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Editorial

Engadine Web Services provides fully managed hosting and domain services. These are unique services with tangible added value. I have recently been requested to recover two domain names where the owner did not renew their account. I was successful with one but the other was lost to a competitor.

Can you afford to loose your domain name?

One of the most common problems with hosting and domain name renewals is that the email address used when the accounts are initiated are not necessarily the same email address the customer has when the accounts fall due.

Because the majority of these renewal processes are carried out by computer automation then the email renewal notices are lost resulting in ultimate account cancellation. The same is true for hosting accounts. For hosting accounts, we maintain a complete and up-to-date backup of all host website files, if the host server ever crashes and their backup fails (which has happened) then we can replace your website on the server in minutes and this is part of our managed services. I was recently asked to try and recover a companies website files from a server that was taken down as the company went out of business. Unfortunately the company had no backup system and all files were lost, this customer now has to start again and build a new website, a very expensive exercise.

With domain and hosting account management at Engadine Web Services, every effort is made to contact the customer for renewal, first via email then phone, then by letter, and if necessary a visit.

If you feel comfortable managing your domain and hosting accounts yourself, make sure that you have a system to control renewal management, especially for your domain name, as once lost you will not get it back.

Bruce Beresford, Manager & Editor

In this Issue:

• Featured Site - Geeks 2 U
• Virus Watch
• Remote Customer Support
• Find a lost Windows product key
• Microsoft Calculator Plus for Windows XP
• Quotes of the day

Featured Site  

Geeks 2 U

I had need of some computer hardware support last month. My usual support provider was not answering the phone (still not answering the phone) so what to do? A quick Google search and I found these guys "Geeks 2 U", so I figured that was what I wanted, a geek. I filled out their website enquiry form at about 10.30 pm and 5 minutes, or less, later I received a reply. A service call was arranged and I received a visit from a geek, a pleasant and rewarding experience, the geek fixed my problem. So I though I would pass on my recommendation; got a problem, call a geek.

Computer Solutions At Your Home & Office

Geeks 2 UTM is a team of certified IT professionals specialising in on-site computer and network repairs. We come to you at your home or business anytime of day or night to provide the quickest solutions to your computer problems.

We were founded on the belief that:

1. YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE! Too valuable to have to dismantle your computer, lug it to the repair shop, only to be told to come back in a few weeks. There has to be a better way! That's why we come to you, often on the Same Day you call, and fix the problem on-site, right then and there.

2. DISASTER CAN STIKE ANYTIME! It doesn't only strike during business hours. Disaster so often strikes at 1 am when that important HSC assessment or work proposal is due in a few hours. Fear no longer, our Geeks are on call 24/7 - it's not like we'll be on a date!

3. SERVICE QUALITY IS PARAMOUNT! We are alarmed by the customer service of some companies today. We are in fact a bit fanatical about it - so please beware, after experiencing our customer service, your expectations of other companies may be radically raised forever!

Please visit the Geeks 2 U website...

Virus Watch  

Latest Threats - from Symantec

19-05-06 Trojan.Nebular

19-05-06 Infostealer.Wabber

Remote Customer Support  

From time to time our customers have asked us to provide onsite computer support. This has been carried out over the telephone as well as by visit.

A common problem has been with email account setup when a new email account is required, a new computer has been purchased or repaired or a new operating system installed. Other problems have been in the area of software installation and operating system configuration. This is not our core business however we do try and support our customers where we can.

To enable a faster and more efficient customer support solution we have purchased administration software that enables secure remote control of a customer's computer over the internet. We are now providing this support to a number of customers. Although this system will work over a dial-up-connection we do not recommend it.

If you find that you do have a need for this type of support please contact us. All that is required is the downloading a small client application that you install on your computer and the purchase of a license. This can be purchased through us or we can provide you with a link to purchase it directly from the supplier. This license will cost approximately AU$50.00. Our support costs are advertised on our website, however, if we can fix the problem within 10 minutes the service is free.

If you do have a problem that is beyond our capabilities, all is not lost as we do have several partners that we can refer you to for more specialised support. In particular, Greg Martyn at Pixel ITT.

Find a lost Windows product key  

To install or reinstall Microsoft Windows, you must have access to a product key for that version of the operating system. If you no longer have access to the product key, you've effectively lost that Windows license. Here's a look at the procedures and tools you can use to reveal a lost product key for a currently installed version of Windows.

In order to install or reinstall Microsoft Windows you must have access to a Product Key for that version of the operating system. The product key can typically be found on a yellow sticker on the CD case of the installation CD, or on a small Microsoft sticker on the outside of the PC's case (if the OS came preinstalled on the machine). If you no longer have access to the product key then you will effectively "lose" a Windows license if you ever have to reinstall the operating system.

If you do not have access to this Key, there are free scripts and freeware software programs that can help you: Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is probably the best tool for this task. In addition to finding and identifying product keys for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP, it can also uncover product keys for installed versions of Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Calculator Plus for Windows XP  

Here is a great little calculator for your Desktop (for those running Windows XP).

The Calculator applet that comes with Windows XP is basically the same as the one that came with Windows 3.0. If you've always wanted an updated Calculator applet with some more advanced features, you owe it to yourself to download and install Microsoft Calculator Plus.

Microsoft Calculator Plus has a vastly improved interface over the old version, and even sports a transparency feature that allows you to see through it when it is on the screen but not the active application. If you prefer, you can change the interface to Classic View, so it looks just like the native Windows XP Calculator while maintaining its advanced features.

In addition to the Standard and Scientific views, Calculator Plus provides you with a very comprehensive Conversion view. In fact, there are 11 conversion categories, which include such items as Length, Volume, Weight, and even Currency. (To update the available currency values, pull down the Edit menu, and select the Import ECB Exchange Rates command.) While the layout and operation of the Currency conversion feature may behave erratically, it does work.

Keep in mind that Microsoft Calculator Plus, like the Microsoft PowerToys, is a free product and not officially supported by Microsoft. You need a valid licensed copy of Xp installed on your computer to get this application. Get your Microsoft Calculator Plus...

Quotes of the Day  

This isn't right. This isn't even wrong. Wolfgang Pauli (1900 - 1958), on a paper submitted by a physicist colleague

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC)

Anyone nit-picking enough to write a letter of correction to an editor doubtless deserves the error that provoked it. Alvin Toffler

None are so busy as the fool and knave. John Dryden (1631 - 1700), The Medal, 1682

Brought to you by The Quotations Page

Have any questions relating to the internet or your computer? Let me know and I will research an answer and use this for future entries in our newsletter. Pass on your questions via the Enquiry Form on our Web-Site or send me an email.

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