My Small Business Consultants

I just posted the next library class.  This one is on how to purchase a computer. 

Outline:

• Evaluate why you need a computer
• What you want to do with the computer
• What should you look for based on your needs (processor, memory, drives, monitor)
• Big Box Stores vs. Online Orders vs. Custom Build
• Mac, PC, Linux          
• Peripherals – printers, external storage, digital cameras, scanners, USB drives

PowerPoint Presentation: http://www.mysmbc.com/LibraryFiles/PurchaseAComputer.ppt

Here is a link to a site that hosts online classes for free.  If you would like to understand the basics of a particular topic, this is a great place to get started.  Classes usually consist of about 4-8 lessons and can be completed when you have the time.  You read through a lesson and then do the follow up exercises before moving on to the next lesson.  If you have questions, there is a class leader for each course you take.  You can email them or post in the class forum.  I have found the classes to be helpful and informative.  As of this posting there were about 70 classes available.

Check them out: http://classes.cnet.com/

Reading my HP Technology Newsletter for September, I ran across a link for templates for your business.  If you are looking for preconfigure documents for your software, check out HP’s Business Templates & Images.  Word, Publisher, Power Point, Quark and more.

http://www.hp.com/sbso/productivity/office/index.html?jumpid=em_taw/us/sep07/smb/ipg/emailsubid/mrm/mcc/s1/rbu_category/craftidentity&dimid=1433560644&dicid=taw_sep07

InfoWorld is reporting today that Microsoft is acknowledging they pushed a “secret” update to every XP and Vista user.  If you are like me and have your windows update set to let you know when an update is ready and not install them until you are ready, then you had this update pushed onto your computer with out it asking.  I knew something was a little strange when both my XP and Vista machines had rebooted during the night and were waiting for me to log in in the morning. 

 The good news is that the “secret” updates were patches to Windows Update and Microsoft Update.

 For more information about the update check out the InfoWorld article at:

http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/09/13/Microsoft-says-secret-updates-were-for-Windows-Update-itself_1.html

I attended a Microsoft Connections event near the end of August.  While most of the event was focused on group collaboration and Microsoft’s Share Point Products, there was one item that grabbed my attention and I am a little excited for its release.  That is Microsoft’s Response Point product.  What?  You have not heard of this product?  Actually, I am not surprised.  It’s not software.  It’s not something you attach to your computer.  It’s not something for the large corporation.  It’s for us, the small business owners.Here is the concept.  You have a small device that attaches to your network and your existing phone system.  That can be POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) or VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).  Then you attach a number of compatible telephones to this system.  Instantly you have a multi-extension phone system that can compete with the major phone companies.   Here are a number of links for more information from Microsoft:

• http://www.microsoft.com/responsepoint/default.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/responsepoint/product_information.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/products/response-point/default.aspx#overview

I am seriously looking at adding this to my Vonage line.  I use my business phone for a number of different functions.  It’s my business contact line, Voice Mail line for two podcasts, and a place I can leave messages and have them converted to .wav files.  If I can get a system that will provide me with different mailboxes for each of those functions, I will seriously consider purchasing the system.Response Point is not due out until sometime in October.  I hope to have more information as the release date approaches. 

I have posted the first library class online.  You can find it at the Small Office, Home Office Technology Podcast.  http://www.sohotechpodcast.com

Here is a link to the Power Point Slide Deck that I used for the class.  http://www.mysmbc.com/LibraryFiles/ComputerBasics.ppt

Right Click the link and choose Download or Save to transfer to your Desktop