Welcome to the N-Tech Solutions Customer Newsletter for January 2008!
by Nathan Woodcock
And welcome to 2008! As part of our commitment to providing an IT service that is professional, straight-talking and enjoyable we publish this newsletter every couple of months to keep in touch, have some fun and maybe even point out a few handy computer related things you didn't know. If you'd prefer not to receive this email simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom on this newsletter. Windows XP Being Phased Out
by Nathan Woodcock
Microsoft intend to stop providing Windows XP Home or Professional to suppliers this month, in order to boost sales and take-up of Windows Vista. Already it is very difficult to buy a PC without Windows Vista from any of the major retailers, and soon you won't be able to purchase XP (or a PC with it installed) from dedicated computer shops and service companies (like us!). If your business runs any proprietary or industry specific software you need to plan for the future and find out if it supports Vista, and if it doesn't and you are considering any new computers you should order them while XP is still available. We have stockpiled some copies of XP for new systems but they will sell fast once it is no longer freely available. Latest MS Office Service Pack Issues...
by Nathan Woodcock
Those of you who keep your systems up to date with Windows patches and security updates via Windows Update may have seen the latest MS Office Service Pack 3 download. Be warned before you install this update. Without warning the Microsoft Office SP3 update blocks over a dozen common document formats, including many older version Word, Powerpoint and Excel documents. Install the update and you can’t open the files. Why? Because they can! What’s affected? Powerpoint formats prior to PowerPoint 97. Excel formats prior to Office 2003. Lotus, Quatro and Corel Draw. And more. A workaround exists but involves editting the registry, which should only be attempted if you know what you are doing. Top Three High Capacity Hard Drives
by Nathan Woodcock
PC World recently list their best high capacity hard drives as tested in their labs last year. The top three are:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 750 GB
Bottom Line: Top-flight performer posted some of the fastest write times we've seen. Samsung SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ (500GB)
Bottom Line: Among the 500GB competitors, Samsung's model performed the best and cost the least. Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB SATA
Bottom Line: Gargantuan drive is a fast write performer; carries industry-leading 5 year warranty. | Referral Bonus Promotion:
Our new referral promotion is still running and now provides a 25% discount to you and to the customer you refer, on the first hours labour. Simply pass on the contact details of friends or business associates to Nathan or have them call us direct and both of you get the discount on your next job.
Good Deals this Month:
ONE ONLY - Samsung SCX-4521F Multifunction Laser Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax with 30 page Auto Document Feeder. This unit has an RRP of $349 but we have one only for $250. You won't find a multifunction laser printer for less.
Real-Life Helpdesk Calls #5695480:
A woman called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
The Tech asked her if she was "running it under Windows." The woman responded, "No, my desk is next to the door. But that's a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his is working fine."
Careful with your GPS...
BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y. - A computer consultant driving a rental car drove onto train tracks Wednesday using the instructions his GPS unit gave him. A train was barrelling toward him, but he escaped in time and no one was injured. The driver had turned right, as the system advised, and the car somehow got stuck on the tracks at the crossing. He jumped out and tried to warn the engineer by waving. He got out of the way just before the train slammed into the car at 60 mph, Metro-North railroad spokesman Dan Brucker said Thursday. |
