ETC Computerland

Welcome to our monthly round-up of tech tips, news and web wisdom. If you have any questions you’d like us to address, please contact us at web@etccomputerland.com.

Upcoming Events:

Quincy University Technology Fair
October 8, 2008
10am - 3pm

Move forward with today's technology. Vendors such as Cisco available to discuss your networking needs, HP to discuss your computer and printing needs, along with our staff to talk with you about network management, website application development, and security including card access, phones and video for your compliancy needs. Food, drinks and fun provided.

Please call or email your reservations today.
217-228-6180
888-333-2563
searnest@etccomputerland.com

 

Keys To The Kingdom

Brian Caldwell
Presidium Project Manager

When entrusting your organization’s valuable data resources to employees or vendors, one must always maintain a watchful eye over their activities. While only having one copy of the keys (passwords) to the kingdom is a bad idea, having one too many copies can be just as bad.  Balance needs to be maintained whereby network administrators of equal system access should audit each other and communicate frequently regarding changes to infrastructure, security, and location of resources.  It is advisable for organizations to have at least one trusted non-technical person capable of removing administrative access at a moment’s notice.  One good idea is a centralized security system that functions like a key “lockbox” where all other administrative users’ credentials cease to work when locked down. This can be established with an effective Single Sign-On service based on a two factor authentication system.

Security is important in every organization.  Too much security can be cost prohibitive.  Not enough security can kill your business.

For information on how ETC ComputerLand can help with your security needs please call 217-228-6180.

 

Google, Again

Dean La Velle
Web Services Consultant

Google’s done it again, introducing a new tool that has the potential to help you monitor the competition, and your business.  It’s called Google Insight and it’s a slick piece of work.  You’ll need a (free) Google account to login.

Enter in your business name or, for very interesting data, your business name and then your competitor’s business name (separate the two with a comma) and choose the date range (2004 to present is good), and then watch the competitive intelligence come pouring in.

You’ll see a line graph showing relative interest (searches) for the two businesses over time, that’s tied to new searches as well.  You’ll see regional interest (by country and city) with a map overlay and a bar graph.

Top searches for your business (and competitor’s) as well as rising searches… talk about keeping a pulse on what’s interesting to your customers and potential customers!  See which of your products they’re searching for… and which of the competition’s.

Call ETC ComputerLand today to set up a meeting with one of our business consultants to learn how tools like Google Insight can help your business keep a sharp competitive edge.

 

Maintaining your Website

Jessica Unger
Web Developer

What’s involved in maintaining a website?  And why should you care?  Simply, because if you don’t know what’s involved in managing the domain and hosting accounts that keep your website online, you won’t be able to make informed decisions on them.

Here’s the essential information to keep on hand:

  • What domain names are registered for your site(s)? These are your “dot com” names
  • Where are your domain names registered? Godaddy, Network Solutions, Yahoo?
  • Who registered your domain names?
  • Who are the listed contacts for those domains?  Are you listed as the Admin contact? You should be
  • Most importantly, when do the domain names expire?
  • Who hosts your website?
  • Who should you contact if there are hosting issues, like your website is down?

If you keep track of these few things, you’ll never have an issue with your website’s hosting or domain that you can’t address quickly.

 

Congratulations Christian Public Education!Christian Public Education

As many of you may already know, GiFT is a monthly computer and technology giveaway sponsored by ETC ComputerLand to benefit local not-for-profit tax-exempt agencies who are in good standing with the state of Illinois and/or Missouri and whose principal offices are within 30 miles of Quincy, IL, and Kirksville, MO.

Click here for instructions on setting up a monthly reminder to sign up for GiFT.

REGISTER NOW!

September Features
Keys to The Kingdom
Google, Again
Maintaining Your Website
GiFT
Archived Newsletters
Presidium

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