The initial release of Microsoft Vista had its ups and downs. From a business standpoint, most companies have been avoiding the operating system due to lack of software drivers, broken functionality and support issues.

Microsoft has been addressing some of these problems, which have been resolved in the latest Service Pack.

If you migrate to Microsoft Vista in your business, what can you expect?

• Most users love the interface, which is snazzy and appealing.
  
• Peripherals such as printers and scanners may still work with the Windows XP drivers provided while others may require new Vista-specific drivers to be installed.  Other harwdare may not work at all and will need to be replaced with Vista-compatible hardware. Plan on this possible device replacement while contemplating a move to Vista.
  
• If you use Virtual Private Networks (VPN) built into the operating system, expect some changes and inefficiencies, especially if you VPN to multiple networks. This part of the operating system was re-written and needs more work in our opinion. VPNs in Vista are usable, but not as streamlined or as fast as they were in Windows XP.
  
• If you use PowerTerm to connect to your business system, plan on buying a new version for use on Vista. It is not likely that the current version will run.
  
• If you use Cyberscreen for Windows, you will need to be running the latter versions (7.22) in order for Cyberscreen to run effectively.
• Do not implement Vista on older or under-powered PCs.  To run Vista effectively, 2GB of memory (RAM) is required.

Microsoft is also making an aggressive advertising blitz to get everyone to “rethink Vista,” so Vista is here to stay.  Please keep the above issues in mind if you are contemplating the migration to Vista.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please let us know.

Most of our customers have one or more domain names for email and website presence. These domain names are licensed annually and can be purchased for years in the future.

Recently, a majority of domain name owners have been receiving solicitations to purchase alternate domain names in order to "protect their trademark."  Many of these offers are from overseas companies claiming that another company has already filed for the domain name in question and that they are first approaching you since you are the current rightful owner.

Domain owners may also receive notice from a competing registrar that their domain is coming up for renewal and urgent action is required.

Do not reply to or act upon these solicitations, which may arrive via email, fax, or postal service.  These solicitations are attempting to create fear in you to register domain names that you really do not want or need or to transfer your registration to their company.

While Copeland Data Systems uses common domain extensions like copelanddata.com, copelanddata.net, and copelanddata.biz, we will never need domains in China (copelanddata.cn) or Hong Kong (copelanddata.hk).

Before renewing your domain name via an unsolicited email or fax, please ask yourself if it sounds like a legitimate offer (chances are it is not).  We manage most domain registrations for our customers and manually review the renewal each year.  If you would like an additional opinion on any solicitation you receive, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you do business internationally and are interested in a foreign domain, please let us know and we will register if for you from the same trusted company we use for your current domains.

Wireless connectivity is hot today – everyone wants to be connected with “no wires”.
Businesses and schools want wireless connectivity for their notebook PC like you would get when you walk into a Starbucks.

The fact is, using wireless connections in the office brings up special concerns that should not be ignored. There are specific needs that can be rectified by using wireless networking:

• You need connectivity at a location to which you cannot run a cable. This may include a PC in the corner office or a station in the warehouse. If used in this way, make sure the wireless network is setup with security so other users or visitors cannot slip onto your network and access your resources.
  
  
• You want to provide wireless access for “roaming notebooks” that you can control. You need to make sure the wireless access points are secured with encryption as mentioned above.
  
  
• You want to provide easy access to the Internet to all users in your office, just like the anonymous access you would have at a Starbucks. While you can provide unsecured access, you need to be very careful on how this is implemented. When you do not implement this properly, you are in essence giving each user “a key to your network and resources”, which can be misused. In addition, a user outside your building (in your parking lot, for example), can misuse the connection to break into your computer files and network resources. In any event – using a wireless connection in this unsecured manner really needs to be well planned and coordinated.

Wireless connections are also very prone to interference from electronic devices like microwaves and cordless phones which easily cause dropped packets and network outages.

While wireless connections are faster and more stable than in the past, they are not perfect and this must be taken into consideration when weighing wireless against wired connectivity. Speed and reliability make wired connections still a more popular choice in building a network.

Wireless connections do need special considerations, so if you would like to discuss wireless options for your office, please do not hesitate to ask.

Here are just a few quick reminders as well as some new ideas to think about:

• UPS batteries only typically last up to 3 years.  Consider replacing the batteries or you may be caught by surprise during the next power outage.  Simply contact us with the unit’s model number and we'll get you the replacement you need.
  
  
• Data is invaluable, so backup is essential. Do not become complacent with your backup and assume it is working correctly. Check all logs everyday and make sure you always have at least one backup set offsite.
  
  
• Email is like your garage – you can put more and more in it, but at some point it will completely fill up.  Do you want to buy a bigger garage, or do you want to throw old things out?  A new Exchange Server is not cheap, so implementing a mailbox cleanup strategy is necessary.  Develop a policy that everyone can adhere to and keep your email storage to a manageable level.
  
  
• Office 2003 is no longer available and Office 2007 is now the only option when buying a new PC.  The “ribbon” interface is quite different and takes some getting used to, but is quite organized once you understand how functions are categorized.
  
  
• You can still buy the Vista Bonus Pack with a new PC, which allows you to have downgrade rights to Windows XP if you are not able to (or ready to) run Vista.
  
  
• In Outlook, you can setup Personalized Folders, which are not stored in Exchange Server. This allows you to offload information from the server and store information on your local drive.  These folders will not be accessible via Outlook Web Access and they will not be backed up unless you back them up manually, but it does minimize storage within your Exchange account. If you use a notebook, it would also give you access to your saved email via Outlook when you are not connected to your network or the Internet.  While each version of Outlook may be different, you can go to FILE>NEW>OUTLOOK DATA FILE to create a folder of your choice.
  
  
• Spyware and viruses are becoming more and more stubborn and in most cases today, and infected computer requires and investment of 2-4 hours before the machine can be returned to running state. Do not visit questionable sites that you are not comfortable with, and stay away from free downloads.
  
  
• IT Services should not be looked at as a commodity. It is a strategic advantage to have a single IT Service Firm oversee all aspects of the technology in your business. By not having a single watchdog, no one else will ensure that your organization's various technologies will work together and be effective and efficient.
  
  
• Cyberscience Corporation recently hosted their Cyberscience User Forum 2008. Users and developers from around the world converged in Denver on September 16-19 to learn about and share the latest developments in the Cyberscience platform.  New technologies like Query Workbench and Query Databases were introduced, as well as new constructs like Drag-and-Drop and Dashboards which are now supported in Cyberscreen.

A whole new industry has emerged in Niagara County with the creation of the Niagara Wine Trail. The Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario have created a unique microclimate suitable for the production of world class wines. Visitors can experience the area's beautiful countryside as they spend the day traveling from one winery to another.

The Oakes Family has a 90 year history of agricultural ties to the land in the northwest corner of Orleans County. In 2003, they planted their first wine grapes.  From that initial planting of six acres, fourteen varieties have evolved into what is known today as Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, located on Ridge Road (Route 104). You can find out more at www.oakeswinery.com.

Leonard Oakes Estate Winery is associated with LynOaken Farms.  The apple growing tradition of the Oakes family and LynOaken Farms dates back to 1918 when their grandfather purchased land in rural Orleans County in Western New York State to grow the best apples possible.  Today, LynOaken Farms has two locations – one on Ridge Road in Medina and the other in Lyndonville.  You can learn more about LynOaken Farms at www.lynoakenfarms.com.

Copeland Data Systems helps Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and LynOaken Farms with their technology needs. Wendy Oakes Wilson adds:

“CDS are the go-to guys. They help us stay focused on what we need to do to be successful in our own business doing what they do best - fixing all the computer problems we make for ourselves!”

If you get a free weekend, have fun by visiting the Niagara Wine Trail and drop in on a visit to Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.