tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:21:53 +0000Altria Systems is San Diego's Professional IT Service for Small Business. This blog is for small business owners and decision makers who want to know more about the latest small business IT solutions and how they can benefit their businesshttp://altriasystems.com/blog/noreply@blogger.com (RBS)Blogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-7322609360830565385Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:17:00 +00002009-01-23T15:21:53.424-08:00This is perhaps one of the most impressive tricks we’ve seen recently with using Microsoft Word. Have you ever had the occasion when you needed to select a chunk of text out of a document, but it wasn’t necessarily in a straight line or list that you needed to grab? If you’ll look at the image above as my example, let’s say we had the list of items on the left, but wanted to get rid of all the http://altriasystems.com/blog/2009/01/one-of-biggest-secrets-in-microsoft.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-2130388976494885325Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:16:00 +00002009-01-23T15:16:34.434-08:00Ok, so with 2009 underway you probably have shelved the final backup tapes from 2008 for safe keeping. If you haven’t, please put them in a safe place and buy replacement tapes for those you just pulled out of circulation. Backup tape rotation can seem tedious, onerous, irrelevant, or even just a pain in your you-know-what, but that’s taking a very short-sighted perspective on the largest http://altriasystems.com/blog/2009/01/have-you-tested-your-backup-solution.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-1060466000540445836Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:46:00 +00002009-01-20T10:47:16.104-08:00No, it’s not a rude question, in the world of computers, networks, and servers it is a very important question. Firmware is very base level of software that makes sure your network card operates, or your router routes traffic. Firmware ironically, is software. Its software that sits directly on the silicon chips in each piece of hardware and is how the hardware talks to Windows or any other http://altriasystems.com/blog/2009/01/hows-your-firmware.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-8038994812700476171Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:33:00 +00002009-01-09T13:34:04.801-08:00So Microsoft as a software maker is doing what software makers do, and has announced the first BETA testing of the next version of Windows. Windows 7. That’s right it’s being called Windows 7 for now. Who knows how many names it will end up having or how many different versions. Windows Vista has at least 5 major versions to choose from. The most striking news to come out of Microsoft http://altriasystems.com/blog/2009/01/windows-7-is-coming.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-5042217608008720288Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:14:00 +00002008-12-15T13:15:46.632-08:00“Oh no! Not another boring PowerPoint presentation! My eyes, my eyes…!!!” How painful is it to be in the audience for yet another drawn-out, boring, lifeless slideshow? Worse yet, how painful is it to be the one giving it? The truth is, bad PowerPoint happens to good people, and quite often the person giving the presentation is just as much a victim as the poor souls listening to her or him. Herehttp://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/12/10-tips-for-more-effective-powerpoint.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-3575803740438101918Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:38:00 +00002008-12-04T14:47:44.087-08:00Previously we showed that when it comes to monitors, size does matter. It turns out the same goes for your local and Exchange PST file. PST (Personal Storage Table) files are “used to store local copies of messages, calendar events, and other items within Microsoft Microsoft Exchange Client, Windows Messaging, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Outlook Express” (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/12/does-size-really-matter-continued.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-602756616679997976Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:14:00 +00002008-12-01T10:25:52.733-08:00So many clients ask, “What is VoIP? Do I need VoIP?” and the quick answer is you may already have it. Let’s go through what VoIP is and how you may already be using it, and then get specific on how VoIP can deliver value to your business. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. Internet Protocol, or IP, is the language of the Internet. Whenever you do anything on your business network http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/12/voip-is-it-something-i-should-care.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-7407555684837426302Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:14:00 +00002008-12-01T10:15:02.407-08:00In the world of small business, most are regionally focused, which often concerns business owners looking to invest in their website to generate leads/sales. The most common misconception is that there aren’t good, cost effective ways to use the Internet to reach to your specific target market. It used to be that investing in search engine optimization for a regional business boosted traffic andhttp://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/11/is-your-website-working-for-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-2689104278233810372Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:57:00 +00002008-10-14T16:57:34.155-07:00• Save boot time by putting your laptop into Suspend instead of shutting down. The next time you open your lid you can start right where you left off with open docs and applications. • Get a laptop stand for your desk and use the laptop display panel as a second display on your desk . • Get a lap pillow specifically for lap computing. No more fried thighs. Belkin has some great inexpensive http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/10/laptop-users-listen-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-1827791253609161368Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:25:00 +00002008-10-06T10:28:02.940-07:00Are you getting a new PC, or a set of new PCs for your business? If so, the question becomes: What do I do with that old clunker? Don't just cart it off to the nearest dumpster and help clog up some landfill with electronic waste. There are better, more environmentally-friendly options to consider. First of all, someone could use your old computer. Or maybe you could trade it in on a new one. http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/10/3-pc-ways-to-get-rid-of-old-pc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-4467946320859748663Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:26:00 +00002008-10-01T16:26:57.918-07:001. Turn on Backlighting: Press the power button once to turn on the backlighting for the keyboard and the screen. 2. Switch to Another Program: Hold the Alt key and press the Escape button. Continue to hold the Alt key and select a program. Release the Alt key to switch to that program. 3. To Insert the at sign (@) and periods in an Email field just press the Space key. 4. Download and http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/10/tech-top-5-tips-for-blackberry-users.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-2214192430865959752Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:43:00 +00002008-09-23T17:49:41.016-07:00So many people ask us about the different social networks; which is the best? Which one is more business focused? Why bother? ….the list goes on and on. If you read anything related to technology today you hear something about Facebook and MySpace and/or the terms social networking and social media. At the very base level these are all relationship based rolodex sites. Which translated http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/09/social-networks-and-small-business-do.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-1016536394734462146Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:43:00 +00002008-09-23T17:52:25.442-07:00Tech Top 5 Windows Mobile Tips….plus 5 bonus tips. 1. Select Start> Settings> Personal tab>. Select 'Today', and then select the Items tab. Uncheck the items that you do not want to view on the today screen. 2. Go to Calendar> Settings. In display options, check 'display all day events' to enable display of all the appointments of the current day. 3. Go to Start> Settings> System and selecthttp://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/09/tech-top-5-windows-mobile-tipsplus-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-6354547897517483387Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:52:00 +00002008-09-09T16:54:55.775-07:001. Educate Users While any network should have antivirus, antispyware and other basic security measures, taking the time to help users understand smart use habits can help prevent many issues. Software can be buggy and create problems but more often than not many problems with IT security arise directly from user actions. Downloaded files, personal email browsing on websites, indiscriminate http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/09/network-security-5-facts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-2794359786564889675Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:00:00 +00002008-09-01T09:18:40.799-07:00Ok, so even the average soccer mom is now equipped with a PDA from their chosen wireless phone provider, but what’s the best for the business owner who needs email, calendar, contacts, but not games, video messaging or a professional grade digital camera built in? This has become a great water cooler debate with predominantly 3 different sides. You have the Blackberry side, Windows Mobile, and http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/09/pda-question.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-8964697047845505180Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:52:00 +00002008-08-25T11:07:20.068-07:00Given that Word and Excel are probably the two top applications that are used by the widest group of people from business information specialists to students; getting tips and suggestions on how to use it better is always good. Here are the 8 gems: Shrink document by one pageCalculate in tablesMerge to e-mailCompare two documentsDocument inspectorBuilt-in translatorCreate fancy equationsUsehttp://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/08/quick-tips.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-3181325916855997814Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:44:00 +00002008-08-15T13:44:00.477-07:00Microsoft offers a online password checker that will tell you how strong your password is. We can never stress enough how important strong passwords are in a layered approach to information security. The other important thing is to have different passwords for different types of logins. You have your password for using your computer at work and quite frankly should be able to use that for any http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/08/your-password-is-weaker-than-you-think.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-3267014999309273010Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:42:00 +00002008-08-14T13:42:00.341-07:001. Standardize on one brand of computer Buying from just one manufacturer like Dell, greatly decreases the total cost of ownership by allowing for more streamlined support, less inter-office computer envy, higher levels of reliability. 2. Standardize on one or two models of network printer If you have only one model of black and white and one model of color printers in your office you only http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/08/top-5-tips-for-technology-purchasing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-1528485872895134480Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:39:00 +00002008-08-11T12:14:35.095-07:00Learn to navigate your email with keyboard shortcuts. You’ll find it to be faster and quite easy. Assuming you are using Outlook 2003 or 2007 here are some of our favorite keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl-Shift-M: Start a new message Ctrl-Shift-A: Create an appointment Ctrl-Shift-C: Create a contact Ctrl-Shift-I: Switch to Inbox Alt-S: Send Messagehttp://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/08/7-outlook-shortcuts-youll-fall-in-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-7625461852924231215Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:41:00 +00002008-08-12T17:58:14.196-07:00Well it does when it comes to monitors. The Wall Street Journal reports on a recent study that asked whether more screen real estate gave workers the ability to do things faster and better. Workers were given either an 18-inch or 24-inch monitor, and the researchers found that: People using the 24-inch screen completed the tasks 52% faster than people who used the 18-inch monitor; people who http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/08/does-size-really-matter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-2248328952267134132Wed, 28 May 2008 01:12:00 +00002008-06-04T11:10:04.560-07:00Often I'm confronted with this simple question from business owners and C-level decision makers. Should I hire a full time IT staff or outsource my IT needs? While there is a compelling case to choose one or the other at some businesses, more and more the unspoken third option makes a lot of sense: Do both. Augment your full time IT staff with an outsourced IT provider to meet your businesses http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/05/outsourced-it-to-augment-your-current.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-7639754197118586599Tue, 27 May 2008 21:26:00 +00002008-05-27T18:06:22.086-07:00I hope you've never been there, but I think most of us have. Its called Customer Service Hell, and you'll find it at where unprofessionalism, apathy, and good-old fashioned incompetency meet. Have you been there? You call that Wireless/TV/Internet service provider you use and rely on, get transferred seven times, each time re-explaining your unique issue to the representative, only to get http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/05/customer-service-hell.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-3529299880702439544Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:54:00 +00002008-02-01T09:47:44.053-08:00Perhaps you saw this story on the news lately: Angry Employee Deletes All Company's Data To be honest here, I'm a bit surprised that this sort of thing doesn't happen more often. A single employee with malicious intent can inflict tremendous amounts of damage to your company's most treasured assets: your data. Imagine how painful an event like this would be if your fired an employee who who tookhttp://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/01/value-of-good-backup-solution.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-994494012608258718Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:11:00 +00002008-01-16T15:33:39.932-08:00Is there a role for technology in social change? Hans Rosling is proving it. His remarkable presentation at TED shows how we so often have pre-conceived ideas about Third World or Developing countries in terms of what needs to be done to solve the problems there. Hans shows, through graphical presentation of publicly available data, that acquiring, organizing, and disseminating this data is the http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/01/technology-for-social-change.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5981271912005210676.post-1183821077529367977Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:34:00 +00002008-01-14T12:29:14.161-08:00Content FilteringSecurityWeb FilteringSo you install antivirus software on every computer, you've got a firewall to protect your network, you've even made sure that all your PC's are fully patched and up to date. So you think you are doing enough to ensure the security of your company data? Think again. Unmanaged Internet access is a threat to your data integrity and company security. Implementing a gateway based or server based http://altriasystems.com/blog/2008/01/securing-your-company-data-with-web.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (RBS)