Everyone needs to get rid of outdated computer equipment at some point, but we often put it off because it can be a time consuming exercise to dispose of properly. After all, sensitive data and personal information often needs to be removed – not to mention the strict government guidelines that need to be adhered to.

So how do you guarantee that your computer equipment disposal is ethical and up to legal standards? Contact Dekko Projects.

At Dekko Projects we have the necessary expertise to arrange efficient computer equipment disposal to the recommended government and ethical guidelines. Whatever your individual or business requirement, we can provide professional solutions for data erasure and computer equipment disposal that leave you with complete peace of mind.

Our Disposal Service
Our service extends to disposal and destruction of all types of IT equipment. Items include monitors, computers, towers, servers, laptops, printers, plotters, scanners, racks and cabinets, fax machines, and photo copiers as well as accessories in any quantity or condition.

Our disposal service adheres to the European Community directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive). Together with the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC, which became European Law in February 2003, our setting collection, recycling and recovery targets for all types of electrical goods are administered to high legal standards.

Our Guarantee
We can provide a certificate and guarantee that all of your data has been removed and the process completed to lawful standards.

Call us on 01908 371 488 for more information or to arrange a computer equipment disposal.

iPhone

A new iPhone update is now available with improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Japanese language support for Siri (availability may be limited during initial rollout)
• Photos can now be deleted from Photo Stream
• Camera shortcut now always visible on Lock Screen for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation)
• Camera face detection now highlights all detected faces
• Redesigned Camera app for iPad
• Genius Mixes and Genius playlists for iTunes Match subscribers
• Audio for TV programmes and films on iPad optimised to sound louder and clearer
• Podcast controls for playback speed and a 30-second rewind for iPad
• Addresses bugs affecting battery life
• Fixes an issue that occasionally caused audio to drop for outgoing calls

iPad:

The new iPad (as it’s officially called) has built on many features of the iPad 2, with major changes including:

• High-resolution screen with 9.7 inch retina display (2048 x 1536 pixels and 264 pixels in each inch). It has an amazing 1 million more pixels than HDTV – fonts and images will look better than they ever have before.
• Voice dictation in English, French, German and Japanese.
• Upgraded bluetooth
• 4G LTE connectivity
• Upgraded iSight camera that has 5-megapixel resolution with backside illumination. The camera also includes a 5-element lens and a hybrid IR filter.
• 1080p video recording (upgraded from 720p on the iPad 2) with built in video stabilisation.
• A5x quad-core graphics

What did you think of Apple’s announcement, was it what you were expecting? Please share your comments with us!

Apple changed the way we looked at tablets with the release of the iPad. It may only be two years old, but it’s already an institution and we reckon any radical shifts in design or philosophy are out of the question; sorry 7 inch believers. We do however expect to see changes both inside and out..

The release…

You’ve probably heard every rumour going about the release date rumoured to be March 7th. The time fits with previous Apple iPad releases and coincides with the release of iOS 5.1.

If previous patterns are anything to go by, and assuming the iPad 3 is announced March 7th, it should become available internationally by March 30th…

Apple iPad 3 display

One of the iPhone’s most beloved features is its ultra sharp retina display and it would seem the iPad 3 will follow suit. There are rumours going around that the iPad 3 will see a higher resolution screen than its predecessors. Apple are reportedly testing suppliers’ current shipments of 2048 x 1536 resolution 9.7-inch displays…so this looks to also carry some weight in the rumour ring. Android tablet displays passed the iPad last summer, and since then have moved into 1080p territory, so it seems far fetched that Apple would put off upgrading the iPad’s screen another year.

However, other reports are gearing towards the previous CES iPad 3 sighting; reporting no big changes in line for the iPad.

Apple iPad 3 have a quad-core processor…

It looks likely that the iPad 3 will come with a new processor – and we think it’s extremely unlikely that anything other than a super fast new A6 chip will power it. Both BGR and Bloomberg have recently reported that the A6 will indeed be quad core.

The A6 is a vast improvement over the dual-core A5 processor that is in the current iPad model. The A6 will surely be a quad-core ARM-based processor, with designs already coming from various ARM partners.

The design is not for turning, sir…

We think the one thing that is almost certain NOT to change is the overall look and design of the iPad. Apple has had nothing but success with the size and shape; so why would it change now? We don’t feel there is any real weight to the of a 7 or 8 inch counterpart either, despite The WSJ saying that Apple are testing them.

The only real change, well amend really may be the thickness as they may need to a very slightly thicker build to account for a retina display or a larger battery.

Let us know your thoughts on the iPad 3 and what rumours you think carry weight, or what you would like to see…

Are you thinking about trying a cloud computing solution for your business?

Whatever your company size, our team at Dekko can give you all the advice you need to find the best cloud based solution for your business.

Don’t think cloud computing is for your business? Think again!

Dekko can help save you time and money on your IT solution.

Our team at Dekko can give you all the advice you need for adopting a cloud based solution for your business. More often than not, our recommendation is Google Apps as experience tells us that it works for businesses of any size.

In fact, in the last year a number of our single user clients as well as our much larger client organisations have migrated over to ‘Google Apps for Business’.

Recent news about how a Spanish bank moved 100,000+ Employees to Google Apps  not to mention press reports that the US Government uses Google Apps, gives you a good idea of the scale of its capability.

So what do you get with Google Apps?

So you like the sound of Google Apps but want to still use Outlook?

Not a problem, we have many clients that still use Microsoft Outlook and Google Apps.

We can setup Outlook to work with Google Apps services so that you don’t even notice any difference in your Microsoft Outlook. We also have clients that use a mixture of Google Apps, Outlook and Google mobile email access.

We tailor it to your business so that you can get all benefits of the Google Apps cloud solution without having to learn how to use new software.

Making the move to Google Apps with the help of Dekko

With Dekko, the migration process to Google Apps is very smooth. Whether you’re taking your Exchange server down and migrating 30 x 4GB mailboxes to Google Apps or if you’re just a small business using Outlook and have no idea how to make sure your email data is safe, we look after the whole process for you, from start to finish. We also offer remote or onsite training so that you can rest assured all your staff are getting the most from your new Cloud solution.

If you just want to know more or have some technical questions contact
Matt@Dekko-it.co.uk or call 01908 371 488.

So why use Google Apps?

1. No 1 reason to use Google apps for Business – SAVE MONEY We all like to save money on things. Google Apps will reduce your IT costs, your electricity costs, software costs, user training costs.

2. Easy to use – All Google products are easy to use

3. Grow your business – Using all the different features of Google apps will grow you business, from collaborating with other staff and customers to making more money with time saving services.

4. Security – use the same security that Google relies on to protect www.google.com – Say good bye to SPAM and Viruses

5. Easy to deploy – get your Google Apps services up and running without delay.

Thinking about making the move to Google Apps?

If you just want to know more or have some technical questions contact
Matt@Dekko-it.co.uk or call 01908 371 488.

The changes, which will soon be available to all users, see a redesigned home page without clutter and there is a lot of whitespace.

The search bar has been enlarged and there are fewer buttons, while the focus is on Amazon’s digital offerings such as ebooks, digital games and applications.

According to Techcrunch blogger Sarah Perez, who reported seeing a prototype of Amazon’s tablet device, the changes in Amazon’s online store “practically scream ‘tablet-optimised’”.

Amazon’s tablet has a back-lit 7in screen and is geared towards playing internet music and movies.

It is multi-touch, but could rely on a two-finger multi-touch instead of 10-finger, like the Ipad uses.

The tablet will be the first Kindle with a full-colour screen. Originally, Amazon had planned to launch a 7in and a 10in tablet at the same time but that plan changed this summer. Techcrunch said that Amazon is now betting everything on the 7in tablet and if it works, the company will release the more expensive 10in tablet in the first quarter of next year.

As anticipated, Amazon has forked Android to build its own version for the Kindle, which apparently looks nothing like the Android we are used to.

Techcrunch said Amazon is planning on offering its $79 a year internet streaming service Amazon Prime for free along with the device.

Amazon’s tablet will be WiFi only and come with a colour touchscreen, but will have a limited 6GB of storage.

Experts have had a positive outlook on Amazon’s tablet device, partly because at $250, it is around half the price of most tablets on the market, including the Ipad.
Read more: http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2106708/amazon-prepares-launch-usd250-tablet#ixzz1X5WztdQE
The Inquirer – Computer hardware news and downloads. Visit the download store today.

Original article from http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2106708/amazon-prepares-launch-usd250-tablet

1) Almost 1 in 10 UK households can’t get access to a traditional landline 2Mbps broadband connection.
Unlike conventional broadband providers restricted by existing cables and phone lines, the new Tooway service works via satellite and is available to every household and business in the UK

2) With the latest generation Tooway broadband satellite service – every home in the UK can access up to 10Mbps broadband.
It may sound like the stuff rumours are made of but we promise you – it’s true! Tooway Satellite broadband reaches every last home in the UK and offers each and every one of them 10mbps broadband speeds.

3) There are four new generation Tooway packages:
Tooway offers a range of different packages to suit your needs depending on how often you use the internet and what you use it for – whether it’s downloading movies, catching up with friends via Skype or just browsing and checking emails. The range includes Tooway 6 (6Mbps download and 1Mbps upload), Tooway 8 (8Mbps download and 2Mbps upload), Tooway 10 (10Mbps download and 2Mbps upload) and Tooway 10+ (10Mbps download and 4Mbps upload)

4) There are also Tooway professional services for businesses
We offer businesses faster speeds at up to 40Mbps, and soon to be 50Mbps, so rural businesses can be just as speedy and efficient as those in the city. The Tooway™ professional services portfolio offers a wide range of business communication solutions for data networks (e.g. private networks, internet access, back-up), professional video services (eg. satellite news gathering) and for television broadcasting.

5) You just plug and play!
Access to the Tooway satellite broadband service couldn’t be easier. A 77cm satellite dish is attached to the outside of your home facing South and you just pop the modem in your house (wherever fits in best with the décor, of course), plug it into your PC or connect it to your wi-fi network and off you go!

6 )  We’re here to help, but only if you want us to
We can come and install the dish for you but, if you’re feeling handy with a hammer, you can do it yourself. Just don’t blame us if you mount it upside down…

7) We’re very good at multi-tasking
The Tooway satellite dish is able to receive UK and European television channels and Voice over IP telephone services (that’s Skype to you and me )

8 ) Tooway can handle the elements
Historically, satellite has suffered from the impact of adverse weather conditions. Not anymore! We’ve installed lots of clever bits to prevent the unpredictable British weather from impacting on your broadband connection. Specifically, ViaSat, the technology supplier of the Tooway™ system has included features that mitigate the impact of rain fade on the satellite link. The system responds automatically to rain fade with uplink power control and adaptive data coding techniques that overcome potential outages, while optimising the use of satellite transponder bandwidth to ensure we significantly increase reliability and quality of the service you receive.

9) A satellite to make NASA jealous
The new Tooway™ service is provided by KA-SAT, the first all-Ka-band High Throughput Satellite (HTS) in Europe. With 82 spotbeams and more than 70 Gbps throughput, it is the world’s most powerful satellite. Launched on Boxing Day 2010, KA-SAT is operated by Eutelsat, Europe’s leading satellite operator with services provided by its Skylogic affiliate

10) Going down in history.
For all you history buffs out there who love to know the dates and statistics of prominent events, the satellite arrived in January 2011 at its definitive location in geostationary orbit at 9° East and is integrated with a network of ground stations connected to the Internet backbone to create a new pan-European broadband infrastructure. The Satellite went live on May 31st, 2011. Phew!

During World War II, Bletchley code-breakers gleaned information from German communications that proved vital to the Allied victory.

The building, known as Block C, held the punch card index that acted as a “search engine” at the heart of decryption work.

In 2010, Google helped return papers of cryptanalyst Alan Turing to Bletchley.

Bletchley Park, which now houses the National Museum of Computing, is also widely recognised as having a pivotal role in the computer industry because machines built to help crack codes laid the foundation for more modern devices.

To read more of the article

If you get a call from someone claiming to be calling from Microsoft or on behalf of Microsoft hang up the phone as its a scam.

They will try to tell you that your computer has been sending out error reports.
They will try and show you the fake errors on your computer.
They will then try and direct to www.ammyy.com to take control of your computer.

Once they have control they will then ask for credit card details to fix the problem for a one off charge, you know what happens next

see here for more information.

If you have been hit by this scam please contact us and we will run some tests on your system to see what they have done.

Contact Dekko Projects for all the computer services you need, including computer and laptop repair, virus removal, anti-virus software installation, internal cleaning and replacing fans.

Please contact us on 01908 371 488 or email info@dekko-it.co.uk

Having a firewall on your home network is absolutely essential before using the internet. Firewalls help protect your computer from malicious spyware, adware and viruses – all of which might allow hackers to gain access to your computer.

Make sure you have a valid and updated version of anti-virus software installed on your computer and perform a full scan at least once a month. Anti-virus software alerts you to any potential problems with your system and removes or isolates viruses that may have infected your machine. Ensure your anti-virus software is continuously running when using your machine and act upon any prompts to ‘fix’ your system and remove viruses.   If you ever get a message on your screen that you don’t understand call 01908 371 488 or email info@dekko-it.co.uk

Be careful when downloading information or software from the internet as the files may contain viruses or malware (software that ‘spies’ on your internet usage). Always use reputable sites that you trust, err on the side of caution when any popup or message box appears claiming to be able to fix your computer for you.  If you ever get a message on your screen that you don’t understand call 01908 371 488 or email info@dekko-it.co.uk

Every time you use the internet, information is stored on your computer for later use which eventually impacts on the performance of your computer. Follow your computer’s instructions how to remove ‘cookies’ (usually by deleting your browsing history). Please note removing cookies will delete any usernames and passwords which may have been saved on your favourite sites.
Once a month you should free up space on your hard drive by clearing out any unnecessary files using the ‘disk clean-up’ option. This allows you to remove any clutter which may be impacting on your computer’s performance.   Not all temporary files are removed from the disk clean-up in windows, if you want a tougher clean-up of files Contact Dekko Projects and we will arrange a remote support session to give your computer a spring clean.

You can also free up space on your hard drive manually by deleting any files you no longer need or storing them on a portable device such as a memory stick or a CD. Always ensure that you back-up your important files regularly to prevent losing your data should the worst happen and your computer does break down.   Microsoft Windows 7 includes backup software that does an excellent job at automatically backing up your data and the system state of your machine.  We strongly recommend you use Windows 7 backup with an external hard drive.

Whichever operating system your computer uses, you will receive regular prompts to update your software. These updates will improve your security, enhance your computer’s performance and are also a way of protecting your computer from new viruses that may have come to light since you first installed your program.   If you wish we can remote into your computer and check you have the correct updates for the software you are running.

Lastly try to store your computer in a cool environment, which is well ventilated and have it internally cleaned professionally to remove dust every six months.

Contact Dekko Projects for all the computer services you need, including computer and laptop repair, virus removal, anti-virus software installation, internal cleaning and replacing fans.

Please contact us on 01908 371 488 or email info@dekko-it.co.uk

Blog post from http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/

Today I am pleased to announce the Release of the Windows Server Solutions Phone Connector for Small Business Server 2011 Essentials (aka Integrating Windows Phone 7 with your SBS 2011 Essentials Server).

The Windows Server Solutions Phone Connector add-in enables you to connect to your home, business, or storage server by using your Windows Phone 7 phone. This document provides help for the integration of Windows Phone 7 into Windows Home Server 2011, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials.

After completing the integration of your Windows Phone 7 phone into a SBS 2011 Essentials server, you can use your phone to perform remote server management tasks (such as view alerts, manage users, and start and stop backups).

The Phone connecter requires both a server sided add-in which you can download from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=214671 , and a Windows Phone 7 Application which can be downloaded through the market place on your phone or via your PC when you have your phone linked to the Zune client via http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=214673&clcid=0×409.

For further information you can access the Windows 7 Phone Connector help site on TechNet at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh319881.aspx