A Beginner’s Guide To Computer Networks

Try to talk to most small business owners about setting up a computer network and their eyes will glaze over. Either they fear the complexity of the topic and the mysterious acronyms, or they simply fear the cost of setting up and maintaining one.

But computer networking isn’t as expensive or as complicated as it used to be. Lower costs and “plug and play” devices have made it extremely easy for even small Mom and Pop shops to take advantage of the increased speed, accuracy, and ease of doing business offered by a computer network.

What Is A Network?

A computer network is nothing more than a system of computers and computer devices (like a printer or scanner) that are connected together to share files, information, and resources. If you connect your computer with another computer with a cable, you’ve got a small, peer-to-peer network in place.

The most common network for small businesses is the LAN or Local Area Network. This type of network is usually connected within the same building via cables. Another common small business network is a WAN or Wide Area Network, which is a LAN extended to other geographic locations using the Internet.

Which Network Is Best For You?

If you only have two or three computers, you may want to start off only with a simple peer to peer network where all machines are directly connected to one another. However, there are drawbacks to this set up.

Peer to peer networks make it difficult to backup and manage files because everyone has to store everything – software and data files – on their own machine.

This type of network can also become sluggish and unstable causing unexpected downtime, and makes it difficult to adequately protect against viruses.

A better option is the client-server network where a powerful computer called a server stores and “serves up” the information and software applications (databases, word processing, accounting, etc) to all the machines in your network or office.

This type of network configuration is much faster, secure, and stable. Backups are not only easier to perform, but they are also far more reliable and accurate. Security is improved because virus protection and Internet access can be managed from one central location. Sharing software applications and large files between workers and offices becomes easier, and you can allow for remote access (people working from home).

There are other benefits such as lowered software costs, increases in productivity, and the ability to get practically any device (such as a printer or scanner) to talk to just about any other device, including your phone.

Of course, if the server goes down your entire network (and business) stops. Therefore you want to make sure you have a emergency plan in place (like a second back-up server) and a fast-response service agreement with a local computer support firm like the ones I offer to my small business clients.

Wireless Networks – The Next Generation of Small Business And Home Computing

Thanks to major advances in wireless technology, now even small businesses on a small budget can benefit from the new wireless networks. If you’re confused, just think of it as a computer that works like a cell phone (look Mom, no wires!).

The only difference between a wireless network and the “old fashioned” cable connected networks is that wireless networks communicate with other computers, devices, and the Internet without any messy cable installations.

This is especially popular in businesses that require mobile workers to enter and access data where wired devices would be inconvenient (or impossible) to carry around, such as a warehouse, a large store, or even in a hospital.

If your head is spinning from all this talk about networks and you just want all of this “computer stuff” to just work, then you can always give us a call, and we'll make IT all work for you.

And always remember, to "Manage IT Better" with SnapStreak.

http://www.snapstreak.com/

SnapStreak on the Doctor's Channel

Take some time to visit our blog on the Doctor's Channel:

URL: http://www.thedoctorschannel.com/group/technology.html

Hello Healthcare Colleagues:

We live in a fast pace, ever changing laws and regulations regarding electronic personal health records (PHRs). Such lukewarm reception has left many physicians with the disconcerting vision of elderly patients handing over "Glad Bag" filled 3.5” floppy disks of archived DOS-based medical information.

Assuming, as far reaching as it can be, that the data provided was accurate to begin with (and hopefully readable), now the good Doctor must figure out how to integrate all of this new patient information into an EMR/PHR system that he, unfortunately, has not purchased yet, much less, has even begun to research.

Even more daunting, however, are the iconic hallways of manila folders that collectively total a hundred or more years of Patient Data. You ask yourself, “How in the world am I going to integrate all of this into an EMR/PHR system (that ideally would be easy to use and learn), train my staff, and audit the entire process so that I do not risk being sued for missing a small piece of vital information?”

So, welcome to our Technology Group. We will take a Q/A Journey and Review everything from desktops to laptops, printers, and scanners to diagnostic imaging, EMR to PHR, Business Process Automation, and even the next generation of Unified Communications and the future of Telemedicine in the office.

My goal is to help you learn to "Manage IT Better." Why? Because IT is beyond technology. IT is about simplifying your business workflow. IT is giving you the ability to see more clients. IT is about making you profitable. IT is about giving you more time with your family, and never missing that softball game again. IT’s about you as much as IT’s about caring for your Patient.

In our Technology Group, we will discuss the industry's best practices of leveraging technology to your favor. You will learn to focus on leading edge, and not "bleeding edge", technology. You will learn to become proactive, instead of reactive, when it comes to your business technology as to avoid expensive repairs and recovery costs. You will learn how to experience faster performance, fewer issues, and practically zero downtime in your office. IT's time for physicians to succeed in their practice and focus on what matters most – quality patient care.

Let's make IT happen. A place you can “technically” call home and get all of your IT related questions answered, by yours truly, Mr. SnapStreak. I look forward to chatting you online.

Best personal regards,

Mr. SnapStreak
"SnapTips" Editor of iPortal.MD
http://snapstreak.blogspot.com/

Been told to cut down on your IT budget?

Has your company gone into 'recession mode'? It's time to review these expensive Antivirus maintenance contracts, and not renew them. You can now get CounterSpy Enterprise and upgrade to VIPRE Enterprise when it comes out in Q2. VIPRE is a high-performance, new and true next-generation Antivirus + Antispyware in-one for an excellent price. Less RAM usage, small footprint, highly efficient and a robust, enterprise architecture that runs on thousands of sites. Need to protect 20,000 desktops at lower cost? Here is the answer; Get CounterSpy Enterprise! The upgrade to VIPRE is fast, smooth and easy. Save your valuable IT budget now.
Learn more by calling SnapStreak Inc. today at (281) 377-0981, or visit us online at www.snapstreak.com

Economic downturn will increase offshoring, Gartner says

While the U.S. IT sector has shown signs of resiliency in recent months, a new report by Gartner predicts the current economic slowdown will accelerate the offshoring of IT jobs to countries such as India

read more | digg story

Always Be Courteous when you Email ...

Tips For Staying Out of Trouble When Sending E-mail Messages

E-mail is quickly becoming the #1 way we communicate with friends, family, co-workers, employees, and clients. But be careful! E-mail messages cannot accurately deliver the tone of your message and what you thought was funny sarcasm by be interpreted as an insult to your reader. Here are some e-mail etiquette tips to help you be a better e-mail communicator:

¨ Take a little time to explain your message and use adjectives or adverbs to clarify tone. Short, blunt messages may come across as being rude.

¨ Always address the person with a salutation such as “Hi Name” or “Dear Name”. Using someone’s first name without a salutation may appear brusque.

¨ Using ALL CAPS is the equivalent of screaming at someone. Only use this were it is appropriate.

¨ Don’t send large attachments unless you’ve gotten permission from the recipient to do so. If the file is too large, it could take up a lot of space in their inbox and prevent them from getting
other messages.

¨ Make sure you have up-to-date virus protection. E-mail is the number one way viruses are spread. You’ll lose a lot of brownie points if you send someone a virus that wipes out their hard drive.

¨ Get to the point quickly and avoid rambling. Use a short description in your subject line to make filing and referencing your message easy.

¨ If you are sending a message to a large group of people, do not cut and paste everyone’s e-mail address into the cc (carbon copy) field. Most people are very sensitive about giving out their e-mail address to strangers. Either create a group in Outlook or use the bcc (blind carbon copy) field.

¨ Do not send off-color jokes, profanity, private information, or other messages that you wouldn’t want other people seeing via e-mail to anyone. Once you write it down and send it, you lose all control over where that message goes. Even if it’s a trusted friend, they may accidentally forward it on to someone else or it may get found by another person. This goes double if you are using your company e-mail address.

Speaking of email, if you are ever needing secure email or secure instant messaging, visit us at SnapStreak, www.snapstreak.com to learn more.

Remember to always "Manage IT Better" with SnapStreak!