I'm not entirely sure whether your company needs to have a volume license before you do this though. Summarising hundreds of pages of license into one paragraph is risky at best so I would advise that you check the details; when the license changes begin; which software it specifically applies to, etc, before taking work programs home.

2. ADSL features and benefits.

So, you've heard it all on TV - you can surf the net while being on the phone. Sounds great, but how does it work?

ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) works by using a higher frequency signal along the same telephone line as your voice call. Effectively getting more out of your line than before. As it uses two broadband modems, one at your end and one at the other end of the line, your connection is much, much faster than a dialup connection.

The downsides are the selection of plans that you could have and the restrictions imposed by the various ADSL suppliers due to their distance, or your choice of telecommunications provider.

There are also download limits and speed. If you're only downloading a small amount per month, such as the occasional email, you'd be happy with your dial-up connection.

If you wish to download 2 or 3 gigs of programs, updates and other files per month then you may still be happy with your average $25 per month dial up connection for unlimited downloads. Especially if you schedule all your downloads for overnight.

If you tried to do the same on an ADSL connection, depending on the plan and provider, it could end up costing you over $200 per month. (These are only estimates but it would be wise to closely read the fine print on any ADSL deal you may be planning on taking up to see if the cost of additional Megs will mean a huge jump in expenses)

So, you can save a lot of money by sticking to your dial-up connection, but if time means money, you may be better off with ADSL. 

3. New staff members

Welcome to our new members Cameron and Jones. Cameron has joined us to help computer users on the Central Coast. So if you have any friends or relations who need computer help in Gosford, Woy Woy, Ourimbah, or places in between, Cameron will be there to help. 

Jones has joined us to help out computer users from  Strathfield, Newington, Campsie to Parramatta and areas in between. <2004 update. Jones has moved on to other things>

4. New computer virus strain - Sobig

Proving the ongoing necessity to have an up-to-date AntiVirus software installed on your system, Sobig has arrived. Sobig is a type of virus that installs itself in your computer, searches through for any email addresses that may be lying around in your address book, creates its own emailing engine then sends out a copy of itself to anyone on your list, as well as SPAM!!!

This means that, 1, it uses your computer to send SPAM (junk mail) which could not only slow down your internet connection, it could cause your ISP to ban you from using their service and 2, it isn't just a simple crazed virus that so many students love creating, it's a planned money making machine.

It even has expiry dates. Which suggests that a small company may be behind developing it. Virus Sobig-a  is sent to sell product A, Sobig-b to sell product B etc. With Spam being thwarted by so many programs and so many people desperate to make more money, this could be the beginning of a new threat to our quiet enjoyment of the internet.

So, if you haven't got an antivirus software installed now, get one not just for yourself, but to prevent other unfortunates from getting spam and viruses from your computer.

And yes, only the latest updates installed on antivirus software will prevent this. If your antivirus software is even 10 days out of date it is too old.

If you or your friends need an antivirus software, we can come out and install one for you.

5. Wireless Networking.

The 80s was the computer decade, the 90s the internet decade, and the noughties is the wireless decade. Wireless is set to tranform the home office and working environment in so fundamental a way that offices may become an anacronism 20 years from now. (Then again, that's what they said about paper.)

While there are still some minor bugs, wireless allows you to connect to your office from anywhere in the world, if you have access to a hotspot. Many cafes in Sydney now have hotspots installed which allow you to use your wireless laptop to connect, pay online, then use the internet. You can then use that connection to connect to your work network, if the system is set up to allow you to do so.

So, conceivably, you can go into a hotspot cafe near the Louvre in Paris and access your files on your desktop in your office in Sydney. (Though, really, you should be having a holiday.)

But wait, I hear you ask, what if there is no hotspot? Well, Vodafone have recently released a network card that fits most current laptops that dials into the Vodafone network. So, wherever there is a mobile base, you can be at the office, anywhere in the world, anytime of the day.

We have wireless network consultants available for you if you wish to network your home or office. Though, please note, due to so many problems with wireless networking and Windows '98, we will only install wireless networking on Windows XP machines. 

Until next month...

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Copyright 2003 Electronic Desktop Solutions Pty Ltd 

ABN 54 065 417 665 

Mention of products, services, ideas, articles, news etc is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement. Electronic Desktop Solutions Pty Ltd assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of these products, services or information. Unless otherwise indicated all pricing is RRP in Australian dollars correct at time of publication. All URL's are correct at time of emailing. Product specifications are subject to change. No responsibility is taken for information read from the off site links. Buyer beware etc etc. Electronic Desktop Solutions disclaims all responsibility for any problems that may occur from following opinions or advice in this newsletter.
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