Help for your business
Many clients ask our advice about a range of issues, including
- memory upgrades for your computer
- security measures (anti-virus & anti-spyware) you can take to keep out the bad guys
- speeding up your broadband
- avoiding spam
Here are some of our recommendations.
Need a logo (or graphic design)?
As their businesses have grown through establishing an internet presence, a number of our clients have asked us to commission logo designs.
crowdSPRING is an online marketplace for graphic design. Entrepreneurs and businesses who need things designed – everything from logos and stationery to websites and brochures – simply post what they need, then name their own price and deadline. Once posted, over 50,000 creative designers from 150+ countries around the world will submit actual designs – not bids or proposals – for the buyer to review until they find the "the one."
You are guaranteed to get at least 25 entries – or you get your money back.
Examples of logos we've commissioned in this way can be seen at the following websites we've designed:
Anti-virus software (anti-spyware and firewall solution)
Sunbelt Software's VIPRE Antivirus Premium is high-performance antivirus + antispyware software with an integrated firewall.
It doesn't slow down your PC like other security products.
The press love it, and it's antivirus certified.
Protect your PC from 'being owned' by bad guys with a free full-function 30-day trial!
We have tried a number of computer security solutions for our own work, for clients, and for family and friends.
These have included products from McAfee, Norton, AVG and Zone Alarm.
In 2007 we discovered an anti-spyware solution called CounterSpy, and checked out the reviews it was getting.
This coincided with our decision to go for the Kerio Firewall (now Sunbelt Firewall), as it didn't interfere with software that we were using.
In 2008 Sunbelt brought out a combined anti-virus and anti-spyware package
"built from the ground up".
Vipre is a high-quality product that uses little CPU, and thus doesn't slow down your computer, in marked contrast to some of their competitors, whose products can make computers crawl along.
In March 2010, following extensive beta-testing (in which we were involved), Sunbelt released Vipre Premium, a solution that looks after your firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware needs. It keeps you safe, and it keeps your computer ticking along nicely.
We highly recommend Vipre Premium. Follow this link for a free trial
Speed up your broadband with BT's i-Plate
A simple, but effective solution for most people is to install BT's interstitial PLate (i-Plate is easier to say!).
This disconnects the unneeded bellwire that was required for older telephone installations, and which creates interference.
It's not going to make much difference to your speed if you're already getting near the 8Mb broadband download speed (but how many of us are getting that?), but even so, will help to your broadband's stability.
It's a cheap and effective product (just over £5). We tried it and it's made quite a difference.
You should note that there is normally a delay to the increase in speed, due to something called IP Protocol; however, within a few days you should see an improvement.
Other customers have reported between 30% and 100% increase in speed.
Fed up with spam?
Spam Filter for Outlook and Express, Windows Mail, Thunderbird and Servers
Let's face it, spam is a right pain.
If you need a spam filter for your home/office PC or server, then try SPAMfighter.
SPAMfighter is Europe's leading spam filter developer, providing spam protection across the globe for nearly 7 million home and business users on PCs and Servers.
If a SPAMfighter receives a spam mail that is not detected by SPAMfighter, the user reports the spam mail with one click, and it's removed from the rest of the SPAMfighter community in seconds.
So we help each other. Save 20% on SPAMfighter Pro. Buy now!
Please contact us to see how we can help your projects.
