Advice Page 1

Basic Networking

Computer Networking is the direction that technology is taking us. Stand alone computers are limited in the benefits they can provide compared to two or more computers that can communicate with each other, shares hardware resources and data. The basic introduction to networking for most users today is through access to the Internet. The Internet is accessed using a modem and a communication network through your telephone line or cable company. It allows a user to see or share data on another computer on the internet. This has evolved form the early days when networks were private with limited access. These local area networks (LAN) are now affordable and easy to install in small businesses and in homes. Networking has come a long way.

A LAN can be installed using you existing telephone wiring or by running separate cables between your computers. By having you computers connected this way you can share data and files, share a common printer or have multiple printers shared by everyone. If you have internet access on one computer you can let other networked computers access the internet through the same modem.

If you have more that one computer in your business or your office you are a candidate to having a private network or virtual private network(VPN) of your own. We can come to your office or home and evaluate your needs and suggest alternative solutions with costs, and then install the network.

Key Benefits
– Shared resources such as printers, directories and files
– Shared internet access through a single modem
– Email for all users
– Some Basic Thought on Networking

Networking may be needed if people at the office, or in the home, need to share data.

The data may be word documents, spreadsheets, graphics, and other types of information. Without a network it is not possible to quickly share this data with others.

If you do not have your computers networked, you have to print out the documents so that others can edit them or use them. Or, you give files on CD or floppy disks to others to copy to their computers.

More than one individual may make changes to a document and there is no way to easily merge the changes. This can be a major problem for people working together

A network allows everyone to share the one printer, or scanner.

With a network it is easier for people to find and share data.

It is easier to copy data.

Time savings can result - instead of having people swap disks, data can be transferred quickly.

A network can improve communication around staff and through your company.

A network will provide management with stronger control over information.

Management can easily control access to sensitive data.

Networking allows for centralized backup of all data.

Networking is a most efficient way to share information - you can even share files between different environments, for example, between a Macintosh user and a PC user.

Networking allows you share internet access between many computers

You can even share files or printers over the Internet.

Local networks may be cable or wireless.

If you need assistance, call in an expert from Computer Troubleshooters.
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What is Google?

Google does Internet searches.

Google is the world?s largest search engine.

Google is widely recognized as the "World's Best Search Engine" and is fast, accurate and easy to use.

Google does searches daily for more than 150 million people.

Google searches look at more than 2 billion web pages.

Google.com is one of the 10 most popular sites on the Internet.

A Google user might be a woman in Bonville trying to find a golf course. Or a guy in Collingwood looking for the latest football scores. Or maybe a computer user in Brixton looking for a Computer Troubleshooter.

Google is the tool they have all chosen to help them ? the Google search engine.

Google provides an answer to a search word or words that is unique to the user and uniquely useful.

Google search answer are quick and guaranteed to be relevant and clear.

Google works because it relies on the millions of individuals posting web sites to determine which other sites offer content of value.

Google ranks every web page using a PageRank which evaluates all of the sites linking to a web page and assigns them a value, based in part on the sites linking to them.

Google may be the only company in the world whose stated goal is to have users leave its web site as quickly as possible.

Google employs thousands of linked PCs - one of the world's largest Linux clusters - to quickly find each query's answer.

"Googol" is the mathematical term for 1 followed by 100 zeros. It's a very large number.

For more details, contact your local Computer Troubleshooter

Using Your Computer For Bookkeeping

Love it or hate it, if you are in business you need to keep good records and Computers make this task so much easier.

You need to know if you are making a profit, breaking even or 'losing the shirt off your back' and you will need to have this information to comply with the requirements of the taxman. Good accounting software is available to help you with this. You can enter all your sales information as well as what you spend and the computer will print an easy to read summary of your financial situation ? with comparison to last week, last month, last year, percentage comparisons and the like.

If you allow credit, you need to keep track of what your customers have bought, what payments they have made and if any are outstanding. A computer system can quickly generate weekly, bi-weekly or monthly statements of account to be sent to all customers with money owing. Do not ignore customers who are slow payers. If a payment is not received, then your computer can generate reminder letters. Using your computer is an efficient and time saving way to manage this situation and ensure that you are not left with a large number of bad debts.

You should know exactly what you owe and when the bills need to be paid. Moreover, you need to make sure that you do not overpay a supplier, or pay them twice and you need to have an accurate knowledge of what money is in the bank so you can be sure that there is enough to cover what is owed. A computerized accounts payable (creditors) allows you to keep close track on payments, take advantage of customer discounts, and to produce management reports that show the current period purchases compared to previous period.

If you have employees, then it brings with it a number of obligations including recording wages paid, calculation of taxes to be withheld, and reporting to various government bodies. Computers with a good payroll program can make this task easier than you could imagine. Accurate pay slips can be produced for employees, direct banking of wages can be arranged, reports as required by government regulations are printed automatically from a computer system.

The rewards of good bookkeeping ? good management information, clear understanding of the condition of your business, and accurate data for your tax return ? make it one of the most important of your tasks. Computers are an excellent tool for the job.

If you need assistance, call in an expert from Computer Troubleshooters.
Look under locations to find the computer troubleshooters nearest you.

Looking After Your Computer

Make sure all your data files, customization files, Registry, and application configuration files are backed up. Don't just do it once--make it a regular habit.

Make sure you have up-to-date Windows startup disks (Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Startup Disk). Be sure to have copies of all your device drivers handy as well.

Store your user names and passwords on paper and keep them somewhere safe. If you forget your Windows password, having it in a file on your PC won't help you.

The Windows Registry is not something to be fooled with unless you have some experience using it already. Careful not to stray from the task at hand or you'll risk severely damaging your system.

Partition your hard disk. Put your data files on a separate volume from your operating system and programs. Put a copy of your operating system on a separate hard disk as well: It will make backups and re-installation of software much easier.

Paste a copy of each program's serial number to its CD jewel case, or use a permanent marker to write the number on the CD itself (on the label side!).

If you're on a network, keep a copy of all your network settings (IP address, DNS, gateway, network card settings, and so on) handy.

If it ain 't broke, don't fix it. If you have no compelling reason to open the case or upgrade your operating system or applications, don't.

If you need assistance, call in an expert from Computer Troubleshooters.
Look under locations to find the computer troubleshooters nearest you.

A Tip for Using Word

"How to save yourself having to type words that you use often."

Word can remember certain words and will then type them in for you.
Words such as:

Yours faithfully
Our phone number is 123 456 789
Collingwood Football Club
etc...
To teach Word to remember your list of regularly used and miss-typed words:-

From the menu bar in Word select Tools.

Then from the drop down list select Auto correct.

Look for the Auto text tab and click on it.

In the box below the line Enter Auto text entries here select the word you want, or:-

Type in the word you want and then Press the Add button.

That?s it.

Now when you start to type in the first few letters, Word will recognize it and a little box will appear displaying your word.

Press the Return key and the total word will be automatically typed in.

If you need assistance, call in an expert from Computer Troubleshooters.
Look under locations to find the computer troubleshooters nearest you.

Sitting at Your Computer

Maintain proper posture.

Pay careful attention to positioning of head, neck/spine, arms/wrists, hips/thighs and feet. Basically, ensure the small of your back is supported, your shoulders relaxed (not slumped, not elevated), and that there is no pressure under your thighs.

Alternate between different postures on a regular basis.

When keyboarding, use minimum force while striking the keys.

Keep a neutral position, where the forearms, wrists and hands are in a straight line.

Avoid awkward reaching for work tools such as telephone, mouse and reference materials.

Avoid resting elbows, forearms or wrists on hard surfaces or sharp edges.

Take frequent mini-breaks throughout the day to give muscles and joints a chance to rest and recover.

Alternate between work activities which use different muscle groups to avoid overuse.

Give eyes a break by closing them momentarily, gazing at a distant object and blinking frequently.

Proper exercises are a complement to a complete office ergonomics program.

If you need assistance, call in an expert from Computer Troubleshooters.
Look under locations to find the computer troubleshooters nearest you.