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Swiftec's Bits & Bytes

Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2006

Dell Reseller

We can help with:

 Purchasing Assistance

 Backup / Recovery

 Training

 Computer Maintenance

 Security

 Wireless Internet

 Web Hosting

 Web Design

Thought of the day

If knowledge is knowing how much we don't know, then each day we get smarter because we know less?

Our address is:
292 Main St, Unit #G1
Northborough, MA 01532

School is back

If you are considering purchasing a computer - talk to us about what makes a good configuration!

Off the wire...

We have mentioned how important it is to keep your computers up to date with the latest security patches to prevent hackers or viruses from reeking havoc on your systems, but the following was interesting even for us; (source: securityfocus.com)

From the Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends that Windows users apply Microsoft Security Patch MS06-040 as soon as possible. The patch will fix a vulnerability that could enable an attacker to remotely take control of a system and install programs, view, change or delete data, and create new accounts. DHS advises to make haste, as the vulnerability could impact government, private industry and individual home users alike.

If you are not sure how up-to-date your computers are, or if they are acting a bit sluggish, give us a call and we can make sure that this patch (as well as dozens of others) are loaded onto your machine.

From another perspective: Legally protecting your business

We spend a lot of time networking - both computers and with people.  One of our customers provides legal services to businesses and contributed the following to our newsletter this month.

1) Your name: It is very difficult to find the “right” name – a name which connotes the true meaning of your business AND is available for use… as a domain name, a corporate name and a brand name…. So, once the perfect name is developed, it is important to determine its availability and then protect it, as a domain name, a brand name and a business name.  In short, if you do not protect your name, then someone else may register it and could actually hamper your growth into another stage.

2) Your idea: The founders of a company developed an amazing new technology. They had invested everything they had into this idea. When they brought it to market, the market loved the concept and ran with it. In no time, the idea was copied and the founders couldn’t do anything to stop it…. They had not filed for protection of their ideas or their brands before they disclosed the idea to others…. They lost everything, even their brand names…..

3) Your brand: As the Internet is becoming a more significant marketing tool, the importance of creating, developing and protecting one’s brand is becoming even greater. If you do not protect it, someone else may take it.

Conducting due diligence and filing for the necessary protections for your brands early can save you money and can give you the peace of mind you need to enable you to concentrate on your business. For more information about any of these legal areas, please contact me at gwenn@onsidecounsel.com Or, check out our website at www.onsidecounsel.com.

Off the wire...

When new machines come in to our office, the first software we remove is AOL.  AOL tends to slow computers down with all the extra programs it loads, and it changes settings without letting you know or decide.  They are also notorious for installing incompatible modules which prevent other applications from running well.  The following article was found in many newsletters this past week. (source: cnet.com)

AOL 9.0 Accused of Behaving Like Badware

AOL's free Internet client software has earned the company a slap on the wrist from StopBadware.org, a consortium set up to combat malicious software. In a report set to be released today, the group advises users to steer clear of the software because of its "badware behavior." The report blasts the free version of AOL 9.0 because it "interferes with computer use," and because of the way it meddles with components such as the Internet Explorer browser and the Windows taskbar. The suite is also criticized for engaging in "deceptive installation" and faulted because some components fail to uninstall.

If you want to know how you can migrate away from this software, give us a call and we can discuss your situation.

We are growing!

This summer, not only did we move into new offices, but we also hired a new full-time employee named Paul McHugh.

Paul comes to us with certifications for both Windows (Microsoft Certified Professional) and Novell (Certified Netware Administrator). His experience includes 12 years at Digital Equipment Corporation as well as a number of year in different computer consulting positions.  Please join me in welcoming Paul to Swiftec!