The holidays are almost here. Have a happy holiday season.
Windows Home Server
I bought an inexpensive Dell machine and installed the OEM version of Windows Home Server. At first I was having difficulty with the network as WHS did not recognize the on-board network adapter. So I installed a linksys gigabit network card. And it worked. So far the machine is running great. I added a 500gb Mybook external USB Drive. I was able to add the drive into the "storage pool" without problem. The OS even asked how I wanted to use the drive; to increase overall storage or use it to back up the server. I chose backing up the server.
So this configuration is working great. I use Logmein to get into the desktop remotely. Again, outstanding, no problems, and Logmein is FREE!! The only problem I see so far is there appears to be no anti-virus software that will run on it besides the server software for enterprise servers. Remember that the foundation of WHS is Windows Server 2003 & Small Business Server. I know for a fact that the Windows XP/Vista version of Norton AV won't work. I will check other AV Software companies. Until then, I don't use the browser on the server.
All for now,
Remember, USE AMERICAN COMPUTER TECHS!! Don't use those foreigners and H1B Visa types. Our economy needs us to BUY and USE AMERICAN!!
Peace,
Dave
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Election is at Hand
Greetings. The election is at hand now. Be sure to vote.
Windows Home Server
I am recommending that small businesses get windows home server if they have ten computers or less on their network. I am doing this for several reasons, many of which IT Pro's won't agree with. IT Pro's will want you to get Microsoft Windows Small Business Server so they can do your administration and charge you for it. For a small shop with less than 10 computers, I don't think it's necessary. I think you can do well with Windows Home Server.
First, Home Server does not require using a domain. It will work with workgroups, and therefore it will work with XP Home, and Vista home basic/premium. Second, it does its own backups. You just designate a machine to be backed up and it will do the backup on its own schedule. Third, you can share files as you can with Small Business Server. However you don't have the complex administration to deal with. And, you still can impose restrictions on users to keep them out of areas you don't want them in.
I would not recommend getting the HP Mediasmart Home Server because it tends to be sensitive to its operating environment. If you have a large range of temperature variations, or a dusty environment, it may adversly impact the Media Smart Server operation. As an alternative you can keep an eye out for other manufacturers offerings, or enlist the help of a custom computer builder to assemble a custom made server for your environment.
Quick Books Data Entry
We now offer Quick Books Data Entry services. We will work with your current configuration and your business accountant to get the most out of Quickbooks. Write us for more information.
Windows Home Server
I am recommending that small businesses get windows home server if they have ten computers or less on their network. I am doing this for several reasons, many of which IT Pro's won't agree with. IT Pro's will want you to get Microsoft Windows Small Business Server so they can do your administration and charge you for it. For a small shop with less than 10 computers, I don't think it's necessary. I think you can do well with Windows Home Server.
First, Home Server does not require using a domain. It will work with workgroups, and therefore it will work with XP Home, and Vista home basic/premium. Second, it does its own backups. You just designate a machine to be backed up and it will do the backup on its own schedule. Third, you can share files as you can with Small Business Server. However you don't have the complex administration to deal with. And, you still can impose restrictions on users to keep them out of areas you don't want them in.
I would not recommend getting the HP Mediasmart Home Server because it tends to be sensitive to its operating environment. If you have a large range of temperature variations, or a dusty environment, it may adversly impact the Media Smart Server operation. As an alternative you can keep an eye out for other manufacturers offerings, or enlist the help of a custom computer builder to assemble a custom made server for your environment.
Quick Books Data Entry
We now offer Quick Books Data Entry services. We will work with your current configuration and your business accountant to get the most out of Quickbooks. Write us for more information.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Today's Tips
Short Cuts
I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the key shortcuts in Windows. While you may be accustomed to using your mouse to navigate windows and windows aps, you actually can do many things faster by using the shortcut keys. Try it.
First, highlight a line of text with your mouse. Then, to copy it use the Control C shortcut to copy it. (That is hold down the CTRL key and hit the C key) Now to paste the text, you would use the Control V to insert. This actually works out to be faster than right clicking and clicking on copy, and then pasting by right clicking and clicking on paste.
There are many more shortcuts that could do your day to day tasks quicker than only using the mouse. Try it out.
Fall Cleanup
Ready for fall? The weather is turning cooler and soon the leaves will start to change. Now is the time for you to consider cleaning up your PC and network as well. How often do you run defrags or disk cleanups? Are your virus signature files up to date? How about Windows updates? Call me to arrange an appointment to get a fall cleanup. I'll verify your settings for your anti-virus software, and windows updates. Don't wait, do it now. 732-568-4943
Peace,
Dave
I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the key shortcuts in Windows. While you may be accustomed to using your mouse to navigate windows and windows aps, you actually can do many things faster by using the shortcut keys. Try it.
First, highlight a line of text with your mouse. Then, to copy it use the Control C shortcut to copy it. (That is hold down the CTRL key and hit the C key) Now to paste the text, you would use the Control V to insert. This actually works out to be faster than right clicking and clicking on copy, and then pasting by right clicking and clicking on paste.
There are many more shortcuts that could do your day to day tasks quicker than only using the mouse. Try it out.
Fall Cleanup
Ready for fall? The weather is turning cooler and soon the leaves will start to change. Now is the time for you to consider cleaning up your PC and network as well. How often do you run defrags or disk cleanups? Are your virus signature files up to date? How about Windows updates? Call me to arrange an appointment to get a fall cleanup. I'll verify your settings for your anti-virus software, and windows updates. Don't wait, do it now. 732-568-4943
Peace,
Dave
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Today's Tips
Hello all. How is everyone today?
I've been thinking recently about home networking. I would bet that almost everybody is using wireless networking. Sure, it's easy, quick and mostly painless. No wires, no electrician, right? Just configure a few things and you're off and running!
Wait a minute though. The Netgear Power Line networking adapters are much faster than wireless. You can have up to 15 devices (don't quote me) on a network. With the advent of streaming video and home servers, it may be better to look into using power line network devices instead of wireless. Sure you can have wireless co-exist with power line. You can hook up your laptop quickly and use your network connection. But for faster media sharing over the network it the desired order would be: First and foremost, Cat 5 or 6 network wiring. That is the fastest beside fiber optic cable. Next would be the Netgear 200mbps power line adapters, then wireless. Keep in mind that most older PC's have 10/100 network "cards" on their motherboards. More recent PC's have Gigabit (10/100/1000) capabillities. So a newer PC could take advantage of the 200mbps powerline network adapters.
Give it some thought.
Peace,
Dave
http://www.davepickel.com/
I've been thinking recently about home networking. I would bet that almost everybody is using wireless networking. Sure, it's easy, quick and mostly painless. No wires, no electrician, right? Just configure a few things and you're off and running!
Wait a minute though. The Netgear Power Line networking adapters are much faster than wireless. You can have up to 15 devices (don't quote me) on a network. With the advent of streaming video and home servers, it may be better to look into using power line network devices instead of wireless. Sure you can have wireless co-exist with power line. You can hook up your laptop quickly and use your network connection. But for faster media sharing over the network it the desired order would be: First and foremost, Cat 5 or 6 network wiring. That is the fastest beside fiber optic cable. Next would be the Netgear 200mbps power line adapters, then wireless. Keep in mind that most older PC's have 10/100 network "cards" on their motherboards. More recent PC's have Gigabit (10/100/1000) capabillities. So a newer PC could take advantage of the 200mbps powerline network adapters.
Give it some thought.
Peace,
Dave
http://www.davepickel.com/
Monday, August 11, 2008
Quicken Philosophy
I wanted to make a comment here on Quicken. I've been using it for over 15 years. The first version of Quicken I bought was a DOS version. There were no windows versions at that time.
Here's the thing. I have always run Quicken independently of everything. I mean that I don't use the download feature with a few exceptions. With my checking and savings accounts I do my entries manually and then reconcile them at the end of the period with the statements. I find that this is the best way to handle the accounts. I reduce the risk of accidentally over-drawing my checking account. And it serves as a double check with my financial institutions.
I had a client recently who insisted that he was too busy to run his finances that way. And indeed he was. But, I still recommended it. We wasted no less than four months trying to get a bug solved in Quicken with NO success. We were on several conference calls with Intuit support and no resolution. To this day there is no resolution. The problem was with Washington Mutual and Bank of America accounts. And finally after many calls, Intuit support (foreigners in India) insisted that it was the institutions' problems.
I disagreed with that. But since I didn't write the program, I cannot get in and fix the source code. So I will insist that all my customers who use Quicken use it as I direct them. It's more work but it provides a good cross check to your institutions and is independent of any download problems.
The exception to this is if you have IRA's, stocks, etc. These transactions may become complex and difficult to enter and reconcile. My client has an extensive portfolio with Fidelity Investments. And to their credit, Fidelity was performing accurate downloads. This allowed my client to track the dismal performance of his portfolio (but that's another subject all together).
And so, I stick with what I said. I will train you to run Quicken independently of downloads for the most part. And it will run and you will be pleased with the outcome.
Peace!
Dave
Visit my website at http://www.davepickel.com
Here's the thing. I have always run Quicken independently of everything. I mean that I don't use the download feature with a few exceptions. With my checking and savings accounts I do my entries manually and then reconcile them at the end of the period with the statements. I find that this is the best way to handle the accounts. I reduce the risk of accidentally over-drawing my checking account. And it serves as a double check with my financial institutions.
I had a client recently who insisted that he was too busy to run his finances that way. And indeed he was. But, I still recommended it. We wasted no less than four months trying to get a bug solved in Quicken with NO success. We were on several conference calls with Intuit support and no resolution. To this day there is no resolution. The problem was with Washington Mutual and Bank of America accounts. And finally after many calls, Intuit support (foreigners in India) insisted that it was the institutions' problems.
I disagreed with that. But since I didn't write the program, I cannot get in and fix the source code. So I will insist that all my customers who use Quicken use it as I direct them. It's more work but it provides a good cross check to your institutions and is independent of any download problems.
The exception to this is if you have IRA's, stocks, etc. These transactions may become complex and difficult to enter and reconcile. My client has an extensive portfolio with Fidelity Investments. And to their credit, Fidelity was performing accurate downloads. This allowed my client to track the dismal performance of his portfolio (but that's another subject all together).
And so, I stick with what I said. I will train you to run Quicken independently of downloads for the most part. And it will run and you will be pleased with the outcome.
Peace!
Dave
Visit my website at http://www.davepickel.com
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Windows Vista - The next time around
Microsoft is apparently trying to re-promote Vista. They recently tried an experiment called "Mojave". The deal was they presented a "new" operating system to unknowing users, calling it a beta version of the successor to Vista (Mojave).
The trial users were very impressed. What they did not know is the operating system was Vista with all the updates and service pack. It apparently has improved that much. Microsoft has also updated drivers so the printers that once didn't work, now DO work.
Maybe Vista is ready for another look. You'll have to look anyway because XP is no longer available on newly purchased PC's.
More later.
Peace,
Dave
http://www.davepickel.com
The trial users were very impressed. What they did not know is the operating system was Vista with all the updates and service pack. It apparently has improved that much. Microsoft has also updated drivers so the printers that once didn't work, now DO work.
Maybe Vista is ready for another look. You'll have to look anyway because XP is no longer available on newly purchased PC's.
More later.
Peace,
Dave
http://www.davepickel.com
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Radio Program
Soon we will resume our weekly radio broadcast on Blog Talk Radio. We had suspended these broadcasts while working for our "employer". We will most likely resume Sunday Morning Broadcasting. I will write a post in the blog here saying when our first broadcast will be.
Peace,
Dave
Peace,
Dave
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Services
I provide the following services:
-Wireless/Wired home network troubleshooting
-Wireless Home network installation
-Training on popular home and business applications
-Home network design
Active Seniors Welcome.
Call 732-568-4943
-Wireless/Wired home network troubleshooting
-Wireless Home network installation
-Training on popular home and business applications
-Home network design
Active Seniors Welcome.
Call 732-568-4943
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Windows Home Server & More..
I ended up taking the WHS machine back. I could not justify keeping it. I think I need a combination of a "server" and a media machine. And I did not see that in the HP WHS Machine.
Also, I have had some medical things going on lately that prevented me from delving deeper into the home server concept. I did do some work on VPN with mixed results. I tried the Linksys Gigabit wireless N VPN router. It was a disaster. Got two of them and neither one worked. I spent a number of hours on the phone with linksys support and no luck. Returned them and got a refund. I tried using the Windows VPN and it actually worked (but not every time!).
The medical things were cataracts. I had surgery on both eyes and now I can see great! While I had only one eye worked on, I could see how bad my vision had become. But it's all better now, so I can get back into my PC stuff.
All for now. Happy Computing.
Dave
Also, I have had some medical things going on lately that prevented me from delving deeper into the home server concept. I did do some work on VPN with mixed results. I tried the Linksys Gigabit wireless N VPN router. It was a disaster. Got two of them and neither one worked. I spent a number of hours on the phone with linksys support and no luck. Returned them and got a refund. I tried using the Windows VPN and it actually worked (but not every time!).
The medical things were cataracts. I had surgery on both eyes and now I can see great! While I had only one eye worked on, I could see how bad my vision had become. But it's all better now, so I can get back into my PC stuff.
All for now. Happy Computing.
Dave
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Windows Home Server (continued)
OK so recently I bought an HP Mediasmart Home server (EX 470). This is the one that has 500GB of disk space on one disk. It hast 3 drive bays empty so you can expand storage.
Some observations:
-You cannot schedule individual backups for PC's. The backup program handles all the scheduling. So you can't specify that PC A backs up at 10:00am and PC B backups up at 2pm. Don't work that way.
-Although you can't use remote desktop to get into XP Home or Vista Home Premium, you can use remote desktop connections to get into the server. Once there you get numerous warnings that anything you do can "break" Windows Home Server, and you'd be better off to use the Windows Home Server console.
-During setup I could not change the workgroup. I had to remote in and do it through the computer properties. Once that was changed I got all my pc's and the server into the same workgroup.
That's about it. I am deciding whether or not to keep the server. I could return it in 30 days.
Some observations:
-You cannot schedule individual backups for PC's. The backup program handles all the scheduling. So you can't specify that PC A backs up at 10:00am and PC B backups up at 2pm. Don't work that way.
-Although you can't use remote desktop to get into XP Home or Vista Home Premium, you can use remote desktop connections to get into the server. Once there you get numerous warnings that anything you do can "break" Windows Home Server, and you'd be better off to use the Windows Home Server console.
-During setup I could not change the workgroup. I had to remote in and do it through the computer properties. Once that was changed I got all my pc's and the server into the same workgroup.
That's about it. I am deciding whether or not to keep the server. I could return it in 30 days.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Quicken - Conclusion
OK, after a number of months devoted to the "quicken problem" the conclusion is....Nothing.
Intuit support was unable or unwilling to fix the problem. And it's time to move on now. I have a work-around for my client. He does not want to use the work around. And since I didn't write the quicken code, I cannot fix it myself.
So I make this recommendation to Quicken users. Do stuff manually and then if you want, download. The manual entries will serve as a double-check for the downloaded entries. I would recommend that if you have investment accounts, to download them as they tend to be complicated to put in manually. Fidelity investments seems to work fine, so I would highly recommend them.
That's it for today.
Peace,
Dave
Intuit support was unable or unwilling to fix the problem. And it's time to move on now. I have a work-around for my client. He does not want to use the work around. And since I didn't write the quicken code, I cannot fix it myself.
So I make this recommendation to Quicken users. Do stuff manually and then if you want, download. The manual entries will serve as a double-check for the downloaded entries. I would recommend that if you have investment accounts, to download them as they tend to be complicated to put in manually. Fidelity investments seems to work fine, so I would highly recommend them.
That's it for today.
Peace,
Dave
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Windows Home Server
Microsoft has released a home server operating system, Windows Home Server. It is based on Windows Server 2003 with some noteworthy exceptions. The biggest of these is that you do not create a domain. In order to use Windows Home Server (WHS) you run "connector" software on your windows client machines. This connector provides services such as security, logon, and maintenance.
WHS provides automated PC backup services that you can schedule. You can also get into your network from outside using remote desktop. Some of these services require the client PC's to run XP professional or Vista Business. This is due to WHS's roots in Windows Server 2003.
I have seen an implementation of WHS on the HP Media Smart Home Server and it is excellent. The Media Smart Server can be configured up to 1 TB of disk space on multiple hard drives. The server has three "drive bays" that have slide in/slide out "sleds" in which to mount your hard drives. When you add or remove a hard drive, the Operating System (O/S) recognizes what happened and reconfigures accordingly.
Although WHS can be considered Network Attached Storage (NAS), it performs many more tasks and does them well. I'd recommend getting the 500gb HP server, and adding your own disk drives. I am also hoping that developers will write home control and similar programs for use on a WHS server to truly give owners "homes of the future".
Peace,
Dave
WHS provides automated PC backup services that you can schedule. You can also get into your network from outside using remote desktop. Some of these services require the client PC's to run XP professional or Vista Business. This is due to WHS's roots in Windows Server 2003.
I have seen an implementation of WHS on the HP Media Smart Home Server and it is excellent. The Media Smart Server can be configured up to 1 TB of disk space on multiple hard drives. The server has three "drive bays" that have slide in/slide out "sleds" in which to mount your hard drives. When you add or remove a hard drive, the Operating System (O/S) recognizes what happened and reconfigures accordingly.
Although WHS can be considered Network Attached Storage (NAS), it performs many more tasks and does them well. I'd recommend getting the 500gb HP server, and adding your own disk drives. I am also hoping that developers will write home control and similar programs for use on a WHS server to truly give owners "homes of the future".
Peace,
Dave
Quicken Saga - Continued
Well it's now April 20th and I still do not have a satisfactory answer from Quicken's authors, The Intuit company!! I've been working the problem of download issues with multiple banking institutions since January 2008 with no end in sight!!
The institutions originally were with the checking accounts of Washington Mutual, and Bank of America. Now my client cannot get downloads from his two American Express credit card accounts!!
I don't run into these problems because I do not download transactions. I input all my transactions manually so unless I forget to enter a transaction, everything is ok. Actually this is the recommended way to run Quicken even if you do download. In this case when you download, you get a window that details transactions and you can "match" them to the ones you input manually.
But my client is very busy and he does not want to manually input all his transactions. So I am in a continuing battle with Intuit. I have contacted their "office of the president" and had about 5 support phone calls with no resolution. The most recent phone call was about the Amex problem. Finally after about two phone calls, Intuit is now throwing the problem back at Amex.
Needless to say this is most frustrating!! And I do not know where it goes from here. Unfortunately, I think the only work-around right now is to input transactions manually. The client is not going to be satisfied with this explanation but since I did not write the Quicken program, I cannot go in and fix it.
Peace
Dave
The institutions originally were with the checking accounts of Washington Mutual, and Bank of America. Now my client cannot get downloads from his two American Express credit card accounts!!
I don't run into these problems because I do not download transactions. I input all my transactions manually so unless I forget to enter a transaction, everything is ok. Actually this is the recommended way to run Quicken even if you do download. In this case when you download, you get a window that details transactions and you can "match" them to the ones you input manually.
But my client is very busy and he does not want to manually input all his transactions. So I am in a continuing battle with Intuit. I have contacted their "office of the president" and had about 5 support phone calls with no resolution. The most recent phone call was about the Amex problem. Finally after about two phone calls, Intuit is now throwing the problem back at Amex.
Needless to say this is most frustrating!! And I do not know where it goes from here. Unfortunately, I think the only work-around right now is to input transactions manually. The client is not going to be satisfied with this explanation but since I did not write the Quicken program, I cannot go in and fix it.
Peace
Dave
Friday, February 8, 2008
Quicken 2008 Premier
I have a client who has a problem downloading transactions from Washington Mutual & Bank of America accounts. I have been conferring with Intuit's Quicken support for about 3 weeks now and they have not solved the problem. I will put more detail up here but for now, suffice to say I have been in contact with what is called "the office of the president".
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