dell computers within days of placing an order. If you are thinking of giving someone a computer for the holidays, give us a call and we can get it configured optimally and even gift wrap it for you!

Newsletters

Have you ever seen the sign in Boston at the end of Storrow Drive which reads - "If you lived here, you would be home now" ? Well that is a method of communicating to people the benefits of living there. Newsletters (like this one) are a method of communicating with your clients (or prospects). Information can be advisory, educations, specials, or anything you like.

Do you want to communicate more with your clients? The list software is included as part of our hosting packages and creating a template is not that involved. If you are interested.... you know what to do.<grin>

One important note: We mentioned that this software is part of our hosting package. What you need to know is that we have our own server. Why is that important to you? Because most servers have a limit of 100-300 messages which can be sent out each hour. We have clients who send over 1000 messages - which would take a whole day on other servers - but we can send out in one shot.

The high cost of (old) technology

A few months ago we installed new hardware to increase the speed of a client's network. The install went flawless and the client was very happy with the faster response time for their applications. Last week the client called to say that the network was very slow again. After investigating we noticed a new computer was plugged into the network - actually it was an OLD computer.

The OLD computer had an old network card which was running at 1/10 the speed of the new network. Well, in order to exchange information, all components must be running at the same speed. So the machines that could run at 1000MB/s had to slow down to 100MB/s - hence slowing everything down. This is the weakest link theory as it applies to computers - all computers are limited to what the slowest network card can handle.

The same holds true for wireless networks (as mentioned above). If all your equipment supports 54MB/s (802.11g) and you attach an old computer using an 11MB/s card (802.11b), then you will slow all of your other wireless connections down.

If you think your network is slow, or you are having connectivity issues, please let us know and we will pinpoint your issue.

Hackers 61 Microsoft 00

For the last few months we have been mentioning the Department of Homeland Security's bulletin to make sure you have the latest security updates on your computer. Last month (Sep 26, 2006) Microsoft issued its highest security advisory (926043) - again - urging you to keep your computer up to date! Microsoft Security Issue

With this latest threat, your computer can be taken over by a hacker - just by visiting a web site! Let me repeat that - A hacker can gain total access to your machine, just by your going to a web site they have "modified". By Microsoft's account there are "only" a few thousand sites affected at this point.

Three solutions:
1) Do not use your computer to go on the Internet <really>
2) Manually run the update program on a weekly basis
3) Contact us to put your concern to rest and so you can focus on YOUR business.

The frequency and severity of these warnings should be an alert to practice safe computing. The cost of recovering a machine and data from an infected can be as much as a year's worth of maintenance, not including the opportunity cost of new business while the recovery takes place.

Humor: Abbott & Costello for the 21st Century

If the old routine were written today about computers. (source unknown)

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business.? What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal.? What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W".

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "w" if you don't start with some straight answers.? What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(Later that day)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on "START"...........

Feel free to send us comments or requests for future topics. You may also forward this email or link to someone else who may appreciate the information. The link for our newsletters is : www.swiftecit.com/news

2007 calendars are in! Email us and we will send you one!

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