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Tech of all Trades
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Windows Vista -- Borg technology -- prepare to be assimilated
Suffering the upgrade blues? Windows Vista is sure to make you feel worse, at least for a while.
Posted by Susan Harkins | August 4, 2008, 8:10 AM PDT | Latest comment by alpho07@...
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Backups aren't expensive, but they are necessary
Data is money. There's no getting around it. Regardless of what your business provides, data is critical. Back it up, every day or risk losing money.
Posted by Susan Harkins | July 23, 2008, 12:00 AM PDT
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Secure your laptops, seriously
Are your users loading laptops with sensitive data? If so, they probably do it without a thought for security. There are alternatives. Don't let your laptops and data become easy prey.
Posted by Susan Harkins | July 16, 2008, 12:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by Neon Samurai
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Strong passwords-realistic or burdensome?
You don't have to run a large IT shop to know that security is a major issue. However, when rules meant to protect data become too heavy a burden for users to maintain, rules have a tendency to...
Posted by Susan Harkins | July 9, 2008, 12:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by ITSecurityGuy
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Tips for small businesses who don't want to skip security
The majority of small businesses don't have the resources for a dedicated technology specialist, so barring a close friend or family member who happens to be a geek, there are a lot of businesses...
Posted by Andy Moon | July 6, 2008, 8:36 PM PDT | Latest comment by Neon Samurai
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Some early IT goals still not realized
Our parents seldom changed jobs. Now the average worker changes jobs every few years. In addition, we're still commuting although the technology to work remotely exists. As fast as technology...
Posted by Susan Harkins | July 6, 2008, 11:49 AM PDT | Latest comment by Locrian_Lyric
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Texas Law requires computer repair techs to be Private Investigators
If you repair computers in Texas and come in contact with data, you could be breaking the law. Unless, that is, you are also a licensed Private Investigator.
Posted by Tricia Liebert | July 3, 2008, 11:16 AM PDT | Latest comment by cmiller5400
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How I set up our small business' tech side
Setting up a small business is a significant undertaking, but one that can be done with a little legwork and the appropriate technology. I am not going to talk about the business side of things...
Posted by Andy Moon | June 30, 2008, 8:10 PM PDT
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What's in your stall?
I think it's safe to say that most of you don't like public restrooms. But, I've never given much thought to what's on the other side of the wall, although, holes in the ceiling give me the...
Posted by Susan Harkins | June 30, 2008, 6:05 AM PDT
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Configure Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Remote Access
Windows Small Business Server possesses powerful remote administration features. Follow these step-by-step procedures to get remote administration installed and configured in your enterprise.
Posted by Toni Bowers | June 23, 2008, 7:57 AM PDT | Latest comment by daffoml@...
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Real world example of scope creep
Large projects have a tendency to incorporate scope creep almost by inheritance. The small details of one of the many facets of the project are easily overlooked. In this example, the small...
Posted by Tim Malone | June 21, 2008, 11:05 PM PDT | Latest comment by mikifinaz1@...
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Tips for troubleshooting slowdowns in small business networks
A sluggish network can mean cranky users, loss of productivity, and big headaches for the IT staff. But solving--and even preventing--slowdowns is a whole lot easier when you know the most likely...
Posted by Toni Bowers | June 20, 2008, 7:43 AM PDT
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The three most important security steps the small business should take
Security is complex but you have to start somewhere. This is, in my opinion, the bare minimum, basic, no-brainer, and got-to-have things for small business security.
Posted by Jeremy Smith | June 19, 2008, 12:10 PM PDT | Latest comment by elizabeth_coleman@...
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Installing System Center Essentials 2007 for midmarket IT shops
For the monitoring, system management, and software deployment side of the house in a mid-sized company, Microsoft offers System Center Essentials 2007. Here we walk through a sample installation...
Posted by Scott Lowe | June 17, 2008, 8:16 AM PDT | Latest comment by WTRTHS
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Proving to business leaders that new technology is not just a gimmick
Learn how to overcome the resistance of business leaders to new technology projects through more effective communication.
Posted by Shannon Kalvar | June 17, 2008, 5:56 AM PDT
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New user guide to TechRepublic
I have searched all over TechRepublic for a new user guide. I'm sure there's one out there but I haven't been able to find it so I decided to write my own. Hopefully, this introduction to the...
Posted by Tim Malone | May 30, 2008, 7:09 PM PDT | Latest comment by CharlieSpencer_Palmetto
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I only read the stories for the comments
Reading essays on Tech Republic blogs is great way to keep your pulse on how technology is being used in the real world. Tech Republic is famous for going beneath the covers of the news stories...
Posted by Tim Malone | May 30, 2008, 3:51 PM PDT | Latest comment by The 'G-Man.'
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Setting up a remote hot site
Our disaster recovery plan has migrated from a remote backup service to a remote hot site. We decided against using hosted services because of the ongoing monthly costs. In this update I detail...
Posted by Tim Malone | May 10, 2008, 3:02 PM PDT | Latest comment by me19562
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Fire suppression for the server room
Server room fire suppression technology has been around for as long as there have been server rooms. Most systems use Halon, even though it has been shown to be environmentally unfriendly (ozone...
Posted by Tim Malone | May 9, 2008, 12:08 AM PDT | Latest comment by maclovin
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A new kind of job for the tech professional
I learned about a new type of job today that I really want to do if only I can get somebody to pay me to do it. It's called a Business Technology Professional. Wait. It may not be what you are...
Posted by Tim Malone | April 30, 2008, 5:16 PM PDT | Latest comment by CG IT
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A simple fix for Microsoft Update problems
Microsoft Windows is the most widely used desktop operating system in the world. That doesn't necessarily make it the best. For many of us, supporting it is how we make our living. One of the...
Posted by Tim Malone | March 13, 2008, 8:25 PM PDT | Latest comment by 55418und
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Top 10 sites to debunk urban legends
Has this ever happened to you? You're busy working on an intense project when someone in the company excitedly forwards you one of those stupid urban legend chain mail spams asking if it is...
Posted by Tim Malone | January 4, 2008, 7:06 AM PST | Latest comment by johnston6
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Fire suppression for the server room
Server room fire suppression technology has been around for as long as there have been server rooms. Most systems use Halon, even though it has been shown to be environmentally unfriendly (ozone...
Posted by Tim Malone | May 9, 2008, 12:08 AM PDT | Latest comment by maclovin
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How to enable Remote Desktop on a remote computer
The other day I set up a new workstation for an employee in a remote office. We are a small company so I usually have new computers shipped to me in our main office where I configure them...
Posted by Tim Malone | January 17, 2008, 6:01 PM PST | Latest comment by wizard57m-cnet
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Delegate subfolder permissions in Outlook
After many years of painstaking effort, you have finally trained the CEO to use sub-folders in Outlook. E-mails are now being happily filed in those sub-folders organized in the way that makes...
Posted by Tim Malone | February 19, 2008, 7:52 PM PST | Latest comment by PhilTkgh
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Real world example of scope creep
Large projects have a tendency to incorporate scope creep almost by inheritance. The small details of one of the many facets of the project are easily overlooked. In this example, the small...
Posted by Tim Malone | June 21, 2008, 11:05 PM PDT | Latest comment by mikifinaz1@...
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Configure Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Remote Access
Windows Small Business Server possesses powerful remote administration features. Follow these step-by-step procedures to get remote administration installed and configured in your enterprise.
Posted by Toni Bowers | June 23, 2008, 7:57 AM PDT | Latest comment by daffoml@...
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Trouble with Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook
Yes, I know we're a little behind. We have not yet migrated to Office 2007 or Exchange Server 2007. Even though we are a small business with only about 100 seats that's still a big financial...
Posted by Tim Malone | February 14, 2008, 2:10 PM PST | Latest comment by Aakash Shah
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Texas Law requires computer repair techs to be Private Investigators
If you repair computers in Texas and come in contact with data, you could be breaking the law. Unless, that is, you are also a licensed Private Investigator.
Posted by Tricia Liebert | July 3, 2008, 11:16 AM PDT | Latest comment by cmiller5400
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When accepting a counteroffer is a good idea
I can't tell you how many times I have read career advice articles imploring the reader to never, ever consider accepting a counteroffer. The advice giver, usually a well respected and well-read...
Posted by Tim Malone | March 11, 2008, 10:54 PM PDT | Latest comment by Glastron
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Yes, I am the Web surfing police
One of the duties that long ago fell upon me as the IT Manager in a small company is the responsibility to monitor and report on the Web surfing activities of my co-workers. Yes, I am the Web...
Posted by Tim Malone | March 28, 2008, 3:19 PM PDT | Latest comment by reportguy
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A subordinate refuses an assignment
A few years ago I managed a larger IT staff than I presently do. We held regular staff management meetings to facilitate communication among ourselves. In one of these meetings I tried to...
Posted by Tim Malone | February 24, 2008, 4:58 PM PST | Latest comment by jck
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Pros and cons of remote data backup service
Remote data backup service has been around for several years. This IT Manager has never had a need to consider it seriously until recently. We are updating our disaster recovery plan and looking...
Posted by Tim Malone | April 15, 2008, 8:10 PM PDT | Latest comment by pete_heylin@...
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Tech talk, geek speak and nerd words
Most techs are very comfortable using several acronyms in just about every sentence. When techs talk to each other the acronyms make the conversation go quicker and convey information faster....
Posted by Tim Malone | April 5, 2008, 11:25 PM PDT | Latest comment by dawgit
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Which professional computing association should I join?
If you work in the IT industry you have probably thought about joining a professional association.  As an IT Manager I am considering it.  You may already belong to one of these groups...
Posted by Tim Malone | January 15, 2008, 2:18 AM PST | Latest comment by eddie.frye@...
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New user guide to TechRepublic
I have searched all over TechRepublic for a new user guide. I'm sure there's one out there but I haven't been able to find it so I decided to write my own. Hopefully, this introduction to the...
Posted by Tim Malone | May 30, 2008, 7:09 PM PDT | Latest comment by CharlieSpencer_Palmetto
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When management is wrong
What should you do when management is wrong in asking you to do something? You are closer to the situation and know why the requested course of action is doomed to fail. Should you keep quiet...
Posted by Tim Malone | February 26, 2008, 10:05 AM PST | Latest comment by LeonBA
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HR Policies for tech work after hours
I responded to a post from Toni Bowers on Tech Republic about worker productivity the other day. In doing so I got a little long-winded and animated in my comments. In fact, it migrated into...
Posted by Tim Malone | January 21, 2008, 10:09 AM PST | Latest comment by pj467@...
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Strategic thinking for tactical techs
Strategic thinking is not the exclusive domain of managers and executives. It takes a real talent to see things outside of the normal daily routine. Tactical procedures can use a strategic...
Posted by Tim Malone | April 9, 2008, 12:07 AM PDT | Latest comment by tmalonemcse@...
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Setting up a remote hot site
Our disaster recovery plan has migrated from a remote backup service to a remote hot site. We decided against using hosted services because of the ongoing monthly costs. In this update I detail...
Posted by Tim Malone | May 10, 2008, 3:02 PM PDT | Latest comment by me19562
