USB also called Universal Serial Bus presently comes in 2 versions.
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0

USB 2.0 transmits data at 60 megabytes per second.
USB 3.0 transmits data at 400 megabytes per second.

Physical distance is stated at 10ft maximum according to various text books however in the real world I have successfully used USB cables exceeding 25 ft without any problems.

USB can also be used to transmit power which is how a USB hub, USB mouse or other USB device lights up when it is plugged into a powered USB port. USB can transfer and transmit Data and Power.

USB works well with printers, keyboards, digital cameras, camcorders, external ROM – drives such as CD and DVD burners, external hard drives and other devices that support USB that are physically close to the USB port / HUB or computer.

Ethernet on the other hand does not transmit power and only transmits data.
Ethernet presently comes in 2 versions.
Category 5 and Category 6.

Category 5 transmits data at 100 megabytes per second.
Category 6 transmits data at 1000 megabytes per second.

Physical distance is usually around 100 yards / 300 ft however I have seen Ethernet cable runs that exceed this distance and perform well. Generally if your Ethernet run is more than 300 ft you may or may not need a (Ethernet repeater – switch) which will vary from physical situation to situation.

Ethernet is used for networking computers, routers, switches, networked printers and other networked devices.

The subject of this particular apple phishing email reads “Account Info Change,” the phishing email appears to look like it comes from APPLE, but the email address shows it came from do not reply@itunes.comvia smtp.com,”. This means this email did not really come from apple and instead came from a fraudulent third party email service provider. (Real APPLE emails will show “id.apple.com” as the address. If you are unsure if the email you receive is real or bogus then it’s a good idea to call your network administrator of a qualified computer consultant to look at the email for you.

The fake emails look identical to real emails from APPLE which makes it dangerous for unsuspecting victims of fraud.

The bogus email informs email recipients that their Apple ID was “updated” and includes a link users can click on “to review and update their APPLE account security settings”. The fake link tricks users into believing the link goes to the real apple website but in fact the link takes users to a fake webpage that is cloned to look like the real apple web page.

The bogus APPLE page asks for users to log in with their APPLE ID and password, which of course ais sent to cyber criminals which then take your user name and password and access your real APPLE account and steal your credit card information along with your home or business address, your phone numbers and this quickly turns you into a victim of identity theft.

This kind of cyber crime is blooming up all over the internet and is very popular in Orlando Florida.

It is also important for APPLE users to understand that APPLE laptops, computers, iPhones and Ipads, which are thought to be safer and more secure then Microsoft computing platforms are not immune from online cyber crime and cyber attacks. A long list of new malware and computer viruses have recently emerged targeting and crippling APPLE computers – Macs. Rather than hoping your Apple product will be safe it is best for users to install commercial quality anti-virus software and better yet to use a high quality firewall designed to filter malware and computer viruses.

Of course, there is no substitute for knowledge and common sense. No antivirus software, firewall or reputation.com review can completely protect you from cyber crime like this. If you ever receive an unsolicited email like this, pick up the phone and call your network administrator and computer consultant and have him or her look at the email and whatever you do not click on any links in the email as this can open up a serious threat to your computer and your network. A good Managed Services Provider will proactively monitor your computer and network safety and will filter content so you do not have to worry about doing so but it is not always possible to detect and block these kinds of emails because of the never ending trends of technology and trickery.

If you thought Google+ is just for personal use you may be in for a surprise.

Google+ is now available on Google Apps, the online suite of Google tools used by millions of businesses and universities worldwide.

When Google+ was released this year to the general public, its practical uses for businesses were still unclear. One of the setbacks was this social media tool was not available on Google Apps which is Google’s suite of online office tools used by many businesses and universities. Google recently announced that Google Apps users would now be able to use Google+.

Google stated that over 4 million businesses in a wide range of industries are using Google Apps for common day to day tasks. If an organization has chosen to automatically enable the new Google services, Google+ will become available to employees almost immediately. Otherwise, network administrators can now enable Google+ for their organizations.

While Google Apps users will have access to all of the standard features of Google+, there are other elements your network administrator can add. Users will have the option to share with other Google+ enabled users in their organization.  Google+ already boasts over 50 million users worldwide, and adoptions like this are sure to bring more business users to the light. The business possibilities for Google’s new site seem endless, from online staff business meetings to document collaboration.

Google’s easy to use filtering tools means fast segregation of work related material, not to mention personal material. Google also announced an easy to use migration tool for users that already have a personal Google+ account.  For users that have already started using Google+ with their personal Google accountants, Google is already building a tool to help users move over. With the tool Google is building, users will not have to rebuild their circles, and the people that have already added you to their circles will automatically be connected to your new Google profile.

The integration of Google+ with Google Apps sounds like it is the beginning of Google’s push for the social media website to be a business tool.  Does your company or organization plan on using Google+ as a business collaboration tool in the near future? How do you envision Google’s role for your business or organization?

To learn more about Google+ visit the Google+ website.

A few days ago a business in Orlando Florida contacted us and asked us for information about an Order entry software at www.Netsuite.com which is a software package that would be an alternatives solution to common off the shelf accounting software that can be integrated into their E-commerce web site for more advanced reporting options. After a brief discussion with the accounting department and the owner of this business we learned the company’s requirements are pretty deep and they want a web based order entry software package that includes Enterprise Resource Planning also known as (ERP), advanced accounting features and modules, Customer Relationship Management also known as CRM, that can function with their E-commerce website.  Of course when planning to jump into deep water a small business must consider cost to implement, deploy and maintain such a high end solution and the business better be serious about doing business on the internet to justify the cost associated with running a truly customized back office system.  We wound up recommending a customized software package using software from a company we are familiar with based out of San Mateo California. The software vendor is NetSuite and they do develop some pretty impressive order enter software packages that can be custom tailored to any E commerce web based back office system.

We decided to review the software hands on and this stuff is very feature rich and here are our thoughts.

NetSuite is an online accounting and business management software package that is very useful for larger E-commerce web sites and it can be customized and modified providing you have access to an experienced and reliable computer programmer and a web-master. We reviewed the demo version of the small business accounting software and found that it offers extensive financial reporting and covers many needs beyond basic accounting. This software package without modification can track sales, marketing, projects and even customer service tasks. The possibilities are really endless if you have access to a well versed information technology firm to work with you to help you achieve your technical goals.

This E-commerce business solution is very flexible and user friendly. It really is everything a business needs, from tracking phone calls, emails,  to managing employees and even outside business consultants. However, it may be too much for small businesses of only a few employees and way too much for freelancers or consultants that do not need much beyond basic invoicing where QuickBooks will fit the needs better. But a mid sized company of about 30 or more employees  may find that a customized NetSuite system can help them become more organized and efficient and ultimately more profitable.

A lot of websites for small and medium sized businesses and organizations waste more money on their website money than their website generate.  This is because most of the websites are thought to be nothing more than a stagnant electronic brochure collecting dust in cyberspace according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and experienced webmasters.

This fantastic notion of a problem has strong roots in the phases prior to launching or re-designing a website. It all starts with the 5 most common misconceptions small and medium sized business owners should avoid when launching their website.

Mistake #1: A website made by an amateur web designer will yield professional results.
Your business or organization website is not the place to publish an amateur representation of your company, organization or services. You are not just presenting your business image to your local community and surrounding areas, but to the entire world. Obtaining the professional services of an experienced and knowledgeable webmaster will save you thousands of dollars in the design and development of your website and business growth goals utilizing the World Wide Web.

Mistake #2: Developing a low ball “Bargain Basement” website will make your phone ring.
Ask any real business owner who has ever purchased a budget website from somebody on Craigslist or elsewhere if they are completely happy with their results. Focus on finding professional and quality web services at fair prices rather than the lowest price.  No college educated professional is going to use his or her experience and knowledge to make you a professional website for a few hundred bucks.

This goes back to the old saying “You get what you pay for”.

Mistake #3: You’re going to be #1 on Google and you are going to get rich!
 Steer clear of anybody that proposes such a false statement. The truth is, once your website goes online, a high quality website marketing strategy using Organic Search Engine Optimization must be used in order to generate any real and relevant website traffic to your website and this is not a task but rather an ongoing process that only an experienced SEO consultant can deliver. There is a lot involved with professional SEO and the truth is amateurs or hobbyists – many which can be found advertising super low rock bottom prices that seem almost free can be found on places like Craigs List and are desperate to take your money. A good SEO professional will not beg for work because they will be too busy optimizing their own websites or the websites of their paying clients.

Mistake #4: If you build a website, people will find you
One of the biggest mistakes today is business owners fail to recognize the high importance of Internet Marketing programs such as an ongoing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) website marketing campaign. Obtaining a high volume of website visitors to your website is a must for real success. There is absolutely no website that just generates business for you without being properly optimized and operated by an experienced SEO consultant. There is no “luck” involved in the SEO / Internet Marketing Process. Your website needs to be designed and developed by a professional webmaster and needs to include a real internet marketing plan in mind from the get go. Anything less is a formula for guaranteed failure and disappointment.

Mistake #5: All you can do is put up a cheapO website site and hope for the best
You know what we are talking about, those wannabe web geeks that practically beg for work and offer to make you website for a few hundred bucks. Do not be satisfied with a service that only hopes for the best. A professional and successful website is the result of an experienced webmaster that knows web design – development and (SEO) inside and out. The truth is most web designers do not give much if any thought to your success once they have built your website and have been paid. This is exactly why you should not hire an amateur to make your website.

A real webmaster / SEO consultant will monitor your website traffic daily, weekly and monthly to see who is visiting your website and will make adjustments to your website on a monthly basis. High quality websites do not sit in cyberspace and collect dust but are updated on a regular basis and are built and optimized following Googles strict webmaster guidelines and this is what will make you money.

Guests that stay at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels in Lake Buena Vista Florida get FREE WiFi high speed internet access in their rooms. Not every Disney Resort offers FREE WiFi so it is important you call the resort you are interested in and ask if they are one of the Disney Resorts Orlando Florida offering free internet access in the rooms of their guests.

This new WiFi policy was announced on October 17 2011 and we were told if this freebee turns out to really put a smile on guests faces that other Disney Resorts in Florida may follow along by providing this free service to their guests.

Central Florida Computer Engineering also provides premium emergency computer repair services to Disney Guests which is targeted towards families and traveling business professionals in the Orlando, Lake Buena Vista , Kissimmee and surrounding Central Florida areas. If you are on vacation in Central Florida and need fast on-site emergency computer help call  Central Florida’s Premium Technology Service Provider for fast, professional and reliable computer support.

Steve Jobs, the creative, innovative co-founder of Apple that transformed the use of technology in personal and entire industries with products such as the Macintosh computer system, iPod, iPad, iPhone, iTunes and the iTunes store passed away today.

The Apple chairman was just 56 years old when he died.

The American Icon Steve Jobs, whose impact on the world will never be forgotten.

In August of 2011 Apples Steve Jobs stepped down from his position as the Apple CEO because of his personal health problem of suffering from pancreatic cancer although Apple did not give a specific reason for Job’s death.

Today Apple lost a real genius and the world lost an amazing man. Steve Jobs was a dear friend to many and an inspiring and uplifting mentor to many others in and out of the technology world.

In a short statement Apple stated they were saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve’s brilliant mind and passion were the source of many innovations that changed the world.

Steve Jobs battled cancer in 2004 and had a liver transplant in 2009. Ultimately after several leave of absences In 2009 Steve stepped down as CEO of Apple and became chairman.

1976
Apple / Macintosh was co-founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
The first computers were built and assembled in a garage.

January 24, 1984
The Macintosh computer makes its debut.

May 6, 1998
The iMac is introduced to the general public and becomes the fastest selling computer in Apples history.

October 23, 2001
The iPod revolutionizes the portable music player.

September 7, 2005
With the iPod Nano, the iPod shrinks as it evolves.

January 9, 2007
Apple drops the name “computer” from its name and expands its reach with the iPhone.

January 27, 2010
Apple fills a gap consumers didn’t know existed with the iPad tablet.

June 7, 2010
After it was leaked by a technology blog, the iPhone 4 is officially unveiled to the general public.

March 2, 2011
Steve Jobs returns from medical leave to launch the iPad 2

October 4, 2011 Apple announces the new iPhone 4S

October 5, 2011 Apple’s Steve Jobs passes away.

All of us at Central Florida Computer Engineering will forever miss you Steve and we can’t thank you enough for all you have given the world. We know you are in a better place and know you are in heaven watching all of us.

Sincerely,

Chris Ondo
Central Florida Computer Engineering
CFCEcorp.com

Today Apple fans were quite disappointed when they expected Apple to publicly announce the new Iphone 5.  Instead Apple announced the Iphone 4S which is basically the same thing as the Iphone 4 we all love with the addition of new internal hardware that performs better then the stock Iphone 4.

The Apple Iphone 4S looks just like the Iphone 4 on the outside, but on the inside it received an internal overhaul that makes it faster and now smarter than the Iphone 4. Apple added some nifty new games and apps, and priced the Iphone 4S at three different prices depending on how much storage capacity you want. Those prices are $199, $299 and $399.

Here is a brief description of what is new with the Iphone 4S.

• The Apple Iphone 4S has an 8 megapixel camera
• The Apple Iphone 4S records video in 1080 High Definition Resolution.
• The Apple Iphone 4S “offers” an assistant called SIRI that can answer questions you ask it via voice. For example you can ask it “what is the weather today” and it it will tell you. OR You can say “Wake me up at 7am and it will set your Iphones alarm clock….this is pretty cool without a doubt.
• It come with a built in dual mode “GSM and CDMA radio so you can listen to the radio should you travel outside of the United States.
• The Apple Iphone 4S’s batter life holds a longer charge to power your phone up to 8 hours of talk time or 6 hours of 3G web browsing. (NOTICE) we mentioned nothing about 4 G Networks.

That’s really it for the Iphone 4S.
When will the Iphone 5 really be released? that’s a very good question? I did visit my local Apple Store located in Altamonte Springs Florida and talked to a few of the Apple associates who were pretty disappointed the Iphone 5 isn’t coming so fast after all. Needless to say this group of young men and women are very friendly and helpful which really is an understatement.

Did you know facebook has more then 800 million active users with about 60% of those people visiting the website on any given day!

Before you log on to facebook and post your next status update, photo or update your facebook profile, check out the top 10 things you should NOT post on facebook.

#1
This may seem obvious but to many it is not. NEVER put your home address on your facebook profile under any circumstances. That is unless you welcome the idea of becoming another victim of identity theft.

#2
We have all had a bad day at work or have worked for bosses we hate. If you choose to post you hate your boss or your boss sucks or complain and whine about your colleagues and customers then there is a good chance your boss will find out and that is probably not a great idea.

#3
If you are involved in workplace romance that in itself is probably not a great idea. Posting it on Facebook is probably a great way to loose your job.

#4
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! Who does not like getting birthday wishes? Ok almost everybody would enjoy this but do NOT post the year you were born. If you choose to advertise to the whole world your complete birth date then you are inviting yourself to become another victim of identity theft.

#5
If you are one of those people who use the same easy password for everything then well that in itself if just a bad idea. Additionally NEVER provide password reminder clues in your facebook profile such as your favorite sports team, place of birth, mothers maiden name and so forth.

#6
Facebook users should avoid posting photographs of their home, especially of the inside of their homes which would likely show off your valuables to the entire world.

#7
Avoid posting photos of your vacation or weekend getaway while you are away from home. Don’t be an idiot and invite criminals into your home while by broadcasting that you are out of town. If you insist on posting photos of your vacation or trip away from home, have a little common sense and wait until you return home to post these kinds of photos.

#8
Likewise do NOT use your facebook profile to announce things such as “one more day until this or that concert or one more day until the beach”. This is like advertising and announcing hey everybody guess what? I wont be home all day Saturday so if you are a criminal come visit my home and burglarize my home while I am away enjoying the day at the beach or am rocking out at a concert or other event away from home.

#9
Insurance companies are like vampires and leaches. These bloodsucking money hungry crooks are increasingly turning to the world wide web to see which clients are putting their property or themselves at risk by suck activities as skydiving, racing cars, enjoying your dirt bike or other activities which insurance companies deem as dangerous.

#10
If you use another social media site like myspace, twitter, or linkedin, then use common sence if you decide to link your profiles together. An employer who sees your Linkedin profile may also visit your facebook or myspace profile if you advertise it. If you don’t want your company knowing about your personal life then don’t advertise it to them or make it easy for them to find. Instead keep your personal profiles locked down and not viewable by the general public and or by people you do not know and trust.

QUESTION:
What is the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0?

ANSWER:
USB 2.0 is capable of data transfer speeds of 480Mbps which is a little shy of 0.5 Gigabits per second.
USB 3.0 is capable of data transfer speeds of 5GBPS which is 10 times faster than USB 2.0.

Simply put without getting into a bunch of technical jargon. This means transferring data would be noticeably faster with USB 3.0 when compared to USB 2.0. When we say transferring data we mean between a computer to a USB hard drive or thumb drive. This has absolutely nothing to do with computer networking data transfer speeds. Keep in mind your computer will have to support USB 3.0 in order for you to benefit from a USB 3.0 devise such as a USB 3.0 hard drive or USB thumb drive.