‘Optimization’ Archives
Change IE Bookmarks Location
Recently in my job, I was looking for a way to keep as much data on the server as possible and making the Windows boxes hold as little data as possible in case of a crash. While I already redirect the "My Documents" drive to the server (note only if you trust your users do this). We as an office generally use Internet Explorer for browsing [...]
Removing Crapware
Crapware (or bloatware) is unwanted software alreay installed on a new PC. This software has started to come bundled with other software you may want on your computer. For example most software I install on my computers now, I have to pay close attention to, because it wants to install a browser or toolbar or sometimes even virus or [...]
Conserving Bandwidth Tips
In today's world, IT budgets all over the place have been cut down to the bone, and maybe you're users are starting to hog up all the bandwidth and you don't have the money in the budget to increase the bandwidth, what do you do? Well there are ways that you can squeeze more out of your current bandwidth by adding some software or hardware [...]
Q&A Monday: Hold onto spare parts?
Question: Jim, I have a boss that constantly wants us to keep computer equipment, even though most of it is trash. He claims that the parts will come in handy if we need them down the line, but we have some computer parts for over 10 years, does it really pay to hold on to technology? Bobby Hancock Mountain View, CA Answer: I have [...]
No Virus/Maleware and Computers Slow
A lot of complaints I generally hear about people's computers is that they have slowed down. Usually most tech will look towards one thing that is the most likely cause...spyware/virus (or whatever you personally call it). Though after ruling that out, what might be some other explanations for the slowness? I want to focus on [...]
Q&A Monday: Domain Auto-Logon
Question: We are currently building a test lab, in which we can test proposed changes to the network, and have a test domain in place. We have a domain controller and a handful of workstations to test the changes out on. The problem is, that every time we power on the domain we need to log in all the workstations, and that can be a [...]
Q&A Monday: How often to replace a buisness Mac
Question: Hey Jim, I am a small business owner and I am constantly struggling with how often do I replace the Apple computers in my office. I do have some PC's in the office which I lease on a 3 year cycle, but I'm not sure if I should replace the Apple's as often as I do the PC's. Is there a standard rule for replacing Apple computers in [...]
Exchange 2007 get Mailbox sizes
If you ever have had the pleasure to administer an Exchange system for some time, then you've run into the scenario where you need to know how big people's mailboxes are. Depending on your workload, I suggest that you take some time regularly take some time to check the sizes of the mailboxes on your server. Now this is more important if [...]
Q&A Monday: USB Printer in DOS
Question: I currently have a legacy software at my current job that runs in DOS and have printed to a printer that was connected via parallel cable. Recently that printer has bit the dust and I bought a new USB printer to replace it, but now the program wont print, but the printer works in Windows, please help. Answer: This is a common [...]
Effectively Erasing Files
Thinking about getting rid of a computer can actually be a lot more complicated that initially thought. Many people remember to get their files off and delete any important information from the drive and think that's the end of it. It's not just individuals, companies can also fall into this trap. Just selecting delete does not mean that the [...]
