You are receiving this email because the email address was subscribed to our email list. Having trouble reading this email? View it on our website.
PF Systems Newsletter
March 2009 Issue number 22
Editorial
Office activationMicrosoft extends Genuine Advantage program to include Microsoft OfficeSome of you may have encountered warnings in the past that your copy of Windows was not genuine. Some have gotten around this for free, others have paid for a license. Well the good news is that Microsoft is now targetting Office, the collection of programs which include Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. This means that you'll either need to find a way around it using the internet or you'll need to buy a copy. The reason that only some are getting the message is that only some have selected to receive updates for ALL Microsoft products (Microsoft Update) and some have only selected to receive updates for Windows (Windows Update).
Open Office - free software If you don't want to pay for a version of Microsoft Office, your alternative is to use Open Office. Open Office is an open-source office software suite (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases etc...). It can read and write files from other common office software packages so you won't have any compatibility issue. You can download it here and use it free of charge:
For a third alternative, please see our section on Cloud Computing, below. Westvic ADSL
If you want ADSL but don't want to be locked into a contract, Westvic offers a good range of ADSL plans with no contract and a discounted installation of $79. If you end the service within the first 6 months, there is a $65 cancellation fee. Other than that, you're not locked in. For those of you on Westvic wireless, maybe now would be a good time to consider a switch to Westvic ADSL broadband. If so, give us a call. Check out the plans here. PF Systems can sign you up over the phone and it only takes a couple of days for you to be connected as Westvic are very quick at connecting people to their service. It can be a good alternative to BigPond as we have been experiencing delays with BigPond applications which stall because of migration issues related to Telstra's billing system. So, a few of our customers have been waiting for a long time for their Bigpond application to go through. Hopefully, this problem will be resolved shortly. We would like to apologise to everyone who has been experiencing some delays.
Types of internetThere are now so many ways you can access the internet so we thought a little reminder of the different types of internet, and the different ways you can access it on your actual computer would be helpful. ADSLIf you don't live in a remote rural area, you are most likely to have access to ADSL. For an ADSL connection, you need to have a landline as the signal is transmitted over copper telephone lines utilizing frequencies that are not used by voice telephone calls. Most of you are on an ADSL plan and have a landline with Telstra, so you're paying a monthly rental charge and a monthly internet fee. Some internet service providers (such as iiNet, gotalk, internode...) offer "naked DSL" plans. What does this mean? The term "naked" just means there is no phone service connected to the DSL. So, you don't have a phone service on the telephone line and don't pay a monthly rental fee and you can get broadband and make your phone calls using VOIP.
If you are located in a rural area, too far from the exchange to have access to ADSL, you still have a few options. Westvic Wireless Broadband
The signal is transmitted wireless from a tower to your aerial at home which is plugged into a router. Now, don't get confused between:
You do not need to have a landline for this service. If you don't have a landline but are located within the distance to have access to ADSL, we do not recommend Westvic Wireless Broadband as the installation is expensive ($999). Most people who use this service don't have access to ADSL and can qualify for the Broadband Guarantee government subsidy. Satellite
There are several ways a satellite internet service can work.
Here is an overview of the plans available:
Give PF Systems a call if you are interested as we are agents for Aussie Broadband. Wireless Broadband on the mobile phone network (Telstra Next G)
If you want to use the internet on the go, the easiest way to go is to add a data/browsing pack onto your mobile phone plan if you have a Next G mobile phone. You can change your browsing pack as your needs change. Just call 125 111 to add a browsing pack onto your existing mobile plan.
Mobile use Browse the internet directly on your mobile phone.
Mobile as Modem Browsing Packs Connect your mobile phone to your laptop and use it as a modem to browse the internet on your computer.
Next G device: mobile card or home gateway (BigPond Wireless Broadband)
Notebook dealsHere are our recommendations for different types of requirements:
Here is an overview of what's available at the moment.
At PF Systems, we sell notebooks under our PF direct scheme which means that you pay upfront our wholesale price + 5% + freight. We also offer a notebook bundle which includes for $299:
Cloud Computing
This concept opens up the possibilitiy of never owning software. So who cares? Well, this model has a number of advantages:
There are disadvantages, however:
Google has some good examples of cloud-computing with Google Docs, and GMail. You can check these out for yourself if you signup for a free GMail account.
PF Systems NewsPF Systems is operating under a new ABN this year. We need to finalise invoices for the year 2008 and will send them on as we go. We would appreciate if all outstanding accounts for 2008 could be paid as soon as possible to facilitate the transition, so that we can close all activity previous to January 2009. Please note that our bank details have changed. The new account details are located on the bottom of our invoices. Recruiting
Happy & safe computing, Best regards, Phuong-Dung Hoang & Ben Druitt |
In this issueNeed a laptop?
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is a service provided by Westvic. It involves the set up of an antenna on your roof (but this is only a small size antenna, nothing like a satellite dish). 
Satellite internet requires the installation of a satellite dish, which is obtrusive. The main inconvenience with a satellite service is the latency which is the delay between requesting data and getting a response as the signal has to travel into space to a satellite and back down again (35,000 km). Applications such as VOIP, video conferencing, online games... are affected badly by this delay. 
Satellite plans used to be expensive. Aussie Broadband (two-way satellite service) now offers competitive prices and you can apply for the Australian Broadband Guarantee subsidy to get free installation. Plus, there is no lock in contract with Aussie Broadband and you get six months at half price (Australian Broadband Guarantee Eligible customers who sign up before 31/08/2009). You also own the equipment. 
Mobile Phone (Telstra Mobile Broadband)
If you don't have a Next G mobile phone and want to use the internet wherever you go, or can't have access to ADSL, your other option is to sign up for BigPond Wireless Broadband. You can either get a mobile card that you plug directly into your laptop or a relocatable modem (but you will need a power point for this one). 
Currently if you sign up for a 36 month contract you get 12 months at half price and a rebate of $299 for the device (which means you get the device for free). 
Cloud computing could very well be the future of computing. Since the advent of the personal desktop, the model has always been 'buy a computer', then 'buy some software' and 'load it on'. Software used to come on floppy disks which could be read at around 1000kbit/s (or 1Mbit). Nowadays, internet speeds far exceeding this rate are available, meaning it is technically possible to use software which is stored on the net, as opposed to local media such as floppy disks.
PF Systems work load is increasing every day. So we're looking for a second young person who would be interested to learn some computer repair skills and who would like to do some casual work for us. If you are interested or know of anyone who would be, please contact Ben on 0417 566 134. 
|
|