Small Biz Technology Advisor Blog

by Christopher G. Erckert
Small Business Technology Advisor

Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins March 11, 2007 — three weeks earlier than last year. DST will also last one week longer in the fall as well, changing back to standard time on November 11, 2007.

While some in the tech industry are calling this the next Y2K bug to widely affect computer systems. There is a simple way to pro actively keep the new DST from disrupting your day to day business activities.

The Big Fish

Most computer applications run off of your operating systems clock. Follow these tips and you’ll take care of most issues.

• Windows Desktops/Notebooks: Run Windows Update on all your desktops and notebooks
• Windows Servers: Have your IT guy apply the Windows Updates (it can get tricky especially if you’re running exchange)
• Apple Desktops/Notebooks/Servers: Run Software Update

Minnows

Some phones are smarter then others. Ironically most pure mobile phones will automatically be updated by the carrier (e.g. Verizon, T-mobile, etc) over the network with no need for user intervention. However, most so called smart phones need a bit more user intervention.

• Palm Devices (Windows and Palm OS): Download and install the right update here.
• Other Windows mobile Devices: Update via active sync if you’ve already run windows update as noted above.

Personal note: Over here at Evo Networks we had to update both Mac/Windows computers, a Mac Server and Palm Smart Phones, and we found a few duplicate dates in our calendar apps but otherwise, it was a fairly smooth process and definitely not a Y2K ordeal.

by Christopher Erckert
Small Business Technology Advisor

I found this wonderful and timely article on a timeless debate: Is a mac right for my biz? This non techie article explains the benefits and potential hiccups you might run into. Read the full story at The Register here.

by Christopher Erckert
Small Business Technology Advisor

Today IBM released the latest Mac version of Lotus Notes (7.0.2) formally in beta. If you’re unfamilar with Lotus Notes it is basically the equivalent of Microsoft Outlook and found mostly in much larger enterprises then then Evo Networks’ clientele.

The reason this is news worthy to our small business readers, is that it reaffirms that the Mac platform is not just for art departments anymore, something we have been advising clients on for a few years now. This has only been accelerated by Apple’s complete transition to Intel Processors, which have been the standard for Windows computers for more then a decade. Business application support for the Mac will only grow from here.

A great resource for finding Mac applications for your business is right on Apple’s website: Made4Mac

Apple® today announced that its entire iMac® line now features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor in every model, delivering up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous iMac. A new 24-inch iMac with a brilliant 24-inch widescreen display joins the 17- and 20-inch models, and iMac prices now start at just $999. Every new iMac includes a built-in iSight™ video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box; Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience; and iLife® ‘06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.

If you haven’t heard, there has been quite a bit of battery shenanigans going on with Dell and Apple laptops/notebooks. It all stems back to certain lithium-ion batteries containing cells manufactured by Sony Corporation of Japan. They pose a safety risk that may result in overheating under rare circumstances (pr from dell and apple). What this really means is that the battery can overheat, melt the computer, start a fire, and or explode.

I already saw a teaser clip from Fox News about how this could be a new threat for air travel, but the reality is that when these things defect, it’s much more of a snap, crackle and pop. Think hot rice crispies, not C4.

Over 4 million batteries are part of the recall, spanning multiple production years and models so don’t take any chances and go to Dell’s and Apple’s respective battery recall pages. With such a highly publicized recall, business owners will surely face litigation if they fail to check their laptops and a employee or customer gets burned. Not to mention the bad press if your laptop goes up in flames at the next corporate event (see picture).

At Evo Networks, we use both Apple and Dell laptops. We ran a check on our batteries and while we had models that could possibly be affected we lucked out, because our specific battery serial numbers were not part of the recall.