Databranch Newsletter

April 2008
In this issue

> Press Release
> Weakest Link
> Not Easy Being Green
> Get Repeat Customers
> Undo Big Mistake

How to 'Undo' a Big Mistake in Windows

By Kim Komando - Microsoft Small Business Center

It used to be, back in that last century, that people wished for a reverse time machine. This would allow them to go back in time after they messed up their computer.

Well, Windows XP has that time machine. And when some awful thing gives your computer the staggers, it's easy to go back to the day before. Or the day before that. Or last week or last month. It's an all-too-often unused feature that may save your bacon someday, called System Restore. Here are four things to know about it.

1. It allows you to go back in time.

System Restore creates points in time — called "restore points" — in which it takes a snapshot of Windows. It stores them on your hard drive. At any given time, you might have restore points going back a few weeks, or a few months. System Restore also is included in Windows Me. Windows 98 has a similar, but less advanced, utility called Registry Checker. It can undo problems in the Windows Registry. More about that in a minute.

So how do you get into System Restore?

Click Start > All Programs (in Windows Me, it's Programs) > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. This path opens the System Restore wizard. Immediately, you are given the choice of stepping back in time, or creating a restore point.

Please forward this newsletter to anyone else in your organization who might be interested!

Press Release: Please Welcome Brady Hummel
to the Databranch Team!

Brady Hummel has joined Databranch as a Field Engineer and will work with the engineering team both in-house and out in the field. Brady brings with him years of experience as a senior technical engineer for a retail computer company as well as recent work as an IT consultant for an IT computer company.

Brady holds his CompTIA A+ certification and is certified and qualified to service a number of HP desktops, workstations and notebooks as well as a large range of HP Laserjet printers. He is currently working towards his CompTIA Network+ certification as well as his Microsoft MCP, Desktop Support certification.

Brady Hummel

The Weakest Link in Network Security
By Peter Alexander
Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Small Business Center

Your small-business network may be protected by firewalls, intrusion detection and other state-of-the-art security technologies. And yet, all it takes is one person's carelessness, and suddenly it's as if you have no network security at all.
Let me give you an example.

In March 2006, a major financial services firm with extensive network security disclosed that one of its portable computers was stolen. The laptop contained the Social Security numbers of nearly 200,000 people. How did it happen?

It's Not Easy Being Green!
Written by: David Tan, CTO

Traditionally, standard business practice for Information Technology has dictated that the primary focus of IT decisions and initiatives is based on the economic impact and viability. In other words, how much will it cost, and how much will it save me over time, and when will I recoup my investment. This mindset has started to change drastically in the last year or so, as companies adopt a Green IT mentality, and start to consider not only the economic impact of their decisions, but the environmental and social as well. The problem is, for IT, it’s not easy being green.

Green IT is one of those industry catchphrases we love to use so much. Essentially it is the practice of using computer resources in a more efficient and environmentally conscientious way. This can include everything from reduced power consumption to recycling and safe disposal. The trend is growing fastest among large enterprises, but clearly this is something everyone can do, even the smallest business and home user. As a caveat, going green can also mean more green for the company – in the form of cost savings or tax benefits. Reducing power consumption can clearly lead to lower utility costs. Server consolidation can free up valuable office space for other revenue generating functions. Many states are offering incentives for the safe disposal of old computer components – and some that aren’t are starting to enact regulations mandating the practice. This is something you need to be thinking about for your business immediately. Here are some tips you can think about to help get you started:

How to Get Repeat Customers: 7 Steps
By Jeff Wuorio - Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center

“Don’t be a stranger now.” You’ve surely heard that expression, a most hospitable one. But for small business owners, a returning customer is essential to survival.

For the entrepreneur, it’s important to understand how to build a base of customers who return to your business time and again. Here are seven ideas and strategies to consider:

1. Repeat customers cost less than new ones.

Studies show that it's less expensive to bring existing customers back than to attract new ones. It makes sense, considering the expense of advertising, marketing, media and other tools necessary to lure new customers. Also, getting a new customer's attention can often be a matter of timing.