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PF Systems Newsletter
September 2007 Issue number 15
Editorial
Well... It has been a long time! PF Systems would like to apologise for not having sent any news in '07 at all! We have been extremely busy as always and have worked to build upon our existing strengths and further improve our business model while trying to keep up with our work. So here are the updates... PF Systems NewsService ContractsPF Systems has introduced 'Home Service Contracts' for non-business customers that guarantee a 24 hour response priority service to your IT problems. A home service contract costs $225 and gives you the following:
Business Service Contract customers are now able to check their service usage online by logging into our members section. You should have received some information and your login details by email. Our home service contract customers will be able to do so shortly. Flat ratePF Systems still has a flat rate of $66 for all repairs where we need to take your computer offsite (minus your customer loyalty discount). Our areas of expertisePF Systems has always been about providing technology solutions to your technology problems. When you buy equipment from PF Systems, you are not simply purchasing a piece of technology but are purchasing a solution to whatever problem you are trying to solve. If it doesn't solve your problem, then you are under no obligation to pay for the solution provided and we are always willing to adjust the solution or refund an already made payment. Services offered by PF Systems include:
Operating SystemsNon-genuine Windows
For those of you receiving the non-genuine Windows message, you'll be pleased to know that Microsoft has not blocked access to your critical security updates (despite the warnings) and your computer is still as safe as ever. There are ways of suppressing these messages (if they annoy you) and getting all available updates. Contact us if they are really getting on your nerves. Windows VistaSince our last newsletter, the world has seen the next major update to the Microsoft Windows line of Operating Systems: Vista. Should you be getting it yet? These are the situations we would currently recommend that you switch:
When you should NOT switch:
Non-Windows Windows
BroadbandOut of contract?...With the introduction of ADSL2 (download speeds of up to 24 Mbs), the broadband market has seen a re-calibration of prices for mid-range internet plans. So, if you've just come out the other side of your broadband contract, then now is a good time to change. Don't get stuck in a plan you are paying too much for! 
Many of our customers are now nearing the end of their 24-month BigPond contract and are asking us what their options are. Well, currently BigPond doesn't have a publically available pathway for people to re-contract as they do with mobile phones. For these people looking for some broadband savings, here are your options: 1. Tell BigPond you are going to cancel. You will be put through to a special department and they will make you a deal. Be aware that the benchmark specifications you should expect from your ADSL are:
The benchmark prices are:
2. If you can't get a good deal and want to stay with BigPond (for billing convenience and their good 24/7 support) then you can cancel your account (and email address) and go through the signup process again. The change over will take around 10 working days and you will not have access to the internet during this period. So if you can face the hassle, you will get away with an average expense of $22.46/month over 24 months for 200MB of download per month or double this for an unlimited plan and a new ADSL modem to sell on eBay. 3. If you can't make a good enough deal with Telstra, then switch! For users who require more data or who need higher speeds, there are a few other options.
People Telecom is a good company. They offer a reliable service and good value plans, from $29.95/month for 2GB of data download up (256kbps) and no connection fee on a 24 month contract. So this is a good alternative for BigPond users out of contract who are currently paying $29.95 for only 200MB of data. But be aware that although their support is good, it can take a while to get through. 
If you are interested in higher data allowance, check out Exetel. Their plans have 2 download limits: one for a peak period (noon to midnight) and one for a down period (midnight to noon). For example, for $55/month, you can have a 512kbps connection and a data allowance of 24GB (peak period) and 40GB (down period). We would recommend Exetel for a churn / transfer more than for a new connection as their connection fees are $145 (6 month contract). Exetel has highly competitive plans but the downside is the lack of support and the withdrawal of plans that become unsustainable for Exetel (the customer can then change their plan or transfer to another ISP - if no action is taken, Exetel will move the customer to the closest plan available). Don't get stuck in an outdated plan. Free ADSL installationWe are now offering free installation when you sign up for broadband or organise an ISP transfer through PF Systems. This also applies to people who signup for Engin with us. Westvic for non-ADSL areas
We now recommend Westvic only if you are located in a non-ADSL area due to the withdrawal of government subsidies for the Port Fairy area. If you do not have access to ADSL, you will be eligible for an Australian Broadband Guarantee service and the installation fee will be $99. Otherwise, the standard installation fee is $999 (or $85/month). You can check your eligibility here. Good news is that Westvic currently still has a subsidised tower at St. Helens and this will cover the general Yambuk area. So if you are in that area, don't miss out! Broadband Telephony with Engin
Make outgoing calls through the internet and save money! Engin allows any broadband user to make and receive calls over the internet whilst using their existing telephone or an Engin Internet phone. Their service has become a lot more reliable over the last year or so. Not only has Engin introduced some new great deals
(see below) but they also currently have a special offer where you
get an Engin Voice Box for $29.95 when you sign up to an Engin plan
for 12 months.
As with ADSL, you get free installation if you sign up with PF Systems... so it is hassle free! Give us a call now!
Mobile Phones
We are happy to announce that we can provide you with all your Telstra mobile phone needs, from basic prepaid phones to high end subsidised handsets and whether you need a new handset or wish to change your plan. So, if your contract is about to expire or if you need to change over from CDMA to NextG or GSM, we will be more than happy to guide you and help you choose the right handset/plan. Some clarification on mobilesFirstly, check out our summary in Newsletter 12 of current generations of digital wireless transmission We are currently somewhere between 2G and 3.5G. But what really matters to rural people is coverage, not data speed! In the past, on the analogue system, the coverage was quite good (although quality not so). When analogue phones were turned off in 2000, rural customers often found themselves without comparable coverage due to GSM Digital's 32km transmission limit. In 2000, Telstra introduced the CDMA2000 network to provide rural customers with a comparable service to analogue. The extra coverage is achieved due to the different standard used by CDMA. NextG is going to replace CDMA and Telstra aims to have these networks equivalent for the rural communities by November this year. The switch off date for CDMA is the 28th of January 2008. NextG operates in the 850/2100Mhz spectrum and GSM the 900/1800Mhz spectrum. Both are currently being used for voice and data but the data is MUCH faster with NextG. So, for everyone on CDMA, you have got 4 months to change over to NextG for equivalent or better network performance. We will be in Sackville St with Telstra in the coming weeks with our local Telstra dude Ray Bourner, so come down and see us if you need your CDMA issues clarified. Prepaid PhonesIf you are after a standard GSM prepaid phone, we recommend the two following models.
NextGFor people located in our area, classified as a rural location, Telstra has a number of Next G mobiles that are recommended for rural handheld coverage. These mobiles are recommended if you want to maximise your coverage experience.
PF Systems ComputersPF Systems carries a simplified computer range for 2007. PFS Office Computer
with an office system package
$925 (check our website homepage for regularly updated prices) PFS Family Computer
with a family system package
$1354 (check our website homepage for regularly updated prices) All our computers are designed to be quiet, reliable and attractive. And remember, we do build custom computers to order and these are available under our PF direct scheme. Delivery and warranty
If you do happen to experience any problem during the 3 year term of this warranty then we'll look after you. Simply contact us and an authorised representative of PF Systems will come to your door to get you up and running. Our only goal is to minimise your downtime. If the parts required are not in stock, we will do our best to provide you with a temporary solution. * onsite only applies to Port Fairy and surrounding district residents. Pricing
Computer ProtectionYour computer is your gateway to a world of information and services. Unfortunately, it is a two-way gateway which often allows unwelcome software and people. Such intrusions will cause pop-ups, information leakage and system instability/performance issues. In order to keep your computer running optimally, you must make sure:
Here in the PF Systems workshop, we've noticed a large decrease in the number of computers coming to us with chronic virus problems. In the leadup to the release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, computer virus infections were at a peak. And despite what anti-virus companies would have you believe, they were not effective at preventing the main kinds of infections that we were seeing in the workshop. An 'always-on' internet connection means you are exposed to the risks of the internet for a greater length of time than ever before. Here's a checklist: 1. Router/Modem
2. Firewall
3. Antivirus/anti-spyware/anti-adware, etc
Use an antivirus that is regularly updated - although it is hard to draw a line between viruses and not-viruses it is important to recognise that all software which you put on your computer has the potential to be annoying and something that you generally don't appreciate. An anti-virus simply checks the programs that you run against its internal list to decide if this program is a virus. However, its choice may not be to your liking. It's important, then, that your anti-virus software is more anti-malware than anti-virus as this broader definition will keep you more suitably protected. PF Systems believes that you should not need to buy separate packages for each variation of malware. We have been recommending PC-Cillin as your primary antivirus for the last couple of years but the 2007 edition has proved to be heavy and makes your computer run slow. So PF Systems now recommends F-Secure Antivirus/Antispyware. It includes protections for the full range of internet based malware threats and we'd recommend this if you've had problems with debilitating virus infections in the recent past. If you'd prefer to use free software, consider the following combination which has recently proved to be very effective (PC Auhority):
4. Browser security
Your browser is the most common point of entrance for malware. Many features on websites now rely on executing software on your computer and if you don't have a secure browser your computer will always be infected. If your browser asks you a question in relation to security after visiting a website, make sure you read the dialog box and only accept the risks if you trust the content provider. Digital signatures are fast becoming normal for regulating this sort of website functionality. Due to these security issues, many have moved over to open source based browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera as an attempt to keep their computer clean. This is certainly a technique and there are many good browsers around besides Internet Explorer, but be aware that publishers of malware will target the biggest group of users, and no browser is immune. With the recent release of Internet Explorer 7 perhaps taking the easy route and sticking with the 100% Microsoft Windows integration of IE will suffice, for now… Or you could do what we do and install both. Often page display/functionality errors in one browser won't be present in the other and vice-versa. 5. O/S updates
Part of the improvements seen over the last few years with XP has been the introduction of prompts that tell you whenever a program is being installed. It's important that you read these prompts and not to agree with them if you don't know what they mean. Once you've agreed to the execution of a new program, it may require PF Systems to get rid of the program. Through Windows Updates, Windows XP has matured into a more virus resistant operating system and simply being on-line is now (usually) not enough to render your computer unusable. 6. Intentionally installed programsBe aware that any software which you install on your computer can potentially include malware. A common example of this is file sharing programs and browser toolbars. Make sure you only ever install programs from sources you trust, and only install software you really need, and if you don't need it anymore take it off. The less software you have, the less can go wrong.
Well, we hope you are now updated with what's going on and we'll work on the next issue. We don't want to leave you without any news for another year! So, see you shortly in the next edition! In the meantime, happy computing... Best regards, Phuong-Dung Hoang & Ben Druitt |
In this issue
Telstra Mobile DealerYou don't need to go to Warrnambool anymore if you have a mobile phone enquiry. Whether you need a prepaid, a new handset under a plan or simple advice, we are here to help out. Newsletter New LookFresh, clear, and informative... This is what we aim for. |
If you are after a more polished (but less flexible) computing experience,
have you considered a Mac? OS X is touted by its hordes of loyal
followers as the answer to Operating System confusion and non-functionality.
OS X has seen and will continue to see an increase in uptake rate
due to its ability to run Windows applications, its adoption of
cutting edge Intel hardware and its super chic clutter-free design.
Its popularity is also riding on the unbelievable success of the
iPod and its cutting edge successor, the iPhone.
The Nokia 2626 is a very popular handset. It offers good standard features, a user-friendly interface and a good battery. Here is a 
If you need higher features such as an integrated camera, then we recommend the Nokia 6085, that comes in black, champagne or pink colour. 
Our computers have an onsite* 3 year parts and labour warranty and 30 day money back guarantee. We offer next day delivery if all the parts are in stock.
A router is like a one-way valve for information. Your outgoing requests for information are not inhibited by a router, however any incoming requests are categorically denied unless otherwise configured. Thus a router significantly reduces your risk of being hacked unless, of course, you don't have an adequate password on the modem setup page. Often a router will also include a firewall facility which will monitor the communication ports specified.
This
may either be a software or hardware device which checks all traffic
in and out to make sure it meets certain criteria. Ports are numbered
tunnels for communication and certain network communications use certain
numbers eg. Port 80 is http (internet pages). By blocking all incoming
ports and allowing all outgoing ports you have the same functionality
as a standard router/modem as discussed in 1. However, a firewall
may also be configured to deny certain outgoing traffic as well which
is important if you become infected with a worm. Windows XP SP2 comes
with a firewall for incoming traffic only, so it is advisable to use
an additional firewall such as 
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