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June 27 Google - What does the big "G" really want to accomplish?Google, or better known as G-this and G-that... I mean honestly, who doesn't know Google and its astounding market share (NASDAQ: GOOG) and creating billionaires out of anyone standing near or around Stanford University.
They've given us wonderful tools like (in no particular order):
No doubt Google has pioneered many advances that make our on-line lives more connected, integrated, and simpler to get where and what we want. Now, here is where Google begins to scare me:
Why does this scare me? Simply put, Google has its hands in so much of what we do on-line - and will do. And is slowly creeping into the non-traditional tech (telephone) that used to be quite secure from prying eyes/ears. With the above, Google will be able to:
Now, whether Google will actually use or harvest this information and create individual profiles on each citizen of the world - who knows. Save that for the conspiracy theorists... My gut reaction is that Google is spreading itself into so many small niches of my life. I feel anxious that every Saturday some guy up in Google HQ decides to pull up my harvested profile and have some buddies over for a good chuckle - reviewing the entire week of phone calls, e-mails, web searches and files that I have created. Wouldn't it be nice to be so important that it actually occurred? Maybe it does. With the Department of Homeland security wanting more information from more citizens, maybe they should just embed themselves in the corporate culture of Google. With so much access to so much information, Google seems to be the best place to get information. Maybe the big "G" stands for Government? Find out how ZONE-X can help your Small Business with IT Services & SupportAdobe Acrobat - File Name Too Long ErrorAdobe Acrobat Error: "The Disk you were saving to or the disk used for temporary files is full"We recently had a bit of a brain teaser... Adobe Acrobat would not allow a client to save a file to a specific subfolder. Obviously it smelled like a permissions error... Checked all that, no problems. Created some new folders called "TEST" and the client was able to save the Adobe PDF file to that folder - no problems. But when we tried a folder 2-3 levels deeper, the same error message kept coming up:
Error Message:
"The document could not be saved. The disk you were saving to or the disk used for temporary files is full. Free some space on this disk and try again, or save to a different disk." So, after some sleuthing around the Internet, we stumbled upon a simple explanation: Adobe Acrobat Reader cannot process document titles that exceed 100 characters.
The solution is to shrink the folder structure (or rather the characters contained therein) so as to get the character limit to be less than 100 (or so) characters.
We all win!
Find out how ZONE-X can help your Small Business with IT Services & SupportSeptember 05 Electronic Fax Security - Is it safe?Electronic Fax Security - Is it safe?
We receive a great deal of questions from our clients about the safety and security of their customer data. While a layered approach always seems to be the best practice, we find that most of our clients make assumptions about certain methods of communication - especially e-mail and electronic faxing. We at ZoNE-X felt compelled to share our insight on one of the many misconceptions that is prevalent in current times.
What is electronic faxing (E-Faxing)?
Electronic faxing, or E-Faxing, is a method used to convert traditional faxes into electronic format (either TIFF, JPG, GIF, or PDF) that can be accessed via a computer. Most times it is subscription based, meaning you pay an outside or 3rd party service provider to utilize the service. Rather than relying on a physical device to receive your fax and transfer it to paper, E-Faxing can deliver a document that will show up on your computer screen. Not only is this a great time saver, but it is a great resource to make an effort towards "going green" by conserving paper, electricity and eliminating an extra device to maintain.
If I am the only person who receives the E-Fax, isn't it secure?
A common misconception is that something that can only be seen on your computer screen is safe from prying eyes. Most people feel that as long as no person can physically see the item on their computer screen, then it is safe from unwarranted access. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everything that is carried over your company network, let alone the Internet, can be accessed by a clever individual. Assume that anything that opens up very easily, or can be accessed by a few clicks, is more than likely an insecure data source or document. Here's why...
Why is my E-Fax not safe & secure?
Most electronic faxing occurs with the help of an outside service. Some of the popular services are J2, E-Fax, and FaxMicro. All offer different levels of service, depending on your specific needs. But there is a common link - they all primarily use e-mail to deliver the faxes to your computer. This is where that warm fuzzy feeling starts to fade. With a traditional telephone line, it would require direct physical access to either the receiver or the sender's telephone line (at the building or inside the office) for someone to intercept a fax communication. E-Faxing is secure up until the point it becomes an e-mail message and is delivered to your inbox across the Internet.
Why is this an issue?
As a result of the fact that faxes are held with high regard to be legally binding documents (by faxing a signature, you can be held liable for most legally binding transactions), you can easily see the need to safeguard the information contained therein. But, as most people (at unfortunately) do not understand, e-mail is one of the most INSECURE methods of communication on the Internet. It is the non-physical counterpart to sending a postcard through the postal service. Anyone who wants is able to read your postcard (and you will never know). Just the same, anyone who wants, and has the technical ability, can read your e-mail. As such is the case, they have access to all that juicy information contained within each and every e-mail you feel is a one-way link to your intended recipient - and we mean ALL OF IT!
This basic fact arises - E-mail is insecure; therefore anything received via e-mail is insecure. (E-mail = Not Secure)
With the exception of encrypted e-mail (certificate/key based encryption), 100% of your private communications via e-mail are in fact... NOT PRIVATE. If someone really, really, really wants to take a peek at those personal photos, videos, or E-Faxes you are sending as attachments, they CAN and they WILL.
Should I use E-Faxing for my fax needs?
The answer is YES and NO - as it depends on your specific situation. If you have a duty to your customer to protect their private data/information that is a regular part of what you receive via fax, then you should absolutely NOT USE an E-Faxing service. If you only receive basic documentation and nothing exceptionally personal, private, or copyrighted, then using E-Faxing is a great tool. There are methods to receive E-Faxes to a device at your office, which does not traverse the Internet. This is much more secure than using a 3rd party service. However, that crafty co-worker who wants to steal your business leads may simply access your files and see what is in that E-Fax - but corporate theft is a different topic all together.
I am confused & concerned... What should I do now?
At ZoNE-X, we are problem solvers. Send us a brief message with your specific issue. We can help you find a solution or walk you through your concerns until you arrive at a 100% satisfactory resolution. Give us a call at: +1 (877) 77-ZONE-X or +1 (877) 779-6639 or visit our website at: www.zone-x.com
Find out how ZONE-X can help your Small Business with IT Services & SupportJuly 18 Does your Business need a Server?Is Our Business Ready for a Server-based Network?Many small business owners are reluctant to interrupt operations and invest the time needed to switch the companies’ computers from a peer-to-peer (P2P) network to a server-based one. While the fears of down time may be understandable, these entrepreneurs are ultimately compromising their businesses. Why? By moving from P2P to a server-based network, small business owners should discover that the long-term gains in efficiency, productivity and, ultimately, profitability, will far exceed any short-term losses that could be incurred by making the switch. Small Business Networking At first glance, P2P seems to be a viable solution for budget-conscious small businesses. But the reality is much different. The fundamental problem with P2P is that it drastically reduces the processing speed of each node. This is because each computer in a P2P must act as a both a repository for information and workstation. For example, while you are working on a document from your computer, one of your employees may be retrieving a different file also stored on your computer. As a result, your computer slows down to fulfill both requests. A server-based network instantly wipes out this headache, because the server – and not individual computers – is the information hub. As a result, your company can realize dramatic improvements in efficiency, productivity – and the bottom line – in the short term and well down the road. Server Purpose and Set Up For example, Megan Duckett, founder of Sew What?, Inc. -- a company in Rancho Dominguez, Calif. that produces custom-made curtains, drapes and stage settings for concerts tours, theaters and other special events – recently upgraded her server-based network to allow her business to keep up with rapidly growing customer demand. After installing a server, Duckett and her staff saw immediate productivity improvements.
Benefit Because the goal of many companies is to grow, small businesses are looking for technology that can grow with them. Servers that are affordable – yet fully scalable – can do exactly that. In fact, it’s not unusual for a company to begin with only a handful of employees and grow to dozens, using the same server along the way. Because the goal of many companies is to grow, small businesses are looking for technology that can grow with them. Servers that are affordable – yet fully scalable – can do exactly that. In fact, it’s not unusual for a company to begin with only a handful of employees and grow to dozens, using the same server along the way.
These and other potential benefits explain why small businesses are increasingly beginning with – or switching from P2P networks to – server-based networks. Servers are built to manage data from multiple users at the same time. While one person is saving files another person could be retrieving files at the same time. Having a server-based network is also a great way to help ensure reliability. One way servers accomplish this is by having multiple internal hard drives. For instance, if you get a server with two hard drives you can have a mirror setup where the data that you save to the server is being copied to both hard drives. If one hard drives happens to fail then the other hard drive keeps the server running and has all of your files intact and accessible. Another way a server can help ensure reliability is through the use of multiple power supplies which are available. On a personal computer, if your power supply goes out, you’re pretty much down. However, if a server has redundant power supplies and one of them goes out, the other power supply will take over ensure continuous activity. Types of Servers Rack servers are reliable, space-saving solutions designed for expandability. These servers are capable for a range of performance and scalability requirements for different businesses. They help you protect your mission-critical business applications and make the most efficient use of your server space. Support & Guidance Offered May 09 Vonage VOIP Going Down for the Count? We think so...Woe is the foe...
Is it possible that the residential VOIP pioneer, Vonage, could end up slipping down the proverbial drain? Analysts are warning that it appears to be the case... Warnings and speculation about Vonage's ability to keep their financial issues in check abound on the Internet. Financial analysts saw it coming from day 1 - shortly after their initial IPO filing. Once everyone found out how much money Vonage was spending on its marketing campaigns (TV, Internet, radio, etc.), nobody thought it would be possible to sustain. I guess they were right!
Here is a great article about the woes of Vonage from PCWorld:
So, in the essence of free choice and a free market, we make the following suggestion: SWITCH, and SWITCH NOW! After testing several of the larger VOIP providers, we are siding with VIA Talk (click here for more info). After careful review of some of the top players, VIA Talk has outshined in several key categories. It is our best advice that going with VIA Talk will provide you with the same features and functionality of Vonage, except at a better service level. Better customer service (as we all know how bad Vonage's customer service personnel have been), more features (anonymous call blocking - incoming calls; SIP phone cabilities - use with softphone or SIP device for free; and much more). You can check out the additional features here at the VIA Talk website. If you are currently using a SIP based phone or phone service, VIA Talk allows you to BYOD (bring your own device) at no additional charge - it actually costs less to do it this way! Even though Vonage may make it out of the patent lawsuits, the damage has been done. It is now time for the other VOIP providers to shine on in the sunlight - no longer hiding in the shadows. If you end up using VIA Talk, drop us a line. We want to hear about your experience! ZoNE-X March 30 Vonage Going Bankrupt? Early warning signs...Woe is the foe...
Is it possible that the residential VOIP pioneers, Vonage, could end up slipping down the proverbial drain? Analysts are warning that it appears to be the case... Warnings and speculation about Vonage's ability to keep their financial issues in check abound on the Internet. Financial analysts saw it coming from day 1 - shortly after their initial IPO filing. Once everyone found out how much money Vonage was spending on its marketing campaigns (TV, Internet, radio, etc.), nobody thought it would be possible to sustain. I guess they were right!
Here is a great article about the woes of Vonage from PCWorld:
So, in the essence of free choice and a free market, we make the following suggestion: SWITCH, and SWITCH NOW! After testing several of the larger VOIP providers, we are siding with VIA Talk (click here for more info) It is our best advice that going with VIA Talk will provide you with the same features and functionality of Vonage, except at a better service level. Better customer service (as we all know how bad Vonage's customer service personnel have been), more features (anonymous call blocking - incoming calls; SIP phone cabilities - use with softphone or SIP device for free; and much more). You can check out the additional features here at the VIA Talk website. If you end up using them, drop us a line. We want to hear about your experience! ZoNE-X January 22 Windows Vista: Should I upgrade?We have been getting a ton of questions from clients and website visitors about Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows Vista. The new operating system is trying to replace Windows XP as the new standard in the PC workspace. The big question, SHOULD I UPGRADE? Here's our opinion on the subject matter...
Most consumer users are using PC's bought in the last 2-3 years. Windows XP represented a very broad usability specification in terms of what kind of power needed to be implemented to run it, and run it well. Systems ranging from under 1Ghz and 256MB of memory were able to make it crawl, but to get Windows XP running well, something above 1Ghz and 512MB of RAM were essential. Windows Vista is the most demanding operating system in the world. They have offered system specifications that aren't too far off from what most of consumers are using. However, is it absolutely necessary to upgrade hardware in order to use Windows Vista? You bet, and here's why...
Windows Vista claims to be able to run with the following minimum specifications:
Microsoft Vista Home Basic
Microsoft Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Vista Business, Microsoft Vista Enterprise, and Microsoft Vista Ultimate
These are some pretty beefy requirements, especially since most of us will need to completely upgrade our hardware to facilitate the ability run the OS. Not to mention, the hardware upgrade costs are just one facet of the big picture... Don't forget how much this new version of Windows will cost... Nearly double the price of the most powerful version of Windows XP - Windows XP Professional (Retail for $200). Windows Vista Ultimate will tip the charts at $400 (MSRP). This will knock out the budget of any small business wishing to jump to the next level of Microsoft product offerings. Our suggestion is this... WAIT! Just give it some time. As Vista is released to market (which has still yet not OFFICALLY happened), you will start to hear the hype and news about its actual usage. Bugs, updates, patches, incompatibilities will begin to surface (as they already have). Stay strong, sit back, and let things take their course. I would venture to say that Windows Vista will be ripe and ready by Summer 2007. Byt then, Quad-core processors will have pushed the price of dual-core down a bit. Memory is always volatile, so you can't predict the expenditure on RAM... And hard drives simply continue to amass volume on a monthly basis. When the time comes, our suggestion on hardware would be: Processor: 2.0Ghz Dual-core (Core Duo Intel) Remember, nobody got hurt by waiting for the next bus. Sit tight, it is not going to pass you by. Just wait until they get all the kinks worked out. ZoNE-X June 30 Bosses: 10 Tips for Effective E-Mail CommunicationsBosses: 10 tips for better e-mails
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Use e-mail as one channel of communication, but not your only one. It's fast and easy. It can document discussions. It enables high-impact messages to be sent around the world with the click of a mouse. But it also misleads bosses into thinking they can manage large groups of people through regular group e-mails, Owens says. Use e-mail wisely, but don't manage your company through it. You won't reach everybody you need to reach and your presence won't be felt. |
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Keep it short and sweet and don't allow e-mail threads longer than a football field. Know that e-mails longer than one screen-full often aren't read right away; they get shoved to the end of the day or the next morning. Know also when it's time to put down the mouse and go talk to someone, or pick up the phone. There comes a point when further e-mailing eats up time unnecessarily. |
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De-code your messages as much as possible. Say what you really want to have happen. Start with the subject line: Make it clear and compelling (and be willing to change it when the subject in a thread changes). Be certain about who really needs to be on the "to:" and the "cc:" line. Be clear about action items and priorities. Spell them out, as lists or bulleted items. Include a response button or some other mechanism if you must know that everyone has read and understood your message. |
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Encourage people to respond with questions. That's akin to keeping your office door open. |
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Save your wrath for face-to-face meetings. "Flame mails," or e-mails dripping with criticism or venom, often backfire. Terse e-mails, because they are not accompanied by the writer's facial expression or body language, can easily come across more harsh than intended. You control the message -- and the emotions on the other end -- much better by delivering it in person or over the phone. |
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Likewise, inject humor, but keep emoticons, smiley faces and joke mails to a minimum. The smiley faces do help clarify when you are being facetious. But too many facetious mails will erode at your attempts to write serious ones. What about joke e-mails? Some companies forbid them. Send them or pass them on at your own risk, Owens says. There is usually more downside than upside, but everybody needs a good laugh now and then. Again, too many joke mails will erode your attempts to send serious ones. |
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Consider setting a 5-minute buffer between when you send and when it goes out. Both Owens and Maureen Dolan Rosen, a human resources consultant, see value in managers being able to retract poorly written messages before they even go out. "A 5-minute rule won't hurt anyone," Owens says. In Microsoft Outlook, you can delay the delivery of messages for a specified time through the "Rules Wizard." If you're angry when you're about to write, take a step further. Get up and walk around or do something else before you write the mail. |
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Work in time each day to answer your e-mails, or get help. If you can't keep up during a normal day, build time into your work day or delegate some of the responsibility. When is it too late to respond to someone? Never. Just make sure you have a good explanation. |
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If you can't write e-mails effectively, get some training. Or at least get help from a secretary or subordinate. E-mail should have some role in your communication with employees, partners and others -- there is really no valid reason to avoid it. But know that any remote workers and others who don't see you regularly may judge you largely on your e-mails. |
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Use spell-check -- and a thesaurus. Avoid typos and mangled sentences. They make you look bad. Avoid clichés, too. |
ZoNE-X Awarded Small Business Specialist Certification from Microsoft
(Click here for PDF Version of Press Release)
For Release 10:00 a.m. PDT
June 15, 2006
Microsoft Announces New Small Business Specialist
in Carlsbad & Huntington Beach, CA.
New designation distinguishes ZoNE-X as an expert in small-business solutions and services.
Carlsbad & Huntington Beach, CA — June 15, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced ZoNE-X has become the first Small Business Specialist in the Carlsbad & Huntington Beach metropolitan area. To attain this new designation, ZoNE-X has demonstrated expertise in planning and building solutions for small businesses. As part of the Small Business Specialist Community, ZoNE-X will receive a rich set of benefits from Microsoft, including access to training specifically designed for the small-business industry, small-business marketing materials for reuse, special partner offers, and the ability to use the Small Business Specialist logo in marketing materials, which can help give the company a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The Small Business Specialist Community, available as a competency-like designation as part of the Microsoft® Partner Program, was developed in response to input from customers and partners that expressed a need to build easier connections that enable small-business customers to quickly and easily identify technology partners best suited to support them.
“Small businesses are looking for partner companies that understand their unique business needs,” said Steve Guggenheimer, vice president of small business for the Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partner Group at Microsoft. “With resources like the Small Business Specialist Community and the partner locator tool on the Microsoft Small Business Center Web site, it will be much easier for Huntington Beach, CA’s small businesses to identify local partners that are best able to address their specific needs. We are confident this offering will help ZoNE-X reach its full potential by creating more visibility, opportunity and demand in the local small-business segment.”
“ZoNE-X is extremely pleased with our status as a new Small Business Specialist,” said Thomas Paquet, Owner at ZoNE-X. “This special designation allows ZoNE-X to effectively promote ourselves to customers as having proven expertise in delivering high-value, strategic solutions for small businesses. For San Diego & Orange County area customers, Small Business Specialist status provides ZoNE-X with early line of sight to new products, services and programs from Microsoft, which can extend the value we bring to our client relationships.”
As one of the requirements for attaining Small Business Specialist status, ZoNE-X had to pass Microsoft’s Small Business Sales and Marketing Skills Assessment, designed to test the company’s knowledge of the dynamics and dependencies of the small-business market, as well as the value to small business of several software solutions, including Windows® XP Professional, Microsoft Office 2003 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. In addition, at least one individual in the company had to pass a certification exam that measures the ability to design and implement solutions for the small and medium-sized business by using Windows Small Business Server 2003 and the Windows Server System™.
The Small Business Specialist Community was announced earlier this month at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2006. To enroll, partners can go to https://partner.microsoft.com/smallbizspecreadiness.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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Microsoft, Windows and Windows Server System are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information, press only:
Support Team, ZoNE-X, +1 (877) 77-ZONE-X, support@zone-x.com
Skype - Is it all just HYPE?
Adding Group Policy Logon Disclaimer for Windows 2003
Troubleshooting
If you use a Group Policy setting to configure Windows Server to display a message when users log on, the operating system writes the registry changes that are described in the preceding section. However, the same registry values appear in the following registry key:Problems sending fax w/ HP All in One & Vonage or VoIP providers?
HP 6110xi cannot send faxes using VOIP Telephones
We are always testing new technologies, so we found the latest issues when using a fax w/ a VoIP line service (i.e. Vonage, Voicepulse, Packet8, etc.). Most fax machines and/or fax modems have trouble sending/receiving on these types of lines. You will find that most hardware vendors (HP, Brother, Canon) will suggest to lower the baud rate to 9600 and turn off error-correction-modem (ECM). We tested an HP 6110xi All-in-one (fax, copier, scanner, printer) and had to rely on HP tech support to get us into the system programming. Remember, this is for a specific HP model, so, try this at your own risk for other models:
- Press * and # at the same time, and then release both keys
- Press 1, 2, and then 3, releasing each key before pressing the next
- The display window should read "Service" with a revision number
- Press the right arrow button once
- The display should read "System Configuration"
- Press Enter
- Press the right arrow button until "r/w parameter" appears in the display
- Press Enter
- The display should read "parameter 0"
- Press 153
- Press Enter
- The current value will display
- Press 2, then press Enter
- Press 159
- Press Enter
- The current value will display
- Press 2, then press Enter
- When modifications are complete, press Cancel repeatedly until the date and time appear in the display
We were able to successfully fax after making these changes. We also turned off ECM (error correction mode) to ensure the highest success rate.
Let us know if this does/doesn't work for you!
Connect to wireless networks using Windows XP
DVD Formats? DVD+R versus DVD-R
Do Burned CDs Have a Short Life Span?
Opinions vary on how to preserve data on digital storage media, such as optical CDs and DVDs. Kurt Gerecke, a physicist and storage expert at IBM Deutschland, has his own view: If you want to avoid having to burn new CDs every few years, use magnetic tapes to store all your pictures, videos and songs for a lifetime.
"Unlike pressed original CDs, burned CDs have a relatively short life span of between two to five years, depending on the quality of the CD," Gerecke says. "There are a few things you can do to extend the life of a burned CD, like keeping the disc in a cool, dark space, but not a whole lot more."
The problem is material degradation. Optical discs commonly used for burning, such as CD-R and CD-RW, have a recording surface consisting of a layer of dye that can be modified by heat to store data. The degradation process can result in the data "shifting" on the surface and thus becoming unreadable to the laser beam.
"Many of the cheap burnable CDs available at discount stores have a life span of around two years," Gerecke says. "Some of the better-quality discs offer a longer life span, of a maximum of five years."
Distinguishing high-quality burnable CDs from low-quality discs is difficult, he says, because few vendors use life span as a selling point.
Mail Merge Tips from Microsoft
Problems w/ Sprint PPC-6700 & Activesync
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