Date: August 31, 2005
Subject: Back to School!

Labour Day is around the corner, school starts in a few days and the Summer of 2005 half over. (Sorry!) Many businesses and individuals take this as a chance to obtain a new computer for a new employee, for a son or daughter beginning university or college or for themselves. A previous ELM Bulletin offered some considerations when purchasing a mobile computer (click here to read this bulletin). Once the system has been purchased, however, there remains much that needs to be done to ensure its functionality and security. This month's bulletin will discuss the variety of additional purchases that are required to ensure that the life of your new computer is both long and productive.

A - Operating System - Most computers today are sold with a copy of Microsoft Windows pre-installed so you will not generally need to concern yourself with the installation and setup of an operating system. Usually all that remains for you to do is to enter the authorization code and some personal information.

B - Security - Microsoft Windows XP (both Home and Pro versions) are equipped with basic security functions such as a firewall, the Security Center and a backup program. While helpful these tools are not necessarily as useful as those available elsewhere. Malicious software, such as viruses and spyware, are increasingly dangerous and demand the installation of the following:

        - an anti-virus program such as Norton Antivirus or AVG Antivirus

        - an anti-spyware program such as Spy Sweeper

        - a software firewall such as Zone Alarm or Sygate Personal Firewall

        - a hardware firewall such as is included with most widely available broadband routers

            (check before you buy as some broadband routers do not include a built-in firewall)

        - backup hardware such as a CD or DVD burner or a tape drive

            (click here to read our bulletin on the importance of backups)

C - Productivity - Unless you purchased your computer as part of a package it will usually not include and type of productivity software. You will need to purchase these tools as they become necessary to your use of the computer. Microsoft Office is far and away the most popular office suite and includes a wide variety of tools and almost universal compatibility. A free alternative to Microsoft Office is the excellent open source package: OpenOffice about which more will be written in a future bulletin. If you are using your computer for image processing you would need a product such as Adobe Photoshop or if you are preparing documentation for global distribution as a PDF (Portable Document Format) you will need a tool such as Adobe Acrobat. The list is endless and dependant only on how you will use your computer.

D - Entertainment - Microsoft Windows has lent itself to some type of entertainment since its earlier versions came supplied with Solitaire and the Windows Media Player. Today's computers are far more competent in dealing with entertainment and have grown somewhat beyond the capabilities bundled with Windows XP. Even basic photo editing is better done with a third party application than with the editor bundled with Windows XP. Here again your need will determine the additional software or hardware that you will obtain.

If you are curious about any product to enhance your computer please give us a call. We can help you make an informed decision about anything that you need and if you purchase the computer and any additional products from us we might even save you a bit of money. Even if you don't buy anything from us at the very least you might enjoy yourself.

Click here to see a selection of the laptops we can provide (originally included with the ELM Bulletin of July 31, 2005).

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this or any other issue.

Previous issues of the ELM Bulletin are available from our website.

If you have an associate who you think would also appreciate receiving these bulletins please let me know (with their approval) and I will add them to the bulletin mailing list. Please feel free to forward these bulletins to anyone you wish. If you no longer wish to receive these bulletins, or if you received this bulletin by mistake please send me an email with "Please remove me" in the subject line and I will take your name off of the bulletin mailing list.