Archive for December, 2009

Windows 7: To Upgrade or Not To Upgrade

There is lot of buzz about Microsoft’s latest operating system, and the consensus seems to be that this upgrade is more meaningful and more stable than the previous release of Windows Vista.  But rushing to upgrade before you’re prepared could leave you hanging.  In business, downtime can mean lost income, so before jumping in there are few things you’ll want to consider:

Your Hardware: You’ll need to verify that your current computer hardware will meet the requirements for Windows 7.  Any computers you have that are running Windows Vista will probably support Windows 7, but your older hardware running XP may need to be upgraded or replaced.  So, you’ll want to decide on the best timing to invest in either of these options if necessary.  Sure, lots of computer stores have been running specials coinciding with the launch, but as with most technology, pricing will only go down, not up. More >

Consider Online Backup

If you are a small business that is not using an online backup service, you should consider it – for any and all PCs and laptops where you store data that you wouldn’t want to lose.  There are several advantages to using an online backup service over storing data on local drives or CDs:

Offsite storage.  Your backup data and your original data shouldn’t be located in the same place, so that if something should happen to one (such as fire, theft, or electrical surges) your data will be safe in the other.  Some people are more comfortable having their backup data in their personal possession rather than with an unseen third party.  However, with sophisticated encryption and redundant data centers, the fact is that today’s popular online backup services provide more protection and security than most small businesses can provide for themselves. More >