Friday, June 25, 2010
Small office Network solution
The following diagram illustrates a small office solution which utilizes a free google gmail account, allowing for shared contacts and calendars. This can be set up through the open source (free) e-mail client Thunderbird and Lightning. Plugins allow for the gmail syncing capabilities. This setup provides a low cost, complete simple network solution, and is designed to save a small startup company hundreds or even thousands in initial network costs. The machines labeled as "servers" are desktop systems which also function as servers for simple server functions like print serving or backing up critical files on the network.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
5 Most Useful FREE software Packages
The following software packages are free for even businesses to use; they are released under an "open source" license. This typically means businesses are free to use, modify and distribute as needed. Review the licenses to ensure compliance, as we are not responsible for how you use the software. The software is rated according to widespread usefulness, reliability, and cost savings.
1.) Open Office: http://download.openoffice.org/
Stop paying for your office suite. OpenOffice.org is the leading open-source office suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It can even read and write in Microsoft (TM) .doc format.
2.) Thunderbird and Lightning: Thunderbird is a quality e-mail program. Combine it with the plugin Lightning for an integrated calendar. Setup a free Google (TM) gmail account and you can install plug-ins which will synchronize your contacts, calendars, and even text important events to your cell phone. You can also share you calendar with others, creating a viable communication system. Since you are using the Google server, you can access all of this information away from your desk with your internet enabled cell phone or any internet connection. All this can be done without paying any monthly licensing or fees.
3.) Ubuntu Linux Desktop/Server operating systems: Linux is arguably "there" as an operating system. Ubuntu, built on the Debian version of Linux, will easily install software, is reliable, and has almost every type of software package you might need. As a server, it can run effectively on limited hardware. On a desktop with gnome, it is similar in function to it's windows (TM) counterpart. Both server and desktop versions install easily.
4.) MySQL: MySQL is a fast, reliable and easy to use database system, and is used in a wide variety of applications. It is the world's most popular open source database.
5.) Apache, BIND, Open SSH/SSL: Okay, so we are cheating and putting 3 into 1, but all of these need a mention. Apache is the open source web server for hosting websites, and is the most widely used such software in the world, and for a reason: it is, in our opinion, the best such software. BIND, (Berkeley Internet Name Domain), performs name resolution, transforming names to IP addresses. Finally, open SSH (secure shell) SSL (secure socket layer) allows for secure communication across networks.
1.) Open Office: http://download.openoffice.org/
Stop paying for your office suite. OpenOffice.org is the leading open-source office suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It can even read and write in Microsoft (TM) .doc format.
2.) Thunderbird and Lightning: Thunderbird is a quality e-mail program. Combine it with the plugin Lightning for an integrated calendar. Setup a free Google (TM) gmail account and you can install plug-ins which will synchronize your contacts, calendars, and even text important events to your cell phone. You can also share you calendar with others, creating a viable communication system. Since you are using the Google server, you can access all of this information away from your desk with your internet enabled cell phone or any internet connection. All this can be done without paying any monthly licensing or fees.
3.) Ubuntu Linux Desktop/Server operating systems: Linux is arguably "there" as an operating system. Ubuntu, built on the Debian version of Linux, will easily install software, is reliable, and has almost every type of software package you might need. As a server, it can run effectively on limited hardware. On a desktop with gnome, it is similar in function to it's windows (TM) counterpart. Both server and desktop versions install easily.
4.) MySQL: MySQL is a fast, reliable and easy to use database system, and is used in a wide variety of applications. It is the world's most popular open source database.
5.) Apache, BIND, Open SSH/SSL: Okay, so we are cheating and putting 3 into 1, but all of these need a mention. Apache is the open source web server for hosting websites, and is the most widely used such software in the world, and for a reason: it is, in our opinion, the best such software. BIND, (Berkeley Internet Name Domain), performs name resolution, transforming names to IP addresses. Finally, open SSH (secure shell) SSL (secure socket layer) allows for secure communication across networks.
5 Core Computer repair principles.
1.) REBOOT
When experiencing computer problems, attempt a reboot first. It is common for a reboot to fix a malfunctioning system.
2.) ERROR MESSAGES
The most important clue you will often get is an error message related to your problem. Sometimes this error message is in the form of a "pop up" message. Other times you may find a related error message in the systems' logs. It is critical to WRITE DOWN THE ERROR MESSAGE EXACTLY. If you have internet access, google the exact error message in quotes, ie: "No drive detected".
3.) BOOT DISKS
One of the most powerful computer repair tools you can have are boot disks. Such disks can allow you to boot an otherwise unbootable system. Some boot disks will then allow you to run diagnostic utilities like hardware & virus scans, and most boot disks will allow you to recover files off of your hard drive, as long as your hard drive is functional. There are commercial versions available, but there are also excellent free versions. One such free boot disk is the Ultimate boot disk, www.ultimatebootcd.com. Usually you will download the boot disk image in the form of an .iso or .img file, and burn it to a CD.
There is also an Ultimate boot disk for Windows (www.ubcd4win.com ), which will incorporate windows operating system files into your boot disk (you must have a valid windows disk).
Book disks will usually allow you to confirm whether your problem is software or hardware related. This is incredibly useful. If the system runs fine off of the boot disk, then you have a software problem. The main exception to this rule is that the problem could be related to the hard drive, since the hard drive is not used when booting from the boot disk.
4.) INSTALLATION DISK
Re-installation disks are needed if you need to re-install your operating system. These disks used to be provided upon purchase of a new computer. Today, you must contact the computer manufacturer and request installation disks. Some companies charge for the disk.
5.) BASIC KNOWLEDGE
Continue to improve your knowledge of how computers operate. Realize first that most computer problems are software related.
If the problem is hardware related, note the following statistics:
- About 50% of computer hardware failures are related to the hard drive.
- About 28% of computer hardware failures are related to the power supply. This is usually a transformer.
So, between the hard drive and power supply you have covered about 78% of your potential problems. The remaining components--flash memory, processor chip, motherboard, NIC card, etc., make up only a small portion of your problems.
When experiencing computer problems, attempt a reboot first. It is common for a reboot to fix a malfunctioning system.
2.) ERROR MESSAGES
The most important clue you will often get is an error message related to your problem. Sometimes this error message is in the form of a "pop up" message. Other times you may find a related error message in the systems' logs. It is critical to WRITE DOWN THE ERROR MESSAGE EXACTLY. If you have internet access, google the exact error message in quotes, ie: "No drive detected".
3.) BOOT DISKS
One of the most powerful computer repair tools you can have are boot disks. Such disks can allow you to boot an otherwise unbootable system. Some boot disks will then allow you to run diagnostic utilities like hardware & virus scans, and most boot disks will allow you to recover files off of your hard drive, as long as your hard drive is functional. There are commercial versions available, but there are also excellent free versions. One such free boot disk is the Ultimate boot disk, www.ultimatebootcd.com. Usually you will download the boot disk image in the form of an .iso or .img file, and burn it to a CD.
There is also an Ultimate boot disk for Windows (www.ubcd4win.com ), which will incorporate windows operating system files into your boot disk (you must have a valid windows disk).
Book disks will usually allow you to confirm whether your problem is software or hardware related. This is incredibly useful. If the system runs fine off of the boot disk, then you have a software problem. The main exception to this rule is that the problem could be related to the hard drive, since the hard drive is not used when booting from the boot disk.
4.) INSTALLATION DISK
Re-installation disks are needed if you need to re-install your operating system. These disks used to be provided upon purchase of a new computer. Today, you must contact the computer manufacturer and request installation disks. Some companies charge for the disk.
5.) BASIC KNOWLEDGE
Continue to improve your knowledge of how computers operate. Realize first that most computer problems are software related.
If the problem is hardware related, note the following statistics:
- About 50% of computer hardware failures are related to the hard drive.
- About 28% of computer hardware failures are related to the power supply. This is usually a transformer.
So, between the hard drive and power supply you have covered about 78% of your potential problems. The remaining components--flash memory, processor chip, motherboard, NIC card, etc., make up only a small portion of your problems.
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