Tip of the Week: MIGRATION OF PROGRAMS AND DATA OF OLD COMPUTERS TO NEW

This week has been another learning experience.  I finally scrapped my 4.5 year old computer with very limited RAM and Hard Drive and purchased a new laptop with attached docking station to act as my desktop.  It is a dedicated “business” computer which can accommodate all my multi-tasking and desktop publishing activities.

I have done this once before when I switched from my antiquated Compaq Presario desktop to the eMachines I bought almost 5 years ago.  I don’t remember it taking so long to migrate all my data and programs from one computer to another back then but then I was not using the Presario for business activities, so the transition was easy.

Some months ago, through one of the Techie Blogs I subscribe to, it was mentioned that a very reliable program called PC Mover was being offered to the public in a “free download” which would seemlessly migrate everything on my old computer to my new one.  Supposedly it would cut the timeframes to about 15 minutes as opposed to many hours.  Since I took advantage of the free download, I was soooo happy to have it when I did the recent switch to the new laptop.  Well……;. turned out the free download provided me with the program BUT in order to use it, I had to “purchase” an activation code.  Not so free after all!

And in mentioning it to some of my techie friends, I found that there are many programs out there that boast they can do the migration quickly and efficiently but in actual fact, they sometimes miss programs and files if there are any compatibility issues between the machines.  Nice thing to know BEFORE you plan to do the switch!  After many hours, I am now almost finished and ready to proceed with client work more efficiently with no “virtual memory low” error messages or freeze-ups.

I am also still planning and developing my strategies for the New Year… have you finished yours yet?  Have you decided on 2 or 3 items that you will concentrate on or do you have a long list?  Have you developed a point-by-point action plan?  I’d appreciate some feedback from my readers about this subject.

Happy New Year everyone!

Diane L. Coville

ALTERNATIVE OFFICE ASSISTANCE

Tip of the Week: BUYING A NEW COMPUTER

This has been a very good week.  I have been fortunate to get more clients and issue more quotes.  The article in which I appear in the Costco Connection has lead to a few calls from those who have read it and contacted me.  I have been working most of the week on client projects.  AND, I have been exploring the many facets of the Social Networking scene.  I truly believe that this avenue of marketing on-line is going to grow substantially in 2009.  I know because I have seen how much it has done for my business in just the last couple of months.

I also have a dilemna.  My desktop is over 4 years old and with my almost 24/7 usage, it has now started to slow down and has memory issues.  So do I upgrade my RAM and hard drive space or do I start shopping and comparing to get a more sophisticated machine to handle my growing needs and those of my clients?  I think the answer is obvious.  The cost of upgrading as opposed to new is fractional.  And this brings me to my Tip of the Week.

Tip of the Week:  Buying a New Computer

For those who need to buy new, shop around before you purchase.  I start by visiting sites and blogs where there are news and reviews about all the new technology on the marketplace as well as reviews on the products by Google searching the Manufacturer and the Model #.    Then I start checking out the main suppliers.  I determine what “I need” to have a functional machine for my purposes.  I check out their ready-made models as well as what it costs for them to “build my ideal computer”.   I then check with in-direct suppliers such as Tiger Direct (www.tigerdirect.com or www.tigerdirect.ca) and speak with one of their representatives to see if they can offer me a special or a deal.  I have purchased a few items from them and was completely satisified that they stand behind their sales.  There are many such suppliers out there.  I check out the deals from Staples, Future Shop, The Source, etc. but I have heard of many unhappy customers when they buy from those sources.  Many times, we think we are getting a good deal but don’t really know that the warranties are very limited, there are delays in replacing defective parts or the entire computer and what looks like a good package for software and hardware doesn’t really meet our needs.  Computers are a significant investment and proper research and “shopping around” is well worth your time in order to be completely satisfied with your purchase.

Another very busy week ahead…but I hear S. Ontario is going to experience weather akin to another Indian Summer and that is good news with winter just around the corner!

Diane L. Coville

ALTERNATIVE OFFICE ASSISTANCE