Posted by Erica Williams on Tue, Jul 27, 2010 @ 08:36 AM
Gmail is at the top of my list when it comes to email services. Because of its functionality, Gmail is not only used personally,but professionally as well. The people over at Google have done their due diligence to make sure that it can easily be integrated into all email enabled devices effortlessly. I think we all can appreciate that!
Along with making it accessible to just about everyone with a cell phone, the Google team has made it user friendly. Integrating email from other email accounts (even non Gmail accounts), ease of navigation and even a vacation responder are all components that make Gmail number 1 in my book!
Even though the average user can't stop, won't stop singing Google's praises, there are some functions that mosty dedicated Gmail users don't even know exist! Recently, Google released a list of Gmail tips “to become a master of your inbox”
Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the tips Gmail divulged to the public:
- Use stars to easily mark certain messages as important or indicate that you need to reply to them later.
- Set up filters to automatically label, archive, delete, star or forward certain types of incoming messages.(also called "rules")
- Custom URL? No problem! You can use Gmail from your own domain or for your organization on Google apps.
- Forget to sign out of a public computer? You can sign out remotely by clicking “details” at the bottom of your inbox, click “sign out of all sessions” and it’s done
- Send and archive your email in one step.
- Easily preview an attached document instead of downloading and opening it in a separate program. Just click the “View” or “View as html” link to open a preview in a new window.
See? Gmail rules! To find out more tips about functions of gmail you may not be using, click here for a printable pdf.
Posted by Jon Deliz on Mon, Feb 08, 2010 @ 09:55 AM
How many times have you done something on your computer and wished that you could go back in time and do something different? Well I am going to introduce you to some free versions and some not so free versions that can save you time, effort and most importantly money!
Ok so let’s start with something free, easy, and probably already installed on your computer. System Restore is an easy fix for anybody who has installed something or has had a virus affect their computer. System Restore is found by clicking your start button; then either Programs or All Programs (depending on which version of
Windows you are running); Accessories; System Tools and there you should see System Restore. Now just follow the onscreen prompts and select a date (if it is a virus I would select the last known date the computer actually worked). There are some important things to consider: 1.) System Restore can only work if it is turned on, or hasn’t been disabled by a virus. The settings for System Restore can be found in the control panel under System and then click the System Restore tab. 2.) System Restore is only for the Window’s Operating System, so if your Excel spreadsheet doesn’t work then this won’t fix it! (I will be referring to a product that will below). 3.)
Also System Restore won’t affect files that aren’t part of the OS, so your documents, pictures, and emails are all safe.
Another free program to check out is if you have purchased an external hard drive, not a flash key or thumb drive. Most of the drives come preloaded with software that will do a backup of your documents. Although there are far too many preloaded software packages to mention in this article, feel free to contact DataCentric, as your Atlanta computer support specialist, so we can help you get setup and backing up correctly. Don't forget to ask about our online data backup solutions which will be covered in Part 2!
Posted by Joe Sgroe on Tue, Nov 03, 2009 @ 09:13 AM
Are you backing up your data?
Really? Be honest. How often do you check to see if the backup really works? And what about your employees? Are you sure that all your company data is being protected, even of the employee leaves the company?
Protecting the information on your computer(s) - both at work and at home - should be routine but it's amazing how many companies - and people - give only passing thought to their data protection process until a crises occurs.
"30 percent of small businesses admit they have no formal data backup and storage procedures, or do not implement their procedures consistently." According to an Imation Small Business Backup survey.
And that's the issue - you need a data backup system that does the thinking for you (most of the time).
Have you heard about on-line data backup? It's a relatively new option for secure data backups, but by no means bleeding edge. Whether you are thinking of using online backup at work or at home, the advantages of online backup are clear:
Online data backup ensures that you never have to worry about physical loss of your data - to hard drive crashes, viruses, accidental or intentionally erasing data, theft or even natural disasters.
Online backup protects your data in a secure, offsite location. So no one has to remember (and therefore can possibly forget) and if your location burns or floods, your data is still safe. and therefore does not require anyone taking the data to another location at the end of each day as is common practice with traditional backup methods
So while the benefits may be clear, choosing the right data backup provider may not be. Balancing cost, ease of use and reliability is the goal, but the equation may be different for different people, and different businesses.
Here are my top 10 questions to consider when preparing for and selecting the right online data backup service:
Do you feel knowledgeable enough to set up and manage the data backup on your own? Does the company offer live, real-time customer service both before and after the sale? Or is support primarily offered is through Forums, Q&A, and email support?
Which files you should back up? Make a written list of all things you would not want to be without. Think beyond your documents and photos, what about your emails, data from your key programs like your online financial and tax services? What about your system files and settings?
Do you know how to locate and select the all the files on your computer? Microsoft Windows hides a lot of file to help protect Joe Schmo from messing up his computer. But because things are hidden, you may need help finding all the data you really should back up. For instance, if you use Outlook, do you know how to select and configure your .pst file(s)?
Can a snapshot of the data be sent to the service provider? If you have a large amount of data on your servers, it won't be practical to upload it - so if the service provider only offers on-line uploads, even for the initial set-up, you should keep looking.
Can you use your computer while backups are running? How much will it slow down or disable your system during backups?
Can you schedule your backup to run when you want it to run, not when the software thinks it's a good time to run?
Are you notified when backups fail to occur? If so, how? Email? Phone calls?
Can you restore files back to a prior version? This means that they system keep a certian number of back copies of your dtaa - so if you want to restore a file or a document from say, 3 weeks ago ( before you made that change to a document that you now don't want to use), - you cna. It's sort of like document verison control - though you'll want to find out how far back they go.
Do you have servers running open files (i.e. Exchange)? If so, pay close attention to how the service handles this type of file backup. Many services say they do it - but many don't do it well.
Does the system support regulatory compliance requirements, i.e. FINRA, SEC, HIPPA etc...?
If you're really technically savvy, you may feel comfortable handling the download, install and configuration the service on your own. If not, you'll want to select a service that provides more help through the process. The same is true when you need to retrieve your data - if you're not a techie, you might not be comfortable restoring your system on your own. Look for a company that provides setup assistance, sometimes you have to pay for this, but it is well worth it. The technician will ask the questions that you might not think yourself and help ensure you're really protected.
If your business needs to protect both employee laptops and centralized servers, you'll also want to consider the system's ability to support all your file types and provide a console for management and reporting across all your assets.
Using online data
backup is a great way to protect your data - without the hassles and problems
associated with traditional backup methods of external hard drives, tapes and
jump drives.
When it comes to selecting the right service -
it comes down to one essential - chose a service provider you can trust.
Trust
to set it up correctly.
Trust
to monitor and ensure it's running consistently.
And
trust to restoring your data when and where you need it.
If they don't meet
these three criteria of trust, then don't do it.
If they offer a great
price but you can't talk to them, then don't do it.
If they are really
nice guys but you're not sure about their system, then don't do it.
If it's prepackaged
with other services and they aren't experts in data backup, then don't do it.
It's your data - and in many cases - your business
livelihood. A little bit of up front
investigation will help you select the best service for you and prevent major
problems later.
It’s your data – and in many cases – your business livelihood. A little bit of up front investigation will help you select the best service for you and prevent major problems later.