Friday, May 09, 2008
HIGH AVAILABILITY COMPUTING (June E-News from 2SS.Com)
[[Contact:26]]
[[Company:25]]
Dear [[Salutation:40]],
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‘ E – N E W S from ‘
‘ 2SS.Com ‘
‘ Compiled and Edited by ‘
‘ Mailed on: 06/01/1999 7:17 PM Number 11 ‘
‘ Int’l Standard Serial No. - ISSN: 1523-3537‘
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‘ This is a SPECIAL ONE-TIME sample copy of ‘
‘ our monthly newsletter that I hope might be of ‘
‘ interest to you or others at [[Company:25]]. ‘
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‘ In this issue (4 Items): ‘
‘ ================ ‘
‘ 1--HIGH AVAILABILITY COMPUTING ‘
‘ 2--QUESTIONS ON E-COMMERCE ‘
‘ 3--PRODUCT WATCH ‘
‘ 4--FIVE STRATEGIC / USEFUL / ‘
‘ INTERESTING LINKS ‘
‘ 5--WHY SUBSCRIBE?, 2SS.Com and YOUR ‘
‘ SUBSCRIPTION. ‘
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‘ --------------Item One----------- ‘
‘ HIGH AVAILABILITY COMPUTING
‘ What do you do to be sure your computer will ‘
‘ always work? (This is not the typical disaster ‘
‘ recovery question. It’s a more important one!) ‘
‘ In recent months 2SS.Com has had the ‘
‘ opportunity to answer that question from a couple ‘
‘ perspectives that you may wish to consider ‘
‘ answering for yourself and your organization. ‘
‘ BACKING UP ‘
‘ Our ethic is that NO COMPUTING TASK is more ‘
‘ important! If you can’t back up at least the data ‘
‘ files you create, you should be anticipating ‘
‘ disaster and doing whatever is needed to avoid it. ‘ As a rule-of-thumb a typical PC can have most ‘
‘ all its application functionality restored in about ‘
‘ 3 or 4 hours. A typical network server probably ‘
‘ requires 8 to 10 hours or more. ‘
‘ BUT the data we create and store on these ‘
‘ computers required many times that ‘
‘ investment to create and may never ‘
‘ be able to be completely re-invented. ‘
‘ RECOVERING DATA ‘
‘ The fortunate thing about the work we do on ‘
‘ computers is that it represents such a small part ‘
‘ of what the computer needs to store and retrieve.
‘ In a typical installation whether for a single PC or ‘
‘ a network server, 2SS.Com recommends ‘
‘ consolidating those data under a single directory ‘
‘ (e.g. ‘Network_Data’ or in Windows 95/98 ‘My ‘
‘ Documents’) and making its backup and recovery ‘
‘ a comparatively small and well-focused task ‘
‘ RECOVERING SYSTEMS ‘
‘ Most ‘experienced’ computer users understand ‘
‘ very well the simple idea of backing up and ‘
‘ recovering files. But with advanced operating ‘
‘ systems a ‘COMPLETE RECOVERY’ is not as ‘
‘ simple to do as it sounds. Some key files are ‘
‘ always opened by the operating system and, ‘
‘ therefore not available to properly back-up as ‘
‘ desired. ‘
‘ A simple answer lies within the increasingly large ‘
‘ and inexpensive hard disks available today. The ‘
‘ complex part is setting up a ‘dual-boot’ system ‘
‘ using the same software by essentially installing ‘
‘ it twice in what are called hard disk partitions. ‘
‘ INSTALL ONCE MINIMALLY ‘
‘ This involves dedicating a small portion (partition) ‘
‘ of your hard disk (Maybe 300 MB for Windows ‘
‘ 95 or 500 for Windows NT) that becomes your ‘
‘ emergency copy of the system. All you need ‘
‘ here are the operating system and your backup ‘
‘ software.
‘ INSTALL FULLY FOR NORMAL USE ‘
‘ Normally you’ll start your computer with a ‘
‘ primary copy of Windows 95 for normal ‘
‘ computing needs and the great majority of your ‘
‘ hard disk space (a second partition). This copy ‘
‘ will have everything you’d need and all the ‘
‘ applications you normally use including, again, ‘
‘ your backup software. ‘
‘ WHY GO TO ALL THE TROUBLE? ‘
‘ All this takes is a little planning and technical ‘
‘ know-how, but the result is a SIMPLE and SAFE ‘
‘ computing fail-safe. Every time you do a normal ‘
‘ back up of your system you can include the ‘
‘ directories with all your data as well as the ‘
‘ Emergency (Not in use) partition on your ‘
‘ hard disk. ‘
‘ Then, once a week, or once a month start your ‘
‘ computer in emergency mode and make a ‘
‘ complete backup of key files (the Windows ‘
‘ directory in Windows 95 or 98, the WinNT ‘
‘ directory in Windows NT) and applications to ‘
‘ facilitate total system recovery. ‘
‘ EXTRA BENEFITS ‘
‘ The ‘extra’ work of setting up a dual-boot system ‘
‘ can pay off in other ways. If something goes ‘
‘ wrong with a new installation, you have a complete ‘
‘ and working version of your system just an ‘
‘ emergency system boot-up away. You can use ‘
‘ it to examine files and make changes that could ‘
‘ make a quick recovery both possible and simple. ‘
‘ Likewise, if you are unsure about adding ‘
‘ something to your system, the ‘Emergency ‘
‘ System’ is a safe place to try it first, then ‘
‘ completely recover it from a recent backup to ‘
‘ ‘UnDo’ the test changes. ‘
‘ Add GOOD LABELS to backups tapes, disks or ‘
‘ cartridges along with the above plan and you ‘
‘ have a simple way to KNOW WHAT TO DO in ‘
‘ almost any emergency. At 2SS.Com we know ‘
‘ that this kind of preparation can help assure ‘
‘ your computing capabilities are available when ‘
‘ you need them! ‘
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‘ --------------Item Two----------- ‘
‘ QUESTIONS ON E-COMMERCE? ‘
‘ What are some hot web sites worth visiting ‘
‘ as interesting examples of E-Commerce? ‘
‘ Try: www.Amazon.Com (of course)
‘ www.FatBrain.Com (an On-Line ‘
‘ technical bookstore) ‘
‘ www.AOL.Com (Self Explanatory)
‘ www.Beyond.Com (???)
‘ www.PCOrder.Com (Computer Sales)
‘ All share quick and substantial revenue growth. ‘
‘ All are attracting Wall Street’s attention and all ‘
‘ have P and L’s showing little profit (AOL) or ‘
‘ significant losses (Others). You may need to ‘
‘ take the example with a few grains of salt. ‘
‘ Editor’s Note: Advisory Panel member Peter ‘
‘ Michael suggests you see the current issue of ‘
‘ Fortune for more on these and other ‘
‘ E-Commerce based firms.
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‘ -----------Item Three---------- ‘
‘ PRODUCT WATCH ‘
‘ WINDOWS 2000 Beta 3 PRE-LOADED?
‘ Certain desktop systems from HP, Dell, Micron ‘
‘ and others will be available this spring with ‘
‘ the new BETA software pre-loaded and ‘
‘ accompanied by a coupon for a free upgrade ‘
‘ to the final product. The final target shipping ‘
‘ date remains October at this writing. ‘
‘ Ready to load it yourself? You can purchase ‘
‘ the same software as part of Microsoft’s ‘
‘ Corporate Preview Program for $59.95. It’s ‘
‘ available through Microsoft Certified Solution ‘
‘ Providers (MCSP’s) such as 2SS.Com, if ‘
‘ you’re interested. ‘
‘ CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MGMT. ‘
‘ Is a new category that is, in essence, a ‘
‘ ‘grown-up’ contact management system aimed ‘
‘ at facilitating what the title suggests. In a recent ‘
‘ PCWeek article evaluating various vendors in ‘
‘ this category, it concluded that….
‘ Companies with less than 30 sales people, ‘
‘ that don’t have specialized requirements, ‘
‘ should consider products from Goldmine ‘
‘ Software Corp. Symantec Corp. or Maximizer ‘
‘ Technologies, Inc. Their respective offerings ‘
‘ are Goldmine, ACT, and SharkWare.
‘ For larger firms, the solutions include more ‘
‘ alternatives and more functionality. Typical ‘
‘ areas addressed by a well-implemented ‘
‘ CRM system include, Sales, Marketing, ‘
‘ Field Service and Support, Customer Service ‘
‘ and Executive Report Writing. ‘
‘ The results of successful implementation can ‘
‘ be substantial, as is the risk of trying without ‘
‘ achieving the intended benefits. ‘
‘ If this topic interests you, or you have some ‘
‘ experience with implementing or using CRM ‘
‘ systems for a strategic advantage, please let ‘
‘ us know.
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‘ ------------Item Four----------- ‘
‘ FIVE STRATEGIC / USEFUL / INTERESTING ‘
‘ LINKS ‘
1. FREE Y2K PC BIOS TESTING is available at ‘
‘ http://www.y2000fix.com/ Once there, go to ‘
‘ the hardware page and select ‘Download Our ‘
‘ Free Diagnostic’. ‘
‘ 2. FREE Y2K SPREADSHEET TESTING ‘
‘ The main issue for spreadsheet users will be ‘
‘ the inclusion of 2-digit years in spreadsheet ‘
‘ dates. If you’d like help checking your work… ‘
‘ And you use Excel, go to: ‘
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/year2k ‘
‘ If you use Quattro Pro, go to: ‘
http://livewire.corel.com/cfscripts/y2k/productlist.cfm ‘
‘ If you use Lotus 1-2-3, go to: ‘
3. BUYING A CELL PHONE OR SERVICE? ‘
‘ A ‘must see’ site is www.nthdimension.com ‘
‘ where you can compare vendors’ plans ‘
‘ before committing to one. Information on ‘
‘ both phones and service plans is included. ‘
‘ 4. Compare shipping fees before shipping? ‘
‘ It makes sense to us. Try www.iShip.com ‘
‘ or www.SmartShip.Com to decide where ‘
‘ to turn. ‘
‘ 5. Compare telephone rates on-line at ‘
‘ www.TeleWorth.com. You enter inbound ‘
‘ and outbound call info. along with your current ‘
‘ billing data and it tells you who has a better deal ‘
‘ from among over 500 long-distance carriers. ‘
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‘ ------------Item Five------------ ‘
‘ 2SS.Com and YOUR SUBSCRIPTION ‘
‘ Maybe the best reason to subscribe is ‘
‘ the ‘E-News Strategic Technology ‘
‘ Advisory Panel’, a growing list of ‘
‘ professionals in a variety of disciplines ‘
‘ who have agreed to: ‘
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‘ advance of its release. ‘
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‘ technology questions. (This is a free ‘
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‘ multi-discipline resource available to you.) ‘
‘ Computer Hardware and Software ‘
‘ Acquisition, Service and Repair by ‘
‘ Ron Ellis of 2SS.Com. ‘
‘ Legal issues and specific expertise in ‘
‘ corporate and securities law, nonprofits, ‘
‘ licensing, and franchising by William Van ‘
‘ der Mei, Principal of The Van der Mei ‘
‘ Law Firm. ‘
‘ Accounting and Financial expertise inclu- ‘
‘ ding Audit, Tax and General Business ‘
‘ Consulting by David Ljung, Principal at ‘
‘ Gilbert Accountancy Corporation. Visit ‘
‘ them at www.GilbertCPA.com. ‘
‘ Human Resources expertise, including ‘
‘ problem employees, policy and procedures, ‘
‘ and customized training by B.J. Flora of . ‘
‘ B.J. Flora Associates. ‘
‘ Computer network design, implementation, ‘
‘ maintenance and support by Ron Ellis, ‘
‘ Managing Director of 2SS.Com. ‘
‘ Computer and printer rentals of all ‘
‘ types by Rick Randall, President of ‘
‘ RenTech Computers. Visit them at ‘
‘ Corporate and professional skill training ‘
‘ by Ann McCandless, Owner and founder ‘
‘ of Computer Assistance. Visit them at ‘
‘ Strategic Planning, turnarounds, marketing ‘
‘ analysis, and litigation support by Peter H. ‘
‘ Michael, President of The Michael Consulting ‘
‘ Group. Visit them at www.mcgmcg.com. ‘
‘ Internet WWW authoring, database ‘
‘ development and connectivity by ‘
‘ Michael Nelson, President of SacWeb.. ‘
‘ Visit them at www.SacWeb.Com. ‘
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‘ Company: [[Company:25]] ‘
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